Police shut down part of central Wagga after a bomb threat in the northern central business district was discovered around 9am on Tuesday morning.

Businesses were evacuated in Gurwood Street and the busy thoroughfare was closed between Fitzmaurice and Trail streets before being reopened around 1.30pm.

Specialist support from NSW Police was called in to deal with the situation, with members of the bomb squad arriving from Sydney by helicopter around 1pm.

Acting Inspector Maggie Deall said a “suspicious package” was found in the laneway beside Prime News.

Police have confirmed the rough nature of the package as alcohol bottles and batteries wrapped together. 

The evacuation saw a number of businesses, including the Wagga North Woolworths, out of action for the first half of the day.

NSW Fire and Rescue and NSW Ambulance joined police at the scene.