A NEW ambulance station has officially become home to paramedics in Bathurst.
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The new building, constructed on a greenfield site in Commonwealth Street, has been operational for two weeks and was officially opened on Friday morning.
READ MORE: Site for new ambulance station confirmed
It marks the end of another construction phase under the Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program, a $122 million investment delivering a total of 23 new ambulances stations across the state.
The official opening of the Bathurst Ambulance Station was attended by paramedics, politicians and senior NSW Ambulance personnel, including Chief Superintendent John Stonestreet.
He said that the facility was designed by paramedics, which would ensure it met the needs of staff and the wider community now and into the future.
"The 90-year-old building had served its purpose, but we now have a state-of-the-art building that can serve us into the future," he said.
- WATCH: Take a look at the new ambulance station on the day of the official opening.
Among the features being touted is the facility's ability to provide internal parking for 10 emergency ambulance vehicles, something that the old site on William Street couldn't do.
There are also administration and office areas, amenities, logistics and storage areas, a fleet maintenance area, internal wash bay for vehicles, staff parking and an advanced training complex.
Superintendent Brad Porter, the zone manager for Central West NSW Ambulance, said the two sites were "like chalk and cheese" and the new building had been well-received by staff.
"We've been operational out of this new facility since May 23; we made a seamless transition during the day from the old station to the new without any issues," he said.
"It's very exciting to be in this new facility."
Supt Porter said that both the size of the building and its location would help NSW Ambulance respond quicker in emergency situations.
"The location was found through a lot of research and service planning," he said.
"We know that this facility is in the right spot for our response times, but the ease at which we can get in and out of this building, not being directly in the main street where all the traffic is, is so much safer."
Having the extra space at the building has also helped workflow.
"The building has been designed by paramedics with architects; the way that the workflows happen in the building are just so much more efficient," Supt Porter said.
A new ambulance station has been on the cards for Bathurst for several years.
Plans were approved by Bathurst Regional Council in February, 2018 after the site was acquired.
The first sod was turned in May of that year, allowing Hines Construction to move in and bring the plans to life.
Developing the site didn't come without criticism, with there being public uproar over the building being located adjacent to the sewerage treatment plant.
Earlier this week, there was further criticism because the building was completed without solar panels. However, there are provisions for these to be added in future.