WORDS can't quite describe what a state-of-the-art ambulance station means to paramedics, who continue to work their guts out for regional communities.
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That was the sentiment shared by local NSW Ambulance leaders as the first sod was turned at the new Tamworth site on Thursday.
New England Zone manager Tim Collins said it was exciting to break ground because a new facility - for the first time in nearly a century - meant greater opportunities for his dedicated team.
"It's certainly well-earned and looked forward to by the local staff," he said.
Paramedics had input into the streamlined design of the $6.3 million building, which boasts a 12-bay undercover parking area, modern administration facilities, plenty of space, specialist capabilities, and more.
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Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the 90-plus-year-old Marius Street station had served the community well, but it had been outgrown.
He said there was no doubt this new building would be future-proof.
"This is something that has been in the making for a long time - paramedics have been calling for it, the community has been calling for it," he said.
Paramedics in the Health Services Union across the state walked off the job earlier this month to demand better wages and conditions.
Mr Anderson said while those pay negotiations are continuing, it's essential to provide good services and infrastructure for front line workers.
"We have a positive future here in Tamworth," he said.
"There's a saying 'build it and they will come' and that's what we try to do ... because that's an attraction when people are looking to move to regional NSW."
The station is expected to be finished by the end of the year and will be built by Tamworth-based company Richard Crookes Construction, with up to 200 locals expected to work on the site.
The new station will go up where tennis courts used to be on Piper Street, in North Tamworth.
The fate of the old station has not been decided, but those discussions are slated for the future.
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