Busselton’s St John Ambulance will soon boast a new depot and first aid training centre.
Forrest MP Nola Marino and federal regional development, territories and local government minister John McVeigh announced the construction of the depot would receive $1.5 million under the government’s Building Better Regions Fund on July 9.
The new multi-million dollar purpose-built facility on Molloy Street will help meet increased demands in the rgion and improve emergency response times.
St John South West regional manager Nicolle Warren said the funding would enable construction to go ahead this year.
“The current depot is coming towards the end of its useful life and with the population growth in the Busselton area we need a larger, more modern facility,” she said.
“This Molloy Street site suits our operational needs. It is in a very good location and it will allow us to have a greater presence in the community.
“We are very grateful for this funding as well as assistance from the Department of Lands and the City of Busselton who have assisted us in getting the land,”
Busselton completed more than 4,400 ambulance cases in 2017/18 and it has 79 volunteers assisting its seven paramedics. It is the region’s second busiest depot behind Bunbury and the fifth busiest country depot in the state.
Ms Marino said she was delighted to announce the funding boost.
“I’m hoping the new facility will encourage even more people to become volunteers for St John and provide the essential life saving services that are so necessary in regional and rural communities and a city like Busselton, which is growing so fast,” she said.
“The new depot and first aid training centre will facilitate quicker response times to improve survival of cardiac patients, increase attendance at events, provide a venue for mental health first aid training to reduce suicide and increase volunteers to transport patients to medical appointments.”
The new facility will accommodate six emergency vehicles, a modern crew area, two First Aid Training rooms and a covered outdoor area.
Preliminary works started on the site in April.
