For 90 years paramedics have operated from the pale brick building on Centre St in Casino.

Richmond Valley mayor Robert Mustow said he’d been to the station “a few times as a young boy to get stitched up.”

All that is about to change after an announcement on Friday about a modern ambulance station to replace it.

State Minister for Health Brad Hazzard joined the mayor, State MP Chris Gulaptis and paramedics at the station to discuss where, how and when the station will be built.

“The next step will be to decide on the best location for the new Casino station and we’ll be guided by … software that maps Triple Zero calls,” Mr Gulaptis said.

Mr Hazzard acknowledged the blue shirts: “We value our paramedics beyond belief.”

Paramedics and the community will be consulted on the best site for the new station, he said.

The new base will include the latest technology and will have relaxing areas for paramedics between callouts.

“The intention is to get the land identified as quickly as possible,” Mr Hazzard said.

Paramedic Hayley Hemmings said they had outgrown the station: “The new station will have a lot more infrastructure, new equipment and training spaces”.

Ambulance acting inspector Michael Edwards said Casino paramedic numbers had grown from five to 19. The funding comes from the state’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program that is bringing 24 new or upgraded ambulance stations in NSW.

The existing station in Casino will continue while the new station is built over two years.

This article appeared in the Richmond River Independent, 14 April 2021.