Cooloola Coast Medical Transport

OUR MISSION

Cooloola Coast Medical Transport is a local, community driven organisation that provides quality non-urgent medical transportation, for residents of the Cooloola Coast, to specialist centres and hospitals as far north as Hervey Bay, south to Brisbane, and all points in between.

Members of the Cooloola Coast Medical Transport are dedicated to providing personalised, safe, reliable and cost effective ‘door to door’ service with ‘wait time’ in order to meet individual client requirements.

OUR STORY

As a Finalist in nearly every year of the Healthy and Happy Towns Awards, Cooloola Coast Medical Transport has been recognised for the important role it plays in helping the people of Cooloola Coast’s communities stay healthy and happy.

OUR BEGINNING

In October 2003, a small group of community minded residents of Tin Can Bay and Cooloola Cove identified a need to assist the residents of the Cooloola Coast, with particular attention to the frail, aged and disabled.

At the time, these patients had no access to Queensland Ambulance Service and as is still the case, our isolated communities are a long way from major hospitals and specialists. So, Cooloola Coast Medical Transport (CCMT) Public transport was formed, with an initial budget of $18.45.

RAPID GROWTH

As we grew, a second-hand vehicle was purchased and we moved into a rented office in Scullett Drive. It became clear that this service was vital to assist the aged, frail, needy and disabled in our community to get to distant medical services. CCMT became incorporated as Cooloola Coast Medical Transport Inc. in 2011, as a not-for-profit. It gained Deductible Gift Recipient status, to attract tax-deductible donations.

With fast growth in demand for our service, we needed greater security and more space for our rapidly growing fleet of cars. In 2014, all levels of government chipped in, to find a solution. The Queensland Government gave us a 30 year lease on the old Tin Can Bay Fire & SES base, for a very low fee. The Federal Government provided a generous $120,000 Infrastructure grant to renovate and modify the buildings. Gympie Regional Council helped with building permits and other requirements. We opened our new office at 25 Bream Street Tin Can Bay on the 12 January 2015. In 2018, we completed an extension to garage facilities that included a meeting room, funded by grants and CCMT funds.

TODAY

We have around 100 volunteers. Some work in the office and many drive our clients. We are always looking for more volunteers to help meet the needs of our community. Please call us to find out how you can contribute and join our team of happy volunteers.

Our vehicle fleet is changing to hybrid technology. This prepares us for the future and takes advantage of current benefits, including cheaper running costs, quieter travel, and a more enjoyable driving experience. The fleet now includes three Toyota Corolla Hybrid cars, a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, two Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid cars, and one remaining Mitsubishi ASX car.

We are also pleased to have been able to assist Gympie Medical Transport Inc. to become established, and we wish them well.

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