New station boosts emergency response

The team will deliver emergency and out-of-hospital care across the Murray River, contributing to NSW Ambulance’s highly mobile workforce.

Paramedics Abby Sloss, Gemma Rovers and Lilly Canning are among the 13 new paramedics who have moved to Moama to work.

They have worked across regional NSW in Hay, Jerilderie and Hillston, but originally hailed from the Macedon Ranges and Invergordon.

Ms Sloss said it was nice to be closer to their home regions.

“Everyone working in Moama has chosen to be here,” she said.

“We kind of grew up around here as well so we do know the area, which is nice.”

Ms Canning said it was an exciting opportunity when the roles were advertised.

“Once it got advertised, and we could all kind of pick to come here, it was an exciting time,” she said.

“A lot of us here also live in Victoria or have family in Victoria as well ... we're shipped all over the place so it's nice to be able to come somewhere that's a bit closer to home.”

NSW Ambulance identified the Moama area as a high-priority location for a new ambulance station following a comprehensive service planning process to enhance cross-border resilience with Victoria.

New ambulance stations were positioned in areas which optimise ambulance response performance and meet the emergency and mobile medical care needs of the local community.

Moama ambulance station will be rostered to ensure a 24/7 service, with paramedics on duty during both day and night shifts.

While the team will be based in Moama, they do not operate within a fixed boundary and will provide emergency support wherever called to.

Due to the nature of the role, Ms Rover said Echuca Regional Health will not always be the receiving hospital.

“It depends on where we're going to and from. We can still transport to other hospitals as well, but if it’s local, it’s potentially Echuca — but not always,” she said.

This increase in clinical staffing is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver 500 additional paramedics to rural, regional and remote areas, through the Regional 500 initiative.

The Moama cohort is part of the third intake of 125 paramedics planned for regional NSW as part of the initiative.

They join the 125 paramedics who started across the state last year, and another 125 who started in 2024.

Labor spokesperson for Murray Bob Nanva said the additional paramedics would make a meaningful difference to the region.

“Paramedics are true local heroes, it’s great to see another 13 paramedics based in Moama and serving the border region,” he said.

“I congratulate the local community and the Health Services Union for their strong advocacy around the need for additional paramedics in Moama.”