Wodonga Council backs push to realise potential of land as home for new Albury-Wodonga hospital

He moved a notice of motion at Monday night's meeting that council advocate for land between Bradford Street and the Bandiana Link in the north of Wodonga to be developed.

Specifically it would "support the infrastructure needs of the city and the surrounding region, including as the potential site for a new regional hospital".

The move was approved 5-2 with Ron Mildren and Olga Quilty the two councillors against.

Cr Mildren said he was concerned the council would look "amateur" by "locking ourselves to that parcel of land".

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"I think we need to be a little bit more sophisticated in the way we go about it," he said.

In response, Cr Simpfendorfer said his intent was to look at that site as a potential hospital location, but not to tether the city to it.

Councillor Kat Bennett said it was crucial the council demonstrated to citizens it was being active on the issue.

"This is such an important issue for so many people that I think it is important it comes up to us," she said.

The motion follows mayor Kev Poulton having already publicly flagged the old railway land as "shovel ready" for a hospital.

Earlier at Monday night's meeting, Cr Poulton was elected to second term as mayor, winning a vote 4-3 over Cr Mildren in a repeat of last year's ballot for the role.

Cr Poulton will serve a 12-month term, after moving unsuccessfully for a two-year stint.

He argued such a period would avoid "wishy-washy leadership" and allow for continuity.

However, Cr Bennett sided with Cr Mildren, Cr Quilty and Cr Libby Hall to oppose that step.

It was then decided that the city would return to having a deputy mayor after having left that position in abeyance since Brian Mitchell filled it prior to being voted out at last year's election of a new council.

Cr Simpfendorfer and Cr Quilty contested the position with the former prevailing 4-3.

"I'm very humbled, very proud to have the role of deputy mayor for one year, obviously I'll be giving 100 per cent to the city and to us as a group of councillors," Cr Simpfendorfer said.

In accepting another mayoral term, Cr Poulton thanked his wife and children, noting his oldest daughter became a school councillor on Monday.

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