Wagga Wagga Live Work Invest

1i heart wa gga wa gga

Wagga WaggaInvest.Work.Live.

2 i heart wa gga wa gga

Wa gga Wa gga

‘Did you know the Aboriginal inhabitants of the Wagga Wagga region were the Wiradjuri people and the term ‘Wagga’ is thought to mean crow, and saying Wagga twice is the plural, thus Wagga Wagga is the ‘Place of Many Crows’. The City has adopted the image of the crow as its icon. Crows are amongst the most intelligent of birds, are adaptable and resilient and a truely iconic bird of the Australian bush.’

Welcome. 3

Live. 5

Education 7

Charles Sturt University 7

EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation 7

TAFE NSW Riverina Institute 7

Riverina Conservatorium of Music 7

Rex’s Australian Airline Pilot Academy 7

UNSW’s Wagga Wagga Campus Rural

Clinical School 7

Health Care 8

Hospitals 8

Calvary Day Procedure Centre 9

Riverina Cancer Care Centre 9

Regional Imaging Riverina 9

Nursing Homes 9

Other Services 9

General Practice Surgeries 9

Ronald McDonald House 9

Lilier Lodge 9

Medical Recruitment 9

Sport 11

Migration 12

Kunming 12

Nordlingen 12

Leavenworth 12

Accommodation 13

Prices 13

Home Loan Repayments 13

Rents 13

Seniors Living 13

Tourism 15

Arts & Culture 16

Australian Army Band Kapooka 16

Community Services 17

Library Service 17

Work. 19

Employment 20

Working in Wagga Wagga 22

Invest. 29

Population 30

Gross Regional Product 31

Bomen Business Park 32

Transport Infrastructure 34

Road 34

Rail 34

Air 34

Master Planning 35

Economic Drivers 36

The Agricultural Sector & Downstream Value-adding 36

Riverina Oil & Bio Energy 36

Cargill Beef Australia 36

Heinz Australia 36

Wagga Wagga Farmers Markets 36

Wineries 36

CSU Cheese Factory 36

Agricultural, Food & Beverage Education & Research 36

Retail Sector 38

Partnerships 39

Counci l. 41

Council’s Role in Wagga Wagga’s Economy 41

Contents

Did you know?

According to Dame Edna’s autobiography,

she was born Edna May Beazley

in ‘the rural city of Wagga Wagga.’


Autumn in the Riverina


By 2026, Wagga Wagga in southern NSW will have cemented its place as the leading regional city in Australia for sustainable business and balanced living.

Welcome to Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga is one of Australia’s largest inland cities and is currently growing at an annual rate higher than the state average. This strong growth rate underpins its economy and lifestyle.

The city is the capital of the Riverina with strengths in defence, manufacturing, agriculture and education.

Wagga Wagga has secure water, electricity and natural gas supplies, affordable and easily accessible land, extensive infrastructure and excellent road, rail and air links to the major metropolitan markets of Sydney and Melbourne.

It has first-class educational facilities, including two university campuses, three TAFE campuses, eight secondary high schools, a music conservatorium and a new state-of-the-art pilot training academy. These facilities offer training for a variety of professions and trades.

All major sports are played in the city and facilities include an indoor heated swimming complex, well-maintained cricket, football and hockey grounds, a number of indoor stadiums and netball complex. Wagga Wagga has some wonderful museums, while its art and cultural activities attract people from throughout Australia and the world.

Assisting and guiding the city’s development is the 26-member team employed by the Wagga Wagga City Council’s Commercial and Economic Directorate. The Directorate takes a fully integrated approach, working closely with other Council departments in generating positive outcomes for new and existing businesses.

If you are a new business wishing to relocate, or an existing business wishing to expand, our mission is to assist you! Please don’t hesitate to contact us on 1300 292 442.

The city welcomes you and invites you to become part of Wagga Wagga’s exciting future.

4 live in wa gga wa gga

the lifestyle options for my kids

5live in wa gga wa gga

The city of Wagga Wagga is known for many things, the Garden City of the South, the City of Good Sports and the Place of Many Crows.

Live

A total of 63,000 people called Wagga Wagga home in 2009.

The vast majority (90 percent) reside in the urban area with the balance living on farms and in the surrounding villages of Collingullie, Currawarna, Galore, Uranquinty, Mangoplah, Humula, Tarcutta, Ladysmith and Oura.

Wagga Wagga is ideally located in southern NSW on the Murrumbidgee River, part of the Murray-Darling Catchment Area. It is also located on trade routes that link Sydney and Melbourne, as well as Sydney and Adelaide.

The city is located:

• a short distance west of the Hume Highway (the major national highway);

• on the main southern railway line that connects Sydney and Melbourne;

• at the intersection of the Sturt Highway and the Olympic Highway (linking central and southern NSW with Adelaide and Melbourne); and

• a comfortable 2.5-hour drive from the national capital of Canberra.

The city’s modern airport is used by major airlines to operate 146 weekly services to Sydney and Melbourne, while national bus operators provide services to regional cities and metropolitan areas.

Covering 4866 square kilometres, the city’s Local Government Area extends east to the foothills of the Snowy Mountains and west to the Riverina plains.

The original inhabitants were the Wiradjuri Aboriginal people, with European settlement dating from the early 1830s.

Wagga Wagga offers residents a range of community services, and competitively priced land and housing in a variety of charming country locations as well as in the heart of Wagga Wagga. There are excellent community services, national retail outlets, well-respected educational institutions (including Charles Sturt University) and efficient transport links.


the excitement of starting to study again


Wagga Wagga trains doctors, dentists, veterinarians, school teachers, pharmacists, winemakers, accountants, musicians, scientists, agricultural specialists, pilots, hospitality workers and a whole host of tradespeople.

The city boasts:

• The Wagga Wagga campus of Charles Sturt University;

• Three campuses of the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute;

• Eight secondary schools (private and public);

• Twenty-four primary schools (private and public);

• Twenty-five early childhood and preschool facilities;

• Two specialist education facilities for children with learning and intellectual disabilities;

• The Riverina Music Conservatorium;

• Wagga Wagga campus of the University of NSW’s Rural Clinical School; and the University of Notre Dame’s clinical school attached to Calvary Healthcare Riverina’.

• Regional Express (Rex) Australian Airline Pilot Academy.

• Defence force training facilities at Kapooka (Army) and Forest Hill (RAAF, Army and Navy).

Charles Sturt University

In 2008, Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga recorded a total student enrolment of 12,000. More than 100 courses were provided including degrees in arts, commerce, education, health, science, dentistry, veterinary science and agriculture. The university is also well known throughout Australia and overseas for the production of its award-winning wines and cheeses.

EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation

An alliance between Industry and Investment NSW and Charles Sturt University, the EH Graham Centre undertakes world-class collaborative research and education that addresses the global challenges of climate change, water scarcity, food security, biosecurity, pest management and environmental and human health. Since beginning operation in 2005, strong global links have been established with a number of countries, including China, India, Pakistan, Cambodia, Vietnam, East Timor, the Philippines, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada and the United States.

