The motion passed on 14 October resolved that Council advocate for the development of a fully-funded new single-site hospital for the Albury-Wodonga region, rather than the redevelopment of the existing Albury Hospital campus as proposed by the NSW and Victorian governments.
It requested the AlburyCity CEO to produce a report to Council that identified potential suitable locations for a new single-site hospital.
A number of sites were analysed, but four sites were identified as most likely to satisfy the criteria if subjected to further investigation:
- Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre
- Albury Racecourse
- Albury Showground
- Land in Young Street.
Albury Mayor Kevin Mack welcomed the report, and Council’s resolution to utilise the potential site information gathered to support further advocacy for a new single-site hospital on a new site in collaboration with Wodonga Council and others.
The existing Albury Hospital site only just meets our healthcare needs now, let alone into the future. The $558 million commitment from the NSW and Victorian governments just isn’t enough and the HINSW plans won’t deliver the healthcare solutions our community needs,” said Mayor Mack.
“With some suitable sites now identified, we will continue to push as hard as we can for what is needed now and into the future – sustainable long-term healthcare solutions for our growing community.”
The report does not include detailed analysis of each site and its servicing capabilities, but it does identify potential sites in Albury, owned by Council or other government-owned land, that could be subject to further investigation by Health Infrastructure NSW and form the basis of further advocacy.
“The past two weeks have seen actions and announcements from AlburyCity and Wodonga, supported by 12 other regional
councils, strongly advocating for a new hospital on a new site to meet the healthcare needs of our region, now and into the future,” Mayor Mack noted.
“We are very excited to be working with all the regional councils and communities to enable advocacy for a new single-site hospital for our region on a new site, that puts the community first,” he said.
Given decisions regarding the selection on investigation of any potential sites for a new single-site hospital rest with Health Infrastructure NSW, no community engagement has been undertaken by Council.
However, relevant stakeholders of the four sites identified for further consideration have been contacted and advised that their site has been identified as being potentially suitable for a new single-site hospital for the Albury-Wodonga region.