Tell Parliament, Murray needs its own health district: Dalton

Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, has called on everyone in her electorate to write to NSW Parliament in support of creating a new local health district for the region, called the Western Riverina Local Health District.

“This is our chance to be heard,” Ms Dalton said.

“Parliament is calling for submissions about this new health district, and I want thousands of submissions to be sent in.

“The NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Community Services is conducting an inquiry into the creation of the Western Riverina Local Health District.

“As part of that inquiry, the Committee is asking people who are affected, which is all of us, to write and tell them how a new local health district would make all our lives better.

“We have an opportunity to explain how bad the current system is, and how the people of Murray deserve our own health district.

“I would encourage everybody to put in a submission.

“You don’t have to be a doctor or an expert. Anyone can put in a submission and I believe the Committee needs to hear from regular people in order to understand how important this is to all of us.”

“We must make the most of this opportunity.

“Make no mistake, these submissions will be read and they will be carefully considered.”

Submissions will be accepted by the Committee until December 19 and can be lodged online.

Council retains a neutral stand

Hay Shire Council is retaining its neutral stand on a proposed split of Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MHLD), despite some firm opposition from one of its members, Cr John Perry.

“I have no faith in MLHD,” Cr Perry told Council.

“They’re just talk; nothing happens.

“We need more services.”

Cr Perry was responding to a report from Mayor Oataway who recently attended an MLHD meeting hosted by Jill Ludford to provide an explanation of the private member’s bill put forward by Helen Dalton to split MLHD into two distinct health districts.

“The split will involve Griffith Base Hospital and 14 other communities (including Hay),” Cr Oataway said.

“This split is not supported by MLHD, the Health Minister and the Ministry of Health.

MLHD remains committed to building more activity and more services to the new Griffith Base Hospital.”

General Manager, David Webb also attended the meeting and believes Council could work with MLHD for better services without going against them.

Mr Webb said MLHD was currently assisting Council with its health precinct project. 

Questions invited for public meeting

Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is calling for questions on notice ahead of the 2025 Annual Public Meeting.

The meeting will be livestreamed via webinar from 1pm on Thursday, November 20.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions live to the panel of speakers.

Questions can also be submitted on notice via email to: MLHD-feedback@health.nsw.gov.au. 

This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 12 November 2025.