By MELISSA MEEHAN
Tecoma opens its doors for new branch…
AMBULANCE Victoria has found a new home for Belgrave paramedics – in neighbouring town Tecoma.
The new ambulance branch will be built in Rocksleigh Avenue, Tecoma, and will feature a three-vehicle bay garage, a training room, kitchen, bedrooms and an office.
The block, purchased as part of a $1.7 million land purchase and construction State Government funding, is owned by long-term resident Ian Higgs and his wife Gill.
Mr Higgs said he and his wife were pleased the house wouldn’t be bulldozed for flats or units.
“We’re moving to greener pastures, up to Avonsleigh, but it’s great that this land will be used for something like Ambulance Victoria,” he said.
“The offer came out of the blue, we knew we didn’t want it bulldozed for flats or units,” he said.
“So we felt on a very personal level that this was an appropriate reincarnation for our home.
“We’re pleased to be leaving the community with this facility, quite simply, because lives will be saved.”
Belgrave paramedic team manager Bryan MacDonald said he was excited by the new branch in the town where he grew up.
“The new branch is strategically placed to respond to the Dandenongs community,” Mr MacDonald said.
“We are looking forward to consulting with the community to ensure the branch design is the correct fit for the hills.”
A designer and landscape architect have been chosen to develop draft plans, which will then be shown to the community for input as part of an extensive consultation process which will begin in coming weeks.
