Full speed ahead for integrated transport strategy

Released 29 August 2017

The adoption of the Wagga Wagga Integrated Transport Strategy and Implementation Plan 2040 (WWITS 2040) at last night’s Council Meeting means all levels of government, agencies and industry can work strategically towards integrating our transport network.

Led by Wagga Wagga City Council, WWITS 2040 not only plans for future economic and residential growth, but will help drive that growth.

Manager of City Strategy Tristan Kell says as well as looking at ways to attract and forward plan for potential large-scale infrastructure projects, WWITS 2040 identifies a number of short-term actions that can be taken to create a connected, vibrant, healthy, safe and active city.

“From better connecting footpaths to improving public transport corridors and removing trucks from the CBD, WWITS 2040 will help create choices for people when it comes to getting around and reflects the needs and expectations of a community that is growing at a rapid rate,” he said.

“The hard work on this is only just beginning and Council will now work with industry, local businesses, Federal Government, NSW Government to implement the strategy.”

The Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga, Councillor Greg Conkey OAM, thanked everyone that took part in the consultation process.

“Hundreds of people, organisations and agencies made valuable contributions during the community engagement campaign and most of the ideas in WWITS 2040 originated from these contributions,” he said.

“This Strategy will help us capitalise on opportunities for the region as well as improve everyday movements for individuals.”

WWITS 2040 is wide reaching and addresses six key areas; integrated land use, parking, freight and logistics, road network, active travel and public transport.

Within these six areas is an integrated approach to address a range of topics raised by the community, stakeholders and industry experts. Strategies include, but are not limited to:

• Improving cycling infrastructure, corridors and networks
• Prioritising people over motor vehicles in the core of the city
• Investigating innovative public transport initiatives for locals and visitors
• Implementing measures to increase the likelihood of the NSW Government duplicating the Gobbagombalin Bridge
• Supporting development in the northern growth area through appropriate structure planning
• Improve parking in the CBD and health precinct by implementing a pathway to build multistorey car parks, providing better pedestrian access and working with local businesses to investigate future paid parking options in key areas
• Preserving a corridor within local planning instruments for a heavy vehicle bypass
• Prioritising Bomen as an intermodal hub connected to the Inland Rail Network
• Pathway for potential duplication of Glenfield Road and Pearson Street
• Working with RMS to improve the Olympic Highway and Old Narrandera Road intersection

Contributions during the community engagement campaign

• Collection of raw ideas and feedback from stakeholders and the broader community:

- 200 invited to stakeholder workshop, 43 attended
- 60 people attended drop in session
- 156 completed the survey
- 48 people 193 pins on an interactive map

• These ideas were collated and presented back to the community alongside emerging strategies for further feedback, opportunities for feedback included an online form as well as shopfront in Baylis Street:

- 97 submissions received

• Public exhibition of technical report and peer reviewed summary:

- 60 attended industry stakeholder sessions
- 90 formal submissions received
- 271 suggestions

• Public exhibition of draft Wagga Wagga Integrated Transport Strategy and Implementation Plan 2040:

- 58 formal submissions received

wagga.nsw.gov.au/wwits