Benjamin Millar
A new ambulance station will be built on Melton West after a High Street site was identified for the $2.875 million project.
Documents lodged with Melton Council reveal plans for a new four-bay ambulance branch with sleeping and recreation quarters to be built on a vacant site at 759 High Street.
Star Weekly last month reported that ambulance response times for the most serious medical cases have blown out in Melton and Moorabool over the past 12 months.
Ambulance Victoria data reveals a large increase in demand for ambulances has contributed to delays in response times during life threatening emergencies.
Metro regional director Michael Georgiou said the Melton and Moorabool regions are dealing with “an extraordinary workload”, which the new station would help to ease.
“The challenges we face are complex, however we have a clear plan and significant state government funding to improve our response performance,” he said.
A community information sheet prepared for the Melton West ambulance station states that the location of each ambulance branch is carefully selected to ensure the best coverage of ambulance services for the community.
“When introducing a new branch we are sensitive to its effect on the neighbourhood and take into account a number of factors to minimise disturbance to the community,” it states.
The document notes there will be two paramedics per ambulance vehicle and generally two shift changes a day, occurring at 7am and 3pm.
“The branch is designed to the required emergency vehicles for the area, this may include a mix of ambulance ‘trucks’ and sedan vehicles,” it states.
“There will be less activity at the branch during the night as the call out rate decreases. Paramedics at the branch during the night are waiting until they get called to a new case.”
Melton Council is yet to make a decision in the proposal.
