New ambulance stations for the Northern Rivers

TWO new ambulance stations have opened in Lismore and Mullumbimby, providing a boost to frontline emergency services in the Northern Rivers.

The NSW government contributed $9.97 million in funding for Lismore and $3.4 million for Mullumbimby, through its infrastructure betterment grant program, to support the construction of the modern, flood-resilient ambulance stations after they suffered extensive structural damage during the 2022 Northern Rivers floods.

“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,” NSW Ambulance chief executive Dr Dominic Morgan said.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the funding was about making sure communities had the emergency care infrastructure they needed to recover and to be stronger and safer.

“After everything the Northern Rivers has been through, we’re backing 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,” she said.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said the investment would deliver the infrastructure paramedics needed to do their job and strengthen emergency healthcare in communities that have been through challenging times.

“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,” he said.

NSW Minister for Recovery and the North Coast Janelle Saffin said the paramedics, and the communities they served, deserved the very best.

“This is about building back better, ensuring that we have learnt from previous disasters and that our communities are more prepared and resilient for any future events,” Saffin said.