Wagga Health and Knowledge Precinct: council has 'no plans' to forcibly acquire land

Council city strategy manager Tristan Kell told The Daily Advertiser that the council had no desire to become a property developer in the hospital precinct.

"There was a concern that essentially the council or government would commence acquisitions," he said.

"There are absolutely no plans for acquisitions; the only acquisitions that could occur would be voluntarily and would be facilitated by a private developer and council could not be involved in that.

"We don't have the budget, we don't have the expertise and we're not developers."

The draft master plan was designed to encourage further development of related businesses in medical services and accommodation.around Wagga's existing hospital precinct between the Sturt Highway and railway line.

Mr Kell said the medical industry was "job intensive" and already a major source of employment in the city and could provide many more jobs in the future.

Resident Ray Todd, who has lived in in Gormly Avenue near the hospital since 1976, said he was "not impressed" by the draft master plan.

"Parking is a major issue in our area and it is getting worse," he said.

"Obviously, if the plan is undertaken parking spaces will come under considerable pressure."

Mr Kell said "car parking was a major concern" raised during community consultation and people wanted to see a timeline for improvement.

"Within the master plan we have identified where the (Wagga Base Hospital's planned) multi-deck car park will be, and that will ease a lot of pressure within the precinct," Mr Kell said.

"People see it on the plan but the want it operating right now and that's fair enough.

"I think what the plan does it is integrates nicely with council's integrated transport strategy, which looks at truck routes and identifies Docker Street as an opportunity to become more of a destination.

"Improving access between Calvary and the Base Hospital has been spoken about immensely and improving pedestrian safety, worker safety and ease of transport for vulnerable people is a priority."

The council this month finished off a round of community drop-in meetings as well as consultation with specialised medical organisations and with individual residents who requested more information.

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"We have also met with the broader medical community, with affected residents, and we have also been meeting with the general public," Mr Kell said.

"We have met with over 200 people and we have already received over 70 submissions, which is quite a bit of community engagement.

"Obviously this plan has generated significant interest within the community."

Mr Todd said he was concerned about the future implications from rezoning the area.

"They need to spell out exactly what is proposed and how this might affect council rates for house owners," Mr Todd said.

"It has been suggested to me that no residential building will repossessed by force. The council needs to publicly state this."

Medical clinics within the draft plan's boundaries have also expressed concern that they might have to close or move location under some of the proposed re-zoning options.

Mr Todd said he was suspicious of pamphlets that had started to appear in letterboxes around the avenue with a "proposal to purchase your property" for above market rates.

"I am over 70 years of age. My home has been extensively renovated and I expect to spend at least another 20 years living in it," Mr Todd said.

"I will not be moved."

The draft master plan is currently on display on the council's website and in the civic centre, with submissions accepted until September 16.