Emergency hub for Bridport

•   Bridport Fire Brigade Chief Matthew Hartley and Ambulance Tasmania volunteer Jeff Saville at Ezzy Park.

By Daisy Baker ,
February 23, 2022

An emergency services hub planned for Bridport will house the new fire station and ambulance station under one roof, delivering on the 2021 election commitment for two new permanent paramedics in the North-East.

Dorset Council agreed to resolve the transfer of ‘Ezzy Park’ on Emily Street to the Crown for the development of an emergency services hub in Bridport at their Monday meeting.

This was passed on the basis that the land cannot be used by any other State agency other than the Tasmania Fire Service and Ambulance Tasmania without the written consent of Dorset Council.

Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff said two paramedics have been appointed and will be rostered to the Bridport Station on day shift and on-call out of hours, with volunteer support.

“Ambulance Tasmania and Dorset Council are working closely together to facilitate commencement of operation of the Station as soon as practicable,” he said.

“Ambulance Tasmania emergency ambulance response data has indicated that Bridport provides the most central point of deployment to meet demand in the area, particularly given the rise in tourism, including mountain bike trails,” Minister Rockliff said.

Data from the last three years indicates the highest demand has occurred in Scottsdale, where a single branch station is already situated. 

The second highest area of demand is Bridport, with the number of cases responded to being significantly higher than other towns in the North-East.

 “A new station at Bridport will not only better service the surrounding area, but will provide back up in the Scottsdale area, as required,” he said.

Council has been working alongside the Tasmania Fire Service for the better part of eight years to identify a site for the relocation of the Bridport Fire Station.

An application is currently with the Tasmanian Planning Commission to rezone a portion of the title.

While Council is awaiting a decision, they are confident it will occur.

General manager Tim Watson said the community would benefit substantially from an emergency services hub in Bridport and Council has expended considerable effort in trying to guide both State agencies to a point where they can now commit to establishing the hub.

“It has taken the better part of eight years to get TFS to a point where it is now committed to a specific site in Bridport. “Having obtained this commitment, it makes eminent sense to also co-locate the proposed ambulance station, as suitable sites in Bridport are at a premium and extremely problematic to identify,” he said.

“Co-location with shared facilities whilst still allowing for separation of specific buildings would conservatively save the taxpayer close to $1 million.

“By resolving to transfer Ezzy Park back to the State Government for this specific purpose, Council’s resolution removes any indecision that may remain by providing the State Government with clear, unencumbered title.”

Mayor Howard said Council is in discussion with Bridport Innovations as to whether the  information boards currently located at the front of Ezzy Park will need to be relocated and they will determine an alternate location if necessary.

He said it would depend on how much of the land the emergency hub required and which road access they will use.

The Council’s transfer of land will be advertised and the public will have 21 days to lodge and objection.