Mayor's Message 14 February, 2025

Hello everyone,

I want to provide a further update on our advocacy efforts for a new Albury Wodonga Hospital.

Despite our persistent efforts to be included in Tuesday's meeting between the Mayors of Albury and Wodonga and the Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, Indigo Shire and other neighbouring councils were unfortunately excluded.

I asked Wodonga Mayor, Michael Gobell to question the Minister about reconsidering the current redevelopment plan - given the strong community support, backing from 206 physicians, collaboration of 17 regional councils, and the 2021 clinical services plan recommending a new hospital, and the response was unwavering: "Nothing will stop this, it is going ahead."

However, we refuse to accept this as the final word. Yesterday, I met with fellow Mayors and CEOs in Wodonga, where we unanimously committed to escalating our advocacy. We will be taking our campaign to the steps of the Victorian, NSW, and Federal Parliaments this March, regardless of the Health Minister's suggestion that it would be futile.

We were pleased to hear the Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines deliver a compelling speech to the Federation Chamber, where she outlined why a new single site hospital on a greenfield site is the only option for our community.

We are now hoping as many people as possible will join us on the steps of parliament in March and if you have a story about ambulance response times or have first-hand experience with the pressures facing Albury Wodonga Hospital we want to hear from you. These personal experiences will strengthen our advocacy efforts and demonstrate the real impact on our community.

Details about the upcoming rallies will be released shortly. Keep an eye on our Facebook Page and I’ll continue to provide updates through this message.

We see this as a crucial fight for our community's future that we cannot and will not abandon.

Take care,

Sophie