Tocumwal's Ambitious Ambulance Advancement Agenda

Published on 26 October 2023

TOCUMWAL’S AMBITIOUS AMBULANCE ADVANCEMENT AGENDA

On the night of Monday 23 October 2023, more than 100 people gathered at the Tocumwal Memorial Hall to advocate for one thing – an ambulance station in Tocumwal.

On hand to listen and assist with the project was Ms Helen Dalton, Member for Murray, Deputy Mayor Carly Marriot, Cr Matt Hannan, Cr Ted Hatty and CEO Karina Ewer.

Ms Dalton encouraged the community to “get vocal” and to make the Tocumwal Ambulance station a priority for the MInns government, particularly as we head into the next election.

The Tocumwal Ambulance Steering Committee have been working hard to achieve this goal and were successful in ensuring in 2020 that the State Government reviewed the situation in Tocumwal.  The report that was handed to the then Minister for Emergency Services, Brad Hazzard, outlined that the First Responder model currently in use for Tocumwal was even then at the very limits of its capacity.

Since that time, Berrigan Shire Council have updated the modelling for population growth and the statistics point strongly toward the need to review that report.  “We know Tocumwal is growing much faster than previous modelling suggested,” said Deputy Mayor, Cr Carly Marriott.  “We have provided that proof to Minister The Honourable Ryan Park MP, but have yet to be provided concrete response as to when the report will be reviewed and a timeline for the establishment of an ambulance in Tocumwal provided.”

Cr Marriott said, “The Council will consider whether it will develop its own Business Case to underpin the work of the Steering Committee at its next Ordinary meeting on 15 November 2023.”

“It seems clear to Council that the community need a fully operational ambulance station in Tocumwal.  Neither Council, nor the community continue to tolerate near misses, people are angry and rightly so.  We believe strongly that an ambulance station in Tocumwal is simply asking for equitable access to emergency medical care,” said Cr Marriott.

ENDS
Further information:
Keelan McDonald
Communications, Marketing and Engagement
Berrigan Shire Council