By Mikayla Van Loon
A new Lilydale ambulance station is due to start construction in July after a builder was appointed by the State government on Tuesday 22 June.
Health minister Martin Foley announced that Bowden Corporation has been chosen to build the new facility at 3 Charles Road in Lilydale.
“Our hard-working paramedics in Lilydale deserve modern facilities so they can meet the needs of the community – this is why we are backing them in with a new ambulance station,” Mr Foley said.
With the closest stations to Lilydale currently being in Kilsyth, Yarra Junction, Ringwood and Healesville, the Lilydale branch will be a welcome addition to the area.
It will feature a five-bay garage for ambulances, areas including six bedrooms, training facilities, a fully equipped kitchen and improved security and car parking to make sure paramedics are safe.
The Charles Road location means ambulance vehicles will have easy access to main roads, connecting them to the major sites including schools, shopping precincts and community facilities.
“This new ambulance station will ensure Lilydale’s paramedics have the facilities and infrastructure that they need to deliver their world-class emergency care to families and communities across the Ranges and the Yarra Valley,” Eastern Victoria member Harriet Shing said.
This new station forms part of the $759 million allocated to improving ambulance services and employing more paramedics in the 2021/22 Victorian Budget.
Since 2015 the State government has spent close to $250 million on improving ambulance stations for paramedics to enjoy better working conditions.
More to come.
