Wagga City Council has pulled the brakes on Estella residents' concerns about a planned bike track linking all three northern suburbs.
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Residents called for a community meeting with the council to discuss what the upgrade would mean for their existing park space, running from Gunn Drive to Pugsley Avenue, in Estella.
Many raised concerns over access, with rumours circulating that bollards would be installed to block the area off to the public, as well as worries over the destruction of the natural green space.
But after Friday's meeting many residents have relaxed their stance.
Estella resident Sandy Wells was one of about 15 people who turned out to get clarification on the upgrade and said she went in with an open mind.
"I was coming here with a big question mark to start with," she said.
"It wasn't so much the actual track upgrade I was worried about, but we were all concerned it was going to be blocked off to everyone, which we've since found out was misinformation."
Ms Wells said the new asphalt path, which would extend out to Harris Road to connect Estella with Gobbagombalin, and Boorooma Street to connect on the other side, would help improve access.
"There are currently just paddocks to get through if you want to walk over from Gobbagombalin, and my daughter lives over there so it will make it much easier for her to just walk across," she said.
"The all-weather pathway will be really good as well, particularly for cyclists."
The existing path and green space's natural quality was also a concern for residents heading in to the meeting, but Ms Wells said she feels confident now that minimal damage will be done.
"The new path won't destroy any of the natural beauty, it won't take any of that away," she said.
"In saying that, we would be quite happy to leave it all as is, it's really natural and gets a lot of use, but the fact we will now be able to get up over the hill and extend further on is great."
Fellow Estella resident Jenni Harvey shared concerns over the access as well, but since said the upgrade was a positive step for the suburb.
"We were mostly concerned about how it would restrict our access to the area because we all heard that there was going to be bollards put in and we wouldn't be able to use it," she said.
"But we've since found out that wasn't true, and actually, this seems like it will be a good step to make the northern suburbs more connected, and make it a better track to walk on too."
In other news:
Wagga City Council's Strategic Asset Planner Parks and Recreation, Ben Creighton, said the bike track and pedestrian pathway was a part of the broader active travel plan.
"The asphalt track through here will be a very high quality, smooth surface, which is great for cyclists, and in terms of the surrounding areas and access, there will be very minimal change," he said.
"This meeting has been about making sure every owner has a good understanding of what is happening, and I think with any sort of change and construction in close proximity to properties, there's always going to be questions.
"But from feedback today the majority of people are really positive about the development now, we just have to make sure we keep them informed the whole way through."
Certain residents initially raised concerns that there was no communication between residents and council during the planning process, but Mr Creighton said correspondence was sent out a few weeks ago to update the public on the development.
Works are expected to begin next month, and take "no more than two weeks", according to Mr Creighton.
"This pathway with really connect all three of our northern suburbs, and we know a lot of residents out here have family in neighbouring Gobbagombalin or Boorooma, so this new track will be of great benefit to them," he said.