The equipment is available for any residents to use in the case of an emergency at the river.

The defibrillator comes with detailed instructions and has been installed on the toilet block and the flotation devices, which include an angel ring and a throw bag, have been set up on the foreshore.

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Royal Life Saving NSW regional manager Mick Dasey said it was great to finally have the gear up and ready for people to use.

"It's a very popular place and because of that obviously the decision was made to make it a little safer for people that do come down here," Mr Dasey said.

"We were hamstrung by a few issues that made it difficult to get the devices down where we originally wanted them to be but now they're in place and we're good to go for the summer."

Wagga City Council's strategic recreation officer Peter Cook said measures have been put in place to help prevent the equipment being vandalised, including CCTV and an alert switching on when the defibrillator is used.

He urged the community to not be afraid to use the equipment if they believe it is required and to also continue practicing safe swimming.

"This is certainly not a replacement for taking care because any waterways can be dangerous and the river is quite fast-flowing," Mr Cook said.

"We're hopeful that no one is ever going to have to use the equipment because obviously that means there is an emergency."

Wagga resident Felicity Benedyka was one of the nurses at the scene when a man nearly drowned at the beach in January.

"I think it's disappointing it took so long and near-deaths for it to happen but it is fantastic that it is now in place," Ms Benedyka said.

"It's just that little bit of an extra safety net, knowing that you're a little bit safer when you're at the beach."

There are no plans at this stage for a lifeguard to be instated at the beach.

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