Albury Wodonga Health to use former fire station for COVID testing

The walk-in clinic is intended to provide greater accessibility for Border residents and will test children, expanding the current offering by AWH.

Residents in the area were advised this week of the intention of the health service's public health unit via a hand-delivered letter, signed by chief executive Michael Kalimnios.

"As you may be aware, Albury Wodonga Public Health Unit has been providing vital services ... in response to the COVID-19 pandemic," he wrote.

"Our primary COVID-19 testing clinic is located next to the Wodonga Hospital in Vermont Street, and in times of high demand, an additional temporary testing clinic has been set up at the Wodonga Racecourse.

"In response to the continued high demand for COVID-19 testing, an additional permanent testing clinic will be established on the corner of Smythe and Stanley Streets Wodonga (former fire station building)."

While Mr Kalimnios stated the clinic would be established from August 9, AWH confirmed to The Border Mail an exact open date for the walk-in COVID-19 testing clinic will be shared with the community early next week.

Mr Kalimnios said clinic operating hours would be 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday with no appointment necessary, but these hours could change in periods of high demand.

"As per the experiences of the Vermont St and Wodonga Racecourse clinics, a strong focus has been placed on local traffic management, as well as strategies for infection control," he said.

"Reviews and assessments of both these factors will be an integral part of daily operations."

AWH has encouraged contact from those residents who might have questions or concerns.

It's expected the third testing option, located at the Wodonga Racecourse, will also open during peak demand periods.

The role of the former fire station in hosting testing comes after it was used by Victoria Police when a hard border was in place in January.

The station has not been used by CFA for more than two years but the agency retains ownership.

A spokesperson said in May the CFA intended to sell the site and a re-zoning application was expected to be submitted later this year.

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"The re-zoning process of the Smythe Street property is progressing," the spokesperson said.

"Once this process has been finalised, CFA does not intend to retain the property long-term."