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Wagga’s potential demonstrated to the State

3 June 2009 - Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Kerry Pascoe, and General Manager Ms Lyn Russell, have completed a successful series of meetings with State Ministers, pushing Wagga’s potential as an economic development powerhouse in New South Wales.

The Mayor and General Manager provided a detailed briefing to the Hon Phillip Costa, Minister for Regional Development, and his Advisory Staff, and the Hon Joseph Tripodi’s Infrastructure Advisor in relation to Wagga Wagga’s economic development opportunities, local economy and positive growth figures that exceed current State average.

A key focus of the meetings was outlining how Wagga Wagga is seeking State Government support on a number of key development opportunities that will impact on the local and regional economy, as well as state-wide.

“During our meetings we highlighted that to achieve sustained growth and the realisation of our City’s full growth potential we need major infrastructure investment up front,” said Mayor Kerry Pascoe.

“It cannot be disputed that Wagga presents great infrastructure investment opportunities for the State Government that will achieve real economic returns in terms of regional growth and jobs in the NSW economy.”

The opportunities outlined were:
*Bomen Road / Rail Intermodal Hub
*Airport Expansion
*Wagga Riverside Precinct
*Air 5428 (Department of Defence pilot training program)

“Detailed economic assessments for Bomen, the Airport expansion and the Riverside Precinct alone have indicated they have the potential to generate over 800 jobs through the construction phase and over 900 jobs each year through normal operations,” said Ms Russell.

“These kinds of figures represent an enormous opportunity for the City and the State,” she said.

Mayor Pascoe said that he “left the meeting feeling very confident that the State Government has been made fully aware of Wagga Wagga’s potential and importance to the ongoing prosperity of the State, and the need for increased State Government investment.”

“I think that if we continue to press our case, we will see some magnificent results for our City,” he said.

“I must also extend Council’s thanks to the Hon Tony Catanzariti MLC for his assistance in securing the meetings with Ministers this week.”