But, a former councillor said the city does not need to have everything that another town does.

Lake Talbot Water Park has been under extensive renovations, and in December, Narrandera Shire Council completed the $5.8 project's initial stages.

Stage one and two of the development are open, including the BBQ's, water slides, kiosk, top changerooms, Olympic and middle pools and the new splash park.

Stage three is set to open on January 22 and will include the toddler pool, bottom changerooms, and accessibility pathways and ramps.

Jewel McKibbin said it was extremely frustrating that Wagga families needed to travel to access such a facility.

"Wagga is meant to be NSW's biggest inland city, but it's more like the biggest empty city," she said.

"I have been here sine 1980. I built my house here in Lake Albert, and it is sad to see what we are missing out on.

"We have Oasis. We don't need to build something different, but why not expand it and make it more attractive."

Ms McKibbin said while she is not anti-council, it can feel like the representatives do not listen to what people want.

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She said the city's main attractions are its shopping centres and that needs to change.

"I see Wagga as just stationary and stagnant," she said. "We need to look forward as we want our kids to have a bright future and to stay here and make this their home."

However, former councillor Mary disagreed with the idea that just because Narrandera had such a facility, Wagga should get one too.

"Wagga does not have to have everything," she said.

"Furthermore, the beach development and the riverside development that are taking place are unique to the city.

"The lake also provides passive recreation."

Mrs Kidson applauded Narrandera Shire Council for its work on upgrading the Lake Talbot Water Park.

She also added that having something a little different in the town would encourage others in the region to visit, thereby sharing tourist dollars.

"I remember when I proposed the possibility of a Road Transport Museum at Tarcutta and, a councillor of the day said 'why don't you have it in Wagga'," Mrs Kidson said.

"I replied 'because it's not on the Hume Highway.

"We don't have to have everything. We should be finding ways to offer something different."