Loddon Herald 7 September 2023

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Loddon HERALD Vol 3 No 34, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 ISSN 2653-1550

RAMPING UP Blockade bid to stop bulldozers

RESIDENTS have started blocking entrances to Inglewood’s old ambulance station in a last-minute battle to halt its demolition. Several vehicles were parked around the Hospital Street site on Sunday night as the town prepared for the anticipated arrival of demolition crews this week. More than 20 formed a welcoming committee on Monday while paramedics worked from the new station next door. “The community is being shut down and ignored by the Government,” said Howard Rochester. “There is now a new ambulance station but this one does not need to go.” Residents have called for a release of all documents on the old brown brick station built in the mid-1980s that the Government now claims has asbestos. Northern Victoria Region MP Gaelle Broad joined protesting residents on Monday, days after she tabled a petition in State Parliament calling for a halt to demolition plans.

By CHRIS EARL “They (residents) would like to see it used either as a community base or as additional office space for Inglewood and Districts Health Service,” Ms Broad said. “I commend the hundreds of people who have signed the petition and are standing up for their community,” Ms Broad said. She has also written to Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas and called the minister’s office. “Time is running out ... I have asked the Minister to step in to delay the demolition and facilitate a meeting between Ambulance Victoria and the Inglewood and Districts Health Service to see if a more amenable solution can be found.” Mr Rochester said: “Let’s talk, let’s look at the situation. If it can’t be fixed then show us the information to back that up.” And Ms Broad said a demolition contract could be cancelled. “The State Government has ripped up other contracts. Contracts don’t seem to mean much in Victoria these days.”

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Gordon Picken, Louise Bewley and Annette Smith mount a truck barricade on Monday morning as the campaign to save Inglewood’s old ambulance station ramps up. LH PHOTO

CLEARING SALE INGLEWOOD Friday 15th September – 10:30am Sharp! TRUCKS, FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT A/C PG & MM Harris Pty Ltd Onsite: 194 Inglewood-Serpentine Road, Inglewood VIC 3517 For full details and photos visit our website www.fpnevins.com.au

FP NEVINS DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ABOVE