Lismore, Mullumbimby Get New Ambulance Stations
Communities across the Northern Rivers are set to benefit from a major boost to frontline emergency and mobile medical care, with the Albanese and Minns Governments providing funding for a new ambulance station in Lismore and a rebuild of the Mullumbimby Ambulance Station.
The funding, which has been provided through the Infrastructure Betterment Funding Grants under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements will see $9.97 million for Lismore Ambulance Station and $3.4 million for Mullumbimby Ambulance Station to support the construction of modern, flood-resilient ambulance stations.
Lismore and Mullumbimby ambulance stations suffered extensive structural damage during the major Northern Rivers flooding event in March 2022.
The funding will support the construction of a new Lismore Ambulance Station on higher ground to better withstand future flood events. The former Lismore Ambulance Station on Keen Street was decommissioned following the 2022 floods, with operations temporarily relocated to a facility at Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus.
Mullumbimby Ambulance Station will be rebuilt on its current site with improved flood resilience.
The Infrastructure Betterment Fund is a $200 million joint initiative by the Albanese and Minns Governments to help communities become more resilient by investing in building better infrastructure.
NSW Public Works will deliver the projects in partnership with NSW Ambulance with both sites scheduled to be completed by mid 2027.
As part of the NSW Government’s Strategic Workforce and Infrastructure Team (SWIFT) program, 31 additional paramedics are now working in Northern NSW zone including 12 additional paramedics for Lismore.
The SWIFT program is delivering 30 additional ambulance stations and 2,500 additional NSW Ambulance staff, including 500 paramedics to rural and regional areas.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain:
“This funding is about making sure communities like Lismore and Mullumbimby have the emergency care infrastructure they need not just to recover, but to be stronger and safer the next time a disaster hits.
“After everything the Northern Rivers has been through, we’re backing in these communities with real investment in frontline services that people can count on when it matters most, not just during a crisis but every single day.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
“This important investment will deliver the infrastructure our paramedics need to do their job and strengthen emergency healthcare in these communities that have been through so much.
“These fit-for-purpose ambulance stations will help NSW Ambulance paramedics continue to deliver world class out-of-hospital care now and well into the future.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Regional New South Wales, Tara Moriarty:
“We’re continuing to invest in regional and rural NSW and this funding to rebuild Lismore and Mullumbimby ambulance stations means those communities will continue to have access to frontline emergency and mobile health care, when and where they need them most.
“These funding grants are part of the NSW Government’s broader commitment to supporting communities across regional NSW, with infrastructure that can withstand future natural disasters.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Recovery and the North Coast Janelle Saffin:
“Our paramedics, and the communities they serve, deserve the very best, and I am thrilled to see these two new purpose-built facilities delivered in Lismore and Mullumbimby.
“This is about building back better, ensuring that we have learnt from previous disasters and that our communities are more prepared and resilient now and for any future events.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot:
“As your local MP I’m proud to be delivering $3.4 million in joint funding from the Federal and NSW Labor Governments to build a new ambulance station in Mullumbimby.
“This will ensure our local paramedics have a new facility that is fit for purpose and can meet current and future needs in Mullumbimby.
“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to strengthening healthcare on the North Coast and this announcement is yet another example of us delivering on this commitment.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive, Dr Dominic Morgan:
“NSW Ambulance paramedics deliver life-saving care every day to those who need it most.
“These new and improved stations will help ensure NSW Ambulance clinicians have the facilities and support they need to respond safely and efficiently to patients right across Northern NSW.”
https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/KristyMcBain/Pages/flood-rebuild-continues-new-ambulance-stations-lismore-mullumbimby.aspx