North Coast

Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis and Minister for Health Brad Hazzard with two of Casino Ambulance Station’s youngest paramedics, Hayley and Luke. Image: contributed

New ambulance station for Casino

The Casino community will benefit from a new ambulance station under the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the new station at Casino will provide the optimal base for paramedics delivering emergency care to the local community.

“The NSW Government has invested an additional $100 million into this successful program to deliver upgraded, rebuilt or entirely new ambulance stations to support rural and regional communities across NSW,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Our highly trained paramedics go above and beyond to save lives and this new station in Casino will provide contemporary facilities and equipment  to best support them as they come to the community’s aid when it’s needed most.”

Member for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis, said the new station will replace a 90-year-old facility and will provide a contemporary working environment for local paramedics.

“We know how much this new ambulance station means to the community of Casino, and we are thrilled to deliver this important health infrastructure for northern NSW,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“The next step will be to decide on the best location for the new Casino station and we’ll be guided by best practice international software which maps Triple Zero calls.”

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 a180 new ambulance staff across NSW, the third tranche of the June 2018 commitment to recruit 750 additional paramedic and control centre staff over four years.

The existing station located in Casino will remain operational while the new station is being built. When complete, paramedics and support staff will transfer to the new station.