Bomen Entertainment Complex developer Chris Egan was disappointed when he heard council staff did not support his proposal to put a multi-million dollar, 8000-seat indoor arena in the heart of Wagga’s industrial area.

Eunony Valley Association president Bill Schulz was cautiously optimistic about the report, which will be considered by councillors on Monday night.

“Until it’s voted upon and completed we won’t get too far ahead of ourselves… but we believe it is the right approach by council,” Mr Schulz said. “We’re not against having a good entertainment centre, we just believe it needs to go in the right location. This hasn’t been thoroughly thought out especially the impact it will have on our community.”

Council had been asked to consider rezoning the land from general industrial to a private recreation zone, but city strategy manager Tristan Kell said doing so would impose additional constraints on existing businesses.

“Some of the region’s largest investors are concerned that additional sensitive uses would jeopardise their operation and future expansion,” Mr Kell said. “The proposal is inconsistent with the NSW planning framework and council strategies.”

It wasn’t just the residents who had objections to the concept, with major employers such as Teys and Enirgi also voicing their concerns to council.

“The proposal is incompatible and out of character… (it) will ultimately threaten the ongoing viability of heavy industry to operate effectively,” Enirgi manufacturing manager Darren Nelson wrote in a submission to council. “Bomen’s role in providing a secure zoned area for heavy industry… is then put in doubt.”

In a letter to council, Teys manager Charles Hollingworth wrote that an approval would place “planned future investment” at risk.

Councillor Dan Hayes had visited the former Riverina Woolcombing plant, where the developers wanted to build their complex, but while he liked the idea he said it was in the wrong place.

“We need to protect the investment from huge Wagga employers and also the infrastructure that’s been built so we can attract more industry,” Cr Hayes said. 

“We have a long-term plan and while we need to be flexible, there’s no point doing the exact opposite.”