Four new ambulance vehicles for north Queensland

Four new ambulance vehicles worth more than $600,000 are being delivered to stations in north Queensland this week, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said.

Mr Roberts said two new Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) Mercedes Sprinter 318 Emergency Ambulances are being delivered to Townsville, with single Mercedes Sprinter 315 Patient Transport Vehicles to be delivered to stations at Charters Towers and Ayr.

“These four vehicles will replace existing vehicles in the fleet. These vehicles are part of the 140 new ambulance vehicles funded in 2007-08,” Mr Roberts said.

“Thirty new vehicles were allocated for the Northern Region as part of this commitment.”

The on-road costs for Emergency Ambulances is $180,000 each and $140,000 for Patient Transport Vehicles.

Mr Roberts said the QAS roll-out of new vehicles was proceeding rapidly.

"All 140 new ambulance vehicles funded in 2007-08 will be on the road by September and the 145 vehicles funded in last month's State Budget are being ordered this month," Mr Roberts said.

"This is an unprecedented upgrade to the ambulance fleet.”

“The QAS has undertaken a revamp of its vehicle design specifications during the last financial year,” Mr Roberts said.

“The QAS has redesigned and improved the Patient Transport Vehicle, the Mercedes 315, and the more powerful Emergency Ambulance, the Mercedes 318, for increased operational effectiveness.

17 July 2008
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3247 8194