The City Of Wagga Wagga - a great place to live, work or invest.

The Southern Regional Capital of NSW WAG GA WAG G A

Brisbane

Wagga Wagga Adelaide

Sydney

Canberra Melbourne

Hobart

Connected.

Innovative.

Diverse.

As the regional capital of southern NSW, Wagga Wagga is a hub for industry, healthcare, education and recreation. Through a skilled and reliable workforce, combined with high quality education and training facilities, we have created a strong and diverse economy driving growth and investment.

Vibrant is an often overused term when describing a region, but the activity in the Riverina has naturally developed an energy and vibrancy that leave visitors with a positive experience. Locals are proud of their region and welcome everyone with open arms. With more time for an active lifestyle, over 150,000 people across the region enjoy a wide array of events, activities, restaurants, arts, culture and recreation facilities.

Visit our city, enjoy our region and we’ll show you how your experience, products and life can be made great, in Wagga Wagga!

“Wagga Wagga already functions like a capital city”.

BERNARD SALT, DEMOGRAPHER Wagga@100k: Planning for a bigger community 27 September 2019

Job creation and economic development

Government -led studies

Fast track planning

Government -led development

Infrastructure investment

Business Concierge

Special Activation Precinct NSW Targeting 30-day development approval within the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct.

A world-class business precinct, the large industrial lots and commercial hubs within the precinct will capitalise on the inland rail, and focus on advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, recycling, renewables, freight and logistics.

Eco-Industrial Precinct setting the benchmark for sustainable industrial development focusing on circular economy and green energy opportunities.

Once in a generation infrastructure project The Australian government is spending $10 billion to connect Melbourne and Brisbane shipping ports through 1700 km of freight rail lines.

This upgraded rail system will open access to the primary production and agricultural heartland of NSW and connect 80% of Australia’s population within 36 hours.

The biggest & busiest inland port in Australia The Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub will be a dedicated open-access facility operated by Visy Logistics. This inland port will service a 1000+ ha industrial precinct adjoining a 5km master siding off the inland rail route with a capacity to handle up to 2 million containers per year.

Secure & Reliable Water Supply Wagga Wagga has one of the most secure water sources in NSW with surface supplies linked to the Snowy Hydro and extensive groundwater sources across the region.

Ongoing investment in infrastructure and increased allocations allow for future expansion and growth of new and existing businesses. There are no restrictions on industrial water usage.

Advanced + reliable digital connectivity As part of the $100 million NSW Gig State regional connectivity pilot, Wagga Wagga will connect to the world through the fastest and most advanced internet services in the country.

The Riverina is the solar energy capital of Australia With over 300 days of sunshine each year and close proximity to transmission lines, the Riverina has become the solar capital of Australia. The growing number of solar farms generate enough energy to serve 700,000 homes and electricity for approximately 2 million people. Over 16,000 homes also have rooftop solar which increases the areas generation capacity by another 80,000 kW.

Energy Connect

Humelink Wagga Wagga

Adelaide

Bannaby

Snowy 2.0

Tumut

Kerang Link Melbourne

Latrobe Valley

Hobart

By 2025, Wagga Wagga will be the national hub for electricity supply in Australia The NSW Transmission Infrastructure Strategy has Wagga Wagga as the critical hub for electrical interconnectors between Snowy Hydro and South Australia. These 500 kV transmission lines will be connected to over 50 major generation sources that will provide direct access to cheaper renewable energy, as well as reliable base load.

Our central position will ensure Wagga Wagga has access to secure, reliable energy supply. Creating new job opportunities, increased regional activity and lower prices for consumers.

Wagga Wagga has the largest health and knowledge precinct in Australia Wagga Wagga’s 90 hectare Health & Knowledge Precinct has the largest physical site and the most medical specialists in Regional Australia. With a new $450 million hospital, state-of-the-art medical facilities, and training and education facilities on-site, this precinct is more than capable of serving over 350,000 people in the region.

Image: Tyrone Branigan Photography

The best place to start and grow a business Over 100 start-ups developed since 2017 and have been supported by: CSU AgriTech Incubator, Working Spaces HQ, Hubb Hubb, Bridge Hub, and the Regional Pitchfest.

“Wagga Wagga could become the next Silicon Valley of agritech in Australia�

NSW Farmers Association April 2019

Australian agriculture is forecast to be a $100 billion industry by 2050. Industry and government based in Wagga Wagga are leading the way in advancing agriculture through research and technology.

Regional capital of education Wagga Wagga is serviced by three universities as well as top quality technical training facilities and higher education institutions. Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga campus is their largest, University of NSW is expanding their regional medical training capabilities, and The University of Notre Dame offers specialist medical training. TAFE NSW has their largest Riverina campus and National Training Centre located in the city, while younger families have access to 11 private schools and 21 public schools.

Recruit training capital of Australia Thousands of Australians come to Wagga Wagga every year as civilians and march out as soldiers or airmen from Wagga Wagga’s Australian Defence Force bases.

Not only is Wagga Wagga the recruit training capital of the Australian Defence Force, it’s also the home of aviation technical training for the Navy, Army and Air Force.

The Australian Government has flagged almost a billion dollars in new investment at these bases in the coming decades.

Wagga Wagga’s military bases are already being supported by local businesses, but there are growing opportunities to take advantage of the close proximity to thousands of uniformed and civilian Defence Force personnel.

Image: Sharpshots Photography

Where lifestyle & liveability are combined Wagga Wagga’s $362,000 median home price is 50% less than Sydney houses. This means you can spend less time working and have more money to do the things you enjoy.

With over 200,000 passengers per year, Wagga Wagga’s airport facilitates over 140 regular weekly passenger transport flights to Sydney and Melbourne.

Over 1.37 million people visit Wagga Wagga each year for our sporting and cultural events • • • • •

Fusion - Multicultural Street Festival Spring Jam - family festival Wagga Wagga Gold Cup Carnival Food and Wine Festival Gears and Beers - Cycling and Craft Beer & Cider Festival • Stone the Crows - Grey Nomad Festival • Wagga Comedy Fest • Lost Lanes • Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon • Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras • NSW Touch Football Junior State Cup – Southern Conference • Wagga Wagga Pro-Am Image: Lost Lanes by Lean Timms, Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras

by Embarketing and Gears + Beers by Paul Spurling.

Inland sporting capital of regional Australia The Wagga Wagga Effect is a phrase used by the Australian Institute of Sport to describe the disproportionately high number of elite sports people who come from regional cities.

The Wagga Wagga Effect combined with the City’s long-term infrastructure development program attracts national events of all types and sizes to be held within the city.

Call us to find out why so much is happening in Wagga Wagga Customer Service Ph: 1300 292 442 council@wagga.nsw.gov.au

Economic Development

Visitor Economy and Events

business@wagga.nsw.gov.au

visitors@wagga.nsw.gov.au

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.

Front cover image: Fusion, photography by Jack of Hearts