St John Oamaru is going back to the drawing board. It has been denied the opportunity to build its new ambulance base at Awamoa Park, after Waitaki district councillors voted down its proposal on Monday. Seven councillors voted against the initiative, leaving only Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher and deputy mayor Melanie Tavendale voting in favour. Cr Kelli Williams was not present. St John South Island general manager Craig Stockdale said the proposal had been a “work in progress” for many years, and vowed to continue the search for a new Oamaru home. “We are still committed to finding a suitable site for a new ambulance station in Oamaru,” Mr Stockdale said.