Authors of the $240,000 Integrated Transport Strategy consequently dubbed residential and retail growth north of the Murrumbidgee River “inappropriate”.

The transport blueprint for Wagga’s future suggested focus turn to attracting more “high spending” millennials to live in the CBD. 

The report specifically states “northern development will direct traffic to the Gobbagombalin Bridge, which has finite capacity and secondly may well encourage commercial retail development to leak over the river to give these residents services”.

“Either way, the city is worse off,” the author states. 

President of the Estella Progress Association Graham Cotter has slammed the report’s suggestion duplicating the Gobba Bridge was a pipe-dream.

An estimated 16,000 vehicles crossed the bridge every day last year, up from 12,364 in 2010 – a 30 per cent increase in the last six years. 

“It seems there is no vision or courage to pursue the growth of our city,” Mr Cotter said.

“If the duplication of the bridge is off the table, can we assume that the proposed northern bypass incorporating the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RIFL) Hub in Bomen 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”.

Mr Cotter was baffled by the report’s suggestion to block vehicles turning left from the Gobba Bridge on to Travers Street.

“Closing off access to Travers Street is a band-aid solution and only pushes the congestion from this intersection to (Kincaid Street),” he said.

Wagga MP Daryl Maguire refused to buy into speculation about whether the Gobba Bridge needs upgrading until Roads and Martime Services (RMS) releases a truck bypass study next month.

Mayor Greg Conkey welcomed feedback on the landmark report but disagreed the Gobba Bridge needed to be duplicated as a matter of urgency.

“The duplication of the Gobba Bridge is a very expensive exercise, it's not needed at the moment, but discussion has to take place as to whether it's needed in next 20 years and 30 years,” Cr Conkey said.

“It’s not a pressing issue at the moment while the congestion is limited to short periods in the morning and afternoon.

“We may need to increase access to the Wiradjuri Bridge or the new Eunony Bridge to take pressure off the Gobba Bridge.”

COUNCIL’S FULL RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS:

Below are quotes from Alan Eldridge in relation to the independent report that will inform the WWITS:

“An independent report, which provided a review of the technical study prepared by GTA and community consultation data, will be presented to Council at the February Council Meeting.

“This summary of findings will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days, during this time there will be a online Q&A forum that people can use to ask questions as well as multiple ways to provide feedback.

“Council staff will then combine the feedback with the independent report to draft the Wagga Wagga Integrated Transport Strategy, which will be presented alongside an Implementation Plan in May.

“The strategy will feature a number of recommendations to make it easier for people to choose healthy transport options, such as cycling and walking, that will activate our CBD and reduce our reliance on cars.

“It will also recommend ways that we can better plan our city and foster developments that make it easier for people to get around and reduce the costs associated with transport.”

THE FOLLOWING IS INFORMATION FROM THE SUMMARY REPORT

Q: Why can't Wagga sustain more residential development north of the river?

A: The independent summary of findings document states: “This is an RMS asset, with Council having limited influence over its management. RMS is carrying out a study of its major corridors through Wagga Wagga and ongoing engagement with RMS will be required to ensure that Council does not mismanage its land use planning to undermine how these assets perform. Given this, it is essential that Council place as little pressure on the Gobbagombalin Bridge as possible. It is unlikely that the capacity of this bridge will be increased within the foreseeable future. As a result the market will determine for itself when it stops development north of the Murrumbidgee and directs its efforts elsewhere in the city. It is incumbent on Council not to encourage development in inappropriate places. Residential development north of the river will likely have a significant negative impact on the city. Northern development will direct traffic to the Gobbagombalin Bridge which has finite capacity, and secondly may well encourage commercial retail development to leak over the river to give these residents services. Either way the city is worse off.”

Q: What would more high density housing in Central look like?

A: The independent summary of findings document states: “Central areas in modern cities are more than business districts. They are places where people live, work and play. Wagga Wagga needs to catch up to this trend to retain and attract the 18-28 high spending entrepreneurial age group to the city. In addition, it is the most efficient type of development and will contribute most to the economic growth of the city. Minimum parking rates, height limits, density limits etc. all make development that is very desirable to the city less desirable to the development industry. More of this inner urban mixed use development will vastly improve the transport outlook for Wagga Wagga and should be addressed in residential and other land use strategies.”

Q: How much more heavy vehicle traffic is predicted to run over the Gobba Bridge if the RIFL Hub goes ahead? (please note this response is NOT from the independent report).

A: Independent traffic modelling undertaken in 2015 showed truck traffic into Bomen Business Park from all access points would grow by 2.3 per cent per annum for the next 30 years. The modelling found the roads being built are adequate for the projected development of Bomen.