NSW Premier Nathan Rees should expect a flood of letters stamped with the 2680 postcode in the coming weeks, after The Area News last week launched a petition to stop the closure of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) research station in Hanwood.

With up to 18 jobs on the chopping block, not to mention the loss of vital research carried out at the facility, news

of the State Government’s decision

to shut the facility has outraged the Griffith community.

Local MP Adrian Piccoli has urged residents to sign the petition. He said it was imperative residents act quickly as the mini-budget legislation was scheduled to go before parliament in about two weeks’ time.

“We need to send a clear message to the Premier that we will not stand by and see these valuable and talented agricultural experts axed and we will not stand by and watch them leave town,” Mr Piccoli said.

“I have already formally asked the Premier and his Primary Industries Minister (Ian Macdonald) to reconsider this decision, but people power will be the key. We obviously want to get the petition signed by as many people as we can.”

Residents wishing to register their opposition to the closure of the DPI Hanwood agriculture research station must follow the instructions on the petition in order to have their voices heard.

The petitions must be returned by post or in person to The Area News’ Ulong Street office by Friday, December 5.