Gobba petition passes target

The voices of thousands of people determined to build a bridge to Wagga’s future will soon be taken to parliament, following a huge response to a petition to duplicate the Gobba Bridge. 

The petition – led by the Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr and supported by Committee for Wagga (C4W) and the Wagga Business Chamber – has now attracted more than 10,000 signatures which will trigger a debate in parliament, with Dr McGirr to table the petition this month ahead of debate in the House in upcoming sittings. 

Dr McGirr said the response to the petition has sent a powerful message to the government. 

“To exceed our target in less than eight months shows the determination of people from within Wagga and surrounding towns to underwrite our future by building a bridge that will meet the needs of a fast-growing community,” he said. 

“I’ve taken every opportunity to remind the government of the importance of this project and am looking forward to taking that message to the floor of the House when the petition is debated. 

“This is a huge project that will take time to deliver but with more than 10,000 voices calling for change, we can continue to pressure the government to take the preliminary steps that will open the way for a future duplication.” 

The Business Manager of the Wagga Business Chamber, Sally Manning, said the business sector strongly supported this investment in the city’s future. 

“Business owners hosted the petition and encouraged people to sign because they can see that we will need a new river crossing if we are to achieve our economic and social potential and firmly believe that the time to start planning for it is now,” she said. 

C4W Chief Executive Officer Scott Sanbrook said the bridge duplication has been identified as once of the city’s most important projects, which was reflected in the powerful response to the petition. 

“This is a clear message from Wagga Wagga – the bridge duplication is essential to our future and with 10,000-plus people adding their names to the call, we look forward to having our voices heard by the government,” he said. 

Dr McGirr, Ms Manning and Mr Sanbrook thanked all those who supported the petition, saying advocacy will continue for the duplication.