Newsroom

July 17, 2024

Katter’s Australian Party Deputy Leader and State Member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto, has sponsored a Queensland Parliament petition calling for an ambulance station at Rollingstone.

Currently, the closest ambulance stations to Rollingstone are the Ingham Station and the Northern Beaches Station at Black River, leaving a 93 kilometre stretch along the Bruce Highway between stations.

The Hinchinbrook MP stated that according to the 2021 Census, the total population of the surrounding area of Rollingstone, including Balgal Beach, Mutarnee, Paluma and Coolbie, is 1,448 people demonstrating the clear need for a station to service these areas.

“Rollingstone and its surrounding communities are currently underserviced in terms of emergency medical response capabilities. Residents have expressed concerns over increased car accidents and prolonged response times in critical situations, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced emergency infrastructure in the area,” he said.

“Every minute counts in an emergency and a 93 kilometre stretch with no ambulance station is a considerable distance. Having a dedicated ambulance station at Rollingstone would reduce response times and provide timely medical assistance when needed.

“The State Labor Government demonstrated in the 2024-25 State Budget that they have failed to understand Hinchinbrook’s priority projects. Hinchinbrook deserves better health services, just because we live in regional and rural Queensland doesn’t mean we deserve less.

“I will continue to lobby for an ambulance station at Rollingstone, Emergency Department upgrades at the Ingham Hospital and increased Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme rates just to name a few.”

The Principal Petitioner, Sue Von Wald, stated that many locals have raised issues regarding the lack of emergency health services which motivated her to launch the petition.

“I have no doubt that the community will show enthusiastic support towards this petition. Residents are anxious and are calling out to have emergency services available for our community in times of crisis.

“We miss out on so much just because of our geographical location, for example the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme. Emergencies occur in every community, and it would be comforting for residents to have this facility available within a reasonable distance.

“I have a friend who had a fall at the veranda of the community hall where she broke both her ankles. She was left lying in the dirt and gravel for an hour waiting for an ambulance to arrive. This is just one unfortunate and regrettable story when this topic is raised among locals.”

The Hinchinbrook MP encouraged constituents to support and sign the petition which is available on the Queensland Parliament website to address the growing demand for accessible emergency health services at Rollingstone.

The Queensland Parliament petition closes on Sunday, 18 August 2024 and is accessible via the following link https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=4117