Queensland aeromedical charity LifeFlight today turned the first sod in the construction of the new $18.5 million base at Sunshine Coast.
The three-hangar base will cover 1500 sqm and house two AW 139s and a Challenger 604 air ambulance, making it three times larger than the current base.
LifeFlight chair Jim Elder said it was significant that LifeFlight had its origins in the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service that was founded in 1979, giving the service an affinity with the airport.
“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.”
The base is expected to make LifeFlight’s 24-hour response in the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay-Burnett and South Burnett regions more efficient. In the 2023/24 financial year, LifeFlight helped 600 people in the region, 19% higher than the previous year.
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,” he 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.”
Funding for the base has come from the Queensland government, supplemented with donations from 400 individuals and community clubs.
Construction is expected to take nine months, and should be completed late in 2025.