On December 4, premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a fast-rail feasibility study that will link “centres to each other and Sydney”.

The southern region was not listed as a potential route and the closest route goes to Canberra via Goulburn.

The mayoral minute for next Monday’s council meeting recommends writing to the government to express concern that the latest announcement does not align with other state and national strategies.

Mayor Greg Conkey said it was disappointed since Wagga is the largest inland NSW city.

“Past studies have considered Wagga and it’s crucial to have excellent transport facilities and rail is one,” Cr Conkey said.

“We are earmarked for 100,000 people by 2038 and feel Wagga, Albury and the rest of the region should have been considered.”

Dennis Toohey, executive member of the Riverina-based Border Rail Action Group, said working with the government was the best way to get positive results.

“We need to get behind the Canberra route because once that is served, it’d be a stronger argument to extend further south,” Mr Toohey said.

Ms Berejiklian said the move was not an election stunt, saying they needed to take action and not wait for the federal government’s east-coast line between Melbourne and Brisbane.

“I’m not going to wait for other states and the federal government – we’ve waited too long,” she said.

The government appointed professor Andrew McNaughton to lead a panel, costing $4.6m, to advise the government about the best delivery of a fast-rail network.

The council report also recommends that they write directly to Professor McNaughton to consider the existing corridor between Sydney and Melbourne as a priority.

Supporting the mayoral minute is Rachel Whiting, Regional Development Australia Riverina’s CEO, who said the potential routes were Sydney centric.

“It would be more advantageous for people to commute and perhaps move to a large inland city like Wagga,” Mrs Whiting said.

“Anything that makes it easier for people to relocate here for our great resources and infrastructure – this would also help solve the population issue in Sydney.”

The investigation into the four potential routes are based on the government’s July 2018 report A 20-year economic vision for regional NSW, with one of the key elements being better connectivity between regional centres, and from cities and international gateways.

The fast-rail trains will travel at more than 250km/h compared with the 130km/h of the current regional trains.

Work is set to start by 2023 with an eye on upgrading existing rail corridors before building new lines.

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