Australia - NSW rescue helicopters services, uncertain of future!

[sand blaster]

Save Westpac Helicopter “WHY” and FROM WHOM”

Why does the Westpac helicopter need saving? As stated by the CEO of the Ambulance Service on the Ray Hadly show only Sydney Wollongong and Orange helicopter bases are being contracted for in this EMS tender. So why does the Westpac helicopter need saving. The only helicopter bidding for this tender, that is currently sponsored by Westpac is the Southern Region Lifesaver helicopter service.

I don’t understand how this tender process has been linked to the NSW government as a plot to shut down the charity helicopter organizations. This tender is about providing the state of NSW the best Aeromedical Helicopter network that can be provided and to ensure that this very important transport system integrates and complements the health system fix wing fleet as well as current and evolving health care services. It is up to a charity to provide services to the community that is not provided by existing government services or funding. Now the government has committed to ejecting large amounts of money’s into a world leading helicopter retrieval/ rescue network they are demanding control, direction and supply of such assets, is this not reasonable? Considering that the government have taken ownership of this vital healthcare provision.

Charity helicopter operators are business working under a charity banner. No they don’t make money for their shareholders however certain people within these organizations have lifetime employment from these business so they have vested interest in maintaining these operations. If we look at the history of the Surf helicopters we see a very interesting pattern of in fighting and monies that are channelled back to the central organization. This became very obvious in the early 80’s when Westpac Newcastle became the cash cow for Surf Lifesaving until they split and became there own company. This has continued through time, regional area consist of communities that have true Australian values and support what they deem a vital need for their well being and the well being of their fellow community members. This support has been tapped into by these high profile charities and this vein of gold is being mined 24/7. This was recently high-lighted when the Southern region helicopter service changed its name to tap into the south coast gold mine. This had a fatal end when the community and its unions demanded there withdraw because of alleged funds raised in the south coast area were being funnelled back into the Sydney operation.


“No” the government is not shutting down charity helicopters. If charity helicopters shut don it will because they have not had the business intellect to plan their future and measure market risks and place strategies to mitigate these risks. If any charity helicopter operators are unsuccessful in this tender process they will need to assess if there is a community need for their services or if there business needs to take a new direction. All companies face this market demands Charities are not and should not be protected from these threats. At the end of the day we are talking about what is better for the communities.

By the way don’t forget each charity helicopter has its own fund raisers, its own management, its own fleet of cars, its own engineers. What is this cost? up to $1000000.00 a year in charity dollars wasted at each base, if only one charity operator owned the contract then only one set of costs. So which charity must go or does the Government just fully fund the system.

Is it Careflight?, is it Surf?, is it Guardian?, Well who goes someone MUST