Construction is now complete on Forster’s first ambulance station, as part of NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program.
The new station will provide local paramedics with a high-quality base and the latest facilities and equipment to meet the current and future emergency care needs of the Great Lakes.
The new station will support the new ambulance station in Old Bar and recently completed refurbishments at Taree, Bulahdelah and Tuncurry stations, which has significantly enhanced access to mobile emergency health care across Myall Lakes.
Forster Ambulance Station includes;
- Internal parking for up to six emergency ambulance vehicles.
- Administration and office areas
- Staff amenities
- Logistics and storage areas
- Relief accommodation
- External wash bay
- Staff parking.
NSW Ambulance is undertaking operational commissioning activities, which includes testing systems and adding the finishing touches to the internal fit-out, ahead of the station becoming operational later this year.
The Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program (RAIR) has delivered 24 new or upgraded ambulance stations to date, as part of the $132 million Stage 1 of the program. Another $100 million investment into ambulance assets is being delivered under Stage 2 of the program.
NSW Ambulance recently received funding for 2,128 staff and will build 30 more stations over the coming years after a $1.76 billion boost announced as part of the NSW Government’s 2022-23 Budget. The $1.76 billion over four years will fund NSW with 1,858 paramedics, 210 ambulance support staff, 52 nurses and eight doctors.