Published Tuesday, 29 July, 2008 at 10:30 AM

Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
Two replacement ambulance stations opened in central Qld
Two replacement ambulance stations, built at a combined cost $2.4 million, were officially opened at Aramac and Gemfields in central Queensland by Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts today.
Mr Roberts said the replacement stations were part of the Bligh Government’s record commitment to the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) through extra staff, new vehicles and new, replaced or refurbished stations.
“The Aramac and Gemfields ambulance stations were due to be replaced. The Aramac station opened in 1978 and at Gemfields in 1988,” Mr Roberts said.
“The new stations will provide modern facilities with a multi-purpose room, write-up room and rest study room to give staff designated areas where they can further their professional development and work efficiently and comfortably.”
Mr Roberts said the ambulance station at Aramac, north-east of Longreach, was strategically located to service over 23,290 square kilometres covering areas such as Muttaburra, Ilfracombe and Torrens Creek.
“Ambulance services at Aramac can be traced back to 1947 when, following a number of accidents in the area, the Aramac Voluntary Ambulance Committee was formed,” he said.
“The new state-of-the art facility I have the pleasure of opening today will go a long way to providing staff at Aramac Station with the necessary tools and equipment to provide more than 130 responses each year.”
Mr Roberts said the Gemfields ambulance service was founded in the late 1980s and it is strategically placed to provide optimum service in the Gemfields area, 40 kilometres west of Emerald, and out to Alpha.
“More than 400 responses were provided from the Gemfields ambulance station last year,” he said.
Mr Roberts said the 2008-09 State Budget allocated $61.5 million for capital acquisitions, to start or complete two new ambulance stations and 21 replacement or redeveloped QAS facilities.
The Carmila station ($1 million) is nearing completion, while the Coolum ($2.15 million), Murgon ($2 million) and Oakey ($1.45 million) replacement stations are to be completed in August.
Other ambulance stations completed in recent years include new stations at Birkdale, Carina, Emu Park, Narangba, Nerang and Samford Valley and replacement or refurbished stations at Atherton, Ayr, Babinda, Balmoral, Gympie, Roma and Warwick.
29 July 2008
Media contact:
• Kirby Anderson (travelling with the Minister) 0418 197 350
• Brendan Connell 3247 8992
Mr Roberts said the replacement stations were part of the Bligh Government’s record commitment to the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) through extra staff, new vehicles and new, replaced or refurbished stations.
“The Aramac and Gemfields ambulance stations were due to be replaced. The Aramac station opened in 1978 and at Gemfields in 1988,” Mr Roberts said.
“The new stations will provide modern facilities with a multi-purpose room, write-up room and rest study room to give staff designated areas where they can further their professional development and work efficiently and comfortably.”
Mr Roberts said the ambulance station at Aramac, north-east of Longreach, was strategically located to service over 23,290 square kilometres covering areas such as Muttaburra, Ilfracombe and Torrens Creek.
“Ambulance services at Aramac can be traced back to 1947 when, following a number of accidents in the area, the Aramac Voluntary Ambulance Committee was formed,” he said.
“The new state-of-the art facility I have the pleasure of opening today will go a long way to providing staff at Aramac Station with the necessary tools and equipment to provide more than 130 responses each year.”
Mr Roberts said the Gemfields ambulance service was founded in the late 1980s and it is strategically placed to provide optimum service in the Gemfields area, 40 kilometres west of Emerald, and out to Alpha.
“More than 400 responses were provided from the Gemfields ambulance station last year,” he said.
Mr Roberts said the 2008-09 State Budget allocated $61.5 million for capital acquisitions, to start or complete two new ambulance stations and 21 replacement or redeveloped QAS facilities.
The Carmila station ($1 million) is nearing completion, while the Coolum ($2.15 million), Murgon ($2 million) and Oakey ($1.45 million) replacement stations are to be completed in August.
Other ambulance stations completed in recent years include new stations at Birkdale, Carina, Emu Park, Narangba, Nerang and Samford Valley and replacement or refurbished stations at Atherton, Ayr, Babinda, Balmoral, Gympie, Roma and Warwick.
29 July 2008
Media contact:
• Kirby Anderson (travelling with the Minister) 0418 197 350
• Brendan Connell 3247 8992