The NSW Government has released the draft Wagga Wagga Transport Plan for public review, building on the State Government’s vision for a stronger public transport and road network.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, said the draft plan was the first place-based transport plan developed for a regional area – detailing how the city’s transport network, infrastructure and services will be developed over time to better suit the community’s changing needs.
The Transport Plan outlines a staged approach to reprioritising Wagga Wagga’s urban roads and streets to:
- Develop priority networks for walking, cycling, bus, general vehicle access and through movement of heavy vehicles
- Prioritise walkways and buses within the Health and Knowledge Precinct and Central Business District
- Prioritise local access to and from precincts within Wagga Wagga’s urban core
- Reconfigure Edward Street and Hammond Avenue to focus on movements to and from land uses along the corridor
The draft plan also lays out the timeline for these infrastructure and transport changes, identifying the short, medium and long-term steps the NSW Government, Council and the people of Wagga Wagga will work through to prepare the city for the future.
“Wagga Wagga is changing and growing and we want to ensure transport can support growth in a way that suits the community’s vision for the city,” Mr Toole said.
“We want to get this plan right, which is why we have worked with Wagga Wagga City Council and other stakeholders to prepare a truly integrated transport plan for the community’s feedback.
“We want to deliver infrastructure and services that serve the local community for generations to come as we continue to build a safer, stronger regional NSW.”
Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, called on local residents to provide feedback on the plan to ensure it was in line with the community’s needs.
“We want our community to grow in a safe and sustainable way. Having the best possible plan in place is critical to making this happen,” Dr McGirr said.
“We know the community has been eagerly awaiting this plan. This is their chance to review its key initiatives online and rate what they see as most important – from cycleways to heavy vehicle alternative routes to improving safety and technology for all transport users.”
Member of the Legislative Council, Wes Fang, said the plan would be a game changer for planning for Wagga Wagga’s future needs.
“We’re constantly looking at ways to improve Wagga Wagga’s public transport offering,” Mr Fang said.
“Last March the NSW Government announced an extra 240 weekly bus services and in July, Wagga Wagga was the first city in the state to roll out braille wayfinding along an entire bus route to support vision-impaired customers.
“The Wagga Wagga Transport Plan builds on our vision to help make public transport a first-choice option for people living in the regions, and looks at how we can transform some of our roads to keep us all better connected.”
As well as viewing the plan online, face-to-face and virtual community meetings will be held to allow the public to find out more.
A live Q&A information session will be held on Wednesday 12 May from 1pm, with a panel of experts to answer the community’s questions, and help community members give feedback.
To participate in the livestream, members of the public are invited to access nswroads.work/transportplanqanda just before 1pm on the day of the event.
A community information session will also be held at Wagga Wagga City Council’s meeting rooms on Thursday, 20 May between 5pm and 7pm.
The community can visit nswroads.work/waggatransportplan to have their say and rate the initiatives until 5pm Friday 28 May 2021.
For more information on the draft Transport Plan, go to nswroads.work/wwtp.
