It also faces many challenges that come with a growing community.

Wagga is lacking in valid options for passive recreation and alternative transport systems from the hustle and bustle of our increasingly busy road network.

Our hospital has just announced 13 new bariatric beds – able to hold a person weighing up to 454 kilograms – adding to the unfavourable tag that we are the fattest region in Australia.

One group of passionate community-minded locals wants to build a solution – and they want you on board.

Wagga Rail Trail has already built a membership of about 500 since launching its bid in June to use the 21-kilometre disused rail corridor between Wagga and Ladysmith.

The committee is in the process of raising around $65,000 to produce a development plan that will cater for the whole community.

Its mission is to play an important role in linking communities and contributing economic, tourism, health and wellbeing, historical, environmental and community sustainability benefits to the city in the future.

Project chairwoman Lisa Glastonbury said the trail would be different from other rail trail concepts in NSW in that the area will already have a population base to use it, rather than relying on tourists to travel – making it an economically viable plan.

She said she was working hard with residents along the rail corridor to build a respectful relationship.

“We want the community to be involved in the process,” Ms Glastonbury said.

“The Wagga Rail Trail is about making Wagga a place that people choose to live.”

Ms Glastonbury said the project would have many benefits to the city, including giving cyclists a safer alternative to travel from east of Wagga into the city.

The group has been working hard to get the word out, and Ms Glastonbury said it had the support of the city’s progressive bodies, including Committee4Wagga, Wagga Business Chamber and Riverina Regional Tourism.

They are also working closely with the current council in regards to its integrated transport study.