Residents near the hospital turned out on Monday to watch a test of the air ambulance landing and taking off, with sound levels being described as loud but “reasonable”.

The air ambulance sound levels came in at an average of 84 decibels, the equivalent of city traffic.

Kristy Walsh, who works at Bendigo hospital, said it was very loud.

“Working at the hospital, I knew what to expect, so it was tolerable,” she said.

Chris Evans said it was louder than he had anticipated but that he had no complaints.

“It was quite reasonable for a helicopter. It came right over my house,” he said. “As long as it’s not three times a day, I have no complaints.”

It is anticipated that a helicopter will arrive and leave the helipad once or twice a week.

Bendigo Health chief executive Peter Faulkner said was a milestone day.

“This hospital has been been built and constructed to support this type of emergency delivery and retrieval service,” he said.

The types of patients transferred by helicopter would depend on the condition of each patient, with some still being transferred to Melbourne.

“That is a decision made by paramedics on site at the time. When it is clinically appropriate, we'll bring the patients here. When it's appropriate they will take them to Melbourne,” he said.

Mr Faulker said there are some emergency surgeries Bendigo Health doesn’t do. 

“If somebody has a brain injury and needs surgery, and they are in helicopter, they are more likely to go directly to Melbourne because we don't routinely do that surgery,” he said.

Bendigo Health executive director of acute health Robyn Lindsay said the hospital’s clinicians were excited at what the helipad could provide with many wanting a helipad for years.

“The investment and infrastructure gained by helipad should be reassuring to the community,” she said.