WESTPAC Rescue Helicopter support groups will petition for the winching capabilities to be reinstated if the health minister does not reverse the decision to cease the life-saving service.
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Ross Whitaker of the United Mineworkers Federation said he was “disgusted” the service had been impeded.
“I’m involved with the mining industry, particularly the underground mining industry, which is one of the most dangerous industries in the world,” the North West union representative said.
The helicopter’s winch operations were “imperative”, he said.
“Time is of the essence for our people in getting them to hospital.
“I’ve loaded numerous people into that helicopter over the years, numerous people.”
Mr Whitaker said a vast number of support groups across the region would be “very good recruiting tools ... if we decided to get petitions”.
“I could not see any person, regardless of political allegiances, objecting to any of this,” Mr Whitaker said.
“Who’s to say who needs it next.”
The United Mineworkers Federation is the largest contributor to the Tamworth Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, with in excess of $1 million raised through voluntary payroll deductions.
Mr Whitaker said although there was a reduction in service, the union workers would not stop giving.
“Certainly not,” he said.
“We’re mighty proud of the fact that almost 100 per cent of our membership have weekly payroll deductions and regardless of whatever controversy happens, we would not retract that.”
But he stressed, “we do expect to have our opinions heard.”
Tamworth Regional Council deputy mayor Russell Webb said the government needed to be more transparent.
“They’re citing safely reasons, but why single out Tamworth as the one area that should suffer as a result of that, yet maintain the same level of service at Newcastle and Lismore?,” he said.
“Wouldn’t it be better for people that are living and working in our areas to be the ones who carry out the rescues and retrievals rather than bringing people in from outside the area?
“In essence, think about the savings.”
“They’re only taking away the winch retrieval training at Tamworth, but the training is not being taken away from the helicopter crews.
“The only people who will be not trained will be the paramedics in our region, so that’s four or five, six at the most.
“It’s only the government staff that are not going to be trained,” Cr Webb said.
“It would be a very small saving in terms of dollars,” he added.
