Local paramedics are thrilled by this week’s announcement their 60-year-old building will be replaced by a new purpose-built station.

Andrew Barton, who has been in Cootamundra for two years, said to work out of a brand-new facility will increase efficiencies within the station. 

“The current station is impractical, particularly when it comes to Cootamundra’s extreme weather and vehicles being left outside,” Mr Barton said. 

He also said he is looking forward to new office space. 

Currently, offices are located in the old residence behind the station with a mix of old furniture and closed-in spaces. 

Five paramedics work out of the station with three vehicles at their disposal. 

Paramedics can be called on to attend jobs anywhere across the state, however mostly stick to a half an hour radius for Cootamundra. 

They also assist in nearby towns when needed. 

Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson said the new station would allow paramedics to better meet the current and future emergency mobile care needs of the community.

“The NSW government is investing in purpose-built and modern NSW Ambulance stations to help our highly trained paramedics be in the right place, at the right time.” 

The new stations are part of the NSW Government’s $122 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program, which represents the biggest regional and rural transformation of NSW Ambulance infrastructure in the organisation’s history.

The RAIR program includes 22 locations across the state that will benefit from upgraded, rebuilt or entirely new ambulance stations.

Designed with input from local paramedics, the infrastructure will deliver a better working environment tailored to the needs of local communities.

Planning for the station will begin shortly.