The recent update on the Albury-Wodonga hospital redevelopment has sparked concerns that the planned clinical services building may fail to meet current and future patient demands. Released by NSW Health Infrastructure on January 29, 2024, the project update included design concepts and artist impressions, but lacked detailed budgetary information. The $558 million project, jointly funded by the New South Wales and Victorian governments, is expected to allocate most of its budget to the clinical services building.
Wodonga Mayor Michael Gobel criticized the update, describing it as more of a marketing document than a serious plan to address pressing health care needs. He expressed skepticism about the project’s potential impact, stating, “If built, history will judge this proposed clinical services building as having torched $558 million and having kicked the can down the road to adequately servicing the health needs of this region another 15 to 20 years.”
While Albury MP Justin Clancy supports the hospital redevelopment, he highlighted significant omissions from the latest project plan. The removal of a multistorey car park and a helipad—two elements he fought to secure during initial funding discussions—has raised alarms. “We will require further investment, and it’s certainly something I continue to advocate for in terms of those elements that were taken out of the original commitment,” Clancy stated.
Despite public criticism regarding his advocacy, Clancy emphasized his commitment to improving health outcomes for the Albury community. He noted the difficulty in securing funding for additional infrastructure, saying, “If I can’t get $9 million for a helipad, which we’re fighting for, what chance are you going to get a billion for a greenfield hospital?”
The release of the project update has become a focal point in discussions about the hospital’s future. Clancy suggested that advocating for a new hospital on a different site could detract from efforts to secure necessary investments. His focus is now on driving further funding for critical components of the project.
In contrast, Better Border Health director Stan Stavros expressed concerns about the transparency of the update. The group is calling for the development of a new hospital at a different site, as recommended by the 2021 clinical services plan. “What came later were trumped-up, ‘back of the envelope’ versions designed to justify a smaller, cheaper and inferior offering for our community,” Stavros remarked. “That is not acceptable during a health crisis.”
NSW Health Infrastructure reported that the clinical services building would include “110 additional overnight beds—comprising medical and surgical inpatient beds across three new inpatient units.” However, Better Border Health disputes this figure, claiming that Albury Wodonga Health is currently short by more than 50 to 70 beds each day. Stavros emphasized, “Beds shifted are not beds added. If acute beds are closed or removed elsewhere and then presented as ‘growth’ at Albury, the community does not get the relief it needs.”
The ongoing debate around the hospital redevelopment highlights the urgency of addressing health service gaps in the Albury-Wodonga region. As stakeholders continue to voice their concerns, the effectiveness of the current project plans remains under scrutiny.
