The announcement of the new ambulance station for Kingscliff was welcomed by the community, in particular, that the state government kept its promise and protected the Cudgen Plateau’s State Significant Farmland (SSF) from further development.
‘Our members welcome the start of construction for the new Kingscliff Ambulance Station, which is indeed good news for our community,’ Peter Newton, President of the Kingscliff Ratepayers and Progress Association (KRPA) told The Echo.
‘It is also very pleasing to see that it is located within the Tweed Valley Hospital (TVH) footprint and not on the adjacent remaining protected State Significant Farmland, as was first feared by the community when the project was first announced. Protection of remaining SSF remains a strong focus of our Association and community.’
The Liberal-National parties NSW government’s removal of SSF protection for the site of the new Tweed Valley Hospital was highly controversial and split the community. At the time the state government promised that all the surrounding SSF would remain protected. Yet there is already significant developer pressure being put forward for the Cudgen Connection development that is being proposed for SSF next to the hospital. However, Tweed MP Geoff Provest has repeatedly said that the government will not open up any more of the Cudgen Plateau’s SSF for development.
First sod turned
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park was joined by Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot and local paramedics to mark a significant milestone in the delivery of the new state-of-the-art Kingscliff Ambulance Station, with the turning of the first sod on Wednesday (26 July, 2023).
‘It’s an exciting day for the community as construction gets underway on Kingscliff’s new purpose-built ambulance station, which will provide a high-quality base for our local paramedics, tailored to the emergency care needs of the region,’ Mr Park said.
The station is due for completion next year and will be co-located at the site of the new $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital. The new two-level ambulance station will replace the 65-year-old station on Marine Parade in Kingscliff. The new station features eight internal parking bays including an internal wash bay, administration and office areas, staff rest facilities, gym, logistics and storage areas and staff parking.
‘The relocation of the ambulance station away from a busy residential zone to the new Tweed Valley Hospital site, and being co-located on the one site is a really positive thing for logistics,’ Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry told The Echo.
‘I welcome the start of construction and look forward to it being open in the future.’
Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot joined Minister Park to mark the beginning of construction.
‘Kingscliff deserves this brand new ambulance station which will match its rapidly growing needs,’ Ms Elliot said.
NSW Ambulance Assistant Commissioner Paula Sinclair said the new Kingscliff Ambulance Station is being delivered as part of the $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program.
‘The Kingscliff Ambulance Station will also be fitted with a solar energy system, which enables battery storage and an emergency power source for essential building services such as lighting and roller doors,’ explained Ms Sinclair.
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