Frontline emergency care in the Northern Rivers is set for a major boost, with the location for a new purpose-built ambulance station in Lismore confirmed and plans progressing for a rebuild of the Mullumbimby ambulance station.
In 2025, the Minns Labor Government invested $9.97 million through the Infrastructure Betterment Funding Grants to build a new, flood-resilient ambulance station in Lismore. A further $3.4 million was committed to rebuild the Mullumbimby Ambulance Station on its existing site to modernise facilities and improve flood resilience.
Both stations suffered extensive structural damage during the devastating Northern Rivers floods in March 2022, the third major flood event to impact the region in a decade.
The former Lismore Ambulance Station was decommissioned after the floods, with operations temporarily located to a facility at Southern Cross University's Lismore campus. With a long‑term land lease now secured, the new Ambulance Station will be constructed on Cynthia Wilson Drive, also within the University grounds.
A principal design consultant has been appointed to develop the design of both Ambulance Stations, with staff and key stakeholders to be consulted throughout the process.
Community members and staff will be kept informed as planning and delivery progress, with both new Ambulance Stations expected to be completed by mid-2027.
These new stations will support local NSW Ambulance paramedics to continue delivering high-quality and mobile medical care to the growing Northern Rivers communities.
Following a thorough evaluation process, new ambulance stations are built at locations which optimise ambulance response performance and meet the needs of local community.
The Infrastructure Betterment Fund is a $200 million joint initiative by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments to strengthen community resilience by investing in more durable infrastructure.
As part of the Minns Government's Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) program, 51 additional paramedics are now working in Northern NSW zone including 12 additional paramedics for Lismore.
The SWIFT program is delivering 30 additional ambulance stations and 2,500 additional NSW Ambulance staff, including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas.
The third intake of the 500 regional paramedics has already started rolling out, following 125 paramedics who commenced in regional NSW last year and another 125 who began work in 2024.
Labor is making the long-term investments into recruiting more staff and building more health infrastructure, including ambulance stations, to better meet the growing health needs of our community and relieve pressure on our health system.
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"The announcement of the new Lismore Ambulance Station site and progress on the Mullumbimby Ambulance Station rebuild mark important steps in strengthening emergency care for communities in the Northern Rivers.
"These projects will deliver modern, resilient facilities that support our paramedics to provide high-quality care to communities that have endured repeated natural disasters.
"We are delivering more infrastructure and recruiting more staff, so we can continue to deliver the essential services our regional communities rely on."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Recovery and Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin:
"Securing the site on Cynthia Wilson Drive and progressing the Mullumbimby rebuild are critical milestones in providing our community with the durable, flood-resilient infrastructure we need and deserves.
"Our paramedics have been on the frontline through this region's toughest days, and these new stations ensure they finally have the permanent, modern facilities required to support the community."
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive, Clare Beech:
"The new Ambulance Stations at Lismore and Mullumbimby will provide first‑class workplaces for our paramedics and improve the resilience of our emergency response network.
"Investing in these health facilities ensures our teams can continue delivering safe, timely emergency care across the Northern Rivers, now and into the future."
