First look inside Burdell’s $12.4m new ambulance station

Townsville’s booming northern suburbs have a brand-new lifeline with the official opening of a $12.4m ambulance station in Burdell, promised by Labor at the last state election. Have a look here.

Burdell Ambulance Station. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Townsville’s booming northern suburbs have a brand-new lifeline with the official opening of a $12.4m ambulance station in Burdell, promised by Labor at the last state election.

Located at 8 Galax Entrance, the station will offer 24/7 emergency services for the fast-growing area, which is expected to reach a population of about 30,000 by 2030.

Staffed by 26 paramedics, an officer-in-charge, and two First Nations cadets, residents can expect quicker response times during emergencies.

Previously, paramedics had to respond from that station in Black River, about 12km away.

In addition to emergency services, the new facility includes a Clinical Education Unit to keep paramedics up to date with the latest training.

Burdell Ambulance Station Officer in Charge Stephen Willdin. Picture: Shae Beplate.

It will also serve as the Queensland Ambulance Service’s Northern Regional Office, featuring office spaces, recharge areas, locker rooms, and a clinical practice room.

The station was first pitched by Labor as a $6m project but eventually saw its budget blow out to $12.4m, with the government attributing the increase to rising supply and labour costs.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman, who attended the official opening on Thursday, said the station will play a crucial role in saving lives.

Burdell Ambulance Station. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“We know just how important our frontline staff are to their local communities – and Burdell is no different,” she said.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said the new station will help meet the rising demand for emergency services as the area continues to expand.

“It should give confidence to everyone that moves here to raise a family and build a house here that they’ve got an ambulance station just around the corner,” he said.

“This is a high-growth area. If you threw a camera up in the air now and saw the amount of houses that have sprung up throughout the area, it’s significant.”

Burdell Ambulance Station. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Originally published as First look inside Burdell’s $12.4m new ambulance station