Following a meeting of representatives from councils across the border region in Wodonga last week, the decision was made to march on the Victorian Parliament in a united campaign for the construction of a new Albury-Wodonga hospital.

The councils have previously rejected the proposal from the Victorian and New South Wales governments to redevelop the Albury hospital.

Letters to both state premiers seeking meetings to discuss the issue have also been ignored.

Albury mayor, Cr Kevin Mack, said the Spring Street protest was a final shot at stopping the proposed redevelopment and garnering support for a new greenfield site.

“We want maximum representation because this is like the last opportunity, I believe,” he said.

“If we don’t get attention prior to a federal election and if we don’t get a result from our respected elected representatives, we’re done and I’m really seriously concerned that the murmurings will become a reality and it’s not good enough.”

Indigo mayor, Cr Sophie Price, said “We have made very attempt to work collaboratively with both state and federal governments on both sides, we are getting limited access or in most cases no access, no response from those avenues so it’s really important we take the next steps.

We’re coming to you now, we’re coming to the steps of Parliament to amke sure we give ourselves the best opportunity to keep putting this issue to Victorian, NSW state and federal governments.”

Community members are being invited to travel to Melbourne for the rally, which will coincide with Parliament sitting on February 19th. 

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 6 February 2025.