Air ambulances carrying seriously ill patients from Ballarat for treatment in Melbourne have commenced landing at Morshead Park, following discussions between Ballarat City Council and Ambulance Victoria.

The bus interchange at Morshead Park, near the corner of Sutton and Rubicon Sts has been identified as the most suitable primary landing and take off site for the helicopters which regularly transport patients from Ballarat.

Before the move to Morshead Park 70% of medical helicopters land at the Western Oval; 20% (those transporting neo-natal or paediatric patients) use the Ballarat Airport; 10% land at the City Oval (if the Western Oval is in use or the time factor is particularly critical).  Around 70 helicopter flights service the city each year.

Ballarat City Council’s Manager Recreation and Open Space Planning, Ashley Pittard said Council had worked with Ambulance Victoria to determine the best possible open space site in close proximity to the city’s hospitals, which would meet the needs of Ambulance Victoria.

“The bus interchange provides a large, flat, paved site with easy access for road ambulances to drive to the departure area.  It will allow ambulance officers to move stretchers easily and they will not have the problems with access, dust or bumpy ground that they encounter at the Western Oval”, Mr Pittard said.

“We’re confident this new arrangement will enhance patient comfort and service delivery”.

“The bus interchange is only used for a couple of hours each day and if an air ambulance needs to land at one of those times it will be diverted to the City Oval.”

Mr Pittard said Ambulance Victoria had spoken to the Department of Transport, and to the Greyhound and Trotting Clubs, neither of which had any issue with the decision to move the helipad to Morshead Park.

 Council is the managing authority for Morshead Park.