The Tamworth community will soon have a new ambulance station under the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said Tamworth has been chosen as the optimal location for a new world-class ambulance station to deliver emergency care for all residents in the north western NSW region.

“The NSW Government has injected an additional $100 million into this successful statewide program, to ensure people in regional and rural areas have access to timely out-of-hospital emergency care no matter where they live,” Mr Hazzard said.

“As the largest city in north western NSW, it’s vital Tamworth has robust health infrastructure to ensure local communities receive the medical care they need, when they need it.

“The new state-of-the art ambulance station replaces the Marius Street station and will provide the latest equipment to support our paramedics as they continue to deliver top quality care to local communities.”

The second station located in Tamworth South will remain operational. When the new station is complete, both stations will service the local communities.

Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, said the new ambulance station will be a fantastic asset for the region, helping ensure north west communities receive the most timely emergency care now and into the future.

“I am pleased to have been able to work with local paramedics to deliver on my commitment for a new ambulance station in the city,” Mr Anderson said.

“The Tamworth site will be selected using tried and tested international software which maps Triple Zero (000) calls so the community can feel confident the new station will operate from the most optimal location.”

The Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program is the largest investment in regional NSW Ambulance’s 125-year history, with 24 new or upgraded ambulance stations already delivered or underway as part of the $132 million Stage 1. Another $100 million in ambulance assets is being delivered under Stage 2.

In 2020-21, the NSW Government is investing more than $1 billion in services and capital works for NSW Ambulance. This includes $27 million for 180 new ambulance staff across NSW, the third tranche of the June 2018 commitment to recruit 750 additional paramedics and control centre staff over four years.