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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-08-29 Daily Xml
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Public Works Committee: Rebuilt Gawler Ambulance Station

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:54): I move:

That the 86th report of the committee, entitled Rebuilt Gawler Ambulance Station, be noted.

The submission from the Department for Health and Wellbeing, referred to as SA Health, will significantly expand the service capabilities and emergency response efficiency of the South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS). This project will deliver a brand new facility, enabling SAAS to expand and better accommodate the existing emergency response crews that service Gawler and the surrounding areas.

This new station is part of the state government's broader 2022 election commitment to improve ambulance infrastructure. To achieve this goal, SAAS has developed an operational growth plan, which details how the full package of state government investment in infrastructure, vehicles and staffing will be delivered. The plan will improve ambulance cover and response times in both metropolitan and regional areas by delivering four new and four rebuilt ambulance stations, as well as 10 upgraded ambulance stations. Additionally, the purchase of 36 new vehicles, recruitment of 350 additional staff and a new SAAS precinct including an emergency operations centre and state health coordination centre will help achieve this goal.

The proposed $8 million rebuilt Gawler Ambulance Station project will be funded from the broader $70 million capital works program. SAAS operates 119 ambulance stations across South Australia, including the MedSTAR emergency retrieval service at Adelaide Airport. The service is staffed by a mixture of career and volunteer ambulance officers, who are deployed using a variety of vehicles, including regular ambulances, troop carrier ambulances, light fleet vehicles, twin carriers, trucks and bicycles. SAAS has identified an increasing demand for its services in the Gawler community and surrounding areas, including the Lower Light and Barossa Valley regions. The new station will provide alignment to its strategic plan by strengthening primary health care and enhancing hospital care, ensuring improved emergency preparedness and response capacity.

Once SA Health identified the growing needs in the region, the department was faced with two potential options: upgrade the existing station or build a new station. An investigation into the benefits of upgrading the existing station revealed limitations: the site is landlocked, the site's ownership could prove complicated and the existing buildings are antiquated and difficult to upgrade. It would also render the station inoperable during its renovation, adding pressure to the existing ambulance network. The construction of a new station, on the other hand, will create a modern, fit-for-purpose facility designed to meet current needs without interrupting present operations.

The current Gawler Ambulance Station is colocated with St John Ambulance in a building co-owned by the Gawler council. St John's currently holds the lease and uses the site for volunteer training, storing equipment and for vehicle garaging. This leaves room for only two SAAS ambulances. The current station has also exceeded its functional life span, fails to meet most basic national safety and quality health standards and is unable to be adequately upgraded for the growing needs of the community.

The new site at Lot 51,113 Main North Road, Willaston, provides space to build a station that houses five ambulance bays, with two external parks for light fleet vehicles. It will also accommodate an additional 12 paramedics and six regional medical transfer service crew members. These upgrades will provide patient-centred emergency care designed around community needs. The facility will include:

a main garage for five ambulances, with supporting storerooms, dirty utility, linen storage and drugstore;

two undercover external car parks for light fleet vehicles;

office space with supporting equipment;

a training room, meeting room and study spaces;

a kitchen and dining space;

crew rest rooms;

ancillary accommodations, including communications, toilets, change room facilities and circulation spaces;

personal staff break rooms;

28 staff and visitor parking spaces;

bicycle parking; and

an external courtyard and landscaping.

With practical completion anticipated in mid-2025, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) is engaging the construction contractor using established procurement, evaluation and contracting processes and has prepared a tailored Contractor Procurement Plan reflecting the project's complexity, importance and staging.

Following completion of the detailed design, there will be a tender for a general building contractor. The project team are managing project risk, and DIT will undertake its mandated risk management approach for the project. Considerations include ongoing capital pressures and supply chain delays, market capacity issues and continued rates of cost escalation in the construction market. The site is newly procured and geotechnical review is ongoing to ensure any existing problems are removed or mitigated. The project team recognises the importance and benefits of incorporating sustainable development principles into the design, construction and operation of the ambulance station.

SA Health recognises that providing a facility with good environmental qualities will provide a positive environment and workplace for staff and users, support improved wellbeing, and assist in managing behaviours. These principles will be incorporated into the project during all phases of the project lifecycle, and will result in the reduction of energy and water consumption as well as waste materials.

Design measures have been incorporated to support increased adaptability with minimal impact. These include provisions for future electric vehicle charging stations, options for full or partial solar output, and highly accessible and flexible spaces that can incorporate changing technology as well as mechanical system designs for potential adverse weather conditions.

Debate adjourned.

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