The NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, yesterday said he was “impressed” by the suggestions of a local working group at Temora, which was set up to put forward recommendations to the NSW Government.

“These involve transition of the site to the Temora community via trust and lease arrangements between NSW DPI and the Temora Shire Council.

“The Department will now work through the recommendations and the potential establishment of the Trust.”

But on Tuesday, Temora mixed farmer, Chris Goesch, said he would not be “popping any champagne corks yet”.

News that Temora Agricultural Research and Advisory Station would stay open “pleased” Mr Goesch, “Lintondale”.

But the announcement the station “site” would “stay open” left him craving more detail.

“I would assume it will be staying open with the government paying the salaries,” said Mr Goesch, who wanted to see the detail.

A member of Temora Shire Council’s advisory committee, formed to make suggestions about the station’s future, Peter Allen, “Carumbi”, said the community had lobbied for the station to become more educational and commercial, and he expected a reduction in the number of government-funded staff if this happened.

Mr Allen and Mr Goesch were both fans of NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, who they had negotiated with for several years.

But Mr Goesch said it would be hard for the Minister to justify research spending when the “State was broke”.

More coverage on the research station decisions in The Land, July 9.