A $9.1 million investment will be made in two new Ambulance Stations, one in Wyong and the other in Toukley.
This will deliver on the 2015 election commitment by the NSW Government, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald said.
A second $4.9 million ambulance station will be constructed in Wyong’s north, as part of the Wyong Hospital campus.
A new $4.2 million facility will replace the existing station at 240 Main Rd, Toukley.
The planning approvals process for both stations will start soon along with tenders for the demolition of the Toukley station.
The temporary relocation of the Toukley ambulance station will occur concurrently with the assessment process.
Consultation with local paramedics has provided key insights and is helping to develop this fit-for-purpose infrastructure.
NSW Ambulance Deputy Director Operations, Mr Sean Kearns, said the delivery of a second station at Wyong and a new facility at Toukley would deliver a better working environment for paramedics, tailored to the needs of local communities.
“These brand new, fit-for-purpose stations, will better support the needs of our hardworking local paramedics in delivering high quality emergency medical care to local residents now and into the future,” Mr Kearns said.
Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, said he welcomed the Government’s announcement that the ageing Ambulance Stations at Wyong and Toukley would be replaced with new and bigger stations.
The ageing stations had come under the scrutiny of the Australian Paramedics Association, as they contained asbestos, mould, rust and peeling paint, he said.
“This project should have been a top order priority in past budgets.
“It is disappointing that it has taken this long,” Mr Harris said.
“Our ambulance staff are some of the unsung heroes of our community and they deserve to have modern and safe facilities,” he said.
Source:
Media release, Nov 3
Kit Hale, office of Scot MacDonald
Media release, Nov 3
Zachary Harrison, office of David Harris