Politics & Council
18 March, 2026
Dumped ambulance station promise: where did the money go?
ANSWERS are being sought on why Ambulance Victoria pulled funding for a promised station in Wedderburn.
The decision revealed last week has angered local CERT committee of management member Darryl Arnott.
Mr Arnott said he had written to Ripon MP Martha Haylett wanting to know what happened to money allocated for the station
“Ambulance Victoria have stated that Wedderburn required an ambulance station approximately three years ago,” Mr Arnott said.
“The cost of the build would be from Ambulance Victoria funds and the funds were available.
“Representatives from Ambulance Victoria with Representatives from Loddon Shire looked at several sites around Wedderburn.
“There was an agreed site that Ambulance Victoria agreed to purchase. Loddon Shire placed all services on the land that was required to be done.
“I was informed that the funds for this required build was allocated to another project and that ambulance Victoria was seeking new funding for this build.”
But Mr Arnott said Ambulance Victoria had signed off on this project and would go ahead.
“(Then) the Government told Ambulance Victoria to cut their budget after they agreed to this project. So, Why has this Build been cancelled when the funds were there but used for other projects and not being replaced before the budget cuts?”
Mr Arnott has also asked whether Ambulance Victoria would now buy the police house it was using in Wedderburn after withdrawing from the Wilson Street site.
“Will they raise funds to refurbish this house? To what standard will this house be at and what security will be required for Staff equipment and drugs?
“How much money is going to be spent on going backwards for the health providers in Wedderburn when all that is required is to move forward and build this required Ambulance Station that Ambulance Victoria said is needed.”
Ms Haylett told the Loddon Herald: “Ambulance Victoria determines where they will build new ambulance stations. I will continue to advocate to them, as well as to the Minister for Ambulance Services, about the need for a more permanent station in Wedderburn.”
““The State Labor Government has built brand-new ambulance stations across our region, including in Avoca, Inglewood, and St Arnaud. “We’ve also boosted paramedics in rural communities.”
Read More: Wedderburn