Mayor speaks out on Federal Electoral Commission office relocation

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga, Cr Greg Conkey OAM, has today taken the unusual step of criticising the relocation of a government office to the city.

The Federal Electoral Commission Office has been relocated from Narrandera to Wagga Wagga and will be officially opened by the Commissioner in September.

Cr Conkey has written to the Commissioner and the local federal member to voice his disappointment over the decision.

"Hopefully it will send a strong message to other government departments thinking of relocating offices within this region," he said.

“In this case Narrandera will lose three workers, which will have an impact on that community.”

Cr Conkey said he was passionate about the growth and development of the city, but not at the expense of surrounding towns and villages.

“Wagga Wagga businesses rely on strong regional towns and villages,” he said.

“In many cases a high percentage of their business comes from these centres. It’s therefore imperative these centres remain vibrant.

“These centres in turn rely on government services and the employment those services provide.”

Cr Conkey said that since becoming Mayor 10 months ago he had visited the Mayors of Temora, Junee, Coolamon, Lockhart and Greater Hume shires to build a stronger relationship with those councils.

“We have much in common and there are ways that we can and do complement each other,” he said.

“It is therefore disappointing to see a town such as Narrandera lose employment to Wagga Wagga.”