The Andrews Labor Government is boosting ambulance resources in the Grampians region to make sure paramedics have the facilities and support they need to quickly respond to local emergencies.
Minister for Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that work has started on refurbishing the Ararat Ambulance Station on Basham Street, to provide locals with the critical care and support they deserve.
The refurbished Ararat Ambulance Station is set to feature a new Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) covered space, new medical and delivery stores and improved training facilities and amenities for hard-working paramedics.
The new Ararat station is on track to be completed later this year. It is one of 14 new or refurbished stations currently under construction across the state.
The refurbishment is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with builder Bowden Corporation.
The Labor Government has invested approximately $249 million since 2015 to upgrade and rebuild ambulance stations to provide better working conditions for paramedics and ensure lifesaving emergency care is available for all Victorians.
The new refurbishment forms part of the Government’s continued investment in Ambulance Victoria, bolstered by an additional $124 million in the Victorian Budget 2022/23 to employ more paramedics, buy new vehicles and get more Victorians the care they need.
Ambulance Victoria recruited 700 paramedics in 2021 - its single largest annual recruitment ever - to help respond to increasing demand.
The Government has expanded the paramedic workforce by more than 56 per cent since 2014 – an increase of more than 2,000 paramedics.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas
“We’re making sure paramedics in Ararat have the facilities that support them to do what they do best – save lives.”
“The refurbishment is delivering a modern and advanced ambulance station that will enable hard-working paramedics to provide the best lifesaving emergency care, now and into the future.”
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford
“With shovels now in the ground, even better emergency care for families in Ararat and surrounding areas is just around the corner.”
Reviewed 12 August 2022