Tamworth paramedics will no longer be working out of a leaky, 94-year-old ambulance station as Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced today along side Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson a new ‘world class’ station is set to be built.
The new facility will be built on an entirely different site, away from the current heritage listed Marius Street location. When the new station is complete, both stations will service the local communities.
The Tamworth community will have the new station built under the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program.
“As the largest city in north western NSW, it’s vital Tamworth has robust health infrastructure to ensure local communities receive the medical care they need, when they need it” Mr. Hazzard said.
The news came earlier today with Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson telling of the paramedics continuous "hard push" for an upgrade to their facilities.
“Today, on the back of the representations of paramedics who have been knocking down my door, and ultimately I have been their voice going through to the health minister, today, we announce a brand new Tamworth ambulance station will be built” said Mr. Anderson. “This is a great win for not only our paramedics, but our community”.
The new ambulance station will be a fantastic asset for the region, helping ensure north west communities receive the most timely emergency care now and into the future.
It is anticipated that the new facility be up and running within the next two years and estimated to cost between $6 and $10 million dollars to build. The new station will come with all the new modern facilities including meeting rooms, places to rest, and easy access in and out of the building for the ambulance vehicles.
The Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program is the largest investment in regional NSW Ambulance’s 125-year history, with 24 new or upgraded ambulance stations already delivered or underway as part of a $132 million stimulus. Another $100 million in ambulance assets is being delivered under a second stage of funding.
In 2020-21, the NSW Government is investing more than $1 billion in services and capital works for NSW Ambulance. This includes $27 million for 180 new ambulance staff across NSW, the third tranche of the June 2018 commitment to recruit 750 additional paramedics and control centre staff over four years.