The Andrews Labor Government is continuing its investment in Gippsland's health infrastructure with construction underway on a bigger and better Paynesville Ambulance Station.
Minister for Ambulance Services Gabrielle Williams said the new station will ensure better facilities for the town's hardworking paramedics, providing better working conditions and ensuring quicker, lifesaving emergency care.
Upon completion, the station will feature a three-bay garage for ambulances, two rest and recline areas for paramedics to recuperate, longer term accommodation facilities, training facilities and a fully equipped kitchen. The station will also include improved security and car parking to ensure paramedics' safety.
Situated on Paynesville Road, the station's location is within proximity to a number of busy community facilities and services, including schools, walking trails and nature reserves - ensuring ease of access in emergencies.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA), McColl Smith Projects has been appointed as the project's builder, with the project expected to be complete in the first half of 2024.
Across Gippsland, construction is progressing well on the new multi-million-dollar Morwell and Foster ambulance stations, while the process to appoint a builder to construct the new Yarram Ambulance Station is underway.
Paramedics are already operating from two new multi-million-dollar stations in Moe and Warragul - featuring a five-bay garage and four rest and recline areas and a four-bay garage and four rest and recline areas respectively.
They form part of the Labor Government's ongoing support of Ambulance Victoria infrastructure, with $280 million invested since 2015 to deliver 51 ambulance stations, providing better working conditions for paramedics and ensuring lifesaving emergency care is available for all Victorians.
Since coming to Government, a total of more than $2 billion has been invested in ambulance services, including funding over the last two budgets to buy new vehicles and employ and train more paramedics, including 40 new Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance employees.
Boosting the skills of the existing workforce, the Government is also delivering Australia's first Paramedic Practitioners with a master's course at Monash University from 2024, with at least 25 paramedic practitioners trained and on the road by 2026.
As stated by Minister for Ambulance Services Gabrielle Williams
"Ambulance stations are a safe home base for our hardworking paramedics, so it is important they have a comfortable place to recuperate so they can keep doing what they do best - saving Victorian lives."
"This project is delivering a modern and advanced ambulance station for Paynesville that will enable local paramedics to provide the best lifesaving emergency care, now and into the future."
As stated by Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh
"Paynesville's paramedics are the best of our community and with shovels now in the ground, they will soon have a modern and comfortable place to rest, while they continue to provide world-class emergency care for locals."
