Port Macquarie-Hastings Council conditionally approved a development application for a new ambulance station in High Street.

The development consent consolidates the existing ambulance station site at 96 High Street with the neighbouring block at 94 High Street.

The structures will be demolished to make way for a new ambulance station development.

A single-storey ambulance station will be built with six internal ambulance parking spaces, administration and storage spaces, lockers, toilets, relief area, showers, kitchen and dining, lounge area and outdoor area. 

There will be six car parking spaces, one external wash bay, a new flag pole and landscaping.

Councillors raised concerns about the stormwater management system.

Cr Justin Levido said in a perfect world, it would have been better to have a gravity-fed system, but the significant public benefit outweighed the concern.

He said it was great to see this ambulance infrastructure being improved in the local government area.

The council noted the system was designed so as not to increase pre-development stormwater flow rates to neighbouring properties.

The council also noted the significant public benefit to be provided by the new ambulance station.

Cr Geoff Hawkins said the development was needed and it was good for the community.

Cr Rob Turner said it was a fantastic opportunity for Wauchope to have a full serviced ambulance station located opposite the hospital.

“The medical precinct around that area is really starting to take off,” he said.

Mayor Peta Pinson said with the growth of the area, Wauchope deserved a facility like this.

Cr Peter Alley said a growing community needed growing services and growing health services.

Town planner Stephen Kerr addressed the council and answered questions from councillors.

The ambulance station is expected to employ up to 12 full-time equivalent staff.

There will be a maximum of six full-time equivalent staff on site at any one time.

The new ambulance station will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The existing ambulance station has a capacity of two ambulance vehicles and five full-time equivalent staff.