ALMOST $200,000 will be spent by the State Government upgrading the Mungindi Ambulance Station, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced today.
Mr Marshall recently toured through the ageing facility with local paramedics and the Mungindi Progress Association (MPA), which approached the local MP, along with the local paramedics, earlier this year about the poor condition of the station.
“I immediately contacted Health Minister Brad Hazzard, who has allocated $175,000 in funding to address the most pressing issues at the station,” Mr Marshall said.
“While this is very welcome news, and will do a lot to make the lives of our local paramedics a lot more comfortable, the community really needs a brand new station.”
Mr Marshall said the upgrade works were vital in making sure Mungindi remained a permanent, stand-alone station, and to address the negative impact the poor conditions were having on keeping paramedics in the town.
“Last year the MPA wrote to me, worried about the declining condition of Mungindi Ambulance Station, fearful it would act as a barrier to attracting new paramedics,” Mr Marshall said.
“As a result NSW Ambulance conducted a building audit on the station, which did identify needed improvements.
“I am pleased to say already two new roller doors have been installed and good progress is being made on the rest of the project to improve the work and storage areas as well as the sleeping quarters for visiting paramedics.”
Mr Marshall thanked MPA President Anna Harrison and Mungindi paramedic Erin Matterson for their help in lobbying the NSW Government.
“Mungindi’s paramedics do an incredible job looking after the health of residents in often isolated and adverse conditions,” he said. “As a government, we need to ensure they have the best possible resources and facilities on hand, so they can provided the highest quality clinical care possible.
“I want to congratulate the efforts of all the staff at Mungindi Ambulance Station who I am sure will be excited to see their refurbished digs complete by the end of June.
“I’ll continue to work with them to secure further capital funds in future years for a brand new station in Mungindi.”