NEW AMBULANCE STATION FOR IPSWICH

Ambulance services in Ipswich and surrounding areas will receive a significant boost with the announcement of a new ambulance station site, Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell said today.

State Member for Ipswich, Rachel Nolan and State Member for Ipswich West, Wayne Wendt today officially announced that the Queensland Ambulance Service will combine the Raceview and Ipswich ambulance stations into a new “super” ambulance station and area administration office.

Minister for Emergency Services, Pat Purcell said the site for the new station is on the corner of Thorn and Garden Streets, Ipswich, which is currently used as a Works Depot by the Ipswich City Council (ICC).

“The proposed site is more central than the current Ipswich and Raceview ambulance stations, and will maximize the ability of the QAS to provide more responsive ambulance services to the community.

“The new Ipswich Ambulance Station will be next to the Limestone Park emergency helicopter landing pad and will be much closer to the Ipswich Hospital and other medical facilities in the area”, Mr Purcell said.

Mr Purcell congratulated Ms Nolan and Mr Wendt for their hard work in ensuring the best outcome for their constituents.

“These two local members have worked tirelessly for the people of Ipswich and I thank them for their commitment to providing improved health services to the local community”, Mr Purcell said.

Ms Nolan thanked Ipswich City Council Mayor, Paul Pisasale for his active support of the new ambulance station in Ipswich.

“An arrangement had been reached between the Queensland Government and the Ipswich City Council.

“This partnership provides an opportunity for Ipswich to have a state-of-the-art ambulance station centrally located to provide for the present and future needs of this growing community.

“The new combined ambulance station will be built on the Works Depot site, which will be relocated to the current Raceview Ambulance Station site”, Ms Nolan said.

Mr Wendt said that once the new station was built on the Works Depot site then the current Ipswich ambulance station will be sold in accordance with Government Land Policies.

“The sale of the site in North Ipswich will help to fund the new first-class ambulance facility”, Mr Wendt said.

Mr Wendt also praised the work of Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics in the Ipswich region.

“Our paramedics are some of the most highly trained anywhere in the world, and I’m pleased they will have a new and improved home from which to serve the people of Ipswich”,

“Ipswich is growing rapidly, and this new station is an example of the Government’s commitment to ensuring our local ambulance service is well resourced to continue its great work”, Mr Wendt said.

Ipswich City Council Mayor Paul Pisasale said the announcement was an excellent outcome for the community.

“Partnerships between Council and the State Government show the great work that can be done when we get down to the business of boosting services and building great facilities for the local community.

“This fantastic outcome for the Council and the ambulance service will provide great benefits for the people of Ipswich and I am pleased to be able to support the project”, Cr Pisasale said

Media contact: Tim Shipstone 3247 8194, 0409 620 571