Pop up shops, playground equipment with water features and event facilities are all on the table for Stage Two of the Riverside development.
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Council recently awarded GHD Pty Ltd the $293,337 tender to design the more than $6 million project.
Council Strategic Asset Planner Ben Creighton said the aim was to create a space that could host major events, but also act as a recreational spot for residents.
“There will be infrastructure for pop-up shops, so essentially they can be moved if there is a flood,” he said.
“There will also be a parking area, a playground with some water play components, further improvements to the paths, as well as more barbecue shelters and picnic furniture.”
Mr Creighton said they will be starting the detailed design process over the next couple weeks.
“Construction should begin next year,” he said.
“There will be additional consultation with the community during the detailed design of Stage Two.
“It’s a really exciting project.”
Stage Two of the Riverside project will see the entire precinct from the beach carpark through to St Michael’s Oval rejuvenated, building on the works completing during Stage One in 2014-15.
The Riverside project is estimated to boost yearly visitor numbers to Wagga by 10 per cent to 1.42 million, as well as increasing the time they spend in the region.
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When GHD Pty Ltd was awarded the tender, Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said the flow-on effects for this project could mean millions of dollars for the local economy.
“The aim of the Riverside project is to reactivate the Wagga Beach precinct and develop the area as a focal point and destination for residents and visitors, as well as create linkages to the city’s CBD and existing civic precinct,” he said.
“Stage One was a great success and I look forward to seeing Stage Two take shape.”
The Riverside Strategic Masterplan was developed in 2009 after extensive consultation with the community of Wagga, Mr Creighton said.
The project is due to be completed by mid-2020.
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