There was no phone call, no prior conversations, just an email which left the council unprepared and grasping at solutions to maintain the service and their leadership. 

Greyhound Australia has not responded to the Goulburn Post’s questions about when this decision was made and if alternative solutions were tabled. All we know is that those who have rides booked after the cut off date will be refunded.

“Unfortunately the Goulburn based support of these services has been poor which in turn means that these services are not commercially viable and cannot be sustained,” Greyhound wrote, in response to a customer inquiring about the changes via email last week. 

It appears that in this heat, the greyhound is fervently pursuing financial profits.

And really, there’s no harm in that race, because an economically viable organisation needs to take precedence over prepubescent business relationships. 

Also, questions must be asked about how the council communicated and cooperated with the company to spread information about the service. Could more have been done on the ground?

Regardless the answer it is unfortunate as the council, under the leadership of former mayor Geoff Kettle two years ago, worked hard in providing this service for commuting residents. 

The decision to cut the service was announced within days of Veolia Environmental Services launching a $100m Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) composting plant.

The facility can process 240,000 tonnes putrescible waste into organic material every year. At the launch on Friday it was described as a game changer and is the company’s largest MBT in the world.

It seems to be one step forwards and two steps back for the district’s destiny and this misstepped jive has well and truly lost its groove. 

Members of parliament, business owners and the council staff cannot continue to have a ‘serious conversation’ about economic and cultural growth if the region cannot even secure a key bus service.

Prosperity is a marathon. The clearest vision is never accomplished by one person, but a strong, like minded team.