‘State-of-the-art’: Labor pledge to build new Upper Ross ambulance station if re-elected

Premier Steven Miles has pledged to build a completely new ambulance station, investing $10m into it, in Townsville’s Upper Ross if his government is re-elected later this month.

Steven Miles and Aaron Harper on the Queensland State Election campaign trail at the Kirwan Ambulance Station.

Premier Steven Miles has pledged to build a completely new ambulance station, investing $10 million into it, in Townsville’s Upper Ross if his government is successful in securing re-election later this month.

The announcement came on the campaign trail, as Miles and local members for Thuringowa, Mundingburra and Townsville Aaron Harper, Les Walker and Scott Stewart face a herculean battle for their political futures.

State election polling – and Labor Party insider testimony – paints a grim outcome for the governing party in Townsville when votes are cast on October 26.

The pledge comes off the back of a petition by Mr Harper, who raised the issue via a petition that secured over a thousand signatures supporting it.

Mr Harper said the funding pledge would help support Townsville’s growing population, particularly in his electorate.

Steven Miles and Aaron Harper on the Queensland State Election campaign trail at the Kirwan Ambulance Station.

“Being a former paramedic, I know how valuable an ambulance station is for a regional community, especially one that is growing like the Upper Ross,” Mr Harper said.

“That’s why I’ve been fighting hard to get the ambulance stations our high-growth areas need.

“The new Upper Ross Ambulance Station will make sure our community has access to the urgent care they need, when they need it, and closer to home.”

Mr Stewart said the funding pledge would be matched by Labor’s commitments to expanding the healthcare workforce over the next eight years.

“We are backing our health workers and if elected we will deliver more than 46,450 more health staff by 2032,” Mr Stewart said.

“Ensuring we have the workforce along with support staff and good facilities like new ambulance stations behind those workers, is important in delivering the best health care for Townsville.”

Mr Harper said the facility would lead to better response times for the state’s paramedics and healthcare workers.

“It will mean improved response times and better health outcomes for the community,” Mr Harper said.

“I can promise Queenslanders they will never have to pay a cent for this crucial care.”

The proposed ‘state-of-the-art’ ambulance facility would operate around the clock, and service the community on a 24/7 basis.

Ambulance ramping and response times have been a consistent touchstone during the state election’s healthcare back-and-forth, with opposition leader vowing to cut ramping by 30-per-cent across the state by the end of a first term in government.

That pledge comes as part of a wider $590 million healthcare strategy the LNP have rolled out on the campaign trail.

“I’m very confident that this is a plan that can give immediate relief, but also long term relief, and we’re willing to back it up with proof,” Mr Crisafulli said recently

Originally published as ‘State-of-the-art’: Labor pledge to build new Upper Ross ambulance station if re-elected