Wagga Wagga Economic Snapshot 2023

Economic Snapshot 2023

Wagga Wagga

WAGGA WAGGA PREPARES FOR GROWTH

More than $15 billion of infrastructure projects are slated for construction in Wagga Wagga & the surrounding Riverina/Murray region over the next 5 to 10 years:

f Hume Link (electricity transmission upgrade from Wagga to near Goulburn) - $2 billion

f Energy Connect (electricity interconnect to South Australia) - $2 billion

f Snowy 2 & Snowy Connect (hydro generation upgrade & transmission works) - $5 billion

f Riverina Defence Estates Redevelopment (air force, army bases) - $1 billion

f East/West Riverina renewable energy parks (wind & solar) - $4 billion

f Bomen Special Activation Precinct - in particular RIFL (Riverina Intermodal Freight & Logistics Hub) - $200 million

f Inland Rail (Albury to Illabo sector) - $1 billion

f Regional telecommunications upgrades (NBN & other)

f UNSW teaching hospital Wagga Wagga - $16 million

f CSU Drought Innovation Hub - $8 million

During the construction phase of major projects, many workers brought to the area decide to stay. Our region

has relative affordability, high liveability, and access to exceptional amenities, education, and health services. Furthermore, Wagga Wagga’s prime location offers excellent accessibility to major metropolitan areas.

Moreover, international immigration is set to contribute to the city’s growth. Around 300 to 400 individuals per year are expected to choose Wagga Wagga as their new home, many of whom will migrate from initial arrival points such as Sydney and Melbourne.

Prepare for growth and embrace the future in Wagga Wagga – a city that combines affordability, liveability, and promising opportunities for professionals, families, and international migrants. Experience the best of regional Australia while enjoying proximity to major metropolitan areas. Wagga Wagga is ready to welcome you to a thriving community with a bright future ahead.

Direct jobs from individual projects will be substantial. For example, the Energy Connect transmission upgrade project connecting the NSW grid to the South Australian grid will see in excess of 1500 direct jobs (Riverina catchment only) during construction & 700 direct jobs (Riverina only) on an ongoing basis - see Energy Connect website.

Acknowledgement of Country

Wagga Wagga City Council yali gulbali-yanhi ngurambang Wiradyuri.

Walumaldhaany-galang bala mayiny Wiradyuri.

Yindyamali-yanhi mudyiganggalang-bu balumbambal-bu balugirbam-bu.

Yindyamali-yanhi bagaraygan ngurambang-guwal-i yandu murun.wigi Wagga Wagga-dha.

Ngiyanhi gulbali-bu yindyamali-bu guwiinyguliyalagu buyaa-bu giilaanggalam-bu.

Ngiyanhi gulbali-bu yindyamali-bu guwiinyguliyalagu dhaagun-bu bilagalang-bu nganha Wiradyuri-giyalang bala burrambin-bu nurranurra-bu.

Gulbali-yanhi Wiradyuri mayiny bagaraygan-guwal-bu bala yarruwala-bu waluwin-bu walanbam-bu dhirrangal-bu.

Wagga Wagga City Council acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, the Wiradyuri people,

and pays respect to Elders past, present and future and extends our respect to all First Nations Peoples in Wagga Wagga.

We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing connection with the land and rivers.

We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Wiradyuri and First Nations communities.

Economic resilience Industry focus

Gross Regional Product

The total value of goods and services produced in the Wagga Wagga local government area (close to 70,000 residents) was $4.84 billion in the year ending June 2022, growing 3.5% on the previous year . Source.id

Rural economy on the rise

The rural economy of Wagga Wagga witnessed a total agricultural output valued at $333 million during 2020/21. Cereal crops emerged as the dominant commodity, constituting 43.1% of the city’s agricultural output in terms of value.

Total Wagga Wagga workforce exceeds 38,000

88% live and work in the city, while others commute from surrounding LGAs.

Wagga Wagga provides commercial, health, education, civic and social services to 190,000 people. Latest results from the 2021 census have unemployment at 4.0% compared to the state average of 4.9%.

Industry value add profile

Agriculture, forestry + fishing

Mining

Manufacturing

Electricity, gas, water + waste services

Construction

Wholesale trade

Retail trade

Accommodation + food services

Transport, postal + warehousing

Local Labour Force

Total employment in Wagga Wagga by industry.

Agriculture, forestry + fishing

Mining

Manufacturing

Electricity, gas, water + waste services

Construction

Wholesale trade

Retail Trade

Accommodation + food services

Transport, postal + warehousing

Information media + telecommunications

Financial + insurance services

Rental, hiring + real estate services

Professional, scientific + technical services

Administrative + support services

Public administration + safety

Education + training

Health care + social assistance

Arts + recreation services

Other services

% of workforce

Source: .id

Information media + telecommunications

Financial + insurance services

Rental, hiring + real estate services

Professional, scientific + technical services

Administrative + support services

Public administration + safety

Education + training

Health care + social assistance

Arts + recreation services

Other services

0 5 10 15 20

Source: .id

% of total value added

Industry success

“Wagga Wagga City Council and the NSW Government made our choice to set up operations in Wagga an easy one. The Special Activation Precinct, regionally focussed support, grants, and fast approval processes made doing business here attractive to Greatcell Energy and our investors.”

