Member for Wagga Wagga Joe McGirr, Wagga Business Chamber manager Sally Manning and Committee 4 Wagga CEO Scott Sanbrook are pushing for 10,000 signatures on a petition to duplicate the Gobbagombalin Bridge. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
A petition to duplicate the Gobbagombalin Bridge is picking up steam, with councils surrounding Wagga Wagga now supporting the move.
The petition, penned by Member for Wagga Wagga Joe McGirr, has been signed by more than 3500 people, with a target of 10,000.
If it reaches the mark, the NSW Government will be required to debate the possibility of duplicating the bridge.
The petition can be found in more than 20 Wagga businesses, but is set to receive an even bigger boost with Junee, Coolamon and Lockhart Shire Councils agreeing to circulate it.
Dr McGirr said the importance of duplicating the bridge extended further than just Wagga residents, with traffic and wait times affecting travellers right across the region.
“I think it shows that this is a regional issue,” Dr McGirr said.
“I spoke with Steph Cooke, Member for Cootamundra, and she was happy for us to approach those councils and those councils were happy to come on board. That indicates the regional significance of this issue.
“It’s important that we spread the importance of this issue and get it on the radar of Transport for NSW ahead of their Regional Transport Plan.
“This is the opportunity for our community to have a say about the priorities. It’s obviously regional and there are a number of priorities, but I just encourage the community around Wagga to get onto the have your say page and put in their support for duplication of the Gobba bridge.”
In addition to spreading the petition to other councils, Dr McGirr thanked Committee 4 Wagga and the Wagga Business Chamber for their support in trying to reach the 10,000 signature goal.
“It quickly became clear that the petition struck a real chord within Wagga, but my office also received representations from people outside the city who wanted to add their voices to the campaign,” he said.
“The support of the councils is very welcome, adding extra avenues to gain signatures and I hope the signature count continues to grow so we can leave the government in no doubt about the need to make this investment in our region’s future.
“If we can collect 10,000 signatures there will be a debate in parliament, which will be a powerful way of pressing the case for this crucial development.
“We are off to a great start, so I urge anyone who has not yet signed to do so, because every voice will count as we lobby the government to get the work started.”
