Wagga City Council released a statement on Monday officially stating the Wagga Integrated Transport Strategy (WITS) had been pushed back to “later in the year”.

The report was due to land in councillors’ hands this month, but will not be seen until at least October – after the local government election.

Council general manager Alan Eldridge said the delay was so a more thorough investigation into the technical data, including information from the recent community strategic plan.

“WITS isn’t a document being developed in isolation – it needs to be informed by the community holistically through Wagga View and in line with the review of council’s planning framework,” Mr Eldridge said.

“While delaying the project isn’t ideal, it’s vital we invest as much time as necessary to develop the strategy as it will inform important parts of our transport infrastructure for the coming decades.”

But outgoing Wagga Councillor Julian McLaren said waiting for the $260,000 report to be finished was a waste of time.

“Let’s not delay making decisions based on the strategy,” Cr McLaren said.

“We need to get value for money for ratepayers.

“When you’re paying that amount of money for a study, you expect it to get done on time.”

Cr McLaren he didn’t want to see the study become a report that collected dust on the shelf.

“We can’t stop development because we don’t have the (WITS),” Cr McLaren said.

“We can’t use that as an excuse.”

Councillor Kerry Pascoe expressed disappointment in the delay, but stressed it was an important document to get right.

“I’d rather get it in a professional manner so we can get it out to the community,” Cr Pascoe said.

“I expect to see a really good document instead of rushing it out.”

Cr Pascoe did admit the council could not wait any longer than “before Christmas” to receive the report.

Riverina Salon Supplies manager Bernadette Storrie wants a solution to the Fitzmaurice Street parking problems in the report.

“I’d like to see a multi-storey carpark,” Ms Storrie said.

“People have to drive around looking for parks – we’re losing business out of it.”

Wagga mayor Rod Kendall said talk about traffic was a good sign for a growing city.

“Concerns over issues such as parking and traffic are in my eyes a positive as it’s a sign that our community is growing,” Councillor Kendall said.

“Understanding Wagga’s transport needs goes hand in hand with planning for our residential growth and development.

“Through WITS, Wagga View and the review of the planning framework we are making sure council, industry and the community are ready for that growth.”