Paul Moonie Managing Director,

Greatcell Australia

Greatcell Energy produces the first commercially viable perovskite solar panels in the world. With more than a 20% efficiency rating and potential to operate in low light conditions, perovskite solar panels are changing how technology is powered. Greatcell Energy’s pilot production line was established in the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct in 2020.

Value add by industry is an indicator of business productivity in Wagga Wagga.

Skills, knowledge and innovation Investment

Educated workforce

65 %

OF

Education & training

Wagga Wagga is a key educational hub with access to quality education and training across the full spectrum of learning, supporting a high-skilled labour force.

Extra services/infrastructure and associated workforce growth will be required to respond to impacts of major infrastructure projects.

Key projects servicing our local area will include:

f Riverina Intermodal Freight & Logistics Hub (RIFL)

f Wagga Wagga Health and Knowledge Precinct

f UNSW medical school offering in Wagga

f New and expanded primary and secondary education campuses

f Expansion of Signature Aged Care – extra 144 FTE staff & 144 residents.

f Boorooma Shopping Centre

f FlipScreen specialised advanced manufacturing plant

f Bapist Care expansion

Building approval values

Source: WWCC

Source: WWCC and .id

Business environment & costs Lifestyle

Industrial land cost comparison

one tenth

THE COST OF EQUIVALENT LAND IN METRO SYDNEY

Over 1.3 million people visit Wagga Wagga each year

f Wagga Wagga welcomes over 1.3 million visitors each year

f Regional Express and Qantaslink provide regular passenger flights direct to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

f Over 210,000 passengers travel through Wagga Wagga Airport every year.

Wagga Wagga is the largest urban centre in the NSW Riverina-Murray, serving a total population in excess of 260,000 residents. This catchment extends across the Riverina, with people travelling across the region to access the city’s specialised professional, education and health service providers as well as a broad range of retail and service offerings. The combined retail spend of Wagga’s visitors & residents exceeds more than $1 billion a year.

WAGGA WAGGA HOSTS OVER 500 SPORTING, CULTURAL, BUSINESS + MUSIC EVENTS EACH YEAR

Some of our major annual events:

f Fusion - Multicultural Street Festival

f Wagga Wagga Gold Cup Carnival

f Wagga Wagga Food and Wine Festival

f Gears and Beers - Cycling and Craft Beer & Cider Festival

f NSW Junior Touch Football Southern Cup Conference

f Wagga Wagga Comedy Fest

f Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras

f Festival of W

Median home value

Source: economyID

$447,073 $1,031,138 SYDNEY

Source: CoreLogic Home Value Index – May 2023

f Wagga Wagga Lake Run and Ride

f River and Wren Market

f Wagga Country Club Pro Am classic

f AFL + NRL matches

WAGGA WAGGA

WAGGA WAGGA

SYDNEY

Source: WWCC and LPI

Special Activation Precinct (SAP)

Plans for Wagga Wagga

The Special Activation Precinct (SAP) in Wagga Wagga compromises approximately 4,500 hectares. Wagga Wagga’s highly accessible location, courtesy of its rail and road connectivity with Australia’s major cities, creates significant investment opportunities for new and existing businesses within the region.

In the heart of the Wagga Wagga SAP sits the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) hub. The newly constructed rail and intermodal terminal facility, operated by Visy Logistics, has been developed to create efficient access to national and international markets for regional producers and manufacturing.

The Wagga Wagga SAP is one of only six in NSW and offers several key advantages: fast-tracked planning, infrastructure investment, business concierge and government-led development.

Industry and employment opportunities

Building on already-planned private and government investments, the precinct will create up to 6,000 new jobs across a range of industries, including:

f agribusiness

f value-added agriculture

f renewables and recycling

f advanced manufacturing

f freight and logistics

The Wagga Wagga SAP is already home to a range of businesses including food manufacturers, recycling and transport companies.

Sites in the first stage RiFL Hub are planned for release in mid 2023.

Special Activation Precinct (4,424 ha)

Industrial core

Rural landscape bu ff er Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub (RIFL)

Possible future expansion of rail siding infrastructure

Land to be reserved for heritage, culture and habitat

Future local road upgrade

Future upgrade of existing east –west boulevards

Major road future upgrade proposed

Major road

Future infrastructure corridors

Approved solar farms (indicative)

Potential commercial nodes

Railway Road

CONTACT US

For more information or to discuss the opportunities in Wagga Wagga, please contact our Economic Development Team.

wagga.nsw.gov.au

Issued: June 2023

Front cover image: WWCC

Inside cover image: Fusion22

Economic resilience image: Matt Beaver, Bomen

Investment image: Matt Beaver, Baylis Street

Business image: Chloe Smith, Wollundry Bridge

Infographic icons: www.flaticon.com

Information provided in this document has been compiled using sources including Council records, ABS, ID, Department of Employment, LPI, NSW Health, TRA and Destination NSW. If you have any questions regarding information contained in this document please contact Wagga Wagga City Council on 6926 9100.