Griffith City Council has received strong feedback from residents on the future governance of Griffith Base Hospital, with 791 people completing the recent survey.
The results show a decisive call for change, with 92.8 percent of respondents supporting an alternative governance model and only 2.8 percent favouring the existing arrangement under Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD).
Of the three options presented, 62.3 percent supported splitting MLHD to form a smaller Western Riverina Local Health District (WRLHD) responsible for Griffith Base Hospital, while 30.5 percent preferred establishing a local Hospital Board with MLHD oversight. A further 4.4 percent were undecided and 2.8 percent endorsed the current model.
Healthcare workers indicated similar views, with 81.5 percent supporting change. Their responses showed more even preferences, with 50 percent favouring the district split and 31.5 percent supporting a hospital board. Thirteen percent supported retaining MLHD.
At its meeting on Tuesday 11 November 2025 Council resolved to acknowledge the feedback provided, advocate for a WRLHD, continue working with MLHD until such a time a change in structure is implemented and write to the NSW Minister for Health outlining the survey findings.
Mayor Doug Curran said the results reflect a clear direction from the community and will guide Council's next steps.
"While people had different preferences about how change should happen, the message is clear, the current governance model is not meeting the needs of our residents," said Mayor Curran.
"We will continue working constructively with MLHD while advocating for the changes our community."
Council provided information from both perspectives to ensure residents could make informed decisions. Council will now formally write to the Hon. Ryan Park MP, NSW Minister for Health, providing the detailed survey results.is calling for.
