Elsie Lange
Gisborne’s new ambulance station is set to be completed by mid-2023, with Bowden Corporation appointed to construct the upgrade.
Health Minister and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas made the announcement on Monday, September 19, with construction on the new station, delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA), expected to get started in October.
Ms Thomas said with builders appointed and the project nearly ready to take off, Gisborne’s paramedics can look forward to the best possible facilities.
“This will mean we will have the local resources required to provide world class care to people in and around Gisborne,” Ms Thomas said.
“We’re upgrading and building new ambulance stations across Victoria. Modern, advanced and well-located ambulance stations mean Victorians can receive the best lifesaving emergency care now and in the future.”
The new station is set to feature a four-bay ambulance garage, four rest and recline areas for paramedics, training facilities, a kitchen and improved security and car parking.
Old buildings will be demolished on the existing site to make way for the new station, and paramedics from Gisborne have been relocated to a temporary accommodation on Hamilton Street while construction is underway.
According to the most recent Ambulance Victoria performance data, response times to urgent care calls in Gisborne are the longest they’ve been since the pandemic began.
In Gisborne, patients waited an average of 16 minutes and 15 seconds in the June quarter, up significantly compared to 13 minutes and 33 seconds in the same period last year.
The government said there were 15 ambulance stations which are either under construction or about to have work commence, including in Clyde North, Melton South, Taylors Lakes, Moe, Oak Park, Warragul, Wyndham Vale, Inglewood, Rochester, Ararat, Epping, Foster, Craigieburn and Karingal.
“The Labor government has committed approximately $249 million since 2015 to upgrade and rebuild ambulance stations, including in Gisborne, to provide better working conditions for paramedics and ensure lifesaving emergency care is available for all Victorians,” the government said.
