Council keeps city’s economy driving forward

The economic growth of the City of Wagga Wagga is going from strength to strength and the trend is predicted to continue.

Coupled with genuine confidence in significant developments, either ready to start or recently completed, Wagga Wagga is set for a positive and exciting future, General Manager of the City of Wagga Wagga Alan Eldridge said.

“These developments have substantial benefits for a sustainable future for the entire Local Government Area as well as the 185,000 people that make up the Wagga Wagga catchment area,” Mr Eldridge said.

“Wagga’s Gross Regional Product (GRP) sits at $3.6B, a growth of three per cent in the last year, $230M worth of Development Applications were approved in the 2015/16 year and the city attracts more than 1.4M visitors annually.

“With the growth that we are seeing, there is no doubting that Wagga Wagga is well on its way to being an important and influential regional capital of Australia.”

The current and future economic environment for the City of Wagga Wagga has been captured in the latest Economic Snapshot – due for release in the coming weeks.

Mr Eldridge says Council’s new organisational structure provides a continued focus on commercial and economic growth for the city and ensures establishment of new projects and the continuation of existing ones.

“Projects with significant contributions to the city’s growth include the Bomen Enabling Roads project worth $35M and the proposed multi-million dollar Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub (RiFL), upgrade improvements to the Wagga Wagga Airport and prospective JETGO Wagga Wagga to Brisbane flight route to increase visitor numbers,” he said.

“The Riverside Project is transforming the banks of the Murrumbidgee River and the city’s location on the proposed Inland Rail Route, connecting Melbourne to Brisbane, will help attract even more businesses and opportunities to the region.”

Further assisting the region’s economic development has been key relationships formed by the City of Wagga Wagga at State and Federal Government levels, locally with the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber, Committee4Wagga, and businesses of all sizes investing in the city.

“Council continues to have strategic commercial conversations with developers and industry stakeholders who are investing in Wagga,” Mr Eldridge said.

“We have the resources and knowledge base available to meet these needs.

“There’s an exciting and thriving future ahead for the City of Wagga Wagga and the Riverina region.”