Residents of the Greater Geelong area have access to even better ambulance services after the official opening of the upgraded Norlane ambulance station.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews today opened the refurbished $1.1 million station, which will service residents of Norlane, Corio, North Geelong, Little River and Lara.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to ensure Victorians have access to the very best ambulance services, close to where they live,” Mr Andrews said. “This new station is a welcome boost to the region’s ambulance services.”
“This new station is a welcome boost to the region’s ambulance services, which are now even better equipped to respond to critical medical emergencies in and around Norlane.”
The Norlane station provides 24-hour care for residents and is staffed by 14 paramedics.
The station has now been upgraded with new facilities and a training room.
Mr Andrews said Victoria's ambulance service was the best in Australia thanks to the work of paramedics and a record funding boost from the Brumby Labor Government.
“The Victorian Government has more than doubled funding for ambulance services,” he said.
“We invested $185.6 million over four years in the 2008/09 State Budget to build or upgrade dozens of new stations, recruit hundreds of extra paramedics and buy two new choppers.
“This funding is also delivering a number of benefits to the Barwon South Western region, including a new Geelong MICA rapid response unit, a new station at Hamilton, paramedics and new stations at Apollo Bay, Anglesea, Timboon, an extra crew at Colac and a new emergency helicopter based in south-west Victoria.
“The Brumby Labor Government is committed to providing Victorians with the best pre-hospital emergency care, close to where they live, and this upgraded ambulance station is part of that effort.”
Member for Lara John Eren welcomed the opening of the upgraded station.
“It’s a big win for residents in the area, and this state-of-the-art facility builds on previous Government investments in the area, with new stations at Lara and Belmont,” he said.
“We’re taking action to give Victorians a better health system by building new hospitals and health services and hiring more doctors and nurses.”