BREAKTHROUGH IN GOBBA PUSH

The Independent Member for Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, has welcomed news of a significant breakthrough in the push to duplicate the Gobba Bridge.  

In Question Time today, the Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison, advised Dr McGirr that the government would deliver a feasibility study into duplicating the 1.4 km-long bridge.  

The Minister said the NSW Government would fast track network investigations across Wagga’s north, including immediate development of the Gobbagombalin Bridge duplication feasibility study and targeted access upgrades to service the Northern Growth Area.    

Importantly, this feasibility study for long-term Murrumbidgee River crossings, will directly evaluate the duplication of the Gobba Bridge alongside additional river-crossing options. 

This follows a critical first step with the inclusion of the potential duplication of the bridge in the final draft of the government’s Riverina Murray Strategic Integrated Regional Transport Plan (SIRTP) earlier in the year.

 “The SIRTP is a blueprint for the future of transport in our region so having the bridge issue enshrined in the plan is an important breakthrough,” Dr McGirr said. 

 “Even better, in response to a question from me in Parliament today, Minister Aitchison confirmed Transport for NSW would conduct the feasibility study into the duplication proposal. 

 “This is a highly significant step that paves the way for more advocacy to progress planning to the next level and, then hopefully, a second bridge that will underwrite our city’s growth for decades to come.” 

 Today’s announcement follows the tabling in Parliament of a petition signed by more than 10,000 people, calling for the bridge to be duplicated. 

 “The petition sent a powerful message to the Government, and I thank everyone who signed it,” Dr McGirr said. 

 “While there is still a long way to go, and more work will be needed, I am thrilled to have achieved this important starting point and will keep pushing towards the next steps in the planning process. 

 “This progress reflects the determination of our community – with the support of Committee for Wagga and the Wagga Business Chamber - to ‘build a bridge to our future’ and I thank the government for listening to the voices of thousands of people from Wagga and surrounds.”