TAFE NSW Riverina Institute

A total of 10,000 students are enrolled in Wagga Wagga TAFE courses with the city home to three of the Riverina Institute’s campuses. As well as a wide range of trade courses offered by the Riverina Institute, specialist training courses are provided by the Primary Industries Centre (North Wagga Wagga), the National Aerospace Centre of Excellence (Forest Hill RAAF Base) and the Tourism and Technology Centre (City Campus). This is in addition to a wide range of trade courses offered by the City Campus.

Riverina Conservatorium of Music

The Conservatorium, the region’s Centre of Musical Excellence, fosters the strong cultural and musical interests of pupils from infants to those well into their 80s. A total of 1100 students are currently enrolled. Students can study as individuals, in shared classes or in groups, and can choose from a variety of instruments. The Conservatorium supports a number of ensembles and choirs and also provides links to the cultural arts of the region.

Rex’s Australian Airline Pilot Academy

The academy, which opened in 2010, will train more than 200 pilots annually for both Australian and international airlines. Its state-of-the-art facility will include modern classrooms, flight simulators, new training aircraft, motel-style accommodation, as well as social and recreational facilities.

UNSW’s Wagga Wagga Campus Rural Clinical School

Located within the grounds of the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, the School accepts full-time medical students in Years 4, 5 and 6 and short-term students in Year 6. The aim of the School is to give students clinical exposure leading up to their graduation.

The city of Wagga Wagga could also be called the Education Capital of southern NSW.

Education

Did you know?

In 2009, Meghan Batcheldor from Wagga

Christian College was awarded second place in

the National Electrotechnology School Student

Awards for her homemade solar cell.


There are 88 medical specialists, and another 52 general practitioners. The ability to access the vast majority of medical specialties in Wagga Wagga alleviates the need for residents to travel to city-based hospitals for all but a few of their medical requirements.

Most medical facilities are conveniently located within two blocks of each other and less than five minutes from the city’s Central Business District.

Hospitals

There are two acute hospitals, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, a 220-bed facility, and Calvary Health Care Riverina, a privately operated 104-bed facility.

Wagga Wagga Base Hospital has an Emergency Department which is open 24 hours a day.

Calvary Health Care Riverina is one of the largest private hospitals in NSW. It contains 5 theatres, a nine-bed Intensive Care Unit and a 10-bed High Dependency Unit staffed by specialist nurses and doctors. It also runs one of the few private obstetric facilities in regional NSW.

Medical specialties generally available are listed below.

Medical Specialty

• Anaesthetics• Cardiology• Dermatology• Gastroenterology• Ear, nose and throat• Medical oncology• Obstetrics and gynecology• Endocrinology• Medicine• Orthopaedics• Ophthalmology• Neurology• Paediatrics• Rheumatology• Pathology• Radiology• Surgery

being 10 minutes from my patients

Wagga Wagga’s healthcare sector services a catchment of some 250,000 people.

Health Care


Calvary Day Procedure Centre

This modern facility provides a comprehensive range of medical and surgical services, including paediatric procedures. The Centre provides services to a large number of people living in the Riverina and South West Slopes.

Riverina Cancer Care Centre

Located within the grounds of Calvary Hospital, this purpose-built centre offers radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment to residents living within central and southern NSW. It was built through a regional campaign which raised a staggering $4.5m for the building. These same communities throughout the Riverina and South West Slopes also contributed $500,000 towards the construction of Lilier Lodge, a motel-style facility that provides low-cost accommodation for cancer patients and their carers.

Regional Imaging Riverina

Also located in a purpose-built building attached to Calvary Hospital, the facility provides a comprehensive diagnostic imaging service including 16 multislice CT, ultrasound, MRI and Nuclear Medicine, a cardiac catheter laboratory and 24-hour on-call radiologist support.

Regional Imaging Riverina is part of the Regional Imaging Limited Group and a member of the I-MED Network, Australia’s largest private diagnostic imaging group.

Nursing Homes

Several nursing homes are located in the city, including the Wendy Hucker Nursing Home located at The Haven (60 beds), The Forrest Centre (50 beds), Loreto Home of Compassion (66 beds) and Caloola Court (45 beds). Each facility has its own dementia unit with a combined total of 71 beds. Hostel accommodation for seniors is available at The Haven (67 beds), Caloola Court (67 beds) and the RSL LifeCare Remembrance Village (37 beds).

Other Services

Regional Imaging Cardiovascular Centre, a fully accredited day surgery unit, provides comprehensive diagnostic and interventional vascular and cardiac services; Riverina Cardiology provides state-of-the-art cardiac investigation; the Wagga Endoscopy Centre provides endoscopy services; and an Acute Stroke Unit supports people suffering from strokes.

General Practice Surgeries

Wagga Wagga has 45 GPs working out of 14 surgeries. With a low GP-to- patient ratio, the waiting time to see a doctor is short. The city also has a seven-day-a-week after-hours GP service, with doctors manning a surgery during the early evening, as well as an on-call service at other times of the night and early morning.

Ronald McDonald House

Located within a stroll of the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, this facility incorporates the 93.1 StarFM Kids Kottage and provides accommodation for families whose children are receiving treatment at the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. It was constructed from funds raised through a major appeal led by Wagga Waggabased radio station, StarFM. The House contains four bedrooms as well as a modern kitchen, dining and lounge rooms and a playroom for children.

Lilier Lodge

This 20-bedroom facility, together with large lounge room and kitchen/dining room, provides low-cost accommodation for cancer patients and their families who are receiving treatment in Wagga Wagga. It was also built thanks to a major fundraising campaign conducted throughout southern NSW, which raised $500,000. Financial support was also received from the Cancer Patients Assistance Society (now CanAssist) and The Cancer Council that jointly operate the facility.

Medical Recruitment

Calvary Health Care Riverina operates a medical specialist recruitment program aimed at recruiting enthusiastic medical professionals. Opportunities exist for visiting medical officers and staff specialists in either private practice or through the University of NSW’s Rural Clinical School.

Did you know?

Wagga Wagga’s own Dr Ayman Shenouda,

general practitioner at Glenrock Country

Practice, Wagga Wagga, was awarded The Royal

Australian College of General Practitioners

2009 General Practitioner of the Year Award.


making new friends


The city of Wagga Wagga is known far and wide as the City of Good Sports and over many years has produced some of the country’s leading sporting professionals.

Sport

They include cricketers Mark Taylor, Michael Slater and Geoff Lawson; rugby league footballers Peter, Steve and Chris Mortimer, Greg Brentall and Peter Sterling; rugby union international Ken McMullen, Australian Rules footballers Cameron Mooney, Wayne Carey and Paul Kelly; Olympian and Commonwealth Games triathlon gold medalist Brad Kahlefeldt; 2004 Athens Olympic Games 400 x 400m relay silver medalist Patrick Dwyer; two-time Olympic hockey representative Melanie Twitt; and international golfer Steve Elkington.

This success, to a large extent, can be attributed to the city’s superior sporting and equestrian facilities as well as its many dedicated coaches and administrators.

Wagga Wagga has 20 well-maintained sporting fields, as well as a host of other sporting facilities, including netball and tennis courts and lawn bowling greens.

One jewel in the sporting crown is the Oasis Swimming and Recreation Centre. Built in the early 2000s for $17m, it provides year-round water activities for swimmers of all ages and abilities and hosts state and national events.

