State Government shortlists sites for new $120m SA Ambulance HQ

A new $120m SA Ambulance HQ is a step closer, with the state government identifying four potential locations. See the proposed sites and have your say.

The former Coca-Cola bottling plant in Thebarton and an inner city site opposite the Royal Adelaide Hospital are among a shortlist of locations being considered by the state government for development of a new $120m ambulance headquarters.

The project was a key plank of the state government’s election pitch to combat hospital ramping, and will include an emergency operations centre, ambulance station and health control centre designed to respond to blockages that cause ramping and hospital overcrowding.

SA Health issued a market call to property investors and developers in October, in an effort to identify suitable sites for the development.

SA Ambulance Service confirmed a shortlist of suitable sites had been prepared but would not comment on specific locations.

A vacant site adjacent to the new emergency services headquarters, pictured above, is a potential frontrunner to house a new SA Ambulance headquarters. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

However, The Advertiser understands there are at least four privately-owned land parcels being considered including the former Coca-Cola factory on Port Rd and a development site immediately to the east of the Newmarket Hotel on North Tce.

The Jeep dealership on Port Rd in Thebarton and another vacant site adjacent to the new emergency services headquarters at Keswick are also in the mix, with the latter viewed by industry sources as a potential frontrunner given its location and proximity to the new emergency services complex.

Other government-owned sites are also being assessed.

An SA Ambulance Service spokeswoman would not confirm the expected timing of when construction would commence, but said the search for a preferred site was “well advanced”.

“A market call was released in late 2022 with 12 proponents responding,” she said.

“These were further short-listed based on the requirements including site location and size, while concurrently considering any suitable government-owned sites.

The former Coca-Cola factory pictured in 2017. Picture: Calum Robertson

“Significant work is being done to promptly commence design and construction – this includes scoping the essential build requirements, building design and looking at interstate facilities.

“While this work is underway we have also employed 87 of the 350 more ambos, and continue make headway on delivering new and rebuilt ambulance stations across the state.”

A land parcel between 6500sq m and 8000sq m, located within 4km of the CBD, is being sought by the state government, which is open to acquiring or leasing the site under a long-term agreement.

According to the market call document, a multistorey building with about 7000sq m of space is being planned, with about 300 car parks.

The new SA Ambulance hub will replace SA Ambulance’s existing headquarters on Greenhill Rd, Eastwood.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has previously said the project would be completed before the next election.