Albury mayor Kevin Mack says Victoria government would be more supportive of new hospital in Wodonga

In backing the Albury-Wodonga Regional Deal as a significant conduit in delivery of a new hospital, Cr Mack said the Victorian government, which operates the cross-border service, would embrace the project more if it was built in Wodonga rather than interstate in Albury.

"My view is if it's a greenfield site it doesn't matter where it is," he said.

"But the Victorian government would be more likely to come to the party if the new hospital was in Wodonga.

"We need to get a new hospital, it must be state of the art to serve the region of 250,000 people.

"It's something we need to aim for."

The initial creation of the regional deal in 2019 was creation of game-changing infrastructure for the two cities and wider region.

In addition to their own priorities, Albury and Wodonga councils agree a new hospital is a major need for the twin cities and wider region.

"There is no ifs or buts about that," Cr Mack said.

"With the masterplan currently being undertaken by Albury Wodonga Health they are waiting to see or hear what happens out of that.

"I know both states are very keen to understand what a brownfield or greenfield site would look like.

"But it's been like herding cats.

"The masterplan is getting closer to something, but will it result in something? I don't know."

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The masterplan work began in July and is due to be completed next month by appointed consultants, Conrad Gargett.

The NSW government contributed $300,000 towards its creation with the eagerly awaited final document to identify capital infrastructure required to meet future healthcare demands.

As part of the masterplanning work, the consultants this week circulated an online survey to further understand community expectations on future healthcare facilities.

Wodonga mayor Kevin Poulton said all parties involved in the regional deal deliberations to date had health as their top priority.

"For all stakeholders involved in the joint ministerial committee we went to a couple of months ago, health is the No.1 priority commonly shared by both cities, but both states and the federal government as well," he said.

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