OLD WAGGA AMBULANCE STATION FINALLY GIVEN BACK TO COMMUNITY WITHOUT UNFAIR PRICE TAG

The Minister for Regional Health, the Hon Ryan Park, has responded to the advocacy of Local State MP Dr Joe McGirr and councillor Dan Hayes to give back the old ambulance station to the community and has announced that the $610,000 paid to the NSW government for the station will be refunded to Wagga Wagga City Council.

This brings to an end a long running issue for the community that the previous government refused to act on.

Last year, the former State Government sold Wagga Wagga City Council the old ambulance station on Johnson Street for $610,000, while requiring Council to also fund the refurbishment of the disused building. 

The land the old ambulance station sits on was originally bought and gifted by the community to the state body to be used as a community health asset in the 1920s.

“This decision to reimburse Council rights a wrong, and means that this fantastic building can have continued success in providing value to the community,” Dr McGirr said. 

“Quite simply, returning the funds was the right thing to do and the Wagga community will be very happy with this decision today.”

Councillor Dan Hayes also welcomed the decision to reimburse the Wagga Wagga City Council for the purchase of the old ambulance station.

“Council proceeded with purchasing the old ambulance station to ensure it remained in the hands of the community, however the former government should never have charged such an unfair price,” Mr Hayes said. 

“This is a great example of having a community, a council, and the state member working together with a government prepared to listen.”

The old Ambulance Station is now host to the Eastern Riverina Arts and the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber.