State government and community representatives have unveiled the location of a long-awaited ambulance station at Lake Cathie.
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A new purpose-built facility will be constructed at 1237 Ocean Drive by the end of next year, to service the Bonny Hills and Lake Cathie area.
The station will include internal parking for four emergency services ambulance vehicles, relief accommodation for paramedics, an internal wash bay, administration, office, logistics, storage areas and staff parking.
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Bonny Hills pharmacist Karen Pikett, Lake Cathie Health Complex director Nicole Lewis-Bain, Mid North Coast Local Health District chief executive Stewart Dowrick and Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Willliams toured the undeveloped block of land on September 15.
Mrs Lewis-Bain said the ambulance station couldn't come soon enough to meet the growing needs of the community.
"It's been something the community has been working towards for a long time and a very welcome addition to the health care of the postcode," she said.
"I think for the community it is a bit of a relief because they will be able to get a local ambulance, as opposed to the extended wait times that we do currently experience."
Residents have previously campaigned for a local service to reduce the average response time for an ambulance from Port Macquarie to Lake Cathie which is currently 18 minutes.
"The sooner it is built, the better. I think we need to also acknowledge the Rural Fire Service because they do a lot of first responding in this area, that really should be an ambulance response," Mrs Pikett said.
The project is being funded through stage two of the NSW government's $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration, which has allocated funding to upgrade or build 24 ambulance stations in its first stage.
"This will be a first class facility to support local paramedics as they continue their excellent and challenging job of providing life-saving emergency medical care," Mrs Williams said.
"The ambulance station, which will be completed by the end of 2022, is being tailored to meet the current and future needs of communities in Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills, both growth areas in the region."
Mid North Coast Local Health District chief executive Stewart Dowrick said when built, there will be more paramedics available at the station to respond to emergencies in the region.
"The station here will assist the other stations in the area. The timing is critical to get people where they need to be, as quick as they can," he said.
"It will be really reassuring for people who live or move here to know they have something nearby to help."
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