Evans Head Ambulance Station will get a refurbishment under the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program, delivering a better work environment for local paramedics.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced today works are expected to commence later this year following a competitive tender process. 

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in rural and regional health infrastructure to support better health outcomes for local communities,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Our paramedics need the best possible workplace to provide emergency medical care, and the infrastructure improvements will make a real difference to their working environment.”

The range of enhancements at the Evans Head Ambulance station include replacement of the existing plant room building to provide an enclosure for all existing ambulance vehicles, a vehicle wash bay, new staff training facilities, new amenities for paramedics as well as other internal upgrades.

Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said the RAIR 2 program investment for Evans Head is a real win for the coastal town and shows the commitment to the region following works commencing at the new Iluka Ambulance Station – which is a first for the Iluka community.

“Our Ambulance first responders play such an important role for our local communities, so I am very pleased to see that the Evans Head Ambulance Station is getting an upgrade to deliver a more modern workplace,” Mr Gulaptis said.

The RAIR program is the single largest investment in regional NSW Ambulance’s 126-year history, with 24 new or upgraded ambulance stations already delivered or under construction as part of the $132 million Stage 1 program, with another $100 million worth of ambulance assets being delivered right across regional and rural NSW  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 of funding for 180 new NSW Ambulance staff across NSW, being the third tranche of the June 2018 commitment to recruit 750 additional paramedic and control centre staff over four years.