Boyanup residents could have their own ambulance sub-centre within four months.

Capel Ambulance Station Banager, Evelyn Brady, has organised a public meeting in the Hugh Kilpatrick Memorial Hall on Wednesday, February 24, starting at 7.30pm to discuss the matter.

“There is a fully equipped ambulance just waiting for a depot and crew,” she said.

“All that is needed is a building to house the vehicle and provide the services for it to function as a depot.” Capel Shire Council chief executive officer Paul Sheedy spoke in favour of the concept.

“It’s up to the community of Boyanup to make the decision,” he said.

“ If they want an ambulance service in their town and are prepared to put their weight behind the project, then it will be fully supported by council.”

It has been suggested that the shire’s community purposes site adjacent to the Boyanup Fire Station would be an ideal location for an emergency services depot.

Shire councillor and local bush fire brigade officer Brian Smith said he was in favour of the idea.

“Anything that is going to help the residents of Boyanup gets my vote,” he said.

“The matter was raised at a recent bush fire brigade meeting and was met with good support”.

Today the town relies on the Capel Ambulance to provide a service to the community – and it is located 20 kilometres away.

The Donnybrook Ambulance is there with back-up if needed – and that’s 13km south of the town.

With an estimated 750-plus residents in Boyanup nd statistics showing an average of three ambulance call-outs a week, many residents are saying perhaps the time has come for the town to have its own ambulance.

Members of the Capel sub-centre have offered full support for an ambulance depot in Boyanup.

When their centre opened in 1999 the statistics listed 160 jobs a year. This figure has now increased to 800 a year.

Basically, officers and drivers aged between 19 and 70 will be needed.

Free training and necessary equipment will be supplied by St John Ambulance and the Capel team.

Full details of training, uniforms and fund raising for the building will be discussed at the public meeting.

Further information can be ob-tained from Evelyn Brady by phoning 9727 1245.