There, Cr Keenan displays unexpected ignorance of how the council public art advisory panel actually functions.

Submissions close this week for a new public art plan.

That’s why there has been interest – not because of the DA at all (surprise, surprise) but the activities of a committee of which Cr Keenan is a member.

I actually made a submission within the restrictive parameters allowed.

One hopes she has a better understanding of other aspects of council’s activities.

Cr Keenan argues the discussion has been about what to spend the money on.

I suggest it has been about whether this is an appropriate area for council to spend money on at all.

She then makes an argument about the role of public art, which no-one else has argued.

For her, if every other city is doing it, then Wagga should too.

I've read studies about the economic benefits of public funding of the arts. 

Local government attempts to create "opportunity", or some such social good. 

But something needs to change!

The present process doesn’t actually do anything to foster art, other than mystification in regard to the selection process and resentment about the money spent on anonymous artists.

In my opinion there should be no public money spent on public artworks.

YOU have to send a well done to the transport minister and our state local member.

It’s good to see them in touch with our local community.

Just as people in Ladysmith prepare for centennial celebrations of the Tumbarumba line, our politicians sneak a bill into parliament to close it.

It’s insensitive and out of touch.

But worst of all, there’s been little consultation and some very basic questions still haven’t been asked.

There is a heritage group that has worked for 20 years to keep the line open with aspirations to extend their operations to Tumbarumba.

The government is happy to splash $4.8 million around for a rail trail trial to “attract tourism”.

Why did the government fail to approach the heritage group to see how they could have spent the $4.8 million to enhance tourism?

With that money, they could have realised their dreams of trike operations back to Tumbarumba.

After all, the state government is reopening 60km of the Maimru-Demondrille line for $5 million.

Further, we are told the trail needs to be fenced. If that is so, why tear up the railway?

Standards at the time of construction meant the corridor had to be at least 22 metres wide – so why not simply place the cycle-way next to the existing railway?

As for tourism, I can see families right across Sydney and Melbourne saying, “come on kids, we’re off to Tumbarumba to go for a pedal”.

Isn’t it time the boffins in government began to get real and listened to the concerns of local people?

Discarding infrastructure, even in its current state, is nothing short of scandalous.

A RAIL trail corridor along crown/railway land is no different to a roadway past homes and rural properties, the same courtesies and laws apply. 

Rail trails are a community asset that benefit all.