It comes as Wagga Business Chamber backs calls to address the “dangerous” Forsyth Street thoroughfare by either building an overhead bridge or developing a pedestrian-only shopping mall.

Graham Slingsby is calling for the two shopping complexes to join forces and split the cost of the bridge to boost the profile of retail for “the greater good of Wagga”. 

“For a city the size of Wagga and having two major shopping complexes in such close proximity, having the ease of access to both would possibly open up shopper intent,” Mr Slingsby said.

Mr Slingsby believed the project would increase the flow of road traffic, allow safety of pedestrians, provide greater access to both complexes and act as a shelter from rain or torrid heat.  

“I also believe it would alleviate any sort of access issues for the elderly or people with special needs,” he said.

Mr Slingsby proposed that the bridge would start at the highest point of the Marketplace and extend over Forsyth Street to the Sturt Mall, with an added level accessed by an elevator or escalator.

Mr Slingsby shut down suggestions the overhead bridge could rob Forsyth Street shops of business.

“This is a long-term project to promote the sustainability of retail in Wagga at a time retail is declining due to the ease of internet shopping,” he said.

Wagga Business Chamber president Tim Rose backed calls to increase shopper access to both complexes and businesses along Forsyth Street.

“We see a lot of merit in connecting the two major shopping centres, whether in the form of a pedestrian zone or overhead bridge,” Mr Rose said.

“It would increase shopper access, improve shopper safety.”

Mr Rose said a pedestrian mall would be cheaper than a bridge, but a bridge would stop the flow of trucks along the street.

“We recognise it’s a problem. We don’t care how it gets solved, but as long as it does get solved.” 

Committee 4 Wagga chief Chris Fitzpatrick believed the decision lied in the hands of the shopping complexes. 

“I think it is a commercial scenario between the Sturt Mall and Marketplace,” he said.

“I don’t think it should be something that falls on council.”