The $36 million Albury hospital emergency department upgrade, which first secured NSW government funding more than three years ago, remains bogged down in the planning phase.
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The Berejiklian government announced on Tuesday as part of the state budget, $9.52 million will be spent on the project with Albury Wodonga Health confirming the allocation will be used on planning, design and engineering works.
It means a development application on the major revamp is not expected to be lodged until mid-way through next year.
Preliminary plans have been submitted to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and NSW Health for approval ahead of the development application being submitted to Albury Council.
In January, former Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos announced her government would be adding $6 million to the $30 million already committed by NSW with completion predicted by "the end of 2022".
The Victorian cash will refurbish the existing Albury emergency department into a 16-bed short stay unit.
Member for Albury Justin Clancy turned the heat up on the Victorian government to get the project moving.
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"NSW has provided 100 per cent of the money for this urgently needed infrastructure at our shared border hospital," he said.
"It is well past time for Victoria to put the shovel in the ground.
"As of June 2020 there was $20 million sitting in the Victorian's bank account for the ED.
"Today a further $9.52 million has been allocated, making up the total of $30 million for the project in Victorian hands.
"This is ludicrous.
"Where else would you pay the full price for a build and not even have had the builder make a start?
"The galling part is this is delaying improvements in health care not just for NSW residents but also for Victorian residents."
The Border Mail sought comment from the Victorian government about delays in the project.
AWH had a combined 61,647 emergency department presentations in 2019-20 at the Albury and Wodonga hospitals..
Wodonga's ED unit will remain post completion of the Albury upgrade.
The tender process for construction of the emergency department is anticipated to begin mid-2021.
"We're excited to see Albury's new emergency department take shape with schematic designs for the redevelopment with government for approval," AWH chief executive Michael Kalimnios said.
"The focus of this stage of the project has been on determining a layout that ensures the facility best meets the needs of the community and everybody who uses it.
"Over the past six months we've been engaging with staff, clinicians from all areas of emergency medicine and consumers to seek their lived experiences working and being treated in an ED environment."
The budget also includes $5 million for an Albury Courthouse upgrades including including additional custodial courtrooms, judge's chambers amenities, jury assembly space and refurbishment of the registry.
NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman is set to visit Albury next week.
Meanwhile, Mr Clancy said the Albury electorate would benefit from other initiatives announced in the budget.
"The government's objective is to support jobs," he said.
"The budget is a showcase of grants and opportunities for business to help them rebuild from the hit taken over the peak COVID period."
The include the phasing out of stamp duty and payroll tax adjustments.
It also commits $472 million to provide small and medium businesses which do not pay payroll tax with a $1500 digital voucher for the cost of state government fees and charges.
Also, Albury electorate adults will share in the $500 million "Out and About voucher scheme" aimed at stimulating the hospitality industry hit hard from COVID.
