Statement from AWH
Thursday, 15 May 2025 / Albury Wodonga Health
The following statement is attributable to AWH CEO Bill Appleby and AWH Board Chair Jonathan Green:
Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) has been made aware of a statement made by Better Border Health Limited (BBH) following a meeting between NSW Health Infrastructure (NSW HI) and the Council Alliance on 8 May 2025 regarding the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project.
AWH Board and CEO holds significant concerns that the statements made by BBH do not reflect the facts or convey a genuine representation of that meeting.
The AWH Board and CEO are ardent advocates for continued and expanded investment in cross-border health infrastructure. We have consistently, and formally, pursued the next stages of development to meet the growing and complex needs of our community. Any suggestion that AWH has not advocated for future stages is factually incorrect. Our request for future stages of the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project have been submitted to relevant authorities. However, we have been advised by NSW and Victorian Governments that capital proposals for additional stages will not be considered until the next available capital planning cycle commencing mid to late 2026.
We understand the passion and concern our community holds for its health service - we share it. That’s why AWH remains strongly committed to delivering the services and infrastructure our community deserves.
In relation to the Wodonga Emergency Department transition, AWH has openly communicated that the future intention of the Wodonga Entity Services Plan will be to complement the acute services at Albury by providing a hub for Non-Emergency care, including subacute rehabilitation, geriatric medicine, palliative care, day medical, low acuity/high volume day surgery, allied health, and outpatient services. Decisions regarding services at Wodonga, including the potential closure of the Wodonga Emergency Department, are not finalised, and any future changes will require a comprehensive assessment of clinical service demand, capacity and workforce. The Wodonga Entity Services Plan is available on our website:
We encourage open and fact-based dialogue as we continue to work in partnership with all levels of government, stakeholders, and the community to deliver the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project, a project of critical importance to our community and region.
NSW Health Infrastructure’s detailed FAQ’s on the project are available on its website: