FOR Medowie residents change is coming but it has been a long wait.

The town is about to get its own Ambulance Station.

The Medowie community will benefit from a new ambulance station under the NSW Government’s $100 million Stage 2 Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Taylor Martin, said the additional $100 million would deliver upgraded, rebuilt or entirely new NSW Ambulance stations in rural and regional NSW.

“The new Medowie Ambulance Station will be tailored to meet the needs of the local community and support paramedics as they continue to deliver high quality emergency healthcare,” Mr Martin said.

“Medowie has been identified as the optimal location for a new ambulance station to meet the increasing demand for ambulance services in the local area.

“This is another example of the NSW Government fulfilling its promise to improve health infrastructure across regional and rural areas and enhance the high-quality emergency medical care delivered to local communities.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan welcomed the announcement of the new station.

“When we can provide a new service to meet demand, it means our committed paramedics will be better equipped and positioned to do what they do best,” Dr Morgan said.

The $100 million Stage 2 of the RAIR program follows the success of the NSW Government’s $132 million first stage – the largest investment in NSW Ambulance’s 125-year history, with 24 locations across the state benefitting from an upgraded, rebuilt or entirely new ambulance station.

In 2020-21, the NSW Government is investing more than $1 billion in services and capital works for NSW Ambulance.

This includes $27 million funding for 180 new NSW Ambulance staff across NSW, the third tranche of the June 2018 commitment to recruit 750 additional paramedic and control centre staff over four years.

Kate Washington Member for Port Stephens told News Of The Area, “Alongside all of Medowie’s residents, I’m relieved that the government is finally planning for Medowie’s much-needed ambulance station.

“Since I moved to Medowie 15 years ago, Medowie has grown significantly, but the services we need haven’t grown with us.

“Given the growth, it’s unbelievable that our only bank closed its doors – it’s a small mercy that they’re leaving behind an ATM.

“For a town of almost 10,000 people we should at least have a public high school together with a NSW Fire & Rescue station to complement the incredible work of our RFS volunteers.

“I’m grateful to the community, particularly Medowie’s Progress Association, for fighting for more services.

“The government must now consult with our community as it determines when and where it will locate the new ambulance station to ensure we achieve the best possible outcome,” she said.

By Marian SAMPSON