A new location for the Bicheno Ambulance Station has been confirmed following community consultation.
The location will be at 60A Burgess Street in Bicheno and has been selected following consultation with key stakeholders and engagement with the community through public information sessions.
The decision comes after 76 per cent of responses received during consultation identified 60A Burgess Street, and 60 per cent supported the site as the preferred location.
The new location is vacant commercial land and meets Ambulance Tasmania’s requirements for size, access and local road and traffic conditions.
Importantly, the site is the best location to minimise response times for ambulance services to callouts, which data shows are primarily within the township.
Premier and Minister for Health, Jeremy Rockliff said that 60A Burgess Street is the most appropriate place to build this essential service for the local community.
“The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to delivering the infrastructure we need to support our dedicated Paramedics and Volunteer Ambulance Officers, who provide vital services to the community," the Premier said.
“The Bicheno Ambulance Station will provide a contemporary, purpose-built facility that will house two ambulances to service the rural region and allow for further expansion of services as the community continues to grow into the future.
“The new Bicheno Ambulance Station is one of six new rural ambulance stations being delivered under the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s commitment to bolster our Ambulance Tasmania services across the State."
Premier Rockliff thanked those who participated in the consultation and said that all feedback has been carefully considered in making the final decision.
A summary of the feedback received by the Department of Health during community consultation is available on the Department's website.
The Department of Health will now work through the process of acquisition and will continue to engage with the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, the community and neighbouring property owners about next steps to deliver the project.
A Request for Tender for the construction of the new Bicheno Ambulance Station is expected to be released in August 2023.
Construction is expected to take 12 months to complete.