The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has used Parliament to press the State Government on the future of the Irymple Ambulance Station, saying the current facility is outdated and no longer fit for purpose.
Questioning Minister for Ambulance Services, Harriet Shing, Ms Benham asked whether the Irymple station was on the Government’s radar for upgrades or relocation, noting the building was never designed to operate as an ambulance station and was intended only as a temporary arrangement.
The Irymple Ambulance Station has operated from its current Fifteenth Street premises since 2007, when Ambulance Victoria acquired the building from Lower Murray Water.
Ms Benham said the current facility does not meet the needs of a growing community or modern ambulance operations.
“The current station provides no room for expansion of the ambulance fleet, despite increasing demand from the growing Irymple area.
“It also falls short when it comes to staff amenities and facilities, which is simply not good enough for the hardworking paramedics and ambulance personnel who serve our community every day.
“These are straightforward, practical issues that directly affect emergency response capability on the ground.
“When emergencies happen, people need confidence that local emergency services are properly equipped and able to respond quickly.
“Our paramedics do an outstanding job under challenging circumstances, but they need facilities that are fit for purpose and capable of supporting future demand.
“I am calling on the Government to give serious consideration to the future of the Irymple Ambulance Station and ensure our local ambulance service has the infrastructure it needs to continue serving the community effectively.”
