The levee upgrade is an example of the council, along with the state and federal governments, coming together to approve and pay for a practical solution to a serious problem.

If Wagga's own flood experiences were not enough of a reminder, the terrible events in North Queensland have demonstrated how vulnerable regional cities and farmland can be to rising waters.

Such a large project, covering six kilometres at a cost of $23 million, is bound to have some impacts that will range in both duration and severity.

Wagga's joggers, walkers and cyclists have been denied the use of a popular section of the Wiradjuri track for the next few months.

Those living along part of the levee will have to put up with some daytime noise from sinking metal sheetpiling.

More serious is the issue raised by Knights Meats & Deli butcher on Fitzmaurice Street, which has said the temporary closure of an adjacent car park for levee works has caused a 30 per cent reduction in their consumer traffic.

There are also concerns that when the car park reopens it will feature fewer parking spaces and modified occupancy rules.

Foot traffic and car park availability are key issues for retail businesses, as any real estate agent or business owner would tell you.

However, some businesses along Fitzmaurice Street have seen their insurance premiums triple since the 2012 Wagga flood.

One of the council's objectives in upgrading the levee is to reduce the insurance cost pressures on businesses and households in the flood risk zone.

Hopefully Fitzmaurice Street can continue to make the effort to support their favourite shops, and therefore jobs in Wagga, despite any levee-related inconveniences.

It would be extremely disappointing if the major insurance companies did not drastically reevaluate their premiums once the levee upgrade is complete.