Approximately 500 people gathered at Albury's QEII Square on Saturday, March 29, to rally for a new single site, greenfield hospital on the border.
The rally is the latest step in a prolonged advocacy campaign that has gained momentum since the announcement of a $558 million funding co-commitment from the NSW and Victorian state governments to redevelop the existing Albury Base hospital.
In the time since, medical professionals, community members and local government representatives have raised concerns about the inadequacy of the redevelopment, specifically that it does not address the Albury Wodonga Health 2021 clinical services plan that outlined the need for a new hospital on a new site.
Attendees heard from a series of speakers, including Towong Shire's Mayor Andrew Whitehead, Doctors Lachlan McKeeman and Tracey Merriman, nurse Kylie Felton and retired paramedic Mike Fuery.
Emotions were high as speakers offered their first-hand experiences with the current system, with Dr McKeeman concluding his speech by reiterating the impact not getting this right will have on our region for years to come.
"To settle for anything less is to gamble with our lives," he told a rapt audience.
The rally follows meetings between Albury and Wodonga representatives and the Federal Minister for Health, Mark Butler on Wednesday, March 26 and NSW Health Minister Ryan Park on Thursday, March 27.
Wodonga Council's Mayor Michael Gobel and AlburyCity's Mayor Kevin Mack were encouraged by the meetings, noting neither Minister closed the door on further discussions.
"The Minister was engaged and very well briefed," said Mayor Gobel of the meeting with Mark Butler.
"He now has a much better appreciation of the scale, importance, timeframe and the unique nature of the healthcare situation that exists across our wider region."
In a development since the weekend's rally, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today pledged $200 million from the federal government to redevelop Perth's St John of God Midland Public Hospital.
The announcement adds legitimacy to the argument that federal governments do contribute meaningful funding to hospitals.
"The announcement from the Prime Minister today reinforces that there is a federal role in healthcare," said Mayor Gobel.
"At a federal level, there has been a $120 million investment in Shellharbour Hospital, $160 million into Bega - South East Regional Hospital, $200 million for the Flinders Medical Centre, $730 million for Tasmania's Mersey Hospital and now a $200 million pledge for St John of God Midland Public.
"In comparison, Albury Wodonga Health - the nation's only cross border funded hospital - is receiving $20 million. That just doesn't stack up to me.
"We are not asking for more than we deserve," he added.
"We're asking for governments at all levels not to prioritise budgets over our health needs.
"We're asking that they listen when medical professionals and community members say, 'our hospitals are at a breaking point.'"
The Regional Alliance of Councils will meet again on Thursday, April 3 to discuss advocacy to date and to determine how to progress.
Mayor Gobel sees no easing of pressure upon state and federal MPs.
"We've brought national attention to this issue and look forward to continuing to work with Minister Butler and Minister Park on achieving health outcomes that genuinely reflect the needs of our community while future-proofing our region for years to come.
"Importantly, we will not give up on our advocacy for a new hospital on a new site."
