A Wagga local Richard Foley said he is fed up with seeing businesses closing down in the city. 

“Nearly every week we are seeing businesses close down in this city and the amount of empty shops that are left is growing on the main street,” Mr Foley said. 

“Energy bills and high rents are the biggest killers and further our local council does not offer decent incentives to attract new business here.”

Former Wagga resident Graham Slingsby now resides in Albury and said the border councils have a more “proactive” attitude than what is shown in Wagga. 

“Albury’s CBD and retail environment appears to be holding its own, very well, in difficult economic times,” Mr Slingsby said. 

Mr Slingsby said the border cities offer a “cosmopolitan feel” through their night life and late night dining scenes. 

“Albury and Wodonga enjoy the benefit of numerous businesses which offer competitive alfresco and indoor dining opportunities over the weekends and at night time,” he said. 

“This alone brings people out and provides an incentive to visit the various central business districts.

“On any particular evening you will see people sitting in restaurants and cafes enjoying a meal or coffee past 9pm but in Wagga you’re really struggling to find a vendor who sells coffee after 5pm.” 

Another Wagga resident Charles Webb-Wagg said council should instead invest in more car parking and events rather than spending more upgrades on Robertson Oval.

“More events within the town to draw people from outside regions into Wagga, which is something Albury seems to be doing but not us,” they said. 

“Council need to have a bit of a look at how they can sustain business in Wagga. 

“I hope those people who have been laid off from store closures can start to bolster employment and shopping in the region.” 

An Albury Council spokesperson said the city aims to provide infrastructure, economic development policy and facilitation support, but particular incentives vary from business to business. 

Wagga’s manager city strategy Tristan Kell said council is collaborating with multiple agencies to improve processes and allow businesses to “thrive”. 

“We are working closely with Service NSW, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Planning and Environment, and industry to attract investment and support existing businesses,” Mr Kell said.

“This includes concierge services for business, reducing red tape, and fast tracking planning approvals.”

Mr Kell said Bomen Business Park’s recent announcement as a Special Activation Precinct by the NSW government, which could generate an additional 6000 new jobs over the next 20 years. 

“There will be a coordinated approach to land use and infrastructure planning to attract major employers, drive local economies and create jobs,” he said. 

“The NSW government has identified Wagga Wagga as a regional city to grow to a population of 100,000 in the next 20 years and council has undertaken a significant amount of strategic planning to work towards this goal and provide the supporting infrastructure as the city grows.

To support local small business, council takes part in Service NSW’s Easy to do Business program, which provides a concierge service to help establish certain types of small businesses.”

Mr Kell said other initiatives where council has supported small businesses also includes the Tourism Partner Program and the recent Christmas store display competition. 

“In Wagga Wagga, all the foundations of growth are strong – including low cost base for development, growing private and public investment, a skilled workforce, positive business environment, and high levels of innovation and collaboration,” he said. 

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