It turned the heat on the NSW government last night to come up with a matching $7 million to enable construction of two ramps which would make the Nexus hub more attractive to investors.

The option of council making up the shortfall with a 20-year loan offset by increased developer contributions at Nexus was scrapped from the 2015-16 budget adopted last night.

The council voted 6-2 to look at other funding options for Davey Road in the event no further state or federal government funding was forthcoming.

The federal government’s recent commitment of $7 million is contingent on a matching amount being sourced by June 30.

Mayor Kevin Mack, Cr Henk van de Ven and Cr Darren Cameron were opposed to ratepayers making up the shortfall on a state-owned asset and wanted the NSW government to contribute the balance.

“I really don’t want to let the state government off the hook again as far as funding is concerned,” Cr van de Ven said.

“We tick all the boxes as far as this project is concerned.

“I am extremely hopeful the state government will jump on board and get this happening, but I don’t want us to willy-nilly go into a 20-year loan.”

Cr Mack said if land sales didn’t eventuate at Nexus the ratepayers would need to pick up the tab.

“I am not comfortable funding a government road and the interest on the money that has to be borrowed has to be paid by someone,” he said.

Cr Cameron opposed council spending $4 million developing stage 1 of Nexus in the next financial year in addition to funding Davey Road.

He said there was no evidence of industrial land being in hot demand.

“We are all aware of the predicament another council (Wodonga) has got itself into with industrial land,” he said.

“Factories and businesses are closing in Albury not opening.

“The Davey Street ramps are a conundrum because we have $7 million from the federal government, but it is contingent on finding another $7 million.

“We take a soft line with this state Liberal government, we let them off the hook with the art gallery and this could be on a bigger scale with an asset that belongs to them.”

Cr Patricia Gould, Cr David Thurley and Cr Graeme Docksey also supported the option of looking at other funding options.

But Cr Alice Glachan supported ensuring the project went ahead.

“This is an opportunity for us to ensure the future development of this city and I cannot stress enough we have been promising our community the growth and development they are wanting,” she said.

She was backed by Cr Daryl Betteridge.

Deputy mayor Ross Jackson was an apology.