Design for new Clermont Ambulance Station progressing

The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) is progressing the design for a $1.4 million replacement ambulance station for the central Queensland community of Clermont.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said tenders for the construction of the replacement ambulance station on Sirius Street, Clermont are expected to be called for in July. Practical completion is due in the 2008-09 financial year.

“Ambulance services have a proud history in the Clermont area and the replacement station will provide a new chapter,” Mr Roberts said.

The first ambulance service in the region was established at the Blair Athol in 1912, and in Clermont in 1920. The station and superintendent’s residence built at Clermont in 1960s cost 16,500 pounds.

Mr Roberts said in addition to progress on the replacement Clermont station, replacement stations at Gemfields, Aramac and Carmila in central Queensland are nearing completion.

“The Queensland Government is providing record funding for the QAS. We are recruiting a record number of extra ambulance officers, buying new vehicles and building new or replacement ambulance stations across the State,” he said.

Mr Roberts said late last year, the Ambulance Audit recommended that “QAS work with Queensland Health to facilitate the co-location of ambulance with Queensland Health facilities in rural and remote areas”. This option was investigated at Clermont, but it will not be implemented.

29 May 2008
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Minister’s Office) 3247 8194 or 0418 197 350