STATEMENT ON MOTHERS' BRIDGE

I have written to the Minister for Planning, Paul Scully, asking him to reject any attempt by Inland Rail to avoid its responsibility to rebuild Mothers’ Bridge.

 It is completely unacceptable for Inland Rail to use the question of the bridge’s ownership to abandon its responsibility to the Wagga Wagga community.

 The construction of Inland Rail will bring great disruption to the city, and it is only fair that they clean up after themselves – and that definitely includes replacing any infrastructure they destroy.

 I applaud Wagga City Council for taking steps to ensure the bridge will be replaced and maintained but this burden should not fall on the shoulders of ratepayers.

 Inland Rail must abide by the agreed planning consent conditions and I have strongly urged the minister to ensure that those conditions remain unchanged.