THE blueprint for Wagga's future was released by Committee 4 Wagga (C4W) this week.
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The ideas were laid on the table and the community urged to speak up, not sit back.
For additional coverage of what's inside the plan - which provides direction for the next 12 months and beyond - click here
FIFTY-SIX acres of land in Central Wagga has a big question mark on it.
The Wagga showground complex didn't escape a mention in the Committee 4 Wagga's (C4W) latest strategic plan, with questions asked about what the site's future holds.
Despite being listed as a "low priority" in the document, C4W has encouraged the Wagga Show Society to conduct a feasibility study to determine ways they could "contribute to the city in a better way".
The document said the current facilities were "significantly aged and do not adequately reflect the size and significance of Wagga".
C4W plans include revitalising the showground precinct into a medical or residential amenity, given its proximity to Wagga Base and Calvary hospitals.
Show Society president Brett Grant said the group was looking at the "pros and cons" of moving the facilities, but were content with the current arrangement.
"At this point in time, we haven't found an advantage in shifting," Mr Grant said.
"We're happy where we are and intend to stay there for a fair while ... unless there's an incentive to shift.
"We're not going to have our eyes shut to all possibilities."
C4W said the relocation of harness racing to a new North Wagga site would "increase pressure on the viability and ongoing management of the showground site".
"The trots shifting will affect our bottom line, but won't be the end of us," Mr Grant said.
Mr Grant said the society would lose a sense of identity if it was added to another site such as Equex.
"Showgrounds are more than just building an exhibition centre ... that's only one part of the whole set up," he said.
In 2011, then Wagga mayor Wayne Geale unveiled a multimillion-dollar residential concept plan for the showground.
A STATE netball team would score development goals for country players, the Wagga Netball Association (WNA) says.
The association is supportive of a Committee 4 Wagga (C4W) proposal to promote the "City of Good Sports" with a Wagga representative team at a state or national level.
At this stage, C4W will consider their plan, in more detail, once the Equex netball courts are upgraded as part of the multimillion-dollar multipurpose developments at the site and Bolton Park.
Although the whistle has been blown on the idea for now, WNA vice-president Lisa Frow told The Daily Advertiser it was a great concept.
"I think it can only help the future of netball in Wagga and the future of players," Ms Frow said.
"It provides another avenue and opportunity for those players to be noticed ... it's not easy for country kids to achieve that."
A range of competitions run across the country, which Wagga could join if the proposal goes ahead.
Ms Frow said a state-based competition would be more achievable than a national league.
But, the ability to field a team would still depend on where and when the games were played and available funding.
"I don't think we'd have the player numbers to draw on for that (a national league) to be competitive," she said.
C4W has listed the concept as a "low priority" and would work with the WNA, Wagga City Council and Netball NSW in the future.
THE blueprint for Wagga's future was released by Committee 4 Wagga (C4W) this week.
The ideas were laid on the table and the community urged to speak up, not sit back.
For full coverage of what's inside the plan - which provides direction for the next 12 months and beyond.
CHRONIC doctor shortages in rural and regional areas will be addressed by a Murray-Darling Medical School and a political push is needed to make it a reality.
Charles Sturt University (CSU) plan to partner with La Trobe University to establish a Murray-Darling Medical School (MDMS) in Bendigo, Orange and Wagga.
In its latest strategic plan, released this week, the Committee 4 Wagga (C4W) said the school would see 180 medical placements across the network and "eventually enhance the number of regionally-based doctors".
Despite the off-and-on nature of the proposal, CSU vice-chancellor Professor Andrew Vann remained optimistic as he spoke to The Daily Advertiser yesterday.
Professor Vann thanked C4W for joining the fight.
"It's really important for the politicians to understand it (the medical school) does have the support of the community behind it," Professor Vann said.
"We need to do something different to address the medical workforce needs in regional Australia."
Professor Vann said the university was working with education minister Christopher Pyne and health minister Peter Dutton and would continue to lobby for the project's inclusion in the next federal budget cycle.
"We're still pushing very hard (for the school to go ahead)," he said.
C4W chief executive Chris Fitzpatrick said it was important the community backed the concept and the group would continue to support the push.
"This is something that, again, would really add a great string in our bow in relation to regional education and Wagga," Mr Fitzpatrick told Thursday's strategic plan launch.
The plan said the curriculum provided by the MDMS would significantly increase the number of graduates working in rural and regional areas.
A PUSH to drive Wagga into the international spotlight has been put into first gear by the Committee 4 Wagga (C4W).
The multimillion-dollar proposal to build a major outdoor motorsport complex and advanced driver training centre on the outskirts of the city has received the group's full support.
The complex, mooted for an area on Wokolena Road, has been dubbed by C4W as a way to support a flexible and creative business culture and to position the city internationally.
The proposal was listed as a medium priority in the C4W strategic plan, released this week.
During the launch of the plan, C4W chief executive Chris Fitzpatrick said the complex would be a major tourist drawcard.
"It has significant prospects for the city, to be able to bring that X-factor to us," Mr Fitzpatrick said.
"It's said that we don't have major tourist attractions, but doing the numbers on the activity that's generated around this motorsport area is fairly amazing."
Given the scope of the project - and need for additional information - the development application (DA) has taken time to perfect.
A spokesman for Wagga City Council said the proposal is expected to be discussed at next month's policy and strategy (PS) committee meeting on September 15.
DAs are made public and are required to be tabled at the PS committee meetings to allow members of the community to speak on the proposal at the ordinary meeting.
HIGH PRIORITY
CCTV 4 Wagga
Levee Bank upgrade
Riverside project
Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics hub
Lights 4 Lake
High Speed Rail Sturt Highway upgrade
Wagga east-west bypass
National Broadband Network
Emerging Leaders Program
Wagga Live - New Year's Eve event
MEDIUM PRIORITY
Duplication of Gobbagombalin Bridge
Duplication of Glenfield Road and rail overpass
Events Wagga - website for calendar of events
Wagga Airport ownership
Community convention and exhibition centre (Bolton Park and Equex)
Murray-Darling Medical School
Riverina motorsport complex
Harness racing project at North Wagga
LOW PRIORITY
School leaders program for Wagga high schools
Spatial plan
State netball team
Wagga Showground project