A Sydney-based helicopter could take up to 20 minutes longer to arrive at a water emergency in the Illawarra than the crew based at Albion Park, campaigners claimed yesterday.
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Wollongong Rotary president Leigh Robinson said the Illawarra aeromedical team's arrival time of eight to 10 minutes could not be replicated by Sydney crews that have a flight time of 20 minutes.
"In previous water recoveries the Illawarra crew has been able to get over beaches in eight to 10 minutes," Mr Robinson said yesterday.
"This cannot be replicated by a Sydney-based service. On the basis of the standard 15-minute flight preparation time (from call to take-off) and a 20-minute flight time, it would take a minimum of 25 minutes and up to 35 minutes before a retrieval/recovery could commence."
Mr Robinson has been investigating the work of the Albion Park crew, compared with a western Sydney service, as part of the campaign to keep the base in the Illawarra.
Rotary is working with Illawarra MPs and circulating a petition.
"When we have 10,000 signatures the petition will force a multi-party debate in the NSW Parliament regarding the retention of the aeromedical retrieval service in the Illawarra," Mr Robinson said.
"While the number of signatures is slowly increasing it is incumbent upon all residents of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions to add their voice to this campaign."
Member for Keira Ryan Park confirmed Mr Robinson's claims that a crew from Albion Park could respond as quickly as eight minutes.
"It's a time that cannot be matched by a Sydney-based service," he said.
"I have asked the Minister for Health a number of questions in Parliament to determine when a decision will be made on the location of the helicopter.
Petition forms can be sourced from Kiama MP Gareth Ward at 125 Terralong Street, Kiama or by contacting Wollongong Rotary at 1300 768 180 or president@wollongongrotary.org.au.