Council gives green light to city’s cycling network routes

9 July 2018

Wagga Wagga City Council tonight approved the 10 cycle links that form the five strategic cycling routes recommended for the Wagga Wagga Active Travel Plan.

According to Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga, Councillor Greg Conkey OAM, it’s another step forward in the development of the State Government funded 43km network of cycle paths which will soon criss-cross the city.

“The decision by Council to back the 10 key links is a positive step forward for the city and will go a long way enhance the liveability and attractiveness of the city,” he said.

“In its essence the Active Travel Plan is about giving residents another viable option to safely travel from their home to work, school and shops. The added bonus is that cycling is healthy, it’s cost effective and good for the environment too.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to the community for their input during this consultation process.

“Over 250 formal submissions were received in addition to feedback noted at meetings and drop-in sessions with the community and stakeholder groups, which all helps make the $11.7M project a more beneficial initiative for everyone.”

“The majority of feedback supported the project and the concerns raised by residents have been incorporated into the revised routes and planning process which is due to begin later this month.

“Ongoing consultation will occur with residents adjacent to the routes during the detailed design and construction phases of the project.”

The next step in the project is for the recommended links to be presented to the NSW State Government as a part of the project assurance review process.

During tonight’s meeting Council also endorsed the General Manager to negotiate for easements, rights of way or access agreements where it is proposed that an active travel route be constructed on land not owned by Council.

The network of five complete cycling networks links the outer suburbs with the central business area. The locations of cycle routes and end-of-trip facilities have been selected following consideration of cycling needs as part of the Wagga Wagga Integrated Transport Strategy 2040 (WWITS), the city’s overall integrated transport vision.

In January Council received more than $11 million from the State Government to undertake the design and implementation of the Active Travel Plan. A condition of the funding is that the project be completed by June 2020.