Guest Speaker Greg Conkey

Greg Conkey spoke to us today on three interesting developments  that are happening in our city.

The first is the Freight Rail Hub being developed at Bowmen

When completed this hub will be one of the most efficient at moving freight in Australia, needing only four shunts to put a train on the track to port.

It will require a huge  amount of work, and the 5km of line that are being developed will easily hold full trains without the need to break them up.Greg told us that one freight train is the equivalent of 150 road trucks, and the use of trains is the most efficient means of moving freight.It will be a Federal, State and Local Government project . We have been promised $44m so far.

Next, the Levees. These are going ahead and are going to protect the CBD for a 100 yr flood. At the moment they are 60 yr rated, but when completed this 100 yr level will make insurance companies much happier.

It will cost about $19m and the plan does include North Wagga. There will likely be a rate variation to fund the government shortfall of about $7m.

And finally the gasworks. There has been some 14000 tonnes moved from this site to Cootamundra, where it is being detoxed. It is a $14m project, blown out by a failure to do the work needed back in the 70s.

It has been slated for finish for finish in October, and then we may be ready to move the markets.

In summary Greg was scathing in his remarks concerning the way that the successive State and Federal governments have cut back on the funding available to Council.

The only solution is to reduce the wages bill, and cut services.

Greg was introduced by John Smith,

 and thanked by Darren Wallace.