Plan to move Ettalong ambulance station to Woy Woy
A new ambulance station has been announced plans for Woy Woy Hospital to replace the Ettalong ambulance station, as part of the NSW Government's Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration Program.
Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Mr Adam Crouch said the new station would ensure local paramedics have the latest facilities to best deliver local emergency care needs.
"The new station will replace the existing Ettalong Ambulance Station.
"NSW Ambulance and Health Infrastructure worked to identify the location using best practice modelling software to determine the most suitable location for mobile emergency care in our region," Mr Crouch said.
The software was designed to identify the best location to respond to the greatest number of cases in the shortest amount of time.
The software determined that the current Ettalong station site was located outside of this area.
Mr Crouch said: "The new station will feature internal parking for up to 10 emergency ambulance vehicles, administration and office areas, training and meeting room, external wash bay, external on-site staff parking, logistics and storage area and gym.
"I encourage local construction companies to participate in the tender process, which is due to commence early 2022."
Next steps include community engagement, design development and securing planning approval for the new station, said Mr Crouch.
The NSW Government's $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration Program is the single largest investment in regional NSW Ambulance's 126-year history, he said.
NSW Health Infrastructure is expected to commence the planning approval process for the new ambulance station in the coming weeks.
The new station is expected to be operational in early 2023.
The existing Ettalong ambulance station will remain operational until the new station at Woy Woy is complete.
The future purpose of the Ettalong site will be assessed at this time.
SOURCE:
Media release, 25 Nov 2021
Adam Crouch, Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary