Events & Tourism

Visitor Information Centre becomes official driver reviver site

Published: 06 Apr 2022 3:38pm

Wagga Wagga City Council has completed an upgrade to facilities at the Visitor Information Centre as part of the Australian Government’s Driver Reviver Site Upgrades program.

The $167,000 upgrade includes a new shade sail over the playground, BBQ shelter with two picnic tables, footpath upgrades, additional seating, an accessible toilet upgrade, and new signage.

Two men and two women standing beneath a shelter — **WELCOMING DRIVERS:** Wagga Wagga’s Visitor Information Centre is now an official Driver Reviver site, providing travellers with a friendly and comfortable place to take a break and explore the city’s attractions. (From left) Works and Playground Officer John Conlan, Facilities Management Coordinator Luke Fitzgerald, Visitor Economy & Events Coordinator Fiona Hamilton, Visitor Services Operations Officer Sarah Myers.

Visitor Economy & Events Coordinator Fiona Hamilton said Council applied for funding to improve the popular facility as the city is perfectly placed as a rest stop for travellers.

“Wagga Wagga is located halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, and is a stopover for people heading to and from Adelaide, so it made sense to invest in our Visitor Information Centre to better support travellers,” Ms Hamilton said.

“Setting the Visitor Information Centre up as a Driver Reviver site means we can help motorists manage their fatigue on long journeys by giving them a welcoming and attractive place to stop for a free cup of coffee or tea and a biscuit, use our facilities, and stretch their legs.

“It will also help promote our city as visitors can take advantage of the location to visit our attractions, shop or dine along our main street, stroll along the adjacent Wiradjuri Trail to visit Wagga Beach and the Riverside playground, and even take an extended break on subsequent trips.”

Shadesail over play equipment — **SUNSAFE:** A shade sail has been installed at the Visitor Information Centre’s playground allowing families with children the opportunity to safely use the play equipment throughout the day providing relief from the sun and reducing UV exposure.

The Visitor Information Centre’s footpaths, carpark and bathroom facilities have all been constructed or upgraded to accommodate all-abilities access.

During peak holiday periods, Council will post Driver Reviver messaging at the city gateways on the Sturt Highway and Olympic Highway entrances promoting the Driver Reviver site and encouraging visitors to stop and take a break.

The Visitor Information Centre Driver Reviver capital works upgrade received $148,000 funding from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication – Office of Road Safety, with Council funding an additional $19,000 toward this project.

Doors to accessible bathrooms — **ACCESSIBLE:** The Visitor Information Centre’s bathrooms have been upgraded to ensure all-abilities access.

Driver Reviver is a community program which has been operating in Australia for more than 30 years, promoting road safety and helping reduce the road toll and fatigue-related road trauma. The Wagga Wagga Visitor Information Centre is joining over 180 Driver Reviver sites across Australia which are open during the busy holiday periods.

For more information, visit driverreviver.com.au