Emergency response capabilities are set to improve across the region, with the proposed new $8 million Gawler Ambulance Station in the last stages of approval following today’s Public Works Committee meeting at State Parliament House.
The rebuilt station will house 12 paramedics and six Regional Medical Transfer Service crew members (3 Ambulance Officers and 3 Paramedics).
The new location at 113 Main North Road, Willaston, will also allow garage space for an extra three ambulance vehicles (increasing capacity to five compared to its current location), two external light fleet vehicle car parks, training/study space and other relevant offices and staff amenities.
State Member for Light, Tony Piccolo MP, is pleased the Malinauskas Labor Government has been able to deliver on its election commitment, investing $70 million for four new Ambulance Stations, including one at Two Wells, and four rebuilt Ambulance Stations in high priority areas.
The enhanced ambulance services will provide the local community with greater assurance of timely assistance in an emergency, while the allocation of 68 new beds committed to Lyell McEwin Hospital this year increases the likelihood of a hospital bed being available in our region,” Mr Piccolo said.
“The current facility no longer has the capacity to meet contemporary demands.
“The resources and staffing at the new site will ensure SA Ambulance Service can service and manage emergency responses in the rapidly growing population of Gawler and surrounding districts.
“This project builds on Labor Government’s other election commitments delivered to improve the safety in our region; an additional 12-person crew in operation in Gawler since December 2022, a Gawler SES Station to be in action by mid-2025 and additional funding to increase capacity at the Gawler Health Service, including the new 15-bed Emergency Department.”
If the project to rebuild the station is approved, construction is expected to commence next month and is set to be completed by July 2025.
State Government’s $70 million investment will also deliver 10 Ambulance Station upgrades, 36 new vehicles, 350 additional staff and a new SAAS Precinct (inclusive of SAAS Emergency Operations Centre / State Health Coordination Centre and Adelaide Ambulance Station).