Next door is the indoor Bolton Park Sports Stadium with its basketball and volleyball courts and large gymnasium.

The Australian Clay Target Association has its national headquarters in the city and its international-standard facilities attract competitors from the four corners of the world.

Wagga Wagga also boasts a highly credentialed horse racing facility, the Murrumbidgee Turf Club, which runs regular TAB meetings. The highlight of the horse racing calendar is the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup Racing Carnival, which is held in the first week of May every year and attracts 17,000 people from all over the country.

Did you know?

In 1829, explorer Charles Sturt and his party

traversed the Wagga Wagga area, and in fact rowed

and sailed down the length of the Murrumbidgee

River from Narrandera to the Murray, then down

the Murray to the sea. They also rowed, sailing when

possible, back up against the current, a round

trip over 3600 kms!


In the 2010 Australia Day Honours, Wagga Wagga resident Erwin Richter was recognised for his support and assistance to refugees and immigrants over a 60-year period. “We have to show compassion to those in need,” he said. There are many individuals and organisations helping people resettle in the Wagga Wagga community.

In June 2006, the city was home to 4,080 people who were born overseas.

Approximately one-third were born in North-West Europe with the next highest category born in New Zealand and other parts of Oceania.

More recently, a number of refugees from North Africa and the Sub-Sahara have settled in the city as part of the Federal Government’s immigration program.

Wagga Wagga has sister city links with Germany (Nordlingen, Bavaria), China (Kunming, Yunnan Province) and the United States (Leavenworth, Kansas).

Kunming

Since becoming a Sister City in 1988, Kunming has hosted several exchange events and festivals attended by a number of Wagga Wagga civic dignitaries and community representatives. Wagga Wagga’s gift to Kunming was a children’s playground while Kunming reciprocated with a Chinese Pavilion (located in the Botanic Gardens).

Nordlingen

A Sister City affiliation was established in 1967 and many visits have been organised between the two cities on an official basis. Wagga Wagga musicians and singers have also travelled to Nordlingen to perform in special festivals. Nordlingen is a medieval walled city and its history dates back more than 1000 years.

Leavenworth

A popular destination for Miss Wagga Wagga and Community Princess representatives, Leavenworth and Wagga Wagga became sister cities in 1962. Many official visits have been conducted between the two cities since that time while informal visits by representatives of the two communities are becoming increasingly popular.

the warmth of country hospitality

Wagga Wagga is a multicultural city and proud of its links with many countries.

Migration


Wagga Wagga is an affordable city in which to buy and rent houses and units with an increasing number of people achieving the Great Australian Dream here.

Wagga Wagga was ranked 12th within NSW cities to take up the Commonwealth Government’s First Home Owner’s Grant, with 400 families taking advantage of the grant. This scheme, together with the relatively low-cost of housing, has been instrumental in the increasing number of people buying their own homes (a 6.8 percent increase between 2001 and 2006).

Prices

In the March quarter of 2009, the median price of houses sold in Wagga Wagga was $260,000 (a decrease of 1.9 percent on 2008), which is similar to Albury the nearest city of comparable size. Median prices reported by surrounding localities are lower in general than in Wagga Wagga, but virtually the same median prices are recorded in Albury. March quarter 2009 median prices in Sydney and Melbourne were $447,000 and $375,000 respectively.

At the same time, the average price of a unit or townhouse was $180,000. Over the five-year period 2004 to 2009, house prices increased by 3.7 percent per annum on average, and unit and townhouses by 5.4 percent per annum on average.

Home Loan Repayments

The average monthly home loan repayment in 2006 was $1306, less than the state average ($1709).

Rents

People renting houses in Wagga Wagga in the June quarter of 2009, on average, paid $269 per week which was above the median rental for regional NSW. Rents have increased in recent years, which is partly correlated to the strong population growth amongst other factors.

Seniors Living

When the youngest of Australia’s surviving “baby boomers” reaches 65 years of age, the nation’s population aged 65 and over is projected to reach 5.4 million. In Wagga Wagga, that could equate to more than 20,000 people. The city is conscious of the need for planning to meet the demands of its senior residents. A large retirement village is located in the northern suburb of Estella (Settlers Village), a second is located in Glenfield (Riverina Gums), while work on a third large village (The Grange) is well underway. In addition to these large lifestyle villages, there are several smaller facilities for seniors living including the high-quality and centrally located Watermark.

Wagga Wagga offers housing for young and old, families and singles, in urban, suburban and rural settings.

Accommodation

Did you know?

The infamous Ten Mile Race was organised

for the 3rd day of the annual Wagga Wagga race

meeting on 20 November 1868. Notable Wagga

Wagga identity James Gormly, twice mayor

of Wagga Wagga and a State member, was one

of the marathon jockeys and came fourth

in this punishing race.


afternoon wine & cheese tastings at CSU


Gourmet food, wine and events - these are just three things that attract people to Wagga Wagga from all corners of the country.

Tourism

Add the regular passing out parades at both the city’s Army Base (Kapooka) and the Air Force Base (Forest Hill) and it’s no wonder visitor numbers are continuing to climb.

Almost half of all visitors who spend a night in the Riverina Tourism Region spend that night in Wagga Wagga. Accommodation takings in 2008 were estimated to be $24.5m, a huge increase of 17.5 percent compared with the previous 12 months.

Popular with visitors are two of the city’s major festivals - the Food and Wine Festival held in March and the Jazz and Blues Festival held in September.

The yearly graduation ceremonies at Charles Sturt University also attract large numbers of people as do major sporting events, theatre productions and art exhibitions.

The city also hosts southern NSW’s major sporting event - the autumn horse racing carnival. The highlight of the carnival is the running of the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup on the first Friday of May.

Wagga Wagga is located close to some of the best snow skiing areas in Australia, large lakes for boating and fishing enthusiasts, and only two hours drive away from the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area - the food bowl of Australia. The city boasts several notable restaurants and has an active theatre and arts community that regularly produces its own shows and musicals, as well as supporting visiting theatre productions.

Did you know?

Bushrangers were part of Wagga Wagga’s

life in the 1800s. The Wagga Wagga police

magistrate Henry Baylis was bailed up by

Mad Dog Morgan in 1863. Captain Moonlite

and his band arrived in the district on 15

November, 1879 and held up 39 people

at Wantabadgery Station.


As a regional city, Wagga Wagga has an extraordinary range of museums, galleries, theatres and cinemas complemented by a variety of annual festivals.

The major venue for local and touring productions is the 500-seat Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, nestled in the city’s scenic Civic Precinct overlooking Wollundry Lagoon. It has hosted some of the country’s best-loved musicals and plays while many leading Australian and international artists have appeared on its stage.

Located nearby is the 250-seat Riverina Playhouse, the venue for up and coming actors attending Charles Sturt University. The city has one huge outdoor venue, the Wagga Wagga Music Bowl (capable of accommodating 10,000-plus people), as well as a couple of smaller outdoor facilities - the Amphitheatre and Memorial Gardens stage.

Residents and visitors can also attend a number of free events including Carols by Candlelight and Twilight by the Lagoon concerts.

