At last, Wagga is grasping the potential of the Murrumbidgee River as a recreational asset for residents and a magnet for tourists, according to the chairwoman of Committee 4 Wagga, Judy Galloway.

The $1 million beach upgrade started yesterday and is expected to take 34 weeks to complete.

The next stage is expected to be a redevelopment of the Wagga Beach Caravan Park after a Wagga City Council lease agreement with the operators ends in 2019.

Concept elements of that stage - yet to be funded but unlikely now to be abandoned - include a pop-up cafe precinct and a regional playground similar in size to equipment in the Botanic Gardens.

"The Committee 4 Wagga is thrilled that this is eventuating," Mrs Galloway said.

"It is positive for the whole community, it will be a great community asset, it will be a place for the community to gather and it will be a tourist attraction.

"When you go to some of the other regional centres on a river they just make such a big thing of their river, think Echuca and Mildura.

"The Wagga community is crying out for something like this where we can get out and enjoy the Australian landscape we have here.

"It's a real credit to council that they are getting something done."

Council commercial and economic development strategic officer Rob Sharpe said the new facilities at the Wagga Beach had been designed to cope with flooding or to be easily removed when a high river was expected.

"We have taken flooding into account with just about every element of the project," Mr Sharpe said.

He said a new children's playground would be a natural play space for youngsters incorporating bridges, logs, stepping stones and musical features.

The landscaping, including the design of two new barbecue areas, has been drawn up by Wagga landscape architect firm, Somewhere.

The barbecue shelters will feature curved granite walls and will face the river.

"I just think the whole thing will be good for the community," said Bridget Doyle, of Somewhere.

Wagga company Aspect Irrigation and Landscaping won the construction tender for the beach upgrade.

Aspect director Brendan Schneider said one of the earliest tasks would be to eliminate weeds in preparation for the planting of 20,000 plants in the spring.

Mr Sharpe said development of the main beach area would be completed first, followed by improvements at the rocks area - including seating and information signs - and then improvements to the main car park, including lighting and tree planting.

The beach amenities block was upgraded last year.

Other elements of the Riverside master plan already completed include upgrades to the amenities blocks at Wilks Park and the Wiradjuri Reserve and construction of the Wiradjuri Reserve boat ramp.