Albury’s Mayor, Kevin Mack, has expressed a lack of confidence in Health Infrastructure NSW regarding the delivery of a significant hospital upgrade in the city. During a press conference on July 15, 2023, Mack highlighted discrepancies in timelines for the construction of a new clinical services building, which is a key component of the $558 million redevelopment project.
The mayor’s skepticism stems from conflicting information he has received from various officials, including Mary-Anne Thomas, the Victorian Health Minister, and leaders of Albury Wodonga Health. Mack emphasized that he had been informed of different start dates for the construction, ranging from December 2025 to June 2026. This inconsistency raises concerns about the project’s overall management and communication.
Mack stated, “Health Infrastructure NSW, I have no confidence in at all about delivering this project when they say they’re going to deliver it.” He pointed to issues regarding parking arrangements for contractors, which have shifted from initial plans. He voiced concerns that if such miscommunication exists regarding temporary parking, it raises questions about the execution of the entire construction project.
The mayor indicated that the various officials had provided him with contradictory timelines. He noted, “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.” This uncertainty has contributed to his discontent with the handling of the redevelopment.
Mack mentioned that the established works for the clinical services building will not commence until June 2026, according to Albury Wodonga Health executives. He criticized Ryan Park, the NSW Health Minister, for not openly discussing the timeline, further complicating the situation and diminishing local trust.
In response to the mayor’s comments, the Border Mail sought clarification from Health Infrastructure, Minister Thomas, and Albury Wodonga Health. A spokesperson from Health Infrastructure referred the matter to their agency, stating that the expected timeline aligns with information from the hospital executives.
According to the spokesperson, “Design for the clinical services building will progress throughout the remainder of 2025, involving detailed consultation with clinical users.” Once finalised, all planning documents will undergo public exhibition before submission for planning determination. Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-2026 upon the appointment of a primary contractor.
While Health Infrastructure did not directly address Mack’s no-confidence claim, they reiterated their commitment to engaging with the community regarding parking upgrades. The representative stated, “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 project team is focused on ensuring the health and safety of the local community, with plans to monitor access points throughout construction. Short-term traffic management measures and speed limit reductions may be implemented as necessary, and regular briefings will be provided to construction workers on parking and safety protocols.
Mack concluded by emphasizing the need for transparency and effective communication from those overseeing the hospital upgrade, stating, “If you’re delivering such a big project in this city, surely local government, the community should have some confidence about what is going on.” As the situation develops, the community will be watching closely for updates on this major healthcare project.
