A protest meeting is to occur at the Glen Innes Town Hall on Thursday 20 November 2008. “This is your chance to make a difference and save the Glen Innes Agricultural Research and Advisory Station,” said Deputy Mayor, Col Price.

“There has been so much reaction to the proposed closure that Council decided to provide a venue for a protest meeting” added Mayor Steve Toms. “There is a very strong feeling in the community about this issue.”

The Government announced the proposed closure of the ‘Ag Station’ as part of its Mini Budget last Tuesday.

The meeting will be attended by our local State Member, Richard Torbay, who is very concerned about the proposed closure.

The Ag Station was first gazetted in 1901, and was officially opened in 1902 and has operated continually ever since. Our location on the Northern Tablelands is unique because of our northern latitude, and high altitude, providing for a summer maximum, high rainfall temperate climate.

The Ag Station provides a long history of research and advisory services to the agricultural community. As an asset, it is also historic and provides considerable professional employment within our community, with up to 16 jobs at risk.

Current research includes the long term rotational trial, clover and trefoil research, and livestock research in conjunction with the beef and sheep CRCs. All of this would be impacted by the closure.

“The Government has a responsibility to agriculture to keep the centre operating and to enhance its potential,” said Cr Price. “There is also a strong social responsibility given the significant employment impacts of this decision with up to 16 jobs lost from our community, and the lost of an asset with heritage significance.”

“I urge representation from all parts of our community to come along and express their views on this issue on Thursday. The Government will be watching the community response to this,” he said.