HAVE YOUR SAY ON INLAND RAIL IMPACT

The community is being asked to have a say on how the construction of Inland Rail will affect Wagga’s transport and liveability over the 18 months of work. 

The Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, has launched an online survey to gather feedback that will be used to advocate for mitigation and management measures. 

“I’m asking people to share their thoughts on how they think road closures, detours and construction activity will affect their ability to travel through the construction zone,” Dr McGirr said. 

“With works to start in September and continue for a year-and-a-half – longer than first expected – it's important that our community has a say about what areas they think will be most affected and how they expect to be impacted
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“I’m very concerned that the developers still have not provided the community with a traffic management plan showing how traffic will move between north and south, especially with the long-term closure of the Edmondson Street bridge likely to cause heavy congestion on alternative routes.” 

Dr McGirr has urged the government not to provide planning approval for the works until plans are in place to show how the effects will be mitigated.
 
“I have met with the Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison, and Transport for NSW to share my concerns and I thank them for taking those concerns seriously,” he said. 

“Feedback from the community will be very helpful in gauging the impact of the work and developing solutions to mitigate the disruption so I hope community members will tell me of their concerns – if any – so that we can work together to manage the planning and delivery of this very significant project.” 

Dr McGirr said he would also continue to press the government not to approve the works until the developers include lifts on new pedestrian bridges so that people with disability have effective access. 

The survey is open until 4 August and can be found at https://joemcgirr.com.au/inland-rail-survey