The Sturt Highway's line of shops, bulky goods retailers and vehicle dealerships could expand east by one kilometre under a proposal endorsed by Wagga City Council.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Councillors at Monday night's meeting cleared the way for an application to the state government to change agricultural and small-scale retail zones at Gumly Gumly into an 'Enterprise Corridor'.
The proposed areas run on both sides of the highway from the edge of existing commercial areas at the Tasman Road and Eunony Bridge Road roundabout to Bakers Lane and Pioneer Avenue to the east.
Council city strategy manager Tristan Kell told The Daily Advertiser that the zoning would allow economic growth while maintaining the CBD's status as a retail centre.
"It would have a similar character to what you have further west, which is the larger retail products to service the highway traffic," he said
"(The new zone) would provide for a variety of things from bulky goods to light industries to commercial operations that require high volumes of traffic and land."
Wagga City Council will seek a 'gateway determination' from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
If the determination is granted, the proposal would be subject to community consultation and potentially a public hearing before moving on to a planning authority assessment.
The Mercury Motor Inn is one of the businesses already in the area, along with a new service station under construction at Tasman Road.
Mercury owner Varun Tandan told The Daily Advertiser that encouraging new businesses to move into the area would benefit his own accommodation business and employment in the city as a whole.
"If there are more businesses coming along this way, then it is only going to add value to Wagga," he said.
"There would be more construction jobs and more opportunities for small business to expand."
Mr Tandan said the area would need more street lights and better security for developments under construction to make it more attractive to new businesses.
"More opportunity should be given to small businesses, as if they are the ones popping up then it generates more employment," he said.
"I think small businesses are more inclined to add value to a regional area."
Mr Tandan said one factor that could inhibit the creation of a retail corridor at Gumly Gumly was the past reluctance of some owners to sell their vacant land.
He said it was also difficult for many aspiring small business owners to secure a bank loan to get started.
Committee 4 Wagga chief executive Alan Johnston told The Daily Advertiser that if the new zones were established, the success of any new commercial precinct would ultimately depend on investors.
"I don't think it interferes with future plans for the like of the special activation precinct at Bomen," he said.
"What's there at the moment is not necessarily well advanced in terms of its capacity...but zoning does not automatically translate into bricks and mortar."
Mr Kell said the area's ability to receive large trucks, easy access to Wagga Airport and available space for car parks would prove attractive to businesses.
The council made changes to its proposal earlier this month around flood plain risks and identified a patch of River Red Gum trees for protection in response to the Office of Environment and Heritage.
The council said the proposal would not affect "prime agricultural land".
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to you inbox each day at 6am from the Daily Advertiser? To make sure you're up to date with all the Wagga news sign up here.