Wodonga mayor Kevin Poulton has pinpointed a large land parcel already owned by the Victorian government which could potentially fast-track the development of a greenfield hospital site servicing the twin cities and wider region.
The land is located west of the Bandiana Link and incorporates part of the former railway corridor through Wodonga.
Cr Poulton said the council and VicRoads in 2018 discussed future road networks in the area which potentially could have dual linkages to the Hume Freeway via the Bandiana Link and High Street, which would give a new hospital close proximity to Albury.
"It's not necessarily earmarked initially as a hospital site, but definitely to continue the growth of Wodonga it is a site of interest," he said.
"It's an example of a site that has been bandied around by a lot of people and is shovel ready for development if the funding is there.
"If they are considering a greenfield site it makes a lot of sense to a lot of people.
"There is less cost and hopefully less of a stumbling block for the Victorian government to have the appetite to do it.
"It's definitely an option that should be thrown into the mix if it hasn't been already."
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Cr Poulton said the cost of remediating the former railway corridor and creating the road network was estimated to cost $25 million when council and VicRoads were in talks three years ago.
The site, if chosen for a new hospital, eliminates the need to compulsorily acquire large tracts of privately-owned land.
Part of Havelock Street sits on the old railway corridor and presently ends at Osburn Street.
It would be extended northward across Huon and Wodonga streets to Mill Street under the proposed future road network in the area.
Cr Poulton hoped the area had been considered in the master planning work for a new hospital.
The redevelopment of Wodonga hospital would be the least likely option under consideration given the facility is essentially landlocked with surrounding housing and Martin Park also located closeby.
The same scenario exists with the Albury hospital site with a shortage of car parking among many challenges faced by patients and staff.
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