The acute mental health unit based at Albury hospital will be the recipient of an unspecified amount to begin a planning process which member for Albury Greg Aplin says will lead to a “reimagined and rebuilt” Nolan House.

But no details are available whether it will remain at the hospital or be relocated, how much a new facility will cost and any timelines.

Mr Aplin couldn’t be contacted for comment, but said in a press release: “I have been working on a plan to completely modernise the way mental health is managed here.

“First came the brain and mind centre, currently under development, as a community treatment one-stop-shop. And today the exciting news that Nolan House, the border’s acute mental health facility, will be reimagined and rebuilt with planning funding to commence the process.”

Friends of Nolan House spokesman Les Schmutter said he looked forward to hearing more specific details, but hoped the budget announcement was a step in the right direction.

“Obviously there are a few gaps to be filled,” he said.

His wish remained a completely new facility estimated to cost between $20 to $30 million at another site.

“It is definitely the hope,” he said.

“The best thing would be to rebuild Nolan House and it remains a very high priority, but of course it all revolves around funding.

“What is being done is certainly very helpful, but there is never ever enough.

“We’ve certainly outgrown the facility that is 24-years-old now and there is absolutely no doubt mental health is a fairly significant issue in society today.

“I understand things don’t happen overnight, but the sooner the better would be to everyone’s advantage.”

A recent $1 million lifeline enabled Nolan House’s high dependency unit to be re-opened with ongoing concerns the facility meets baseline compliance standards.

There was also unspecified funding for planning of obstetric and neonatal services at Albury hospital.

“Albury Wodonga Health is pleased to acknowledge the allocation of planning funds in the NSW budget which will support us to plan for enhanced acute inpatient mental health services, and for the development of obstetric and neonatal services at Albury campus,” AWH chief executive Leigh McJames said. “This is a great step in realising AWH’s master plan and will benefit our broad community.”

Mr Aplin also trumpeted recurrent funding for AWH of about $120 million.

Albury Council remains in the mix for significant funding announcements which weren’t linked to the NSW budget.

“We’ve got live applications in for Davey Road and Lavington Sportsground,” mayor Kevin Mack said.

“We had no aspirations about the budget.”

But Labor Party Albury spokesman Darren Cameron said the electorate was a big loser from the cashed-up government.

“John Barilaro is going around regional NSW handing out money like a short-circuited poker machine,” he said.

“But here in Albury we see a token effort from a government awash with cash.

“Even in the lead-up to an election in March 2019 this has happened. Why is this so?

“Once again the electorate of Albury is left out in the cold with the state government’s thinking.”

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