Paynesville benefits from new state-of-the-art branch

March 14, 2025 | in Community News

Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) service to the Paynesville community is being bolstered by a new state-of-the-art ambulance branch.

AV Acting Gippsland Regional Director Paul James this week joined the Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh MP to officially open the new multi-million-dollar facility.

The facility has been operational since October and is home to five paramedics and 11 Ambulance Community Officers (ACOs).

A group of people in Ambulance VIctoria uniform smile for the camera. They stand inside an ambulance branch garage, in front of a parked ambulance.

Local paramedics at the new branch.

The new location on Paynesville Road was carefully selected to ensure the best coverage of ambulance services for the community, with the site close to schools, local walking trails, waterways and nature reserves.

The new branch includes a three-bay ambulance garage, two rest and recline areas, longer term accommodation facilities, training equipment, a fully equipped kitchen, and improved security and carparking.

Mr James said the expanding team had outgrown the existing branch.

“The original branch opened in 2006 after the community recognised a need in Paynesville,” he said.

A photo from the driveway looking at the new ambulance branch. An ambulance is parked next to it.

Paynesville’s new ambulance branch.

“With the help of auxiliary fundraising and community support, funds were raised to purchase a vehicle and equipment, support staff and rent the original ambulance branch.

“While the former branch served the area well, it is no longer big enough to accommodate the number of staff we now have and today’s training requirements.

“This new, purpose-built branch ensures we have the facilities and support needed to quickly respond to emergencies and assist with saving lives.”

A small building with blue walls and red trim, and what looks like a two-vehicle garage.

The old Paynesville branch.

Members of the public had the opportunity to tour the branch last month as part of the Paynesville Community Open Day.

The branch was funded by the Victorian Government’s Ambulance Victoria Development Program and delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with AV and builder, McColl Smith Projects.

It’s one of more than 40 ambulance branches delivered since 2015, including new branches built or upgraded at Foster, Moe, Morwell, Orbost, Traralgon, Warragul West and Yarram.

Three ambulance vehicles parked inside a large ambulance branch garage.

Ambulance vehicles parked in the garage of the new Paynesville branch.