You only had to look at the River and Wren Markets on Sunday in Wagga to know that people in the city, and those that are visiting, are looking for something to do.
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Thousands attended the market’s last event for the year, where people braved sweltering heat to peruse the region’s best handmade wares.
The market has always been well supported but we are coming to a time of year when tourists are visiting the region in droves.
They are staying at least three nights, according to Destination Riverina’s Genevieve Fleming, and they are spending considerable amounts of money.
Sure, most are visiting friends and family over the holiday season but many, especially those with children, will be looking for activities to keep amused.
There is an abundance of activities and attractions to do and see in and around Wagga.
But there is now the possibility that residents and visitors will face yet another summer without the use of Lake Albert.
Late last week, Wagga City Council revealed there was a harmful bacteria in the lake, a bacteria that forms when there is faecal matter present.
It has astounded businesses, who were just recovering after months of no lake use in 2018.
More tests will be conducted and results are expected this week about the future of the lake, including when it might be safe for use again.
Even if residents were to heed the warnings and stay out of the lake, with the presence of bacteria, the odour makes doing anything on the lake’s foreshore … unpleasant.
Apart from potentially driving more people to the beach and dams in towns around the Riverina, it’s unsure what the fall-out will be for tourism to Wagga.
Right now, the biggest concerns are of an environmental and health nature. Council and businesses cannot afford to lose another season and with two threats emerging so close together – blue-green algae and now the faecal matter – it might be time to look at more permanent solutions.