Ambo Abundance

EMERALD and Belgrave residents would be safer under a Liberal State Government according to Opposition leader Ted Baillieu.
Mr Baillieu last week promised to staff the towns’ ambulance stations 24 hours a day if the Coalition came to power at the November election.

The plan, which also included Yarra Junction, would see each station gain six paramedics at a cost of $120,000 a head.

The announcement was part of a $151 million pledge.

“Our plan will make people living in Belgrave, Emerald and Yarra Junction safer,” Mr Baillieu said.

Response times in the area averaged 17.4 minutes – almost eight minutes more than Victoria’s other top times.

Belgrave residents had an average wait of just over 12 minutes. A State Government spokesman said last week’s announcement was “an uncosted promise from Ted Baillieu and the Liberal Party”.

The spokesman said the government would continue to support Ambulance Victoria and its staff to improve services across Victoria.

Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said she had ensured Health Minister Daniel Andrews was “fully aware of the situation regarding ambulance services in my electorate”.


http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/92106