Ambo station land bought

THE State Government has acquired land for a new $2.7 million ambulance station at Swan Bay.

Premier Daniel Andrews was in Drysdale yesterday to announce the acquisition of land for the purpose-built station with a drive in-and-out garage bay for vehicles, training rooms, bedrooms, modern amenities and fully-fitted kitchen.

He did not reveal the location but said the new station would be between Queenscliff and St Leonards and would be staffed by seven fulltime paramedics.

The fully-funded paramedics are temporarily based at Bellarine Branch in Drysdale ahead of the new station opening.

Mr Andrews said the additional paramedics were already making a huge difference to response times across Queenscliff, St Leonards, Indented Head and Portarlington.

“We said we’d build a new ambulance station on the Bel- larine Peninsula and we’re getting it done,” Mr Andrews said.

“This is about giving our hardworking paramedics the facilities they need to do what they do best, and that’s saving lives.”

City of Greater Geelong and the Borough of Queenscliffe ambulance response times have improved under the current government.

In Queenscliff the average response time improved from 21.26 minutes in 2014-15 to 16.42 minutes in the third quarter of 2017-18.

Mr Andrews said the response times would further improve with a dedicated ambulance branch servicing the Bellarine Peninsula.

Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville said the new station would “make a massive difference” to response times.

“The new ambulance station at Swan Bay will mean they can offer the highest quality of treatment and care not just for locals, but for the many visitors who flock to the area,” Ms Neville said.

The station is expected to open in 2019.