The Lake Cathie community will have a new purpose-built ambulance station thanks to a NSW Government boost of $100 million to ambulance infrastructure in rural NSW.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the initial $122 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program had proved such a success the NSW Government will invest an additional $100 million in Stage 2.

“This funding boost will help NSW Ambulance deliver the most contemporary, efficient new ambulance stations to support our paramedics as they continue to deliver high quality emergency medical care to rural and regional communities,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The new ambulance station for Lake Cathie will be tailored to best meet the needs of the region, and will provide local paramedics with the optimal base to work from as they continue their vital job of helping community members in their hour of need.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan said the extra boost to regional services was a welcome announcement for staff and local communities.

“It means our committed paramedics will be better equipped and positioned to do what they do best, help the people of NSW with top quality care when they need it most,” Dr Morgan said.

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said the new ambulance station will be a welcome addition to the community of Lake Cathie.

“The NSW Government’s commitment to ambulance infrastructure will support the key growth areas of Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills,” Mrs Williams said.

The initial RAIR program received $122 million, the single largest investment in regional NSW Ambulance’s 125-year history, with 24 communities across the state benefitting from an upgraded, rebuilt or entirely new ambulance station.

“This program has already proved an enormous success and NSW Ambulance will continue its promise to deliver the most up to date equipment and facilities to keep our communities and ambulance staff as safe as possible,” Mr Hazzard said.

The 2019-20 Budget for NSW Ambulance was more than $1 billion which included $27.1 million to employ an additional 221 paramedics and control centre staff to improve response times, reduce paramedic fatigue and support safety.