A Toll NSW Ambulance helicopter lands at Shoalhaven Airport. Photo courtesy ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
Three new helicopter bases will ensure most towns will be accessible to NSW Ambulance services within an hour’s flight time.
The NSW Government says an extra $158 million will be spent on building the bases under the 2025-26 Budget and adds to the $126.6m already spent on the project.
The bases will be built at Port Macquarie (Mid North Coast), Wagga Wagga (Riverina) and Moruya (South Coast).
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan says his helicopter crews attend more than 4200 incidents every year.
“The new helicopter bases mean (that) an NSW Ambulance helicopter will be able to fly to most towns across the state within 60 minutes,” he says.
NSW Ambulance
> There are currently six bases: Bankstown (Sydney), Wollongong, Orange,
Belmont (Newcastle), Lismore and Tamworth.
> The aerial fleet comprises of 12 helicopters and six fixed-wing aircraft
(two PC-24 jets and four Beechcraft King Air 350C), based at Mascot, Sydney Airport.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park says the new bases will “further improve our response capability right across the state, whether it’s a medical emergency, a motor vehicle accident or a natural disaster”.
“With over $285m now dedicated to this project, we are proud to back the work of our NSW Ambulance crews with the facilities and resources they need to do their jobs.”
MP for Bega Dr Michael Holland welcomes the news.
“This funding is a direct investment in saving lives in Eurobodalla, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga communities,” he says.
“More helicopter ambulance bases in regional communities mean NSW Ambulance will continue to deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time no matter where you live in the state.”
Independent MP for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr says the news is thrilling.
“This funding boost in emergency care for rural and regional communities ensures our paramedics can get to patients quickly, wherever they are across our region,” he says.
Labor’s spokesman for Port Macquarie Cameron Murphy calls it “fantastic news” for the region.
(The current MP for Port Macquarie is Independent Greg Piper.)
“This is about equity in access to emergency healthcare. Whether you live in the city or the country, you deserve the same high standard of care,” Murphy says.
“As we know in the recent floods, these emergency operations are absolutely vital for the ongoing safety of our community.”
