Edward River Council understands and acknowledges the concern and uncertainty many people in our community are feeling following the announcement regarding the early dissolution of Ochre Health's lease of the Deniliquin Medical Centre.
Access to reliable healthcare is something we all care deeply about. Council's responsibility as owner of the purpose-built medical facility is to ensure it is being used to its full potential to deliver the healthcare services our community needs and deserves.
For a significant period of time, the service levels delivered from the Deniliquin Medical Centre have not met the requirements set out in the relevant legal agreement. These requirements relate to the delivery of healthcare services from the facility, including practitioner availability, service levels and commitments intended to support reliable access to primary healthcare for the Edward River community.
Since late 2025, Council and Ochre Health have been engaged in discussions aimed at addressing these issues and improving service delivery. Throughout these discussions, Council acknowledged the significant workforce recruitment challenges facing rural and regional healthcare providers across Australia and explored a range of options aimed at strengthening service delivery and supporting improved healthcare outcomes for the community.
While Ochre Health has worked with Council throughout this process, the parties have been unable to reach a long-term solution that provides confidence the facility will be fully utilised to meet the growing healthcare needs of our region.
The conditions attached to the lease were established to ensure the community receives the maximum benefit from this purpose-built facility. This includes making full use of available consulting rooms and supporting the provision of sufficient medical services to deliver reliable access to healthcare for local residents.
After careful consideration, Council has therefore made the decision to dissolve its lease arrangement with Ochre Health Pty Ltd prior to its October 2027 expiry and commence the process of securing a provider capable of delivering the level of healthcare services the community expects and deserves.
The decision relates specifically to Council's lease arrangements for the Deniliquin Medical Centre and does not prevent Ochre Health from delivering healthcare services elsewhere within the community.
This decision was not made lightly. It follows many months of discussion, negotiation and consideration of available options. Council's focus throughout has been, and remains, securingsustainable, accessible and high-quality healthcare services for the Edward River community, both now and into the future.
Ochre Health has operated the Deniliquin Medical Centre under lease since 2012, and both parties remain committed to working cooperatively throughout the transition period to minimise disruption for patients and maintain continuity of care.
There has been speculation that the leasing decision was made on Wednesday afternoon following a meeting with Ochre Health; this is not accurate. Councillors resolved to terminate the lease during a three-hour confidential session of Tuesday's Council meeting, following an amendment to the original Notice of Motion.
Chief Executive Officer Jack Bond said the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday was convened to ensure the resolution stated Council's intention to maintain a positive and collaborative working relationship with Ochre Health during the transition period.
"Since late 2025, Council and Ochre Health have held discussions about the future delivery of healthcare services from Council's leased facility, the Deniliquin Medical Centre. Those discussions have resulted in an agreed pathway that allows both parties to focus on maintaining continuity of care while future service arrangements are progressed," Mr Bond said.
"Council remains committed to working professionally and collaboratively with Ochre Health throughout the transition period and acknowledges the organisation's contribution to healthcare delivery in Deniliquin over many years."
Mayor Ashley Hall said Council will make the retention and engagement of existing locally based staff an important consideration during discussions with the future operator, recognising the valuable contribution they make to healthcare delivery in our community.
"We have listened to the community to better understand expectations of healthcare services in the region. Every decision throughout this process has been guided by one objective - securing the strongest possible long-term healthcare outcome for the people of the Edward River Council region," Cr Hall said.
"We also recognise the significant challenges faced by healthcare providers in attracting and retaining medical practitioners in regional communities. This decision was not about those challenges in isolation. It was about ensuring Council's community-owned medical facility is positioned to deliver the strongest possible long-term healthcare outcomes for local residents."
Council is here to answer any questions the community may have. We have established drop-in sessions at the Deniliquin Town Hall foyer on Monday 13 July from 12:00pm-2:00pm and 4:00pm-6:00pm, and encourage community members with questions to visit and speak with Council staff. For those unable to attend, Council can be contacted on 03 5898 3000.
Edward River Council is progressing with a formal process to find and appoint a new GP provider committed to delivering accessible and sustainable healthcare that suitably meets the needs of our region.
