North Rothbury is one step closer to having its own ambulance station following the purchase of a site on Winepress Road.
It’s among a host of new state-of-the-art facilities being delivered across the Hunter, including locations at Gateshead, Caves Beach, Edgeworth and East Maitland.
NSW Ambulance identified North Rothbury as a high-priority locale after a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software to map Triple Zero (000) calls.
It will feature internal parking for emergency ambulance vehicles, wash facilities, administration, multi-purpose and logistics spaces, as well as staff amenities.
“This is great news for the area, Branxton and surrounding communities,” Cessnock MP Clayton Barr said.
“The North Rothbury Ambulance Station will bolster emergency care and support existing premises at neighbouring Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, Singleton and Rutherford.
“Plus, the site boasts good access to the Hunter Expressway and is ideally positioned to optimise response times.”
The announcement follows a thorough evaluation by Health Infrastructure and NSW Ambulance to ensure the location meets the needs of emergency operations and paramedic staff.
“As more people call the Hunter home, the Labor government is working hard to ensure our essential services keep up,” Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said.
“After decades of the Opposition overlooking the region and failing to deliver the infrastructure needed to make our suburbs liveable, communities here paid the price.
“But, we’re turning that around.
“A purpose-built ambulance station at North-Rothbury means parents can feel safer raising their families here, aging residents can stay in their homes longer and locals can trust that quality health care is right around the corner.
“Bringing emergency care into the heart of the community will have benefits far beyond faster response times.
“It strengthens our resilience in times of natural disasters, supports local jobs and creates new training opportunities for future paramedics.
“This station will help ease pressure on nearby hospitals, too, encourage more healthcare professionals to build their careers in the Hunter and give residents the confidence that support is never far away.”
Design development and planning approval follow next.
Construction and operational timeframes will be confirmed as the project progresses.
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