Edward River Council says it received four formal expressions of interest regarding the lease.
Current Ochre Health employed doctor Ian Carey has registered interest under the business name Rivergum Health Hub, as has Dr Robert Campbell under the company name RJ Campbell Pty Ltd.
Former Deni-based doctor Nishan Silva and his Quantam colleagues - who already manage the Barham medical centre - have made a bid under the name GP Super Clinic Pty Ltd.
Rounding out those in contention is Finley Regional Care, which already runs the Finley and Berrigan medical centres and Berrigan Shire-based aged care facilities.
The EOI process was launched in July after council decided to terminate Ochre Health’s lease of the medical centre early.
It has managed the centre since it was established in 2012, and the lease was not due to expire until October 2027.
Council announced in July, after discussions about the long-term delivery of healthcare services, the lease would be terminated this October instead.
Council said the aim of the EOI process is to seek out “experienced healthcare providers capable of delivering safe, high-quality and sustainable health services for Deniliquin and surrounding communities”.
Acting Mayor Kellie Crossley said the response was an encouraging step as council works to secure a strong and sustainable future for healthcare delivery from Deniliquin Medical Centre.
“The level of interest gives council good reason to be extremely positive about the next stage of this process,” Cr Crossley said.
“We now have an important job ahead of us to carefully assess each application and understand the capability, experience and service model each potential provider can bring to our community.
“This is about more than finding a new operator for the Medical Centre.
“We have an opportunity to consider how the facility can support accessible, high-quality and sustainable healthcare for our community well into the future.”
Applications will now undergo a formal assessment by a six-person panel, including four independent members with regional and national experience across healthcare governance, management and leadership, health workforce planning, community services, mental health, procurement and probity in both the public and private sectors.
The assessment will consider the capability and experience of applicants, the sustainability of their proposed service model and their ability to respond to the current and future healthcare needs of the Edward River community.
Cr Crossley said council wants to support continuity of GP services while also strengthening the local health workforce and exploring opportunities for broader, more integrated care.
“Regional communities face well-documented challenges in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals, and Deniliquin is certainly not alone in facing those pressures,” Cr Crossley said.
“We want a model that strengthens local healthcare and makes the best possible use of the Medical Centre, including opportunities for allied health and other healthcare professionals.
“Ultimately, it is about helping people access more of the care they need locally.”
The assessment period is expected to take between two and four weeks, followed by deliberations and final decision by council.
Council and Ochre Health are continuing to work cooperatively on transition arrangements while the assessment process takes place.
Ochre Health has confirmed it will continue operating Deniliquin Medical Centre for about six weeks beyond the October 2, 2026 termination date, with further flexibility if required to support an orderly transition to a future operator, including the transfer of relevant patient records subject to legal, confidentiality and privacy requirements.
“Continuity of care remains our priority, and patients should continue accessing the Deniliquin Medical Centre and attending appointments as normal,” Cr Crossley said.
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