Liberal member for Wagga Daryl Maguire has been discussing the project for almost a decade and Wagga's Country Labor Party president Glenn Elliott-Rudder yesterday welcomed the announcement.

"Obviously Daryl Maguire and the former mayor (Kerry Pascoe) have been working hard behind the scenes to get this done, and everyone in Wagga would say this is a great opportunity for our economic development," Mr Elliott-Rudder said.

The joint support by local political representatives will help secure the development, with the Chinese state-owned company Wuai Group placing a strong emphasis on the enthusiasm of Wagga civic leaders.

On Friday a Wuai Group spokesman said it was part of the reason Wagga was chosen for the development.

Riverina Greens secretary Ray Goodlass also backed the development, provided certain safeguards were put in place and the new jobs created were skilled positions.

"It's potentially a great boost for Wagga but there is a potential downside too, it depends on the details," he said.

Flood mitigation for the site on the corner of Copland Street and Kooringal Road was one concern which will be a matter for Wagga City Council to consider.

Mr Elliott-Rudder and Mr Goodlass said the foreign investment by a Chinese company was not an issue.

“Foreign investment has always been the way in Australia, it used to be British and American ... we have always relied on foreign investment for our economy and now is no different,” Mr 

Elliott-Rudder said.

The Democratic Labor Party national president and Wagga City councillor, Paul Funnell, said foreign investment was not a concern, but protecting local jobs was.

“We are not anti foreign investment, our problem is we have an obligation to protect Australian small business,” Mr Funnell said.

The indications at this stage are Wagga businesses won’t be negatively impacted and it is hoped access to the trade centre would boost profitability by reducing handling costs for small business.