With just 24 days until the state election, the announcement came with an influx of visiting politicians including the leader of the Victorian Nationals and deputy premier Peter Ryan and Victorian Health Minister David Davis, who joined Murray Valley MP Tim McCurdy and Benalla MP Bill Sykes.

The plans include provision for a new high-care residential aged care facility attached to the side of the hospital, providing 40 new beds for elderly residents.

Mr Ryan said the money would be allocated from the first budgetary cycle in May.

“Upon being re-elected to government, we will be anxious to get on with the project,” he said.

“We have the advantage of the master planning having being done, which always gives a running start to these projects.”

The town of just over 2000 people pledged $800,000 towards the upgrade last year, a figure Mr Ryan described as “extraordinary”.

The Bright Hospital Opportunity Shop had given $500,000 and the Rotary Club of Bright had pitched in $100,000.

Mr Ryan said the community input had helped secure further funding.

“There is no question that the extent of community commitment for these projects is a big factor and in this instance the local community has raised $800,000 — an extraordinary achievement,” he said.

“I roam around the regions of Victoria a fair deal and by any standards this is quite a remarkable effort so we are very mindful of that and keen to support the community accordingly.”

Chairman of the Alpine Health committee of management Brian King said the announcement was a reward for years of hard work.

“Forty beds should be enough for this area and I would think that it will stop a problem that we are beginning to see, which is the drift out of the greater Bright community,” he said.

Mr King said getting all the services on one site was a priority.

“We hope that as and when they are re-elected, if they are, that we can get going on this as quickly as possible.”