Wagga’s Charles Sturt University (CSU)’s student union, Rivcoll, has taken up the fight to re-class the rural-zoned Pine Gully Road to residential to increase lighting, reduce the speed limit and upgrade the seal, after losing one of their own in 18-year-old, Peter Murray.

Mr Murray died when the car he was a passenger in veered onto the wrong side of Pine Gully Road in the early hours of last Saturday and crashed into a tree. 

Rivcoll president Brandon Harry estimated 1000 students and staff travelled on the road each day, but that figure would increase with the major residential developments around Estella. 

“It’s not a very good road, it’s just not doing what it should be,” Mr Harry said.

“We will support any upgrade that increases the safety of our students. We hope to see some immediate action.”

His calls mirror those made by frustrated councillors. 

Cr Paul Funnell said a traffic management plan in the Estella area was needed “immediately” because council approved more than 6000 residential blocks at Estella without first considering the impact on existing infrastructure in the precinct, including roads.

Cr Funnell, who's fought for the re-zoning and upgrade since 2012 after it was first floated in 2003, explained it was like putting a town the size of Cootamundra somewhere without planning the impact it had on things such as roads.

“It should have been upgraded first. We’re forever playing catch up," he said.

CSU Wagga Head of Campus, Miriam Dayhew, said the safety of students and staff was paramount. “Since the tragic death of one of our students (last) weekend, I have spoken with senior Wagga City Council staff about Pine Gully Road,” Ms Dayhew said.

“I have met with the parents of the late student and my thoughts remain with them in their grief.”

WWCC general manager Phil Pinyon said the matter would be investigated after they received a petition about Pine Gully Road.

CSU is providing counselling and other support to students affected by the tragedy.