Australia’s LifeFlight aeromedical organisation has started on its $18.5 million Sunshine Coast base. LifeFlight announced Newlands as the builder of the three-hangar base in the Aerospace Precinct, which at 1,500sqm is close to three times larger than the current hangar. The build is expected to take about nine months and finish late next year.
Eighty-five percent of trades and materials for the new base will be sourced locally from Sunshine Coast and Brisbane contractors while Newlands will have up to 50 people working onsite during the peak of construction. LifeFlight delivered more than $187 million in social and economic benefits to the Sunshine Coast region in the past year.
The not-for-profit has an affinity with the region and traces its roots back to 1979 when the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS) was founded by the late Des Scanlan and others and launched from the base of the Big Cow.
The service’s founders, surf life saving legend Hayden Kenny OAM, Jim Campbell, Rod Forrester, Bill Freeman, Roy Thompson and Karyn Moffatt on behalf of the late Don Moffatt, were onsite to turn the first sod.
Kenny, who was the first air crewman and chairman, said he was deeply proud to have been involved with the service from the start. “All of the founders can look back fondly on what we’ve achieved, especially when we take note of our humble origins and immense progress over the past 45 years,” he said. “In 1979 when we started there was no helicopter rescue service and today LifeFlight flies hundreds of missions each year across the region from the Glasshouse Mountains out west to Gallangowan State Forest and north to Rainbow Beach.”
The base will accommodate two AW139 helicopters and one Challenger 604 air ambulance jet, helping make LifeFlight’s 24-hour response more efficient to meet the increasing demands from the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay-Burnett and South Burnett regions.
In FY24, LifeFlight helped 600 people in the region, 19 percent higher than the previous year.
LifeFlight chair Hon. Jim Elder said it was a privilege to have the original founders present for the next evolution of LifeFlight Sunshine Coast. “Today encapsulates not just how far we’ve come but the hard work of so many people to get us to this point today, including all our founders and our Regional Advisory Committee led by Brendon Murray,” Elder said. “The new base is a significant step forward in our capability demonstrated through the capacity to house two AW139 helicopters – the most advanced aeromedical helicopter in the world. This is crucial to enhancing our search, rescue and aeromedical services and bringing equity of health care, which is so important to the people of this region. This new base secures LifeFlight’s future on the Sunshine Coast and heralds a new era.”
Elder said the support from the Queensland Government, including funding for the base’s construction and a 20-year ground lease, was key to getting lift-off for the base. “We’ve also been thrilled by the immense community support we’ve received for our appeal for the fit out of the new base,” he said. “More than 400 individuals and community clubs have donated so far, and every dollar will go towards all the essential items needed for the base such as bedding and furniture.”
Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills said LifeFlight is an important member of the airport community and was looking forward to continuing the partnership. “LifeFlight’s new facility will help grow and enhance their lifesaving aeromedical capabilities and we are excited to see the new state of the art facility take shape,” Mills said. “Our recent expansion of the Aerospace Precinct provides the foundation for LifeFlight to grow into the future, further supporting aviation on the Sunshine Coast.”
The new base will feature three separate hangars compared to the current one, providing extra aircraft manoeuvrability, meaning the crew will be able to get maintenance work done faster and result in less trips to the maintenance hub at Archerfield. This will result in more time for the aircraft to be available for missions. Other features included crew accommodation of six compared to four currently with a spare room to assist with extra staffing in future, a patient transfer room to give patients a safe space to wait while the helicopter is prepared for flight, and new training rooms and simulators to assist with doctor training and seminars held on site. There will also be a visitor centre named after Vice Regional Patron of LifeFlight Sunshine Coast and South Burnett Region, Jocelyn Walker AM who made a significant contribution to the base.
Since taking to the skies all those years ago, LifeFlight has helped almost 90,000 people. LifeFlight is fundraising for the fit out of the new Sunshine Coast base servicing the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and South Burnett regions and beyond. Donors can contribute directly towards the base or if in a position to donate $500 or more, be acknowledged on a Wall of Local Legends which will be displayed at the entrance.
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