The Minister for Regional Health, the Hon Ryan Park, has responded to the advocacy of Wagga Wagga councillor Dan Hayes and myself, calling on the government to give back the old ambulance station to the community.

The Minister has announced that the $610,000 paid to the NSW government for the station will be refunded to Wagga Wagga City Council.

This brings to an end a long running issue for the community that the previous government refused to act on.

Last year, the former State Government sold Wagga Wagga City Council the old ambulance station on Johnson Street for $610,000, while requiring Council to also fund the refurbishment of the disused building.

The land the old ambulance station sits on was originally bought and gifted by the community to the state body to be used as a community health asset in the 1920s.

This decision to reimburse Council rights a wrong, and means that this fantastic building can have continued success in providing value to the community.

Quite simply, returning the funds was the right thing to do and the Wagga community will be very happy with this decision today.

The old Ambulance Station is now host to the Eastern Riverina Arts and the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber.