Over 40 years ago an aspiring politician named Gough Whitlam was in Albury and made the comment that Albury and Wodonga were the ideal location for decentralisation and population growth. Two established and growing cities on each side of the Murray River, halfway between the major capitals of Melbourne and Sydney on the established transport routes of the railway and Hume Highway. On the day Gough Whitlam became Prime Minister the editor of the ABC Albury newsroom, Geoff Myers, rang him and asked if he was still committed to his decentralisation proposal for Albury-Wodonga dn he said "Yes!" The federal, NSW and Victorian governments formed the Cities Commission to plan an Albury-Wodonga growth cente and another at Bathurst-Orange. Local government and numerous advisory committees provided community input. RELATED CONTENT Idea of big city raises some big questions, Bridget Global warming tipping point is closer than you might think It's certainly a lot hotter than a century ago SEND US A LETTER The Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation was soon attracting new businesses and industries. Delays on wharves were frustrating to the region's manufacturers and businesses so the Development Corporation established an inland port and appointed Norm Halburd the responsible customs officer. Imports and exports were cleared direct from ships to Albury and Wodonga and from Albury and Wodonga to the ships. The Inland Port operated until the next government considered it to be a duplication of existing services and it was disbanded. When the Whitlam government was defeated, Malcolm Fraser became Prime Minister and disbanded the AWDC. It was unfortunate that Senator Bridget McKenzie wasn't properly briefed last week before announcing that the Coalition would spend time and money in Albury-Wodonga starting something that began in 1973 with the Development Corporation and has never stopped - decentralisation and population growth. We don't need money for that. But we could use it for other things like protecting the unique flood plain between the two cities from commercial development. The AWDC prepared special plans for it which should be implemented. Considering the farcical conclusion to the Albury Gold Cup day it is worth asking if the Albury Racing Club took out any pluvius insurance and if not why not? In his commentary 'Australia needs a vision for young people' (The Border Mail, March 25), Paul Turner outlines many possible avenues for the involvement in young people in the political process. One of Cathy McGowan's great initiatives as the independent member for Indi has been her program that allows constituents to work as volunteers in her Canberra office for a week when Parliament is sitting. As one such volunteer I can attest that this involvement was, for me, one of the most powerful experiences of my life. Helen Haines (who Voices for Indi choose to be the candidate as Cathy McGowan's successor) plans to continue this program if she is elected. With the inclusion of young people, this is exactly what Paul Turner is calling for.
Over 40 years ago an aspiring politician named Gough Whitlam was in Albury and made the comment that Albury and Wodonga were the ideal location for decentralisation and population growth.
Two established and growing cities on each side of the Murray River, halfway between the major capitals of Melbourne and Sydney on the established transport routes of the railway and Hume Highway.
On the day Gough Whitlam became Prime Minister the editor of the ABC Albury newsroom, Geoff Myers, rang him and asked if he was still committed to his decentralisation proposal for Albury-Wodonga dn he said "Yes!"
The federal, NSW and Victorian governments formed the Cities Commission to plan an Albury-Wodonga growth cente and another at Bathurst-Orange. Local government and numerous advisory committees provided community input.
The Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation was soon attracting new businesses and industries.
Delays on wharves were frustrating to the region's manufacturers and businesses so the Development Corporation established an inland port and appointed Norm Halburd the responsible customs officer. Imports and exports were cleared direct from ships to Albury and Wodonga and from Albury and Wodonga to the ships.
The Inland Port operated until the next government considered it to be a duplication of existing services and it was disbanded.
When the Whitlam government was defeated, Malcolm Fraser became Prime Minister and disbanded the AWDC.
We don't need money for that. But we could use it for other things like protecting the unique flood plain between the two cities from commercial development. The AWDC prepared special plans for it which should be implemented.
One of Cathy McGowan's great initiatives as the independent member for Indi has been her program that allows constituents to work as volunteers in her Canberra office for a week when Parliament is sitting.
As one such volunteer I can attest that this involvement was, for me, one of the most powerful experiences of my life.
