General News
4 May, 2026
New minister stays silent on ambo decision
VICTORIA’S Health and Ambulance Services Minister had mimicked the lines of her predecessor on questions about the shock decision to abandon plans for a new ambulance station in Wedderburn.
VICTORIA’S Health and Ambulance Services Minister had mimicked the lines of her predecessor on questions about the shock decision to abandon plans for a new ambulance station in Wedderburn.
Mary-Anne Thomas this month relinquished her spot in Cabinet ahead of a November election retirement.
A day before, she told Northern Victoria MP Gaelle Broad in Parliament: “The 2025-26 Victorian State Budget provided over $140 million for our ambulance and urgent care services, including measures to support ambulance resourcing in regional Victoria and to improve emergency access and patient flow.
“These initiatives are critical to ensuring emergency ambulance resources are available to respond to the most time-critical patients.
“Wedderburn continues to be supported by our hardworking ambulance community officers and paramedics in Wedderburn, Inglewood, St Arnaud, Charlton, Boort, Donald, Eaglehawk and Bendigo.
“Loddon Shire Council made local planning decisions in anticipation of a possible future land acquisition and no commitment to purchase a site was in place.
“Ambulance Victoria continues to provide services to Wedderburn and surrounding communities through existing resources, including local ambulance crews and community-based models. Demand will continue to be monitored as part of longer-term planning to ensure ambulance services evolve in line with community need.”
When asked this week whether Ms Shing would review the decision, a government spokesperson gave the same response to the Loddon Herald.
Ms Broad also asked Ms Thomas to explain why less than a year after Ripon MP Martha Haylett said the station would be built, it is not going to be built as promised.
Wedderburn groups have met to discuss their response to the decision.
Read More: Wedderburn