At a December 20 meeting with The Nationals, which included Riverina MP Michael McCormack and Wagga electorate candidate Mackenna Powell, C4W raised the priorities of the Riverina Intermodal Freight Hub and need for adoption of smart-city technology to connect Bomen with the central precinct.

“The committee sees that we need to take a more proactive approach to adopting smart-city thinking and technology,” C4W CEO Alan Johnston said.

“Government needs to elevate its focus and immediate investment to retain, grow and attract population and business to Wagga and to maximise the benefit from the new infrastructure to be constructed in the immediate future.”

C4W also raised concerns about the region’s exclusion in the recent state government announcement of a high speed–rail feasibility study.

“This study is considered to be Sydney centric and misses the opportunity to bring fast-speed rail to the major regional centres of Wagga and Albury,” Mr Johnston said

“We encouraged the National Party, both state and federal, to promote the need to add a service between Albury, Wagga and Goulburn that would then link to the Sydney-Goulburn-Canberra route in the study.

“This would then align with the 20-year economic vision for regional NSW and be an effective forerunner to the federal high-speed rail project, without having to build a new rail line between Wagga and Canberra.”

In August this year, RiFL was granted $14.4 million in state government funding, only days after Wagga City Council announced an agreement with a private partner.

Mackenna Powell, The Nationals candidate for Wagga, said she understood the importance of the project.

“RiFl is such a positive for our region as it’d bring so many exciting opportunities – that’s why we do need it,” Ms Powell said.

“We reviewed the land area [during the meeting with C4W] and that they were progressing to the next stage.

“It would bring more jobs and infrastructure to city and region.”

As for the digital connectivity, Ms Powell said she would “work very closely with John Barilaro to help”.

Riverina MP and deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said he had “taken on board the committee’s submissions in relation to telecommunications and fast passenger rail”.

He cited nearly $20.5 million of government funding towards the Bomen site and surrounding infrastructure.

“All these investments reflect my commitment to the Bomen Business Park and Wagga’s thriving economy,” Mr McCormack said.

C4W aims to discuss these issues with Wagga MP Joe McGirr in the new year.

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