Council News Issue No: 157
CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 12 AUGUST 2017
Weekly information from us to you
FUTURE FOCUS: Students from local high schools share their thoughts on the future of the community with Council's Manager City Strategy Tristan Kell as part of a series of workshops.
Planning for sustainable growth A focus on community-led strategic planning continued this week with about 50 community leaders, stakeholders and students attending a series of workshops to help plan for a growing city. Council’s Manager City Strategy Tristan Kell says the Recreation and Open Space and Community Strategy (ROSCS) and the Activation Strategy will play a crucial role in ensuring sustainable growth in the city and surrounding areas over the coming decades. “With Wagga Wagga set to grow by 20, 000 people by 2040, there are some exciting times ahead in terms of opportunities for economic growth and social development,” he said.
“By developing these strategies now this growth will be sustainable, in the best interests of existing and potential residents, and further enhance Wagga Wagga’s position as a leading regional centre. “We can’t develop these kind of strategies in isolation, which is why it was so important to invite community leaders and stakeholders to be a part of the process, and we appreciate the time they took to attend the workshops and share their ideas.” General Manager of Brunslea Park, Samantha Brunskill said she was pleased to see Council being responsive to a variety of opinions. “There are so many diverse
people here from a fireman to someone in disabled care to property development so with these diverse views everybody has a different perspective and this is what is going to shine through in these strategic documents.” Local students took control of the discussion at the last workshop with eight Year 9, 10 and 11 students from Wagga Wagga High School, Mount Austin High School and The Riverina Anglican College bringing their ideas to the table. “Having students involved is crucial when thinking long term because we want our young people to to continue to live, work and play here,” Mr Kell continued. “Their ideas were fresh, selfless,
forward thinking and practical.” This round of consultation was the latest in an extensive engagement process that has already been undertaken to develop the strategies. All of the feedback will be collated before a report presenting the draft strategies is considered by the elected Council at the August meeting. The draft strategies will then be placed on public exhibition for comment. Workshop participants represented a range of groups including the development industry, sporting clubs, emergency services, disability service providers, high school students and state government.
STRATEGIES IN FOCUS
• The Activation Strategy will provide the city a blue print to accommodate an additional 20,000 people by 2040 and provide direction for residential growth and build upon our existing built and natural environment. • The Recreation Open Space and Community Strategy (ROSCS) will provide strategic direction for the planning, development, management and use of community spaces over the next 20 years within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.
Community Survey 2017 Share your feedback on Council services and facilities and tell us what’s important to you. Survey closes on 20 August. wagga.nsw.gov.au/communitysurvey