Councillors split on worth of landmark transport study that spooked developers

It comes after a prospective developer pulled the pin on plans to build a supermarket at Boorooma after reading the consultant’s analysis that Wagga would “worse off” with any more development north of the Murrumbidgee River. 

The report urged council to “limit development in this part of the city where it is still possible” as it would increase traffic on the Gobbagombalin Bridge, which would have a “significant negative impact on the city”.

The consultants have also suggested “Wagga has an oversupply of parking” and a “smooth flowing network for car traffic is of virtually no benefit to the city”.

Chemist Warehouse also threatened to back out of plans to build at Estella based on the transport report. 

Councillor Paul Funnell, who warned his colleagues to “put on their crash helmets” when the study was publicly released late last month, predicted more fallout unless councillors denounced the document. 

“This study was a complete waste of money,” Cr Funnell said.

“At this stage I haven't found one suggestion I will endorse.

“When you get a garbage document like this one, people think council doesn't know what they're doing and they invest elsewhere.”

Council staff say the final report and the associated implementation plan will be released in seven to eleven weeks. 

Council has repeatedly stressed the final Integrated Transport Strategy would not rely solely on the seven-figure studies, but would “combine technical analysis with feedback from the community” collected throughout March.

As of Saturday, council had only fielded “about 20 submissions” and the public exhibition period closes in 17 days.  

Councillor Rod Kendall has rebuffed suggestions councillors should dismiss the studies out of hand and urged locals to have their say.

“We have to trust the residents of Wagga will give good and well thought-out feedback in the public consultation process,” Cr Kendall said.

“The feedback will inform what suggestions should be prioritised as well as what are bad ideas.”

Residents can read the report and provide feedback online at wagga.nsw.gov.au/ ourtransport.