New ambulance station for Gympie

Paramedics in Gympie now have a state-of-the-art facility after the official opening of a new ambulance station today.

Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell officially opened the new station, in Alfred Street, Gympie, which was built at a cost of $1.9 million. It is a replacement for the former Nash Street station, which was built in 1959.

Mr Purcell also officially handed over two new ambulances: the Ford ‘F’ Series dual-stretcher ambulance, which is fitted with the latest in pre-hospital care equipment, is worth about $170,000. The Mercedes ‘Sprinter’ Patient Transport Service vehicle is worth about $117,000.

Mr Purcell said the new station would be a great boost for paramedics and local residents.

“The new station provides our hard-working paramedics with a modern, purpose-built facility. The Beattie Government is committed to providing the State’s emergency services personnel with the right facilities and equipment. However, they would be of little use without the wonderful people who actually use them,” Mr Purcell said.

“Paramedics do amazing work. They are on the front-line of caring for the safety and wellbeing of their fellow Queenslanders, and they deserve recognition for the great work they do every day.”

Mr Purcell also thanked the Gympie Local Ambulance Committee for the ongoing support they provided to local paramedics.

The new station covers Gympie and surrounding areas, from Federal in the south to Gunalda and Glenwood in the north and includes the towns of Imbil, Kilkivan and Kandanga. It also assists the Cooloola Coast station.

The station responded to 4751 calls for assistance in the 2005-06 financial year, which is expected to rise to more than 5300 calls this financial year.

A memorial plaque has been erected at the station entrance to acknowledge the interesting history of the site. The new station is built on the site of Gympie’s first cemetery, which was used from 1867 to 1869, with the remains of those buried there transferred to another location in 1881.

Media contacts: Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571;
Daniel Landon 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976.