A parliamentary committee will scrutinise a proposal to divide the Murrumbidgee Local Health District after a Bill was debated in the NSW parliament on May 29.

Murray MP Helen Dalton wants the Wagga-based hospital authority, which covers 125,243 square kilometres including Federation Council area, to be split into two health districts: Murrumbidgee Local Health District and Western Riverina Local Health District.

This Western Riverina Health district would include Deniliquin, Jerilderie, Berrigan, Finley, Leeton, Griffith, Hay, Hillston, Lake Cargelligo, Balranald, Barham, Moulamein and Tocumwal.

Ms Dalton said the Bill would give the people of the electorate of Murray their own local health district and is holding NSW Premier Chris Minns to keep his pre-election promise to her to create an independent health district in the seat of Murray.

“Before he was Premier, Chris looked me in the eye, shook my hand and promised that if he became Premier, he would pilot a new health district in Murray, allowing us to break away from the Wagga-based Murrumbidgee Local Health District,” Ms Dalton said.

“I took the Premier at his word then, and I expect him to be true to his word now.”

When introducing the Bill to Parliament, Ms Dalton said the creation of Western Riverina Local Health District Service would take pressure off the Wagga Base Hospital, which was already at breaking point.

“It will reduce the strain by decentralising patient care,” she said.

Health care services in MLHD are highly networked and have been developed to ensure patients across the district receive appropriate care depending on their clinical needs.

A spokesperson for MLHD said the health service was committed to providing timely, efficient and appropriate care to patients in every part of the district.

“Wagga Wagga Base Hospital is the only rural referral-level facility in MLHD, and it serves as a vital hub for specialist healthcare services to every part of the district,” the spokesperson said.

“Splitting MLHD would have a detrimental impact on existing healthcare pathways and would see more patients needing to travel further from their homes to access appropriate care.”

John Crothers, from the Local Health Advisory Committee and the CRW Health Action group, emphasised that patient experience should be the primary focus when considering structural health changes.

He noted that the Corowa community more frequently used Albury Wodonga Health services over Wagga Wagga, due to closer proximity and easier access.

“This makes a strong case for exploring whether Corowa and its surrounding region might be better aligned with the Albury Wodonga Health precinct, particularly if the aim is to improve continuity of care, coordination of services and more integrated cross-border health solutions,” Mr Crothers said.

“Any restructure should be guided by improving clinical outcomes and long-term service sustainability, not just administrative boundaries.

“If the proposed changes to Murrumbidgee LHD open the door for better alignment with the way people actually access healthcare and enhance collaboration with Albury Wodonga Health and primary care providers, then it’s certainly worth considering.”

The Bill is scheduled to lapse on August 14, 2025, if not passed by then.

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