Albury’s mayor, Kevin Mack, has expressed significant doubts regarding Health Infrastructure NSW and its ability to manage the upgrade of the city’s hospital. On July 15, 2025, he publicly stated his lack of confidence in the agency’s handling of the project, citing discrepancies in construction timelines for the new clinical services building, a crucial part of the $558 million redevelopment plan.
Mack revealed that he has received inconsistent start dates for the construction project from various officials, including Mary-Anne Thomas, the Health Minister of Victoria, and executives from Albury Wodonga Health. He noted that these conflicting reports have raised serious concerns about the agency’s communication and planning processes.
“Health Infrastructure NSW, I have no confidence in at all about delivering this project when they say they’re going to deliver it,” Mack stated. He pointed out that recent changes to parking arrangements for contractors have further fueled his skepticism. He explained that a report indicated contractors would be parking in nearby streets, yet two weeks later, they began site preparations without proper notification.
“There’s been a little bit of miscommunication,” Mack added, highlighting his frustrations over the flow of information. “If this is how they’re going to run just a temporary car park for the contractors, what’s it going to look like when they start to build?”
Mack shared differing timelines he has received, which ranged from December 2025 to June 2026 for the beginning of work on the clinical services building. He noted that while he was informed by the Victorian Health Minister that construction would start in December, other officials indicated a later start date.
“I got told by the minister, the Victorian minister, it would be in December. I’ve been told by another minister it will be next year. I’ve been told by the CEO and the chair of the board it won’t be until June next year,” Mack said. He emphasized that the ongoing confusion undermines public confidence in the project, especially given its scale and importance to the community.
In response to Mack’s comments, The Border Mail sought clarification from Health Infrastructure, Thomas, and Albury Wodonga Health. Thomas’s office directed inquiries to Health Infrastructure, which confirmed that the timeline given aligned with the information provided by Jonathan Green, chair of Albury Wodonga Health, and Bill Appleby, the health service’s chief executive.
A spokesperson for Health Infrastructure stated, “Design for the clinical services building will progress throughout the remainder of 2025, involving detailed consultation with clinical users.” They also mentioned that construction is expected to commence in mid-2026, once a main contractor is appointed.
Health Infrastructure did not address Mack’s no-confidence claim directly but reiterated its commitment to engaging with the community regarding the parking upgrades that have drawn criticism. The spokesperson underscored, “We are working to minimise disruption to hospital staff, patients, visitors, nearby residents, businesses, and road users as much as possible while this work is undertaken.”
The agency assured that all construction activities prioritize the health and safety of the local community. It further indicated that it would monitor access points throughout construction and implement necessary traffic control measures. “Hansen Yuncken will regularly brief construction workers on parking and safety expectations throughout the duration of these temporary parking works,” the spokesperson added.
As the community awaits clarity on the hospital project, Mayor Mack’s concerns reflect broader anxieties about effective communication and project management in infrastructure development. The outcome of this redevelopment will be crucial for Albury residents, who are keenly observing the developments surrounding their healthcare facilities.
