Major re-vamp completed for hangar at Orange airport

Later this year, the fully-rebuilt hangar will become the new home for the Orange emergency helicopter service, when it becomes the base for the new helicopter contract.

Orange Mayor John Davis said the $3.3 million project was built by Orange City Council to provide the basic infrastructure to support the new emergency service.

The council plans to lease the new building to Toll Group, which will operate the new 24-hour helicopter rescue service for NSW Ambulance.

“So far all we have is the shell of the new building, but even at this stage it’s an impressive start,” Cr John Davis said. “

In the coming months, Toll Group will be completing a major fit-out of their new base, installing a range of specialist equipment to support both the NSW Ambulance doctors and paramedics and the operations of keeping a chopper in the air.”

“There’s a lot of work still to happen, and there’s no furniture, but already in the bare bones of this building you can see the importance of the work that will happen from this base.”

“For example, there are six bedrooms with en suites, and they’re extremely sound-proof so staff on call can get the rest they need when a helicopter is operating just up the hall.

"This means staff can be available to be up in the air within minutes of a call-out.”

Orange City Council’s Airport consultative committee chair Cr Chris Gryllis said he was proud to see the new facility completed after years of lobbying to gain a 24-hour service for the Orange region.

“It’s a wonderful sight to see the change in this hangar,” Cr Chris Gryllis said.

"The Orange community is looking forward to the new service operating from its new

location.”

“The purpose-built hangar has been designed with space for a range of facilities including an operations room and a decontamination room.

“In the ceiling of the hangar there’s a giant four metre fan that has been designed to dry the helicopter and circulate the air heated by the building’s under-floor hydronic heating system. “

Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Chair Cr Glenn Taylor said the building would enhance existing services and facilities at the airport.

“With all the businesses which operate from nearby, the Orange airport is certainly becoming a hub,” Cr Taylor said.

“It’s going to a much better location for the new Toll and NSW Ambulance Rescue Helicopter Service.”

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