ALP plan for $6m service upgrade

BURDELL could become the home of a new ambulance station with a $6m promise from a Labor government.

The new station is one of six locations across Queensland to benefit from a $31m investment in new and replacement stations. The development is expected to create 17 jobs.

Deputy Premier and Ambulance Minister Steven Miles said the investment would increase access to emergency care in Townsville.

“We know the Townsville region is becoming more and more popular for families, particularly the city’s northern suburbs,” Mr Miles said.

The new ambulance station at Galax Entrance, near the Northshore Car wash, will have easy access to the Bruce Highway.

Earlier this month, Hinchinbrook incumbent Nick Dametto said he understood a new ambulance station could be built at the site and asked for it to be fast-tracked.

“The population of Townsville’s northern suburbs has grown exponentially over the last year, and it’s time the government recognised this with an emergency service that caters to this need,” Mr Dametto said.

Labor Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the $6m investment would operate 24 hours a day and have 17 paramedics and an officer-in-charge.

“Officers at existing surrounding stations at Northern Beaches, Kirwan and Townsville do a fantastic job servicing the local communities and that high standard of care will be reinforced when the new station becomes operational,” Mr Stewart said.

Labor Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said the new station would contribute to improving response times across the region. Hinchinbrook ALP candidate Paul Jacobs said the new station was an important step in improving ambulance services.