From the CEO's Desk
Welcome to our October edition of our member newsletter.
C4W, including several of our Board members and member organisations were invited to participate in welcoming 14 members of a Trade Mission for Consular Officials to Wagga Wagga and the Riverina Murray region early in October.The program showcased the region’s key industry sectors and investment opportunities with a particular focus on the advanced manufacturing sector and was hosted by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Austrade and Wagga Wagga City Council.
The Wagga Wagga community is now seeing evidence of the activity at local, state and federal level to invigorate the city with new infrastructure and future opportunities to attract trade, new business and jobs.
Only last week WWCC held the official opening for the first stage of the Active Travel Plan cycleway along the CBD levee. In the not to distant future we will see construction commence on the Pomingalarna Cycling Complex.
Also announced last week was State funding for Stage 3 of the Bomen Industrial Park – in the Special Activation Precinct. This now completes the securing of the funding for all components of the government infrastructure build and will enable the tendering process for construction to commence in 2020. The council plans to use $1.3 million of the funding to improve digital connectivity in the special activation precinct. Enhanced digital connectivity for the SAP & the whole of Wagga Wagga is a priority for C4W and we look forward to seeing what point of difference for the city that this investment can provide.
C4W continues to engage with the NSW Regional Development Corporation in bringing together local stakeholders on 17th September to present the elements of the Special Activation Precinct, benefits and opportunities, including where the State government is at in the master planning process for Wagga Wagga.
Following on from the Wagga Wagga Future Transport Plan Visioning Workshop held in February this year, C4W will be participating in a further Transport for NSW Wagga Wagga Future Transport Plan Initiatives Workshop later in October as they work with Wagga Wagga City Council, RMS, DPC and DPIE to develop a Future Transport Place Plan for Wagga Wagga, including initiatives for investigation for potential commitment or implementation over the next 20 years.
The infrastructure at the Wagga Airport continues to be a subject that is front of mind for many in the Wagga Wagga community; be it the terminal facilities for travellers, the cost of operation for Council or the opportunity for commercial development. The recent announcement of a new $100 million federal grant program adds another dynamic to the equation.
As stated when announcing the Regional Airports Program last week, Riverina MP and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack "For many regional communities, the local airport provides an essential link to the rest of Australia" – with Wagga Wagga being the designated hub of the Riverina, the Wagga Wagga airport is an essential link for the Riverina to the rest of Australia and it needs to upgraded to reflect that role – by whatever means available.
Earlier this year Council engaged the Wagga business community in a comprehensive Economic Development Study. The report is now available to the public. The findings from this report will help guide Council’s economic development strategy and initiatives to grow the region.
Some key findings include:
· 70% of businesses are confident/extremely confident about their past 2 years' performance and future 2 years
· 60% of businesses likely/very likely to encourage other businesses to move to Wagga Wagga
· 52% of businesses reported an increase in sales over the past 2 years
I encourage readers to visit the Business tab on Council’s website or WaggaView/Business to download the full report.
I would like to acknowledge the engagement of the business community, Local and State Government and our elected representatives in supporting and attending the Wagga Wagga 100,000 seminar in September (see separate article for more details), along with our guest panellists and keynote speaker Bernard Salt. C4W sees this seminar as the beginning of a journey for the City, which will require elevated levels of collaboration and engagement between government, industry and the community in order to realise a city of 100,000 residents which we will all be proud of.
Regards,
Alan Johnston, CEO