By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
Residents successfully protest against Tecoma Ambulance building site…
HEALTH Minister Jill Hennessy will search for an alternative site to build the new Tecoma Ambulance branch, in what residents are hailing as a win for their cause.
Construction was due to begin in coming weeks on the building situated on Rocksleigh Avenue, Tecoma – a site that drew significant protest from residents of the street.
The property was viewed by several community members as inappropriate due to its dimensions as well as its location on a quiet, narrow street with only one opening. Positioned between two traffic bottlenecks, the station would not be staffed on days of extreme fire danger due to the high risk.
In late February, Monbulk MP James Merlino confirmed with residents that he had asked the health minister to consider more appropriate sites.
Cecelia Cheek and husband Andrew Macpherson have lived on Rocksleigh Avenue for the past 28 years and have been part of a strong movement of residents to stop the new station.
Ms Cheek said the previous Health Minister David Davis misled the public regarding the application process.
“The process involved a false written statement from Ambulance Victoria to the residents of Rocksleigh Avenue, claiming that planning law would be followed,” Ms Cheek explained.
“This undertaking was broken by Ambulance Victoria when they decided to use Section 16.”
Section 16 refers to a special exemption that gives certain government services the ability to build without permits.
Mr Merlino acknowledged the concerns of the residents.
“This proposed location has caused significant concern for local residents,” Mr Merlino said.
“The health minister in the previous Liberal Government simply refused to address this issue.”
He confirmed to residents that he had engaged in talks with the incumbent health minister, and persuaded her to reconsider the site.
“I’ve raised this matter with Health Minister Jill Hennessey, and the minister has agreed to look at alternative site options.”
Ambulance Victoria acting general manager Regional Services Mick Stephenson acknowledged that the site was under negotiation.
“Ambulance Victoria is in discussions with the Department of Health and Human Services about the best location for the new Belgrave branch,” Mr Stephenson said.
“We remain committed to building a new branch for the benefit of the community and will continue to provide a 24-hour emergency response from our existing Belgrave branch.”
In the meantime, Ms Cheek said the residents would hold firm.
“The station is an essential community service and we need to make sure it’s in the best possible position to service the people of the area,” she said.
“That place is certainly not Rocksleigh Avenue.”
