Rod "The Riddler" Kendall

The Questions Just Keep Coming !

In the Press Release put out by Wagga Wagga City Council ( see below ), more questions than answers are raised.

Fast forward from the days of Jimmy Foo and the grand plans for Dubbo to the current situation unfolding regarding the proposed Chinese State owned trade centre development in Wagga and questions must be asked.

It is noted the Mayoral taskforce is made up of people who are either members of the Liberal Party, people with established Chinese business links and vested interests in this development going ahead at all costs.

 Hardly impartial or objective.

The Wagga council Press Release states, this proposal must pass the critical "good for Wagga test".

Good for whom in Wagga ?

The Press Release goes on to say; The proposed trade centre is an initiative of the Liberal state government and Chinese investors. The Press Release claims this proposal will create jobs, strengthen the retail base and industry.

Create jobs for whom ? and our retail base and industry will be wiped out as a result of this proposal.


Some Questions:

What are the connections to the Liberal Party and any Chinese businesses and the members of the Mayoral taskforce ?

How many people on the Mayoral taskforce have been to China as guests of the Wuai group ?

Who will be building the trade centre and where will the labour be coming from ?

What percentage of stalls at the trade centre will be exclusively Chinese ?

Who will be running the stalls at the trade centre ?

Will there be special visas granted for people attached to the trade centre ?

Do any of the people on the Mayoral taskforce have any personal interest in the proposals outcome ?

Do any of the people on the Mayoral taskforce have any relationship with Gary Knight ?

Why are there no Aboriginal peoples on the taskforce ?

What if any concessions do the Chinese wish to negotiate before a decision is finalized by them ?

Does Mr Bruce Dicker currently have a business located in China ?

What link if any does Mr McLaren have with people in Wagga, Sydney or China connected to this proposal ?

Does any member on the Mayoral taskforce have any connection to developers ?

Of course there are still the unanswered questions for Mr Maquire regarding his relationship with Mr Knight and Mr Foo.


 It is also noted in the Wagga Council Press Release, Mayor Kendall said "The Mayoral taskforce will lead the discussion with the community".

Really ? What discussion, everything is "in confidence", the community have been privy to nothing regarding the discussions and issues surrounding this proposal.



Press Release Wagga Wagga City Council       28.2.2013


Mayoral forms taskforce to support International Trade Centre in Wagga Wagga Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga, Clr Rod Kendall, has established a Mayoral Taskforce with key Council officials and local stakeholders to work together to support the development of the Wuai Wholesale International Trade Centre in Wagga Wagga.   
The Mayoral Taskforce is made up of the Mayor Rod Kendall, Deputy Mayor Andrew Negline, Member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire, Wagga Wagga Business Chamber President Julian McLaren, Wagga Wagga City Council General Manager Phil Pinyon and local businessman Bruce Dicker. 
“The role of the Mayoral Taskforce is to provide a proactive role in facilitating and advocating for the development of the proposed Wuai Wholesale International Trade Centre in our city,” Mayor Kendall said. 
“The Wuai proposal has vast potential to diversify the economic base of Wagga Wagga, but must only occur if it passes one critical test - that test is the ‘Good for Wagga Wagga and the region test’. 
“There are many factors that need to be considered and our task will be to work through all identifiable issues and identify solutions so that this project passes that fundamental test. 
“The proposed trade centre is an initiative of the State Govt and private Chinese investors, but there are many benefits for our city in being able to attract a development of this size, including the creation of jobs and the strengthening of our city’s current retail base and industry generally.  
“Wagga Wagga has a lot of positive attributes to offer a development of this size, including its strategic location relative to the population centres of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra and its prime location on major transport routes. 
 “The Mayoral Taskforce will lead the discussion with the community, the State and Federal Governments and the developer and will play a vital role in enabling the identification of both issues and solutions relating to this proposal. 
“Whatever the final decision, the taskforce will endeavour to ensure that no stone is left unturned to get an outcome that is good for Wagga Wagga recognising that the State Government and the developer are the parties that will ultimately determine if the proposal proceeds in our city.”