Doors Open for New Lara Ambulance Station

Media release

From the Minister for Health

Friday, 29May 2009

DOORS OPEN FOR NEW LARA AMBULANCE STATION

Residents of the Greater Geelong area have access to even better ambulance services after the official opening of the new $1.1 million Lara ambulance service.

Health Minister Daniel Andrews today opened the state-of-the-art station in Mill Road, Lara.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to deliver the highest-quality ambulance services and facilities to communities across Victoria,” Mr Andrews said.

“This new station is a welcome boost to Greater Geelong’s ambulance services, which are now even better equipped to respond to critical medical emergencies in and around Lara.

“The branch services a population of nearly 13,000 people over an area approximately 551 km2 in size,” he said.

The branch, which has eight paramedics and two ambulance vehicles, has responded to more than 3650 cases since commencing operation.

Mr Andrews said Victoria's ambulance service was the best in Australia thanks to the work of our paramedics and a funding boost from the Brumby Government.

“Over the last two years, the Brumby Government has made a significant $27 million investment to upgrade Ambulance Victoria infrastructure,” he said.

“This major commitment across metropolitan and regional Victoria is seeing construction and refurbishment works at 35 high-priority ambulance stations, including here at Lara.”

Mr Andrews said other significant improvements for ambulance services in the Greater Geelong area include new and upgraded services at Torquay, Ocean Grove, Lorne, and Geelong, the construction of a new branch at Belmont, and a refurbishment at Norlane.

Last year’s State Budget provided a record $185.7 million package to boost ambulance services across Victoria.

Mr Andrews said the record funding is delivering a number of benefits to the Barwon South Western region, including a new Geelong MICA rapid response unit, paramedics and new stations at Anglesea, Timboon, and ApolloBay, an extra crew at Colac, and a new emergency helicopter based in south-west Victoria.

Member for Lara John Eren MP welcomed the boost to local services.

“This is an important investment and further proof of the Brumby Government’s commitment to providing the very best ambulance services, close to where people live,” he said.

Media contact: Jason Frenkel 0438 361 865 / 9651 5799