He suggests multi-storey buildings incorporating businesses on the ground floor with residential above.

This type of mixed business/residential is a feature of many European cities.

It gives a vibrancy making the CBD an attractive place to shop, socialise and live.

However, what form could it take that will preserve the feel of Wagga?

Firstly, I do not like the idea of Baylis and Fitzmaurice streets becoming canyons bordered by tall, monolithic buildings and the disappearance of all the old.

Secondly, I do not like having all the space for a block east and west of the main street entirely filled with buildings.

Begin planning by identifying the present buildings worthy of retention.

Existing buildings provide guidance to the height of new ones.

Romano's Hotel works well at three storeys, as does the Government Office Building on the corner of Baylis and Morgan at five.

A mix of heights up to five storeys would give interest.

What most of the main streets lack is small parks with grass, shrubs and trees with seating for people and play spaces for children.

New developments should include green space between the buildings for pedestrian access to parking at the rear. The loss of main street shopfronts to such parks would be more than made up by shops and cafes opening to the green space.

Air movement through these breaks between buildings would keep the main street cooler in summer.

The new residential buildings would have adequate parking for residents with additional for shoppers and businesses.

They could be either built to the laneway behind or built over the laneway to the next street, retaining the laneway for service vehicles.

Development should proceed with each block in turn so that new buildings and open spaces are coordinated.

I ask candidates for the upcoming council election to consider how they would progress greater population density in central Wagga.

READ MORE LETTERS:

I liked Gladys. The five or six times I met her, I thought she was a kindergarten teacher, not a politician.

As a female leader, I also noticed my daughter looked up to her. My wife didn't like her, and wanted to challenge every decision she made (but Gladys engaged her), while mother deeply respected her.

I believe the fact Gladys brought politics from being part of the boys club to being part of the lives of the women in our community needs to be commended.

We all make mistakes. On the whole, Gladys has always acted in the best interest of the people.

Surely, rather than ICAC having the ability to destroy the woman (just like they did to Barry O'Farrell over a bottle of wine), we should allow democracy to determine if she is the better leader for the state of NSW.

Can they just put the facts on the table and call a new election?

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