A major privately owned cinema complex boasts six cinemas and screens the latest movies as well as being the venue for touring film festivals.

The city has two museum sites - the Historic Council Chambers and the Botanic Gardens site - which houses the Sporting Hall of Fame. The Civic Precinct also includes the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and the National Art Glass Collection.

As well as the Riverina Conservatorium of Music’s choir, the Cantilena Singers, there are two special choirs in Wagga. They are the Australian Rugby Choir (one of only two in Australia) and Murrumbidgee Magic, an all women barber shop harmony group.

Australian Army Band Kapooka

Wagga Wagga is home to the Australian Army Band Kapooka, which performs regularly in the city and throughout the Riverina region. In 2009, the band was awarded the city’s highest honour - the Freedom of the City - for services to the community over many years.

Australian Army Band Kapooka was deployed twice to East Timor where they performed to the United Nations Troops and the local East Timorese community. In July 2004, the Band was deployed to the Solomon Islands.

Wagga Wagga loves the arts and its cultural assets.

Arts & Culture

Did you know?

The Archibald Prize Finalists works were exhibited

at the Wagga Wagga Art gallery in 2010. In 2009 the

Wagga Wagga Art Gallery presented 41 exhibitions across

six exhibition spaces, including 12 touring exhibitions,

11 Wagga Wagga Art Gallery Initiatives and 19 exhibitions

by Riverina based artists and community groups. Over

42,000 people visited the Gallery in 2009.


There are many hundreds of groups and organisations that cater for Wagga Wagga’s diverse and multicultural population.

They range from family daycare services for children, animal welfare groups, bird and wildlife fanciers, wood workers, men’s shed, book clubs and service clubs.

Almost all interests are catered for in the city. A 52-page book of clubs and service providers is available on the Wagga Wagga City Council’s website www.wagga.nsw.gov.au and events are advertised in the monthly What’s On In Wagga Wagga guide which is produced by the Wagga Wagga Visitor Information Centre. A copy can be obtained by emailing [email protected]

Library Service

Wagga Wagga is the headquarters of the modern Riverina Regional Library, the largest regional library service in NSW. It provides library services to the constituents of nine local government areas, including the Shires of Coolamon, Cootamundra, Greater Hume, Gundagai, Junee, Lockhart, Temora, Tumut and the City of Wagga Wagga. Open six days a week, the Wagga Wagga City Library has access to more than 100,000 books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and online information.

Wagga Wagga is a dynamic, friendly city that welcomes and encourages participation by its residents, new and old, in the affairs of the city.

Community Services

Did you know?

‘The Boy from Wagga Wagga’, actor Bill

Kerr, was instrumental in making Wagga

Wagga known throughout England through

his work on the radio show Hancock’s Half Hour in the 1950s.

18 work in wa gga wa gga

giving the freedom & fexibility of a regional city

19work in wa gga wa gga

Wagga Wagga provides the opportunity for challenging and satisfying careers, and being a regional area frustrations like commuting time, traff ic congestion and concrete jungles are non-existent!

Work

In 2010 the city’s labour force totaled 32,608 persons with the majority of those people employed in retail, health care, defence, manufacturing, education and accommodation and food services. The economy is well diversified and as such enjoys a relatively stable employment level. Unemployment in March, 2010 was 4.2 percent, which was below the NSW State average of 5.9%.

Compared with state averages, the city has a relatively high proportion of tradespeople, labourers, clerical workers and service workers. Knowledge, skills and training are supported by the educational institutions, including Charles Sturt University, NSW Riverina Institute of TAFE and Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute.

Wagga Wagga is the region’s retail centre for higher order products and services and the key industry and administration centre for the region. As the region’s major centre, it has a significant property and business sector as well as a diverse range of community and cultural services and infrastructure.


Did you know?

The soldier’s club at Kapooka is named

after John Hurst Edmonson, Australia’s f irst

Victoria Cross winner in World War II,

who was born in Wagga Wagga.

The city’s workforce is centred on the retail, commercial and industrial precincts. The major retail focus is located in the Central Business District. With the steady and sustained expansion of the city, retail hubs have been established in several suburbs, particularly to the city’s south.

Light industry and service centres are located along major road networks in both the eastern and western areas while the Bomen Business Park, designed to cater for larger industries, has been established to the north.

As part of the city’s plan, new road networks, such as the Olympic Highway which rings the western edge of the city, have been built to provide speedy access for commuters around the urban area to places of employment. Extensive car parking areas (including all-day parking areas) have also been established in the CBD. Traffic calming measures are in operation along the city’s main street, Baylis Street, which allows vehicular access whilst encouraging traffic to use the well-defined parallel streets on either side .

The Wagga Wagga workforce is characterised by loyalty, a dedication to the job and a great range of knowledge and skills.

Employment

helping the city grow


It is notable that employment in the Public Administration and Safety sector includes the two defence force bases. The Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC), located at Kapooka just south of Wagga Wagga, is the “Home of the Soldier”. Its focus is on recruit training and produces the highest quality soldiers (male and female) for the Australian Army. The course is deliberately challenging and incorporates physical training, weapon handling and shooting, first aid, drill and field craft.

The RAAF Base at Forest Hill has been an integral part of the Wagga Wagga community for 70 years. It offers technical and non-technical initial employment and post-graduate training that is fundamental to the delivery of military air and space power in support of national objectives.

The f igure below illustrates the diversity of Wagga Wagga’s Employment.

Retail Trade

Health Care & Social Assistance

Public Administration & Safety

Education & Training

Manufacturing

Accommodation & Food Services

Construction

Transport, Postal & Warehousing

Other Services

Agricultural, Forestry & Fishing

Wholesale Trade

Professional, Scientific & Technical Services

Administration & Supports Services

Financial & Insurance Services

Informations Media & Telecommunications

Rental, Hiring & Real Estate Services

Electricity, Gas, Water & Waster Services

Arts & Recreation Services

Mining

13.7

%

12.4%

11.9%

10.8%

8.4%

7.4%

5.2%

4.5%

4.4%

3.8%

3.8%

3.7%2.7%

2.4%1.5%

1.5%1.0%0.8%0.1%

Source: ABC (2007)


Working in Wagga Wagga

Steve JacksonImport / Export Manager Precision Parts, Wagga Wagga

Steve Jackson has lived in Wagga Wagga for 26 years after moving from Newcastle. ‘Since moving to Wagga Wagga I have found the general pace of life is much more relaxed. When I travel back to Newcastle, I find the city is busy and seemingly overcrowded. I love the open space, parks and gardens which are great for families. The sporting opportunities are really exceptional’ says Steve.

‘I started at Precision Parts Australia Pty Ltd (a family business) in 1988 as a Fitter/Machinist and my position grew with the company. Over the years I have become a Section Supervisor, Foreman, Production Manager, Operations Manager, Product Manager and International Procurement Manager.’

Precision Parts is the market leader in automotive harmonic balancers and engine pulleys to the Australian aftermarket with sales over $14 million, and 65 staff. Steve maintains the company’s stock levels for Precision Part’s Wagga Wagga based factory and its overseas warehouses. He travels overseas to maintain international supplier relationships and to review their factory processes so as to maintain quality procedures. ‘I also review possible future suppliers and assess their suitability to Precision Part’s needs’ says Steve.

