Coalition commits $2 million to Drouin ambulance service
State opposition leader Matthew Guy announced $2 million to relocate and rebuild an ambulance station in Drouin when he visited Civic Park last Tuesday.
Mr Guy said with Drouin’s population growing at a rapid rate and more than ever before, essential services were feeling the strain.
“Drouin needs an appropriately located ambulance station to service the township with the certainty of a permanent home for that station that can provide 24-hour coverage,” he said.
“The current station is in an industrial estate and not close to the centre of town.
“We need to be giving our emergency service providers better resources.
“The new Drouin station will reduce wait times and reliance on Warragul, which is already at capacity.
“If elected we’re committed to the new hospital on Lardner’s Track and a new ambulance station to service it.”
Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood welcomed the announcement, saying it was critical to deliver infrastructure and investment needed to ensure emergency services can respond as best as possible to the challenges they face.
Mr Blackwood said a site had not been identified for the new station.
“The current facility is only a temporary lease and is only open for 12 hours of the day with back up service from Warragul,” he said.
“Drouin had growth of 17 per cent last year and it will keep growing. Drouin needs this facility.
“Drouin has a population of 17,000 and Warragul has a population of 19,000.
“A new hospital smack bang in the middle has to happen, it’s a no brainer for health services.”
Mr Guy said the local funding announcements, including fast rail and reducing payroll tax in regional areas to one per cent, were part of medium to long term vision of decentralising the state.
“Victoria is growing at about 150,000 people a year and most of that growth is occurring in Melbourne,” he said.
“The Liberal-Nationals have a clear plan to decentralise that growth and create a state of cities, not a city state.
“But to do that we must ensure that we grow Victoria properly, and that starts with providing vital emergency services to our regions.”