The Minns Labor Government will invest a further $158.8 million to deliver on its election commitment to commence construction of three new NSW Ambulance helicopter bases in regional and rural NSW as part of the 2025-26 Budget.
The funding commitment is in addition to the $126.6 million previously provided by the NSW Government towards the new base and forms part of the Minns Labor Governments plan to build better essential services that people rely on.
The new helicopter bases will be built in Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga and Moruya, and once constructed will optimise ambulance helicopter response performances to ensure timely access to emergency care across these rural and regional communities.
The three new bases will join the existing NSW Ambulance aeromedical network of 12 helicopters and six bases located in Bankstown (Sydney), Wollongong, Orange, Belmont (Newcastle), Lismore and Tamworth.
This is in addition to the NSW Ambulance fixed-wing aircraft fleet which services the entire state and includes two PC-24 jets and four Beechcraft King Air 350C based at Mascot (Sydney Airport).
Following 12 years of broken promises and delays by the previous Liberal Government who failed to deliver on a range of health infrastructure projects, the Minns Labor Government is continuing to rebuild essential health services for the people of NSW.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"These new NSW Ambulance helicopter bases further improves our response capability right across the state, whether it's a medical emergency, a motor vehicle accident or a natural disaster."
"This budget delivers on this challenging but important work to rebuild essential health services and will help drive better health outcomes for patients in regional and rural parts of the state by providing quicker access for NSW Ambulance critical care medical teams to incidents in remote locations."
"With over $285 million now dedicated to this project, we are proud to back in the incredible work of our NSW Ambulance crews with the facilities and resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively."
Quotes attributable to Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland:
"The expansion of the aeromedical network with three new regional bases is incredibly welcome news, strengthening a critical lifeline for communities across NSW."
"This funding is a direct investment in saving lives in Eurobodalla, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga communities."
"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."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr:
"I'm thrilled Wagga will be home to one of the newest NSW Ambulance helicopter bases."
"This funding boost in emergency care for rural and regional communities is incredibly welcome, ensuring our paramedics can get to patients quickly, wherever they are across our region."
Quotes attributable to Labor spokesperson for Port Macquarie Cameron Murphy MLC:
"This is fantastic news for the people in the Port Macquarie region. 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."
"As we know in the recent floods, these emergency operations are absolutely vital for the ongoing safety of our community."
Quotes attributable to Chief Executive NSW Ambulance, Dr Dominic Morgan:
"NSW Ambulance helicopter operations clinicians attend more than 4200 incidents every year."
"The new helicopter bases mean a NSW Ambulance helicopter will be able to fly to the majority of towns across the state within 60 minutes."
