New Heights for Healthcare and a Rock 'n' Roll Night: Your Wednesday Briefing

A Sunny Wednesday with Big Changes on the Horizon

Good morning, Albury. Today is Wednesday, 4 February 2026, and the city is waking up to a warm, clear day with temperatures expected to reach a high of 31°C. While the summer heat remains steady, the local news cycle is heating up with significant updates to our city's leadership, transport links, and healthcare infrastructure.

The Mood of the City: Transitions and Tenacity

The current mood in Albury is one of transition. This week, residents are processing the news that long-serving Albury City Council CEO Frank Zaknich will not be returning to his role. Following an extraordinary meeting, the council has confirmed that an interim CEO will be appointed by mid-February to lead the organization through its next chapter. Coupled with recent concerns over the loss of QantasLink’s Melbourne-to-Albury air service, there is a clear sense of a city at a crossroads, with Mayor Kevin Mack actively exploring new aviation partners to ensure Albury remains connected to the broader regional economy.

Key Talking Point: A Seven-Story Vision for Health

The dominant conversation across the Border today remains the newly unveiled designs for the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital. The $558 million redevelopment took a massive leap forward this week with the reveal of the new seven-story Clinical Services Building. This centerpiece of the hospital campus is designed to include a state-of-the-art intensive care unit, 110 additional overnight beds, and a new mental health unit to replace Nolan House. While the full construction is a multi-year project, the approval of permanent verge parking on East Street and Borella Road means residents will see work crews on-site as early as this month, signaling that this long-awaited project is finally becoming a reality.

Feel-Good Story: Hoops and Bricks

If you need a reason to smile today, look no further than the revitalized Lauren Jackson Sports Centre. Following its $15.2 million Stage 1 upgrade, the facility is now fully operational, providing a world-class environment for our local basketballers and athletes. On a smaller, more creative scale, the Albury LibraryMuseum kicks off its 2026 Lego Club this afternoon. It is a fantastic opportunity for the city's youngest residents to flex their engineering muscles and socialise in a fun, community-driven environment.

What’s On Today

• Lego Club: 3:30 PM at the Albury LibraryMuseum. A chance for kids to build, create, and compete for the title of local Lego Master.
• One-on-One Tech Sessions: Hosted throughout the day at the LibraryMuseum for those looking to improve their digital skills.
• Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks: 8:00 PM at the Albury Entertainment Centre. The Australian rock legend brings his iconic hits to town for a high-energy mid-week performance.