The draft document, which will be considered for public exhibition by councillors on Monday night, was vital to future growth, according to city strategy manager Tristan Kell.

“We’re had more than 90 submissions from the public on the last report alone,” Mr Kell said.

“This has been one of the most extensive community consultation processes and I want to emphasise we want to facilitate growth to the north and the strategy includes long and short-term solutions to support that growth.”

With 1700 residential lots already zoned for construction in the Estella area, Mr Kell said easing the congestion on the Gobba Bridge was an immediate concern.

The proposed short-term strategy is to extend Old Narrandera Road under the Olympic Highway to meet Boorooma Street, freeing up a real alternative for city-bound traffic. Meanwhile, council will apply to have Glenfield Road designated as a “regional road”, which will increase pressure on the state government to duplicate Gobba Bridge.

Estella resident Martin Gregory welcomed the dual approach.

“The bridge definitely needs duplicating, the future of city in the north,” he said.

“It sounds like the short-term approach will also take some of the pressure off.

“All we need now is a school and a shop and we’ll be a real suburb.”