Ripley will be one of six locations across Queensland to benefit from a $31 million investment in new and replacement ambulance stations under a re‑elected Palaszczuk Labor Government.
Labor will deliver a brand new $5 million ambulance station in Ripley that will provide better access to pre-hospital health care for locals.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the $31 million investment will increase access to emergency health care and ensure our paramedics have world-class amenities, and will also boost local jobs and businesses by supporting 86 FTE construction jobs.
“We know the West Moreton region is becoming more and more popular for families and the Ipswich South area, particularly the Ripley Valley is rapidly expanding,” Mr Miles said.
“This year has proven just how vital our health workers are, and along with our record ambulance budget and additional staff, this new station is proof of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to keeping Queenslanders healthy, no matter where they live.
“It’s also part of Labor’s Economic Recovery Plan, which includes $889 million of new health infrastructure commitments as part of our $3.8 billion health infrastructure program over the next four years.”
Labor Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said this $5 million investment will mean greater access to emergency health care for the Ipswich region.
“Officers at existing stations at Ipswich, Springfield, Redbank and Rosewood do a fantastic job servicing the local communities and that high standard of care will be reinforced when the new station becomes operational,” Ms Howard said.
“We’re planning for Ripley to be a 24-hour station and be one of the biggest in the West Moreton Local Ambulance Service Network (LASN).
“It will also allow us to relocate our West Moreton LASN Office which is outgrowing its current location at Ipswich Ambulance Station.
“The new station will support coverage in the West Moreton LASN and contribute to improving response times across the region.
“Once the station is complete, it will mean more paramedics and ambulances on the road, ready to help their fellow Queenslanders.
“No one wants to ever need to call paramedics, but if they do, our local paramedics are committed to delivering the best care for people should they need it.”
Ms Howard said the new station would further support future operational demand in the region.
“The entire Ipswich region will benefit from the paramedic response once the new station is operational,” Ms Howard said.
“The project will also support 14 local construction jobs – directly contributing to our local economy and supporting other businesses and jobs as we recover from the impact of COVID-19.”
The future station will be located on the corner of Monterea Road and Ripley Road with good access to major arterial roads and the site will allow for future expansion.
The Deputy Premier said the $5 million was in addition to all the work already occurring in the Ipswich region.
“Since 2015 we’ve hired 162 more doctors, 528 more nurses and midwives, 89 more health professionals and 60 more paramedics in West Moreton,” Mr Miles said.
“We have rebuilt the health services and frontline staff after the LNP cut them.
“When the LNP were last in Government and Deb Frecklington was Assistant Treasurer, they sacked 124 staff from hospitals across the West Moreton HHS, including 92 nurses.
“Queenslanders can’t risk an LNP Government.
“Only the Palaszczuk Government will continue to deliver world-class healthcare in Ipswich.”
