Salmat Closing Points to Need for A Technology Hub ....…..says Independent

Independent candidate for the seat of Wagga Wagga in the upcoming NSW state election Dr Joe McGirr said the closure of Salmat reinforces the need for the City to embrace a Technology Hub to advance the development of computer hardware, software and medical and general industrial programs and keep jobs and growth locally.
Dr McGirr said part of his election platform was the introduction of a Technology Hub based in Wagga Wagga which when fully developed would see the city as a major manufacturer of specialised software and computer programming to be marketed across Australia.
“I announced this initiative at the opening of my campaign office last Friday and have since received support for the concept” said Dr McGirr.
“We must extend our range of thinking and embrace new concepts and ideas” said Dr McGirr. “The closing of Salmat must not sidetrack our communities’ ability to become invigorated into producing a bigger and more locally controlled replacement enterprise”.
The building currently occupied by Salmat could become the catalyst for the development of a completely new industry.
With the Salmat building the technology is already in place and a workforce with multi – task abilities is ready and willing to work. The first requirement is to attempt to quickly find a company that specialises in call centre management, and one that has a commitment to the future development of Australian business.
“Wagga is within 500 kilometres of 75% of Australia’s population” Dr McGirr said “And our city and regional area needs a fresh concept to drive overall development into the future”.
A Technology Hub would provide and create an environmentally friendly manufacturing, supply and marketing platform for Individuals and companies to establish and develop equipment, software, data and ancillary products, which from Wagga can be easily marketed worldwide.
Dr McGirr said “Wagga is perfectly placed for such a venture”.
“Technology is now the driving force behind the supply of information and communication and is embraced within all industries.”
“The development of this concept and the technology, products and services resulting from such an initiative would be utilised in all industries including Medical, Education, Transport, Communication and Agriculture through to the Travel, Real Estate and smaller service/supply industries” said Dr McGirr
“We have the land for manufacturing development – a perfect lifestyle - a city and regional area that already has the right mix of infrastructure to attract companies. And, because of the nature of the end product no adverse transportation costs that would retard the attraction these companies would have to the area”.
And said Dr McGirr “We now have in place with the Salmat building the perfect location as a home base to drive the Technology Hub forward.
Dr McGirr said he was so committed to the development of this initiative that if elected to office on March 26th he will be ready to immediately establish a steering committee made up of Local government, industry and community representatives to initiate the program. He would also enter into discussions with whichever major party won the election to discuss decentralisation initiatives that would assist in driving the project forward.