‘I have to do a reasonable amount of travel, and I find Wagga Wagga’s location and services make this easy for both travelling to the metropolitan areas as well as overseas.’

‘I have always enjoyed working at Precision Parts. As well as my day-to-day tasks, I have input into Product Development which is a great challenge. I also like that our business is a major contributor to jobs in Wagga Wagga and the economy.’

Steve has raised his family in Wagga Wagga. ‘I feel the schools relate closely to the neighborhoods and generate a really personal relationship with the kids and their families.’

Steve sees his retirement in Wagga Wagga as living on a small rural property so as to enjoy the country, but still take advantage of the what city has to offer. ‘I think that Wagga Wagga is large enough for my children to build their own future here, if they want to.’

l iving and working in Wagga Wagga.


Jessie WythesCasual Teacher & Wagga Showgirl 2010

Jessie Wythes has lived in Wagga Wagga for three years, and studied for her teacher’s degree at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.

Currently Jessie is building up her professional experience.

‘Being a casual teacher I am thrown into a different teaching environment every day. I find it incredibly rewarding to rise to the challenge every day, diversifying my teaching strategies and developing skills and teaching resources. At any one time you might have 30 different students in your class, each with very different personalities, interests and things that motivate them. It is challenging yet thoroughly enjoyable catering to their individual and group needs to ensure that the children are getting the most out of their school day.’

Jessie’s day includes classroom teaching, sports coordination, leading excursions, developing resources, writing units of work aimed at specific students, dealing with students needs and making sure they are happy and healthy.

‘As I grow as a teacher and build up some experience I aim to develop resources that relate specifically to the context of the rural child. I want to be able to create units of work that enable teachers to teach rural and urban children about where food comes from in a hands on, practical way that relates specifically to the interests of the child.’

Jessie sees Wagga Wagga as an ideal place for her to live in the future both from lifestyle and professional perspectives. ‘I have my roots in the country and can gain experience in rural schools and rural industries, whilst Sydney is close and readily accessible, which will allow me to be associated with organisations that are driving the sort of change in schools that interest me.’

‘Wagga is great place to live. It has a strong sporting community and lots to do outdoors, particularly with our beautiful river. There is a great social atmosphere in Wagga, there is always something to do on the weekend, and there are lots of young people here.‘

‘Wagga Wagga has lovely cafes and restaurants and a thriving shopping community. The cost of living is so much less than the city, yet it is smack in the middle of Melbourne and Sydney which are both readily accessible; you can be in the city within an hour by plane. It is also really close to the snowfields, so you can have a decent day trip to the snow with very little hassle.’


Slade StanleyBuilder, Wagga Wagga

Slade Stanley has lived in Wagga Wagga for 16 years and is a self-employed builder. Slade completed his Carpentry Apprenticeship over four years and his Building Supervision over three years in Wagga Wagga.

“I mostly build new homes and do the occasional renovation. I enjoy seeing the end result - a new home for my client!’ says Slade.

‘I find that Wagga Wagga is a big enough city to fulfil all my business needs, but not too busy that you are caught up in the hustle and bustle of a large city. I especially like the fact that there is no traffic. In Wagga Wagga I am central to some other large cities like Canberra, Albury Wodonga and Griffith. And what I most enjoy is it allows me to pursue my passion of Jet Sprinting!’

Slade is the current Australian and World Champion in the International Group A Jet Sprinting Class!

‘I would like to eventually start a larger building company in Wagga Wagga as I believe it has the economy to support my career aspirations.’

opportunity


Kenneth MeyerTeacher in Electrotechnology, Riverina Institute of TAFE, Wagga Wagga

Ken moved to Wagga Wagga from Richmond, NSW in 1991. ‘When I first moved to Richmond it took a 45 minute drive to get to work in Granville. The day we left Richmond (19 years ago) that same drive took 1 hour and 20 minutes. I now walk to work in 30 minutes. Wagga offers most of the services of the city with all the advantage of a country town’ says Ken.

‘I grew up in Tumut and have always loved the region’ says Ken.

Ken has a degree in VET teaching, an Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering and 5 years industry experience. For the last three years Ken has worked with the Riverina Institute of TAFE as a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Teacher in Electrotechnology. He has seen major growth in this area, with a $10 million investment in the TAFE’s new electrotechnology facility, a further $10 million planned investment for the fitting and machining trades in 2011, and the introduction of the only dedicated Diploma in Electronic Communications for Air Services Australia.

‘What gives me great satisfaction is being able to encourage the young tradespeople into further study to improve their skills, and then to see them gain employment in the region using their skills.’

Ken provides courses at the Certificate IV level in industrial electrical instrumentation, PLCs and industrial automation, and a Certificate V Diploma of Electrical Engineering.


Noreen CubisQuality Manager, Riverina Division of General Practice & Primary Health Ltd

Noreen Cubis has lived in Wagga Wagga for 18 years. She is the Quality Manager for the Riverina Division of General Practice & Primary Health Ltd incorporating Barrier Division (Broken Hill and district).

The Riverina Division of General Practice and Primary Health Ltd (RDGH&PH) was established in 1993 and is a not-for-profit organisation committed to improving health outcomes for individuals and the community.

The Division’s Head Office is situated in Wagga Wagga. The Division expanded its boundaries with the incorporation of the former Barrier Division of General Practice in July 2008 and so has an office in Broken Hill.

The Division’s boundaries now encompass the communities of Wagga Wagga, Adelong, Ardlethan, Ariah Park, Barmedman, Batlow, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Ganmain, Gundagai, Henty, Junee, Lockhart, Stockinbingal, Talbingo, Tarcutta, Temora, The Rock, Tumbarumba, Tumut, West Wyalong, Ungarie, Broken Hill, Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Wilcannia, Ivanhoe and Menindee.

Noreen is a registered nurse by profession, and has been in her current position for 5 years. Noreen has a Certificate in Quality Management, and this coupled with her experience in quality management, and knowledge and experience with the Australian Council Health Care Standards (ACHS) and other accreditation agencies, provide her with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform her current role.

“I find the real challenge of my work is in achieving best practice in our organisation – through implementing and evaluating corporate and clinical standards” says Noreen. “We really need to maximize the level of team work and collaboration with fellow workers and other Divisions’ nationally to achieve this.”

Some of the key responsibilities which Noreen has in overseeing the Division’s quality program includes:

• Leading the organization in the ACHS accreditation program to achieve excellence and Division accreditation

• Coordinating a national benchmarking project

• Implementing clinical governance into the organisation

• Coordinating risk management program

• Overseeing the clinical management of a General Practice After Hours Services and other clinics.

“I find my job satisfying in a professional sense, and Wagga Wagga offers all the opportunities and privileges of a city without the madness of a metropolitan location” says Noreen. “I live less than 10 minutes from work, and I value being able to easily and quickly access most services that you find in a metropolitan centre.”

“I particularly enjoy pursuing my interests in craft and music activities in Wagga, and I love my friendly and supportive neighbours!”

“I am looking forward to retiring here. Wagga is a great city without the hassle of a city!” says Noreen.


