When the “One City” concept fell over in 2002 it was, in part, because Albury and Wodonga’s councils couldn’t co-operate with The Border Mail ruing at the time that “negativity had triumphed”.
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It was described as a missed opportunity after then-state premiers Bob Carr and Steve Bracks had already determined that a merger “would” happen.
Now, 15 years later, we aren’t talking about a merger of the Twin Cities, rather the prospect of a landmark partnership agreement to form one voice for the betterment of both Albury and Wodonga.
Often in this section we have bemoaned the fact that we’re too far from Sydney or Melbourne for either Macquarie or Spring streets to care. It’s been described as “no man’s land”.
What the agreement will do, should it be signed off as expected, is give our region a far stronger voice when fighting for federal and state money.
Mayors Kevin Mack and Anna Speedie have shown on numerous occasions a willingness to work together.
Crs Mack and Speedie presented a united front when advocating for the embattled North East rail line, which resulted in $100 million being allocated for trackwork, and the councils are exploring options for a joint aquatics management contract across Albury-Wodonga.
“We know the border is not a barrier for our people to use and enjoy services across our cities,” Cr Speedie said earlier this year with Cr Mack saying: “We’ve always been two cities but one community and this agreement really shows what we can achieve if we work together to improve services to our residents.”
Member for Albury Greg Aplin raised a few eyebrows earlier this year when he congratulated Seeley International on its move across the Border to Wodonga.
He explained the move in a column for The Border Mail, writing: “If you are looking at Albury and Wodonga, and all you see is competition, you are running down a path to nowhere. Strip away the spin, and here on the Border, we are one workforce, one economy”.
Mr Aplin is absolutely right.
Thousands of Albury-Wodonga residents cross the Murray River every day for work and if we can put our state allegiances to one side for a moment and realise that what’s good for one city is good for the other, we will all be better off.
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