Second station meets demand

Works on a second ambulance station in Warragul are set to begin next month.

The state government announced Malvern based company May Constructions Pty Lts has been appointed to construct the new station at 156 Burke St.

Health Minister Martin Foley said the government was boosting ambulance resources in Warragul, giving paramedics the facilities and support they need to quickly respond to local emergencies.

The new branch will feature a four-bay garage for ambulances, areas including four bedrooms for paramedics to rest and recuperate, training facilities, a fully equipped kitchen and improved security and car parking to make sure paramedics are safe.

Mr Foley said the Burke St location allowed easy access to main roads and major sites including schools, shopping precincts and community facilities.

“Victorians rely on the expertise, compassion and commitment of our hard-working paramedics which is why we are backing them in with this major investment,” he said.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the new station would deliver a modern and fit-for-purpose facility and in turn, deliver world-class emergency care to more patients in growing communities across West Gippsland.

Ambulance Victoria confirmed in April 2018 a site in Burke St had been purchased for the second station.  The site is located opposite Marist Sion College

The new branch will be in addition to Warragul’s long standing 24-hour emergency response and the 24-hour Drouin branch.

When announced, the proposal created a backlash from a number of people regarding safety and traffic management in Burke St.

At the time, Ambulance Victoria said the site was chosen based on expected case load data and council advice on existing conditions and proposed development within the Warragul Precinct Structure Plan.

Baw Baw Shire planning and development director James Reid said council issued a permit for the use of an emergency services facility at the site in November 2018.

The permit was amended on June 17 this year with some changes to the design of the building. 

Mr Reid said the permit specifies parking and any loading and unloading of vehicles must be contained within the site boundaries and not affect or interrupt traffic flow to the satisfaction of the responsible authority. 

Permit conditions require at least 10 car parking spaces on site.