Emily WheelerReporter, WIN TV, Wagga Wagga

Emily Wheeler worked at a regional newspaper in Dubbo for two and a half years to complete a cadetship before moving to Wagga Wagga in 2008. She is now a reporter with WIN Television.

‘I love regional news, and there’s always something interesting to cover in Wagga. I get out of the office every day, meet people, see places I wouldn’t normally see and have a finger on the community’s pulse!’

The Riverina region covered by Emily is large and includes the rural towns around Wagga Wagga such as Tumbarumba, Tumut, Gundagai, Narrandera and Temora. ‘There are so many other towns to visit just an hour away. In my job, I have the opportunity to cover a whole variety of stories across the region, whereas if I was in a metropolitan market, I would most likely be covering one particular thing all the time. I find people in regional areas forthcoming and easy to get along with.’

‘Wagga is such a social city, with plenty of like-minded, successful people to meet. I also enjoy sport and there’s a multitude of sporting opportunities.

Zandra McKenzieDirector of Clinical Services, Calvary, Wagga Wagga

Zandra is the Director of Clinical Services at Calvary Hospital in Wagga Wagga, which is a 104 bed private hospital. Zandra is a registered nurse with 40 years experience. She was born and raised on a farm outside Wagga Wagga. Zandra moved back to Wagga Wagga from Canberra 26 years ago.

‘I find Wagga has plenty of educational and cultural opportunities which meet the needs of my family.’

‘Wagga has been a place where I have been able to develop my career with the hospital as well as bring up my family in a country environment. There is less pressure here, but the city is large enough to provide professional opportunities. I find my job is challenging every day! Personnel management, recruitment, clinical governance and more keep me very busy.’

29invest in wa gga wa gga

Wagga Wagga is the largest and fastest growing inland city in NSW. As the regional capital of the Riverina and Murrumbidgee River region, it is the key industry and administrative centre for southern NSW.

Invest

Wagga Wagga has consistently attracted major investment because it offers comparative advantages to businesses in its strategic geographic location, industrial infrastructure and workforce.

Like many regional areas, it offers a lifestyle that combines the best of the city and the country.

When asked why they have chosen to invest in Wagga Wagga, business people will refer to fundamental comparative advantages that the City offers.

“I think the greatest asset we have in Wagga Wagga is our workforce. We have an attrition rate of 2% a year.” Daryl Day - Managing Director, Precision Parts

‘It takes 31 days for one of our containers to be shipped from our Wagga Wagga factory to our facility in Chino (Los Angeles) in California’. Sam Turnbull - Founder and CEO, Flipscreen Australia

‘There are few, if any, major centres that have a dedicated industrial estate [Bomen Business Park] only 12 kilometres from the CBD, and with potential for major long term expansion.’ Wayne Richardson - Managing Director and CEO, Renewed Metal Technologies

In brief, Wagga Wagga offers business :

• A large, loyal and skilled workforce supported by university and technical education institutions

• Strategic location midway between the two major metropolitan markets in Australia

• High quality, low cost, fully-serviced industrial land

• Access to all key infrastructure including electricity, gas, water and broadband (at metropolitan speeds)

• Construction costs comparable with metropolitan centres

• Proximity to feedstock suppliers

• Significant industry that is already located in Wagga Wagga

• A substantial regional market with a fast growing population

• Lifestyle - the best of country and city

• Happy Families!

Wagga Wagga’s economy continues to show strong growth, represented by an annual increase in the Gross Regional Product of 2.0% in 2008-09 despite the impact of the Global Financial Crisis. The diversification of the regional economy is a fundamental reason for this resilience.

A number of Australian and international companies have established facilities and distribution outlets in the city, including Cargill Beef Australia, Heinz Australia, Riverina Oil and Bio Energy, Renewed Metal Technologies, Regional Express (Rex), Southern Oil Refinery and Austrak.

Wagga Wagga City Council’s Commercial and Economic Development Directorate is responsible for assisting businesses wishing to establish in the city. It can be contacted by phoning the Council on 1300 292 442.

30 invest in wa gga wa gga

family time

In the five-year period up to 2009, the population grew at 1.7% per annum, which outstripped the NSW average of 1.2% per annum. The population is expected to increase by over 13,000 by 2026.

The population is also younger than the state average. Thirty-three (33) percent of the residents are under

25 years of age and a further 28 percent are aged between 25 and 44 years of age.

Like most Australian towns and cities, the average age of its residents is increasing, and by 2026 is expected to rise to 41.7 years.

In 2009, the total population of Wagga Wagga was estimated at 63,000.

Population

80,000

Popu

lati

on N

o.

Wagga Wagga Historic PopulationWagga Wagga Projected Population70,000

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

02002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2016 2021 20262001


family time

The Gross Regional Product maintained its growth trend even in the face of the Global Financial crisis, expanding by 2% in 2008/09.

The table below details the GRP of each of the sectors within the Wagga Wagga economy.

Sector Contribution ($M) Annual Growth (%)

Public Administration & Safety $322.7 2.6%

Manufacturing $283.3 -4.0%

Financial & Insurance Services $252.1 1.8%

Health Care & Social Assistance $251.1 3.9%

Education & Training $200.4 -0.8%

Retail Trade $185.9 -4.5%

Construction $180.6 -2.1%

Transport, Postal & Warehousing $178.2 4.7%

Wholesale Trade $133.0 3.5%

Professional, Scientific & Technical Services $124.7 -1.4%

Accommodation & Food Services $104.3 0.8%

Information Media & Telecomunications $99.0 13.8%

Administrative & Support Services $95.7 -1.4%

Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing $90.1 10.2%

Rental, Hiring & Real Estate Services $89.1 -3.5%

Other Services $75.3 3.0%

Electricity, Gas, Water & Waste Services $71.8 8.2%

Arts & Recreation Services $19.6 1.5%

Mining $16.9 19.3%

Gross Regional Project (GRP) $3,382.6 2.0%

Total Industry Value Add (GVA) $2,773.7 1.2%

Ownership of Dwellings & General Government Tax/Subsidies $608.9 9.0%

Wagga Wagga’s Gross Regional Product (GRP) increased to $3.4 billion in 2008-09.

Gross Regional Product

Note: GRP (Gross Regional Product) includes ownership of dwellings, general government taxes and subsidies and GVA. GVA (Gross Value Add) is the sum of industry value add for the 19 sectors as defined by the ABS 2006 ANZSIC codes. the GRP model has been adjusted so companies to historical or previously reported data may not be comparable.

Source: AECgroup


Wagga Wagga’s industrial development centrepiece is the Bomen Business Park.

Bomen Business Park

More than 50 businesses (local, national and multinational) employing 1,350 people have established their factories and distribution outlets in the Park including Cargill Beef Australia (a major export abattoir), Southern Oil Refinery, Austrak, Riverina Oil and Bio Energy, Renewed Metal Technologies and Heinz Australia.

The Park is ideally located on the main southern railway line. Add the availability of affordable, easy to develop land, and the Park becomes an attractive proposition for companies looking at servicing the major metropolitan markets and ports.

Many millions of dollars worth of infrastructure have been spent to cater for industries wishing to relocate to the Park.

