The Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has slammed the State Government for today demolishing the old Inglewood Ambulance station.
The building was crushed despite a last-ditch sit-in by locals, on the back of a strong campaign to retain the building for community use.
The building is almost 40 years old and was largely paid for by the community. The Inglewood ambulance auxiliary op-shop helped raise the funds needed to build the station and paid for furniture and equipment.
Ambulance paramedics recently moved into a new station next door. Locals hoped the old building could be repurposed for the community.
“I find it incredible that the government just charged ahead and knocked this building down after the community raised the funds to pay for it,” Ms Broad said.
Ms Broad said she had exhausted every avenue to get the government to change its mind.
“I have raised this matter in Parliament,” she said.
“I directly contacted the Minister’s office, asking her to step in to set up a meeting between Ambulance Victoria and the Inglewood and Districts Health Service to see if a solution could be found.
“I tabled two petitions with signatures from hundreds of local residents. I also rang the lower house member Martha Haylett directly, seeking her support to delay the demolition.
“It’s clear that this government does not care what people in regional Victoria think and feel.
“The sheer wastage that has come with this demolition is mind-boggling. I’m told there was furniture still inside when demolition started this morning. Ironically, this could have been sold in the op-shop.
“There was little consultation with locals who wanted to see it used as a community base or as extra office space for Inglewood and Districts Health Service.
“I find it amazing that this government is knocking down buildings at a time when building contractors and materials are in such short supply.
“This shows the shocking disregard that this government has for rural and regional Victorians,” Ms Broad said.
Photo caption: The old Inglewood ambulance station is demolished today.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
