A Life Saving Care Fight

The battle for NSW’s rescue choppers

Sydney’s NRMA CareFlight and the southern region Westpac Life Saver rescue helicopter services began their own fight for survival after NSW Health’s December 8 announcement that CHC Helicopters (Australia) had been chosen as the preferred provider of helicopter rescue services for Sydney, Wollongong, and Orange.

The NSW government’s controversial decision to give the Australian division of Canadian owned CHC, the world’s largest helicopter operator, a half billion dollar contract created much emotion amongst some of the losing tenderers. NRMA CareFlight and Southern Region Westpac Life Saver have a combined 64 year record of service to the community which was under threat of disappearing altogether due to the contract decision.