www.awnw.com.au
Issue #221 – Wednesday, 26 February, 2014
Albury Wodonga’s largest circulating newspaper
The coolest of cucumbers WHEN George Galanakis and his friend Joe Ferrinda planted seeds that had been in George’s family for centuries, they knew they were in for something special ... FOR DETAILS TURN TO PAGE 3
Star class hotel WORK has started on the new $30 million Novotel hotel in Albury. To be managed by the Accor Hotel Group, it will deliver the city’s newest internationally branded hotel since the 1970s. The Smollett Street development is expected to create more than 200 construction jobs and 30 permanent jobs when it becomes fully operational in 2015. The hotel, located in the heart of Albury CBD, will feature 120 rooms for accommodation over seven floors and include two themed food and beverage areas, four banquet and events spaces and a gymnasium and corporate lounge. Accor Pacific chief operating officer Simon McGrath said the group was delighted to be introducing its international Novotel brand to Albury with a four-and-a-half star hotel in the heart of the city’s retail and commercial precinct. “Through the vision and support from the Albury City Council, the arrival of Novotel into Albury signals a growing confidence in the domestic market and will no doubt
strengthen the city’s ability to host large conferences and events,” Mr McGrath said. “We believe the exceptional design and location of the Novotel Albury will appeal to both the corporate and leisure travel markets and we’re looking forward to welcoming our first guests in 2015.” Albury City mayor Kevin Mack said construction would be a huge achievement for the Volt Lane development and will be a great development for the city. “Attracting development and investment in Albury is a major focus for council and construction of this new hotel is further proof that our work is delivering results,” he said. “This is going to be a key driver of employment and economic development in the city and will be welcomed by residents and visitors. “Tourism is worth up to $525 million to Albury’s economy.” The new Novotel Albury will join the brand’s established global network of nearly 400 hotels and resorts in 60 countries. The water wheel will be kept in storage until a suitable home is found for it.
Water wheel in search of a home
An artist’s impression of the new Novotel in Albury.
THE iconic Australia Park water wheel has been removed. Contractors and council staff were on site last morning to begin the removal, with a handful of people including the media looking on. Albury Mayor Kevin Mack said the council was continuing discussions with interested parties to locate a suitable home for the water wheel, which was donated to Albury from the Mitta Valley in the 1960s.
Council agreed at its December meeting to use its Acquisition and DeAccession Policy to re-home the water wheel. Through the process, the water wheel has been offered to the family of the original owners and other bodies or institutions who may have an interest in owning the wheel. Discussions with interested parties are continuing. The wheel will be placed in safe storage until discussions are finalised.
“It would be great to see the wheel returned to its original home,” he said. “We’re in discussions with a number of parties and hope to find a suitable home in the next few months.” A recent structural assessment of the wheel found that it had become structurally unsound and contained both lead and potentially asbestosbased paints. Preliminary estimates put repair and re-creation costs at more than $90,000.
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