Wagga Bunnings relocation out for public comment before council makes final decision

One of the greatest challenges of the development, which a report lodged to Wagga council 10 months ago outlined, will be balancing the boost in traffic flow in the area and the changes to a highly visible site at the city's entrance.

The designs of the multimillion-dollar relocation to 64 Pearson Street includes the main warehouse, outdoor nursery, timber trade sales and building materials area, a cafe, click and collect services and a playground.

It also includes 449 parking spaces with entry and exit points via Pearson and Saxon streets. Plans also show customers could enter the site via Edward Street and there will be a dedicated bulk trade sales area with pick up facilities for trucks.

"Balancing these sometimes competing issues has not been straight forward, and it is concluded that the ultimate development scheme and underlying access strategy provides the optimum outcome for this permissible development on this site," the development application stated.

Wagga councillor Dan Hayes said that relocating the business will help "relieve the infamous Bunnings roundabout," but the plan's impact on traffic will need to "meet a standard" that is not only suitable for the business, but its customers and boarder community.

"Any development, especially one of that size, has to factor in all the elements such as being on the highway, traffic control and the entry and exit," he said.

Despite this, Cr Hayes said it was positive to see businesses choosing to "stay and invest" in Wagga and hoped the existing building could attract interest from a new business rather than staying empty.

"Wagga has had some significant growth, COVID-19 has had some impact on that, but as we start to return to whatever the new normal is, I am encouraged that Wagga will attract some big businesses, especially along that street where it is a different flavour," he said.

The development application continued to outline the several benefits the project will bring to the city, including a boost to hardware and home improvement services, supporting future growth and retaining a major retailer in the Dobney Avenue, Pearson Street precinct.

"Once operational, the store is anticipated to employ over 230 team members ... all existing team members from the Wagga store would transfer to the new store and an additional 50 local positions would be created," the report stated.

The submission period for this development will close on October 13.