QUESTIONS have been raised many times about the need for two rail hubs within less than 20 kilometres of each other in Albury-Wodonga.
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The creation of a terminal at Ettamogah followed by another under construction at Logic industrial hub at Barnawartha North on face value appears an unnecessary duplication of key infrastructure.
Albury and Wodonga councils have massive stakes in their future success and they will come sharply into focus with the exciting announcement a company founded by two New Zealand brothers in 2010 will build a timber processing factory locally.
It will be a $25 million investment and provide a major economic boost with the creation of 30 direct jobs and 24 indirect jobs.
But the burning question still to be answered is where the factory be built?
Albury-Wodonga was chosen due to its established road and rail networks which brings the Nexus and Logic industrial hubs firmly into play.
The competitive tension between the two councils and the huge supply of industrial land on offer in both cities will ensure XLam, the company which will build the factory, is in a strong bargaining position.
The battle to woo XLam will be on in earnest with the company ambitiously hoping to begin construction next month and have the factory operating mid-way through next year.
Albury-Wodonga hasn’t been immune to the trials and tribulations of the manufacturing sector downturn.
The DSI gear box factory in Lavington shut in 2014 after more than 40 years in existence and the Kimberly-Clark mill also went under in the same year with 40 jobs lost.
The answer to where the XLam factory will be built may rest with what incentives state governments are prepared to make.
The Victorian government has already made a financial stake in an expansion of Mars Petcare in Wodonga which safeguarded 500 jobs.
It did likewise to ensure rail operator SCT Logistics went ahead with the rail terminal at Logic.
Wodonga Council is in talks with the state government about unlocking some of the $100 million promised to 10 regional cities with job creation at the heart of the program.
Unless the NSW government can come to the party in some way it may be a case of advantage Wodonga.
