A new plan for Pomingalarna: have your say

Published: 30 Oct 2020 2:02pm

Wagga Wagga City Council has released a Draft Plan of Management for the city’s much-loved Pomingalarna Park Reserve, and is asking for community feedback.

The Pomingalarna Park Reserve Draft Plan of Management 2019–2029 details Council’s plans for the community land, including both ‘visionary’ and practical day-to-day management, and is open for submissions until 5pm, 4 December 2020.

Parks & Recreation Officer Glenda Pym said the reserve’s importance lay in its natural bushland characteristics and the significant cultural connection it holds with the Wiradjuri community.

“The local Wiradjuri community have always been connected to the space,” Ms Pym said.

“We also have many cycling groups, community groups and lots of casual users, like runners and bird watchers, who love the reserve as well.”

To update the Plan of Management, Council met with stakeholders, including the Pomingalarna Wiradjuri First Nations Women’s Group and cycling groups, to ensure the plan met with each group’s expectations while preserving the reserve’s natural integrity.

“We also conducted a cultural survey, which identified sites of cultural significance for Wiradjuri and First Nations Peoples,” Ms Pym said.

“This helped us ensure those sites were preserved and protected by the plan.”

The Draft Plan of Management includes information about weed and bushfire management in addition to plans for increased wayfinding and interpretative signage.

The Wagga Wagga Multisport Cycling Complex – a showpiece for community sporting infrastructure within the city – will be developed on a small section of the reserve, which is largely clear of older growth bushland.

“The cycling complex has been developed to be sympathetic to the natural bushland,” Ms Pym said.

“The Pomingalarna Wiradjuri First Nations Women’s Group has been heavily involved in the development of the complex’s community building, which will be a space the general community can use for events in the future.

“The Wiradjuri cultural connection will be represented throughout the whole development – we’re keeping faith with the natural environment and how people have been using it to date.”

Council is encouraging the community to visit connect.wagga.nsw.gov.au/pomingalarna, download and read the Draft Plan of Management, and share their thoughts.

“We want to know what you think of the reserve and how you use it – whether you go for a walk or run on the weekend to enjoy the peace and tranquillity, or take your kids out for a bike ride.

“Submitting your feedback is the best way to ensure Council’s plans for the reserve are in keeping with what you love about it.”

The plan proposes recategorisation of the community land within the reserve to identify land purposes and objectives in keeping with the reserve’s use. A Public Hearing regarding this recategorisation will take place on Tuesday 10 November 2020 at 6pm.

To read the Plan of Management, and share your feedback, visit connect.wagga.nsw.gov.au/pomingalarna