Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor was in Wagga on Friday to share his vision for inland freight rail and high-speed passenger rail. 

Mr Taylor – who has been touted as a potential future leader of the Liberal Party – is adamant regional cities like Wagga are an untapped vein of wealth.

The Rhodes Scholar and former management consultant has $50 million to improve the liveability, productivity and sustainability of cities, of which Wagga was high on his agenda.

“Sydney CBD will always grow by itself, but regional cities have the most potential and I want them to cash in,” Mr Taylor said.

“Logistics is the greatest opportunity for Wagga; as the inland rail rolls through the (Bomen) intermodal freight hub will be central to success.

“An inland port will be huge for Wagga and Riverina grain growers will have a choice between ports in Brisbane, Geelong, Newcastle; competition for grain like never before.”

As for a very fast train – a political plaything mooted every election – Mr Taylor said private ventures CLARA and Centurion Group had a chance “in time” if they leverage land price spikes in regional towns and cities along the route. 

Mr Taylor weighed in on Wagga’s charged parking debate, saying “parking is extremely important” in regional cities because “people drive into town”.

“Smart cities are using new technology like parking sensors so drivers know ahead of time where there are spaces and how many,” he said.

He also espoused new technologies streamling local development applications (DAs), saying Wagga was competing for manufacturing jobs with the likes of Chicago and Bristol as well.

Wagga council has until the end of the financial year to apply for $5 million in funding to support technology projects.

Committee 4 Wagga CEO Chris Fitzpatrick was energised by Mr Taylor’s vision. 

“We need a catalyst to promote cooperation between all three tiers of government,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

“We’ve had enough talk, we needed an outsider – a figurehead – like Angus to say ‘make it happen’.”