Council has finally buried a controversial transport study that drew fierce condemnation from residents, choosing instead to seek the will of the people.
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On Monday night, councillors voted to put the draft Integrated Transport Strategy (ITS) on public exhibition, with the anger surrounding the study being credited with many of the positive results.
Wagga residents have until the end of June to have their say on the future of the city.
More than 90 submissions on the ITS were made to council after MRCagney’s controversial study was revealed three months ago.
Residents, ratepayers groups and community organisations were scathing in their assessment of the study, labelling it “out of touch” with the community and full of big city ideas that many doubted would work in Wagga.
Councillors applauded the community for their brutal honesty, which they saw as a direct result of the controversial suggestions to scrap northern development and increase reliance on public transport.
“Council copped a beating trying to sell that study,” deputy mayor Dallas Tout said.
“The community went to town on it and the result is a draft strategy reflective of not just a consultant but the community as well.
“I thank the community for reacting so strongly.”
One of the major problems tackled in the draft ITS was the city’s parking problems, which had reached a crisis point around Wagga Rural Referral Hospital.
The draft document recommended clustering health and education buildings even closer together and preparing a parking “hierarchy”, as well as improving pedestrian and cyclist access.
Construction and roadworks in and around the hospital were believed to be putting pressure on the “health precinct”, drawing anger from people visiting sick family members during peak times.
Wendy Cheney found it almost impossible to park near the hospital last week, a situation she called disgraceful.
“Parking has always been a problem at the hospital and I can’t see it getting any better when the construction work is finished,” Ms Cheney said.
“Anyone popping in to visit someone has next to no hope, it’s terribly frustrating.”
The parking problem was highlighted for Ms Cheney after she took her daughter-in-law to the hospital on Wednesday night. There was no problem finding a park after hours, but when she came back the next day, it took more than 40 minutes to find a car park.
“There’s no parking for blocks and blocks, you have to just drive around and around – it’s ludicrous,” she said.
“I don’t understand why there’s not a multi-storey car park there.”
A spokeswoman for Murrumbidgee Local Health District said demolition of Wagga Base Hospital was expected to be complete in the coming months and a new forecourt and car park were scheduled for completion later this year.
“As part of the planning phase, a comprehensive traffic and parking assessment was undertaken,” she said.
“Timed parking zones are available near the main entrance for patient drop-off and pick-up (and) day permits are available for visitors who require longer parking.
“Car parks are also available for community transport volunteers.
“As part of the redevelopment, council looked at how traffic flow around the precinct could be improved.”