State MP David Harris is in Wagga to discuss the Riverina Intermodal Freight Hub (RIFL) as well as other issues facing the region.

It comes as talk about an inland rail corridor and a high speed rail network continue to be discussed in the public domain.

Mr Harris said both projects would travel through Wagga, which added weight to establishing a freight hub at Bomen, adding that the site would give the state maximum “bang for buck”.

“Wagga will be a major player,” Mr Harris said.

“The city has a highly skilled workforce and a low unemployment rate. 

“Wagga has the lowest unemployment for regional areas in NSW – so you’re obviously doing something extremely well.”

Mr Harris said the $10 million commitment Wagga council was asking for was a drop in the ocean compared to some of the Coalition government’s other projects.

“The Powerhouse Museum is going to cost $500 million to move to Parramatta,” he said. “How committed are they to regional areas?”

Mr Harris said the government committing to this project would give confidence to the private sector to invest.

“The long-term benefits of this project to Wagga and the region are immense, particularly if the concept of an inland rail line is realised.

“This is about promoting future investment and jobs.”

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina hosted Mr Harris at Charles Sturt University’s National Life Sciences Hub on Tuesday.

RDA Riverina chair Diana Gibbs welcomed the initiative by the shadow minister to tour the Riverina and view its significant agricultural innovations.

“The Riverina contributes approximately $2 billion in gross value of agricultural products to the NSW state economy,” Ms Gibbs said.

“Not only do we produce much of the agricultural produce for the state, we also significantly value add this across the region as well.”