Frontline emergency care for residents in the Southern Highlands is set to receive a major boost, with Moss Vale earmarked as the future location for a new ambulance station.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman welcomed the news, having advocated for the much-needed ambulance station for some time.
“I am incredibly pleased to announce that under the NSW Liberal Government the Southern Highlands community will have improved access to emergency care when and where they need it most,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“In identifying Moss Vale as the future location for a new ambulance station, NSW Ambulance has confirmed what locals have been saying for some time, and I am proud to be a Member of a NSW Liberal Government that has secured the funding to make this a reality.”
“In addition to improved frontline emergency care, the investment will also bring more jobs to our local area as well as providing a better working environment for our paramedics who are giving their utmost to serve communities across the state.”
“The new station will feature internal parking for emergency ambulance vehicles, vehicle wash facilities, staff parking, multipurpose spaces to support staff education and rest, logistics and storage spaces, an office area for administration as well as staff amenities.”
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the announcement forms part of a record $1.76 billion NSW Government investment which will transform NSW Ambulance services over the next four years with more than 2,000 extra staff, including 1,858 paramedics, and 30 new ambulance stations across NSW.
“Ambulance services are experiencing unprecedented demand and these new stations will keep us ahead of the curve whilst supporting local paramedics to provide the best emergency medical care now and into the future,” Mr Hazzard said.
Mrs Tuckerman said the exact location for the new ambulance station will be determined once further planning is completed which includes working with key stakeholders to identify a suitable site.
“With funding committed and Moss Vale confirmed as the location for a future ambulance station, the next step is to identify potential sites for the build. This process will ensure we best meet the needs of the Southern Highlands community and our emergency staff.”
NSW Ambulance uses best-practice modelling software that maps out Triple Zero calls to determine the most suitable location for emergency care, ensuring that new stations are located to support the effective delivery of timely paramedic care to patients across the area.
The new ambulance station at Moss Vale is in addition to the new Goulburn Ambulance Station, officially opened in 2020 and delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program.
The NSW Government is committed to increasing the capacity of NSW Ambulance. In total, more than $1 billion is being invested across three major NSW Ambulance infrastructure programs, with more than 100 projects announced since 2014.
The NSW Government’s $1 billion investment in NSW Ambulance infrastructure includes:
- Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy ($184 million) – 19 project – 18 projects completed to date with one due for completion late 2023. Program began 2014.
- NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program ($615.5 million) 30 projects – 8 in early planning. Program announced in 2022-23 State Budget.
- RAIR program Stage 1 & 2 ($232 million) – 54 projects – 39 complete, 15 underway. Program began 2015.
The NSW Government is investing a record $11.9 billion in health infrastructure to 2025-26. More than 180 hospitals and health facilities have been built since 2011, with a further 130 currently underway.
WENDY TUCKERMAN 