Master Plan

An exciting new Master Plan for the area has been prepared to develop the Park from its current size of 150 hectares to a bustling business hub of 1500 hectares.

Over the next five years it is estimated 700 additional jobs will be generated by businesses relocating to the area, which will boost the Riverina economy by $264m.

room for expansion


Vision

The vision for the Park by 2030 is that it will be:

• The intermodal transport terminal of choice for industries and transport businesses across south-eastern Australia;

• A well-planned Park that takes advantage of its location, its accessibility and infrastructure;

• An internationally renowned exemplar of ecologically sustainable development through deployment of the principles of industrial ecology;

• One of the most resource and energy-efficient places of businesses in Australia;

• Serviced by support businesses providing services that foster economic development and sustained business and jobs growth;

• Supplied with infrastructure for transport, energy, communications and resource materials sharing that is economically and environmentally effective.

Objectives

The objectives of the Plan are to capitalise on, and market:

• Its location (central to inland south-eastern Australia on the Sydney-Melbourne railway);

• Its infrastructure (easy access to rail and road networks, energy, water, communications and waste management);

• Its land (1500 hectares of level to gently undulating land located away from the Murrumbidgee flood plain).

Bomen Road/Rail Hub

Efficient transport links hold the key to the viability of the Bomen Business Park.

The Master Plan includes the construction of a rail/road intermodal hub for the speedy transition of freight from road to rail (a more environmentally friendly freight system).

At present, the majority of exports from Wagga Wagga leave Australia through the Port of Melbourne. The Wagga Wagga hub will be able to redirect these exports to the facilities of Port Botany Bay in Sydney, improving NSW’s balance of trade.

The intermodal hub involves:

• the construction of a high-speed rail siding for trains up to two kilometres long;

• construction of a bridge over the main southern railway line (the line dissects the Park);

• relocating key roads to service the siding.


Wagga Wagga has an integrated transport network that provides excellent direct links with the major centres of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra.

Road

Situated at the intersection of the Olympic and Sturt Highways (and a short distance away from the country’s major Hume Highway), Wagga Wagga is home to major transport and freight companies which service the Victorian, South Australian and NSW markets. The transport, machinery & equipment manufacturing sector is a significant employer in the Wagga Wagga region, due to the high level of agriculture, transport and defence activity, which this sector supports.

Air

Wagga Wagga has a major airport complete with a large modern terminal that is serviced by QantasLink and Regional Express (Rex). Both companies operate a combined total of 146 return flights a week to Sydney and Melbourne (less than an hour away). In the year ended June 2010, 208,460 passengers used these services. The airport is home to the Forest Hill RAAF Base and the Australian Airline Pilot Academy, run by Rex Airlines. The academy,

which opened in 2010, will train more than 200 pilots annually for both Australian and international airlines. State-of-the art facilities include modern classrooms, flight simulators, new training aircraft, motel-style accommodation as well as social and recreational facilities.

Rail

Situated on the main southern railway line (linking Sydney and Melbourne), the city is serviced by daily freight and passenger trains. Rail capacity has recently been expanded to accommodate the increasing demand for export companies to access the Port of Melbourne. The Sydney - Melbourne line carries 70% of the national freight task.

Two thirds of Australia’s population resides within 5 hours by road of Wagga Wagga city!

Transport Infrastructure

the bigger picture

Did you know?

Until the 1860s most goods were transported

by bullock wagon. For a short time, riverboats allowed goods

to be transported more easily to export markets, but the

riverboat era ended when the NSW government extended

the railway line to North Wagga Wagga in 1878 and across

the river to Wagga Wagga itself in 1881.


Council has adopted a variety of strategic and master plans to guide the future direction of the city and to assist new and established industries and businesses meet their objectives.

Those master plans have included:

• Bomen Business Park;

• Wagga Wagga Airport;

• Riverside Precinct;

• Vision 2030;

• Retail Growth Strategy.

Wagga Wagga City Council is aware of the need to carefully plan for the future growth of the city.

Master Planning


Historically, agriculture has been the main base industry in Wagga Wagga, and its impact is strongly felt today in its value-adding industries which rely on agricultural feedstocks as well as the City’s large service sector.

The Agricultural Sector and Downstream Value-adding

Wagga Wagga is the bustling hub for the region’s dynamic agricultural industry. Sheep, cattle (beef and dairy) and grain farming are the major activities.

Agriculture’s key contribution to the Wagga Wagga economy is in the many and varied industries which are located in the city either to value-add to the agricultural production or to service the sector’s substantial requirements for goods and services. The service industries to agriculture include machinery sales and service outlets, rural supply retailers, transport companies, grain merchants, wool brokers and agricultural finance specialists. People working in the industry are supported by agricultural education programs through CSU and TAFE.

There are a number of businesses located in Wagga Wagga which value-add to agricultural commodities produced both within the region and from further afield. These include:

Riverina Oil and Bio Energy

The largest value adding agricultural investment in Australia is now in Wagga Wagga.

Riverina Oils & Bio Energy Pty Ltd (ROBE) in September 2009 established a 500 tonnes per day oilseed crushing and edible oil refining (170,000 tonnes/year) plant at the Bomen Business Park, Wagga Wagga.

In Stage One, this project plans to produce 105,000 tonnes per annum of vegetable protein meal used in poultry, dairy and in animal feed industry plus 65,000 tonnes per annum of refined vegetable oil for the food manufacturing and food service / retail industry. The oilseeds used in the plant are Canola, Safflower, Cottonseed, Soybean and Sunflower.

The second stage of the project expands the capacity by 100% to produce up to 75 million litres / annum of biodiesel at the same site in Bomen. This second stage is proposed for development when market demand for biodiesel dictates.

In terms of investment, the Stage One project costs is A$63 million.

Wagga Wagga’s economy is diversif ied and comparatively resilient in the face of disruptions in any individual sector.

Economic Drivers


Cargill Beef Australia

Cargill Beef Australia processes 1,250 head per day and employes 650 people at its Wagga Wagga plant. Cargill supplies grain-fed and grass-fed beef to both the domestic and international market. The Wagga Wagga location provides access to excellent cattle genetics and ample grain supplies for grain-fed cattle. The proximity of Sydney and Melbourne is important to cost effectively servicing Cargill’s domestic customers, and accessing shipping ports for export products.

Heinz Australia

In 1996, Heinz Australia bought the Southern Country Foods business with operations in Wagga Wagga producing canned meat products. The Heinz plant today employs over 100 people in Wagga Wagga and exports its meat products around the world.

Wagga Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre

Wagga Wagga is home to one of the country’s largest livestock selling centres, the Wagga Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre.

Located within the Bomen Business Park, the Centre operates the largest sheep market in Australia and the second largest cattle market in NSW.

A unique pre-weight undercover ring-selling method, pioneered in Wagga Wagga, is employed for cattle sales. Sheep are sold by the conventional pen-selling method.

In 2009, the Centre sold 1.8m sheep and 107,000 head of cattle.

Wagga Wagga Farmers Market

The Wagga Wagga Farmers Markets are held on the second Saturday of each month at the Civic Centre. They feature over 30 stalls selling fresh, gourmet and organic products and they are set around the picturesque Wollundry Lagoon at the Civic Centre. These markets provide an important market outlet for certain farmers and niche food processors and in some cases act as an incubator for start-up businesses.

