The LifeFlight Sunshine Coast rescue helicopter will today fly out of the region’s new supersized aeromedical facility following a 14-month construction project.
LifeFlight crews have been busy moving from the former facility over the past several weeks to the new base, which is three times the size and spans 1500sqm across three separate hangars.
The state-of-the-art facility features an advanced fire suppression system, capacity for two AW139 helicopters and one Challenger 604 jet, six-person crew accommodation and new training rooms and simulators.
The Queensland Government-funded $18.5 million facility is located within the Sunshine Coast Airport’s Aerospace Precinct and is the most significant infrastructure project delivered in LifeFlight’s 46-year history on the Sunshine Coast.
During today’s launch, the crew was tasked to a search and rescue mission to rescue three men after their boat capsized off Noosa Heads.
In 2025 the crew helped close to 700 people, which was 18 per cent higher than the previous year and continued the year-on-year growth trend for the base.
In the first three months of this year, 144 people (as of March 30) were helped across a range of missions from motor vehicle crashes through to animal-related incidents and search and rescues.
LifeFlight Head of Flying Operations Jeremy Ovens said, the start of operations was an important milestone for healthcare in the region.
“This new base enhances our 24-hour response through greater aircraft availability, faster maintenance work, and the capacity to house three aircraft at any one time,” Mr Ovens said.
“It’s another step in our origin story because LifeFlight started on the Sunshine Coast 46 years ago, through the visionary work of pioneers.
“Importantly the base future proofs aeromedicine for decades to come and we are thankful to the community, supporters and the Queensland Government for making it happen.”
Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said the first day of operations at the new LifeFlight Sunshine Coast base was a testament to government and community working together.
“From humble beginnings at ‘The Big Cow’ near Yandina in 1979, our Sunshine Coast base has grown to this magnificent facility we see today thanks to the vision of amazing people such as Des Scanlon, Hayden Kenny OAM, Bill Freeman, Jim Campbell, Don Moffatt AM, and my late father Gordon – who helped LifeFlight get their first government funding,” Ms Simpson said.
The new base will also house the LifeFlight Jocelyn Walker Visitor Experience and Education Centre set to open later this year.
It will provide an immersive experience for locals and tourists on LifeFlight’s history and its work in the Sunshine Coast region.
LifeFlight traces its roots back to 1979 when the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (SCHRS) was founded.
LifeFlight (then known as CareFlight) merged with SCHRS in 2013.
