The Far South Coast is moving closer to having our own rescue helicopter service.
We can reveal construction of the new base for the chopper will start early in the new year following the allocation of funding in the State Budget back in May.
Local State Member and Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Regional Health, Dr Michael Holland said this is an important step forward for the Far South Coast community.
“We are very excited this morning to announce that a new regional ambulance helicopter base will be started in Moruya in early 2027 that’s obviously depending on the D-A and appointing a contractor but this is going to be a big thing for the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley,” Dr Holland said.
The new base at Moruya Airport will include:
- a dedicated helicopter hangar and maintenance facilities
- mission-planning and operational workspaces
- training and staff amenities
- fuel, logistics and supporting infrastructure
- a dedicated road retrieval ambulance
“It’ll be the only aeromedical helicopter base south of Wollongong,” Dr Holland said.
“Of course there’ll also be an additional dedicated Road Retrieval Ambulance working with it,” he said.
“That’s what I’ve been working for for the past 20 years even in my previous clinical role.
“It’s so great to see it come to fruition now and not achievable without opening a level 4 Regional Hospital in the Eurobodalla to serve the whole southeast of NSW.”
Moruya is one of three new bases in NSW along with Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie supporting the expansion of the statewide aeromedical network from six to nine bases.
Across the state, NSW Ambulance Aeromedical teams complete more than 4,400 helicopter missions each year.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the new helicopter base being delivered by the Minns Labor Government will strengthen
aeromedical infrastructure for the community.
“The expanded network will help NSW Ambulance helicopters and world class paramedics and doctors provide faster access to lifesaving emergency and specialist care for regional communities,” Mr Park said.
“We are delivering the essential health infrastructure needed to deliver better, faster care for people across NSW. This includes more hospitals, more beds, more ambulance stations and helicopter bases, and the staff to run them,” he said.
