The Murchison Ambulance Station will be rebuilt as part of a $20 million State Government investment to modernise and upgrade ambulance facilities across Victoria. The announcement was made last week by Parliamentary Health Secretary Mary-Anne Thomas. Some of these stations have been around for decades, and if were to have a modern ambulance service, we need to have modern facilities, said Ms Thomas. Murchison Ambulance Station was constructed in the 1960s. It lacks reversein access for ambulance vehicles and has a manual garage door. The station is very small, lacks purpose-built facilities, and has a range of occupational health and safety hazards. The upgrade is intended to make the station safe and fit-for-purpose, as well as comfortable and modern for paramedics who work long and often unsociable hours. The government has worked with Ambulance Victoria to identify the branches with ageing facilities most in need of replacing. It was informed by a state-wide survey of Ambulance Victorias buildings undertaken by consultant engineers. Work will commence in coming months to rebuild Murchison Ambulance Station. Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, said, The paramedics at Murchison Ambulance Branch do such fantastic work, but their station is in extremely poor condition. Im pleased to announce the Government will upgrade this local ambulance branch, which will mean paramedics can better and more quickly respond to critical medical emergencies in our community. Nagambie services review The Government also announced that Ambulance Victoria will undertake a review of its rural service, including the service needs of nearby Nagambie. Whilst this work is underway, Ambulance Victoria will pilot the placement of a two officer Advanced Life Support paramedic unit in Nagambie for three days per week. It will also operate for six days over the 2016 Easter period. It aims to allow the Nagambie Community Emergency Response Team to rest on these days, and reduce the demand on Seymour and Murchison ambulance branches during this busy time. In February 2016, Ambulance Victoria will evaluate the pilot program and consider its effectiveness as part of the development of its rural service review. Member for Euroa Steph Ryan disputes the need for a review of services. Our communities need paramedics on the ground now, not more reviews and promises of works to come in the future, she said. If it provided a permanent paramedic unit to Nagambie, the Murchison service would be able to respond more quickly to Rushworth callouts.