By Alesha Capone
Two emergency services facilities pledged for Wyndham in 2016 and 2017 are yet to be built.
In December 2016, the state government pledged to build a new ambulance station in Wyndham Vale for for 14 full-time equivalent paramedics, under a $500 million investment in ambulance services across the state.
In May 2017, the government announced $12 million for the acquisition of land for six new SES stations, including at Point Cook.
Last week, a government spokesperson told Star Weekly that land was in the process of being acquired for the Wyndham Vale ambulance station after “an extensive search”.
It is expected the station will be built by 2022.
The government also pledged to build four other ambulance stations in the western and northern suburbs at Melton, Taylors Lakes, Craigieburn and Mernda.
Land has been identified for the Melton and Taylors Lakes stations, while the Craigieburn station project remains in the land acquisition phase. The Mernda station was opened in June 2019.
The Point Cook SES station was one of three the government promised to build in the northern and western suburbs, with facilities also pledged for Caroline Springs and Craigieburn north.
Star Weekly understands that all three projects are still in the land acquisition phase, with the Point Cook facility likely to be built at 85 Point Cook Homestead Road.
Last year, Altona MP Jill Hennessey announced that the government would spend $4.5 million to buy a 12,350 square metre site at 85 Point Cook Homestead Road to build the future Point Cook police station
Last week, acting Police and Emergency Services Minister Danny Pearson said that 85 Point Cook Homestead Road “is large enough to potentially accommodate other emergency service partners next to a future police station, however those discussions remain ongoing”.
“Due diligence is being undertaken in relation to any other potential use of this site next to the future police station, however it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time,” Mr Pearson said.
Western metropolitan MP Bernie Finn said the state government was putting people’s lives at risk with the delay in improving ambulances services in the west.
“I have spoken to people waiting extensive times for ambulances, it’s a big worry,” he said.
“The demand for emergency services to keep up with the need is so far behind it’s not funny.”
With Star Weekly reporters
