Wagga stakeholders are putting the city’s 24-hour economy on the agenda ahead of the 24-hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues’ visit next week. Photo: Supplied.
Business NSW, Wagga Wagga Business Chamber and Wagga Wagga City Council will be looking to unlock the Wagga CBD’s 24-hour economy ahead of the NSW 24-hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues’ visit later this month.
Mr Rodrigues’ office was set up in 2021 to determine how the state could improve conditions for flexible day and night trading.
The Commissioner’s visit, hosted by Business NSW, will include a roundtable in Wagga on 16 May regarding the 24-Hour Economy Office’s remit for expansion to regional NSW.
In preparation for the discussion, consultation with CBD businesses will take place, gathering their thoughts on what they believe are the opportunities and challenges for activation in the CBD.
Consultation will take place in the week prior to the Commissioner’s visit, and will include:
– On-site consultation with council officers from 12 – 15 May
– Walk-in consultation with the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber on 8 May from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
– An online survey coordinated by the business chamber
Business NSW Regional Director Serena Hardwick has recently been appointed to the 24-hour Economy Advisory Council as a representative for regional NSW.
“This is a chance to explore the economic opportunities throughout a full 24-hour cycle, not just at night and really consider who the users of our city are and how we are catering for them,” Ms Hardwick said.
“We believe that fostering the activation of our CBD and supporting our retail, creative and hospitality sectors are not only critical in increasing the livability of the city, but also will assist in workforce attraction and retention.”
According to the buisness chamber’s manager Sally Manning, the activation of the CBD has been on the chamber’s agenda for a long time.
“The Central Activity District (CAD) Committee is a consultation group for the Wagga Wagga Business Chamber, designed to support the activation of the Central Activity District,” Ms Manning said.
“Some of the initiatives the group coordinates are shop local incentives, extended shopping hours to attract more visitors to the main street and committee members provide valuable insights into the current opportunities and challenges of local business.”
In preparation for the consultation, Wagga Wagga City Council Director of Business Economy and Workforce Fiona Piltz said she would like to gather the opinions of local businesses.
“We would like to hear from businesses directly; recognising the current economic pressure businesses are under, our role is to ensure that businesses’ voices are heard, looking at not only the current challenges, but the opportunities to increase the vibrancy in our CBD,” she said.
Contact the Wagga Business Chamber to have your say on how the Wagga CBD can be activated.
