Ambo superstation in Randwick may result in slower response times: MPs
A new ambulance superstation is currently being built in Randwick. However, local MPs have raised concerns about it being built on Tafe land and whether it may result in slower response times for some residents.
Southern Courier
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A new ambulance superstation is currently being built in Randwick but local MPs have raised concerns about the future of smaller stations in the region and the potential for slower response times for some residents.
The State Government announced last year it would build a new ambulance superstation in Randwick.
Similar superstations have been built across Sydney in recent years including at Bankstown, Blacktown, Northmead and Artarmon.
Construction is now well underway for the new facility which is being built on a portion of land previously occupied by Tafe, at the corner of Darley and Alison roads, and formerly used as a carpark for the education provider.
A NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said the Randwick superstation would replace the current station located within the grounds of Prince of Wales Hospital and would function as a “hub” model for the region.
“NSW Ambulance does not currently have plans to close neighbouring stations,” the spokeswoman said.
“Paddington, Mascot, Bondi, Maroubra stations and the Sydney Ambulance Centre will continue to provide emergency ambulance care to the local community.”
However, Maroubra state Labor MP Michael Daley questioned the future of smaller ambulance stations around the region, such as the one at Maroubra.
He said there were fears those ambulance assets could be sold off in the future to make way for the superstation, and could result in wait times increasing for people in further flung areas of the region.
“I live at Chifley. If one of my family gets sick do I want the ambulance coming from Maroubra Beach or Randwick Tafe?”
Coogee state Labor MP Marjorie O’Neill agreed.
“There is no evidence at all that ambulance superstations decrease response times,” she claimed.
She said it would centralise the ambulance service and could replace smaller stations operating around communities in the future.
She also questioned the decision to build the superstation on land occupied and used by Tafe.
A Tafe NSW spokesman would not confirm how many car park spaces were lost as a result of the superstation being built.
“(Other) dedicated parking lots were introduced for both students and staff … and are operating effectively,” he said.
“Tafe NSW is committed to delivering high-quality training in Randwick and across the Sydney metropolitan area.”
NSW opposition leader Jodi McKay attended the Randwick Tafe campus last week to see the superstation and said the campus should not be losing land when there was a skills shortage.
“What they should be doing is expanding (this Tafe), not hiving off parts of the campus.”
The Randwick ambulance superstation is expected to be completed in early 2021.