The Wagga Wagga Rural Referral Hospital means the same thing in a very long-winded way. So much for bureaucrats in Sydney; it should have been left as it was.

THE recommendation in council’s Integrated Transport Strategy not to consider the duplication of the Gobba Bridge (Daily Advertiser, February 16, “Transit study to support walking”) is extremely disappointing. 

While it can be argued there is no immediate need for duplication, there is no doubt that eventually this will need to happen, including a cycling and walking lane.

Closing off access to Travers Street is a band aid solution and only pushes the congestion from this intersection to the next.

It seems there is no vision or courage to pursue the growth of our city. 

Wagga should be a city focused on the future, and aiming to attract more business and industry investment. 

If we are to do this, and grow as a city, we need to further develop the northern area. The growth in recent years shows this is an area that people want to live in. 

We also need to consider our connection with the towns and communities to our north including Junee, Temora and Coolamon, whose residents and businesses also contribute to our city.

If the duplication of the bridge is off the table, can we assume that the proposed northern bypass incorporating the Bomen RiFL Hub is also off the table?

I cannot see how council could seriously consider increasing the traffic flows of the bridge with a large number of trucks.

I hope our councillors can see past the “short-termism” and consider where they want Wagga to be in the future. Let’s not throw our hands up in the air and say it’s all too hard, just stop building out there. 

The duplication isn’t just a convenience for those already living, working and studying north of the river, it can mean so much more for our whole city.

IT IS understandable to a certain extent that the Gurwood Street residents have reservations about the existence of the proposed Recovery House in their neighbourhood.

But taking into account the real need in Wagga for such a house, the great benefit for the treated patients and their families, the safeguards that should be in place, the outright objection by the Gurwood Street residents can also be judged as inconsiderate and totally selfish.

I ask our councillors and the concerned Wagga people to not have an immediate negative narrow judgement but with common sense look at the big picture about the real need for such a facility in Wagga.

The sure benefits such a facility will bring, rehabilitating lives and restoring families, now and into the future.

I therefore ask our councillors to act wisely for the long-term benefits of those in need of rehabilitation, and their families, and to not let yourself be swayed by the selfish attitude of nay-sayers.

Isn’t the fact that many people will be wonderfully released from alcohol or drug addiction worth infinitely more than anyone’s selfish attitude?

People with such restored lives can have restored relationships with their families, with their community and lead productive lives again.

So please have a heart.

Shame on you, who in spite of all the benefits, are still egocentric nay-sayers.