LAND earmarked for an aged care facility in Wedderburn could be used for the town’s permanent ambulance station.
Loddon Shire councillors on Tuesday voted to sell part of the Wilson Street site to Ambulance Victoria.
The sale has been backed by the town’s Lions Club that continues to raise funds and push for an aged care facility.
Club secretary Jon Chandler wrote to council saying the club agreed with the construction of an ambulance station on part of the site adjoining the tourist information centre and community house.
“The Lions Club are continuing to work with Martha Haylett, Inglewood and District Health Service and other key stakeholders to establish a supported residential service facility in Wedderburn. 
“We thank council for providing the necessary land dimensions for the SRS and look forward to working co-operatively to ensure that this vital facility is provided for the Wedderburn community.”
Ambulance Victoria has based its Wedderburn services out of the former police station and court house complex while searching for a site to build a permanent station.
Ambulance Victoria told council it respected the commitment to the community and the Lions Club proposal for an aged care facility on the former Wedderburn Primary School site and “believes we can work together for both proposals to complement each other, while providing all mutually beneficial outcomes for our community. 
“AV only require a small portion of the land which still leaves a substantial area for future development of the nursing home.”
Loddon Shire first granted use of the land to Lions for the aged care facility in 2016 and the current agreement was to expire this August if the project has not be substantially started.
Ambulance Victoria told council the 1849 square metre part of the land was in an optimal location,  adjacent to the community centre and medical centre. 
“Strategically, this site is also within a central precinct to all emergency services. AV’s view is that the site will enable community connectivity and deliver exceptional emergency callout for the best possible care,” according to the report considered by councillors on Tuesday.
“The land is required for AVs delivery of a self-funded initiative to protect lives and our community. Funding has been approved to acquire land, which will then lead to funding approvals for future branch project development. It is important to secure a suitable site within AVs identified target zone to meet service delivery for a projected 50-year lifecycle.”
Council will advertise the proposed sale of land and if no objections are received, will sell it to Ambulance Victoria at a price within 10 per cent of the valuation.