Winchelsea ambulance station officially opens

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman and Minister for Ambulance Services Jenny Mikakos along with the paramedics at the new Winchelsea ambulance station. Photo: HANNAH JENKINS

A NEW ambulance station officially opened in Winchelsea last month.

The state government funded the project, seeing Winchelsea as an ideal place for the station to be built.

Not only is the town itself growing, but it acts as a gateway for many tourist destinations, including the Great Ocean Road.

The facilities include four ambulance response bays, training facilities, rest rooms, a fully-fitted kitchen and staff parking.

Minister for Ambulance Services Jenny Mikakos was present to officially open the station.

She said it is crucial that paramedics have the facilities needed to best carry out their jobs.

“We’re getting it done and building more local ambulance stations, just like Winchelsea, so our dedicated paramedics have the facilities they deserve and need to do what they do best, which is saving lives.”

“In an emergency every second counts. That’s why we’ve built Winchelsea’s first ever ambulance station to ensure locals and visitors can get lifesaving emergency care – when they need it most.”

The new service will also look to support existing services in the Colac Otway Shire and the City of Greater Geelong.

In the September quarter ambulances reached the scene of code 1 emergencies nearly six minutes quicker than compared to that five years ago.