Wineries

There are a number of boutique wineries in Wagga Wagga which grow their own grapes as well as purchasing grapes from vineyards in the surrounding regions either extending west into the grape growing country around Griffith or east into the more recently established cool-climate vineyards around Tumbarumba.

Charles Sturt University Winery has been rated as a 41/2 star winery in the 2008 and 2009 James Halliday Wine Companions, and since its inception in 1977 has been awarded 25 trophies, 93 gold, 177 silver and 436 bronze medals in National Wine Shows!

Charles Sturt University Cheese Factory

All the cheeses are handmade at the Charles Sturt University Cheese Factory. Fresh milk is sourced from Riverina dairies. The Cheese Factory has won numerous awards. It is located on the grounds of Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga Campus. Sales from the boutique factory began through the Cellar Door in 1999 and have expanded rapidly since then to include sales to specialty outlets and supermarkets.

Agricultural, Food and Beverage Education and Research

Training and education to support skills and knowledge in the agricultural industry and value-adding processing sector represent a further economic ‘spin-off’ from Wagga Wagga’s location in a rich and diverse agricultural region. Charles Sturt University offers degree and post-graduate courses through its School of Agriculture and Wine Science in wine making, food science (including cheese making), agricultural science and horticulture.

The EH Graham Centre is based at Charles Sturt University and aims to be the Australian Centre of Excellence in Mixed Farming Systems Research and to undertake world-class collaborative research and graduate training with key partners.

The Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute is NSW Industry and Investment’s centre for Excellence for Southern Farming Systems and Viticulture. The Centre is dedicated to improving the profitability and sustainability of agriculture in NSW through industry-driven research, extension and regulatory services. It focuses on cropping and pasture systems in southern NSW and the State’s expanding viticulture industry. It employs 195 people.

Riverina TAFE offers a range of courses customised to the regional agricultural sector.

Did you know?

An Australian record lamb price was set

at the Wagga Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre

on 24 February, 2011 when 80 dorset first cross

lambs made $253 per head.


late night shopping

Retail trade is the largest employer in the Wagga Wagga Region, representing 13.7% of total people employed. The retail industry was estimated to contribute $185.9 million in 2008-09 to GRP, 6.6% of total GRP.

The retail sector includes most large national chains, and a vibrant range of independent retailers that provide an authentic Wagga retail experience. Cafes, fashion, homewares and furnishings all cater to the higher-order retail needs of the wider catchment and add to Wagga Wagga’s appeal as a regional city with metropolitan services.

All major retail outlets such as Myer, Woolworths, Coles, BIG W, Kmart, Bunnings Warehouse and Harvey Norman are represented.

The city’s tree-lined Central Business District features four blocks of shops as well as two major shopping complexes - the Sturt Mall and the Marketplace. The large Homebase Centre contains a number of well known national franchises including electrical, bedding, furniture and office supply outlets.

The original historic CBD, Fitzmaurice Street, has undergone a revival in recent years and contains boutique retail outlets, professional offices, coffee shops and dining establishments.

In addition to the central areas, the city has six suburban shopping complexes while several other bulky goods outlets are in the planning stages.

As the capital of the rich Riverina, Wagga Wagga is the Riverina’s shopping hub.

Retail Sector


Wagga Wagga takes seriously its role as the region’s capital and is conscious of developing a collective regional approach to attracting investment to southern NSW.

The city encourages and fosters partnerships both at a government and private industry level, and details of many of these partnerships have been provided in other sections of this document. Wagga Wagga City Council has important partnerships with:

• Charles Sturt University

• TAFE NSW - Riverina Institute

• Wagga Wagga Medical Specialists Recruitment and Retention Committee

• Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC), a voluntary association of 13 general purpose councils and two water county councils located in the eastern Riverina region of NSW.

• Regional Development Australia Committee, an incorporated body supported primarily by the Industry and Investment NSW and the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

• Evocities project where the other major NSW inland cities of Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Tamworth target metropolitan markets to promote the advantages of living, working and investing in inland NSW. (Evo is short for “energy, vision and opportunity”).

• The EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation which undertakes world-class collaborative research and education in climate change, water scarcity, food security, bio-security and skills shortages.

In addition to the Council partnerships, other important public partnerships include:

• Charles Sturt University with industry including: National Wine and Grape Industry Centre; Nursing clinical agreements with the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital as well as other public and private hospitals in NSW; Veterinary clinical agreements with a number of regional veterinary clinics to take students on placement; and business arrangements for dentists from southern NSW to practice from CSU’s new Dental and Oral Health Clinic.

• Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and the University of NSW to train doctors for rural areas.

The City of Wagga Wagga knows its growth is dependent on an economically vibrant region with strong state and federal government connections.

Partnerships


walks along the river & around the lagoon


The Directorate takes a fully integrated approach to economic development, combining the resources of three key operations:

• Economic Development;

• Council Business and Property Management; and

• Tourism.

This integrated approach is designed to provide assistance to people wishing to expand or establish new businesses in the city. The team has close links with other Council directorates in particular the Community, Environment and Planning Directorate, which provides efficient and positive outcomes for new businesses moving to the city.

Economic Development

This is the lead agency in the city for attracting and retaining business development. Team members are focused on seeing businesses thrive. They work in four critical areas:

• Business retention and expansion;

• Business investment and attraction;

• New business start ups; and

• Small business development.

Underpinning these areas is a commitment to communication and research to ensure high standards are achieved not only for Wagga Wagga but also for the region.

Council Businesses

Two of the major businesses operated under this division are the Wagga Wagga Airport, a major part of the region’s infrastructure, and the Wagga Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre, a key player in the region’s rural economy.

Both these enterprises have been described above. Council also manages an extensive portfolio of leased and licensed properties.

Tourism

The Council operates the Visitor Information Centre and promotes Wagga Wagga to the tourism market. The aim is to attract people to visit the city attend events, and encourage people to relocate to the city.

The Riverina region has a strong tourism market with over 2 million visitors each year, and Wagga Wagga is the most popular destination within the region with over 370,000 domestic and international visitors in 2008-09. In 2008-09, $513 million was spent by visitors (day and overnight) to the Riverina region, and this supported over 3,600 tourism-related businesses. In Wagga Wagga these businesses include commercial accommodation, restaurants, pubs and clubs, retail and cultural experiences such as gardens, galleries and museums.

Wagga Wagga City Council ’s Commercial and Economic Development Directorate is passionate about the City and takes great pride in the work of championing the city and the Riverina region.

Did you know?

Wagga Wagga accounts for 41% of all visitors

to the Riverina region. Visiting friends and relatives

and holiday/leisure are the most common reasons for

visiting the Wagga Wagga region. On average, overnight

visitors spent $311 per night in the region.

in Wagga Wagga’s Economy.

Council’s Role

Wagga Wa gga

Discover Wagga Wagga todaywww.businesswaggawagga.com.au

City of Wagga Wagga

PO Box 20, cnr Baylis & Morrow St

Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650

Phone. 1300 292 442

Wagga Wagga Live Work Invest

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