The New South Wales government has confirmed the locations and released plans for two new ambulance stations in the Hunter region, with construction slated to begin this year. The stations at Caves Beach and Gateshead are designed to address soaring demand and improve emergency medical response times for local residents.
Locations Locked In for Vital Emergency Hubs
The Caves Beach station will be built at 2 to 4 Kayuga Close, while the Gateshead facility, after a prolonged search for suitable land, will be constructed at 79 Oakdale Road. NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park stated the new infrastructure would help optimise response times and ensure paramedics can provide emergency care in the Hunter "well into the future."
"We're backing our frontline workers with infrastructure and resources," Mr Park said. The government had previously announced the Caves Beach site in March 2025, but the Gateshead location is being revealed for the first time. Building will commence at both sites following planning approval and the appointment of contractors.
A Matter of Life and Death for Growing Communities
NSW Minister for the Hunter and Swansea MP, Yasmin Catley, emphasised the critical importance of the stations. "Having ambulance stations closer to where people live can be the difference between life and death," Ms Catley said. "Every second counts. No one should be left hoping an ambulance can get there in time."
She highlighted that as the Swansea area continues to grow, access to high-quality healthcare close to home is a necessity. The need is underscored by data showing ambulance responses in East Lake Macquarie jumped from 4,672 in the July-September quarter of 2016 to 6,794 in the same quarter last year.
Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison called the release of artist impressions for the Gateshead site "a significant milestone" for a community that has long called for the service. "It means people will soon be able to access the best emergency and mobile medical care close to home," Ms Harrison said.
Paramedics Welcome Long-Awaited Boost to Resources
Brendan McIlveen, NSW secretary of the Australian Paramedics Association, welcomed the progress as "awesome news." He noted the population in the area has "massively increased" and that the sound of ambulances heading towards Caves Beach and Swansea is common.
Mr McIlveen confirmed the new stations would come with capacity for extra paramedics, addressing a critical lack of infrastructure. "The Hunter has been lacking extra stations and resources for many years," he said. He explained that each station is expected to support a total of 25 paramedics, enabling three crews in a 24-hour period instead of the current two.
Currently, 12 paramedics are working from a temporary Sandgate site destined for Gateshead, with more to be added. Mr McIlveen expressed a desire for Swansea paramedics to start operating from the interim site immediately, rather than waiting for the new station's completion. Construction is estimated to take about 12 months once begun.
The government's plan to build ambulance stations and boost paramedic numbers in the Hunter is years behind schedule. In addition to the Caves Beach and Gateshead facilities, new stations are also planned for East Maitland, Edgeworth, and North Rothbury.
