NEXT STAGE IN TOLLAND PROJECT

The Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, has welcomed confirmation of a significant step in the delivery of the Tolland Renewal Project. 

Homes NSW has revealed that construction of Stage 1A subdivision works will start this month and is scheduled for completion late this year, weather permitting. 

The subdivision will deliver 24 residential lots, including social housing, a new community pocket park, roads, landscaping and essential infrastructure. 

Dr McGirr said the works were encouraging. 

“I know the community has been frustrated by delays in delivery of the project, but the start of subdivision works is an important forerunner to the construction of new houses that will become homes for hundreds of people,” he said. 

“At a time when our community is understandably distressed by the level of homelessness in Wagga, I am pleased that the groundwork for the development of new social and affordable housing is about to get under way. 

“The Tolland project will not be enough to solve our housing crisis but as Wagga’s first major investment in social housing in many years, it will deliver modern and secure homes to people in need.” 

Construction of Stages 1B and 1C North subdivisions are expected to begin in 2027, and social housing residents are expected to begin moving into their new homes in 2029. 

Almost 500 new homes will be delivered when the project is completed. 

“The delivery of these new homes will be a landmark in the production of affordable and social housing in Wagga but much more needs to be done to help the homeless in the short term and to build enough houses to meet demand in the medium to long term,” Dr McGirr said. 

“I will continue to advocate for the delivery of new housing stock to our community and to support investigations into any feasible alternative options that might help to get more people into safe housing as soon as possible.”