New emergency services vehicle boost for Sunshine Coast

Emergency services on the Sunshine Coast are being boosted with almost $1.4 million invested in six new ambulance vehicles and a new fire appliance in the region, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said today.

Mr Roberts said two Mercedes Benz 318 Sprinter Class ambulance vehicles had been delivered to the Kawana ambulance station, while three were purchased for the Maroochydore ambulance station and a new Mercedes Benz 315 patient transport vehicle has been stationed at Nambour.

“The 318 Sprinter Class ambulances cost $180,000 each to put on the road, while the patient transport vehicles are fully-equipped for $135,000,” Mr Roberts said.

Two of the three for Maroochydore ambulance stations are in addition to its existing fleet, while the other vehicles, including patient transport vehicle at Nambour, are replacement.

Mr Roberts said the six vehicles were part of the purchase of 30 new ambulance vehicles for the North Coast region, which includes stations in the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Burnett areas.

Mr Roberts said a new Isuzu 900 series fire appliance was deployed to the Noosa Station. The vehicle cost $340,000 on the road, including more than $50,000 of road accident rescue equipment.

“The vehicle has a seating capacity of six and is fully equipped with the latest fire and rescue tools. It has a pumping capacity of 2300 litres per minute and carries an onboard water supply of 2000 litres,” Mr Roberts said.

“As a fully operational vehicle this appliance is used by both permanent and auxiliary staff to respond to numerous calls and is required to replace the front line appliance during maintenance activities and regularly used for training and core skills maintenance.”

Mr Roberts said the Queensland Government is making a record commitment to emergency services, with record funding, record additional ambulance officers and an historic commitment to upgrading the fleet of vehicles.

“In 2007-08 and 2008-09, the QAS is funded to recruit 505 extra ambulance officers and buy 285 new ambulance vehicles,” Mr Roberts said.

Mr Roberts said the Department of Emergency Services has received approval for $18.6 million (including GST) to order the 145 new ambulance vehicles for 2008-09.

“The QAS is planning the allocation of the 145 new vehicles and the 250 extra ambulance officers funded this financial year,” he said.

Mr Roberts said the State Budget allocated $13.4 million in 2008-09 for 30 new or replacement urban fire and rescue appliances.

3 July 2008
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Minister Roberts’ office) 3247 8194 or 0418 197 350