Construction has started on the new St John Ambulance depot and first aid training centre in Busselton.
St John property and development general manager Mike Longman said construction was progressing well and was on track for an official opening early next year.
To assist in completing the project St John has received $1.5 million in funding from the Australian Government under the Building Better Regions Fund, as well as, assistance from the Department of Lands and the City of Busselton.
Mr Longman said the appointed builder, Big Ben Builders Southwest, had made a good start to the project and it was exciting to see it take shape.
St John Ambulance crew in Busselton completed more than 4000 cases in 2017/18 and had 78 volunteers assisting seven paramedics.
Busselton is the region's second busiest depot behind Bunbury and the fifth busiest country depot in WA.
The new facility on Molloy Street will serve the long term needs of the community, providing a hub for ambulance paramedics and volunteers, as well as a modern facility for the public to train in first aid.
"St John has continued to invest in our regional centres as our integrated model relies on the convergence of a community trained in first aid and highly skilled ambulance crews, both volunteer and career," Mr Longman said.
The new facility will be able to accommodate six emergency vehicles, a modern crew area, two first aid training rooms and a covered outdoor area.
Big Ben Builders managing director Ben Heash said the ultra-modern, state of the art facility, was due for completion at the end of November 2019.
"The new Molloy Street facility has been a real boost for our local economy, with Big Ben Builders employing approximately 200 workers during construction," he said.
St John Busselton is the second building project by Big Ben Builders for St John Ambulance WA, having completed renovations and a major extension at its Augusta facility in 2017.
