Commuter cycling network moves forward

The rubber is about to hit the road on Wagga Wagga’s multimillion-dollar commuter cycling network.

In January, it was announced Wagga Wagga City Council had been allocated $11.7M in NSW Government funding to develop, design and implement its Active Travel Plan –  Cycling (ATP).

Over the past couple of months, Council has been reviewing the preliminary routes featured in the ATP, with adjustments made to the alignments where necessary.

The preferred routes have now been identified and Council is calling on the community to provide feedback until 13 June.

Strategic Asset Planner (Parks and Recreation) Ben Creighton said the project will  transform the city’s transport infrastructure and cater for predicted growth.

“We are creating a complete cycling network with more than 40km of shared paths and end-of-trip facilities, such as secure bike storage,” Mr Creighton said.

“A commuter cycling network will make cycling or walking to and from work or school a more viable option for our community.

“Not only will it make Wagga Wagga a more liveable city, a commuter cycling network has financial, environmental and health benefits and also has the ability to reduce traffic congestion.”

The ATP was a key part of Council’s Wagga Wagga Integrated Transport Strategy (WWITS 2040) and improving cycling infrastructure has been raised regularly by the community as a priority.

The five preliminary routes in the ATP have been broken down into 10 main cycling links -

Bourke Street, Kooringal, the levee, Kapooka, Forest Hill, university, Red Hill Road, Wollundry Lagoon, Morgan Street and southern.

“The 10 key links will connect the city’s suburbs with the CBD,” Mr Creighton said.

“We will be working through the preferred routes with stakeholder groups over the next week and we’re also asking the wider community to share their thoughts.

“The feedback gathered during this consultation process will be used to finalise the design and business case documentation so we can access the full NSW Government funding.”

For more information on the project, visit www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/cycling.

HAVE YOUR SAY

• Pop-up shop: Wagga Marketplace, Saturday 9 June, 9am-4pm
• Online: www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/cycling
• Email: cycling@wagga.nsw.gov.au
• Mail: PO Box 20, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
• Deliver: Civic Centre, cnr Baylis and Morrow streets
• Submissions close: 13 June