Port Stephens state MP Kate Washington has welcomed the announcement of the location of Medowie’s first ambulance station.
The new purpose-built facility will be unveiled on the corner of Ferodale and Abundance roads, with construction due for completion in 2022.
NSW Ambulance and Health Infrastructure worked to identify the site for the station using best practice demand modelling software, which maps Triple Zero calls.
That data determined 30 Ferodale Road as the most suitable position now – and into the future.
It will feature internal parking for up to six emergency vehicles, relief accommodation for paramedics, administration and office areas, logistics and storage areas, an internal wash bay and staff parking.
“I’m pleased the NSW Government has listened to our community’s pleas for an ambulance station in Medowie,” Ms Washington said.
“To achieve faster response times, the government must ensure our area receives additional ambulances and paramedics along with the new building.
“Our local paramedics are already overstretched trying to meet the needs of our community.
“And, they desperately need more-funded positions to improve their response times.”
To eventually come to fruition, the next steps include further due diligence, design development and planning approval.
More than $1 billion is slated to be invested into NSW Ambulance in 2021/22.
Ms Washington said the latest news might spur the government into building additional developments in the town, too.
“By next year, Medowie will boast a six-bay ambulance station, four primary schools, two supermarkets and a 24-hour McDonald’s,” she explained.
“But, it still doesn’t have a public high school.
“The government’s secret plan to squeeze more and more Medowie students into the high schools in Raymond Terrace is not good enough.
“The Minister for Education (Sarah Mitchell) should follow the Minister for Health’s (Brad Hazzard) lead and commit to the infrastructure Medowie desperately needs – a public high school.”
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