Plans for a 50-room co-living space on Edward Street will be debated by Wagga councillors on Monday night amid salinity concerns. Photo: Saclan Holdings Pty Ltd.
Wagga Wagga City Council will soon deliberate on the development of a planned 50-resident co-living space on Edward Street amid fears of potential salinity damage to surrounding residents.
The plans for the building include the demolition of two homes at 322 and 324 Edward Street and constructing an $8.7 million co-living space on the site, near Wagga’s hospitals.
The four-storey space would consist of six co-living rooms, communal areas including living, kitchen and alfresco areas on level one; 18 co-living rooms, two communal kitchen/living areas on level 2; 15 co-living rooms, two accessible co-living rooms, two communal kitchen/living areas on level three; and seven co-living rooms and two accessible co-living rooms on level four.
Wagga Council has recommended councillors approve the application, despite more than 10 applications from the public raising concerns about rising water under the site and potential traffic-related issues.
“[The recommendation to] council is that it approve DA25/0095 for demolition of existing structures, tree removal and construction of co-living housing comprising of four storeys with 50 co-living rooms, communal space, car parking and vehicle movement areas at 322 and 324 Edward Street,” the 7 July ordinary meeting business papers read.
“The subject site is located on the southern side of Edward Street, on the corner of Emblen and Edward streets. The site is regular in shape and comprises of 1403.6 sqm in area. The site currently contains two existing dwellings with outbuildings in the rear of the site. The site is within the Health and Knowledge Precinct and is zoned R3 Medium Residential.
“The surrounding locality is a mix of various uses that are divided by Edward Street.
“To the north of the subject site, the land contains various businesses, motels and health services facilities, including Calvary Riverina Hospital Surgicentre and the Wagga Wagga Specialist Medical Centre. To the south of the subject site is an established residential area with predominantly single-storey dwellings.”
Despite council’s optimism about the site, more than 10 redacted submissions against the application have caused the project to be presented in front of councillors for consideration.
An aerial shot of the current site. Photo: Supplied.
A common theme among the submissions was concerns about salinity issues it might cause to surrounding areas.
“If the proposed development is allowed to proceed, it might cause the water table under the nearby premises to rise, causing salt-related damage to infrastructure,” one submission wrote.
“In the past, some close residents have had to shelve out a substantial amount of money in repairs as a result of rising water tables in the Calvary Hospital area.”
Another person who lodged a submission wrote about what they believed to be a lack of communication from the council.
“I found out, by accident, about the above application,” the submission reads.
“Please explain in writing this lack of communication. I visited 322 and 324 Edward Street; there was nothing posted at either site that referred to the application.”
The same applicant also had concerns about salinity.
“Council must be fully aware of the ongoing salinity problems within the area bounded by Docker Street, Chaston Street, Dobney Avenue and Edward Street. It is a delicate situation, which at present is manageable. The continued deforestation of the above area might seriously upset this delicate situation.”
Council staff have stated that it has conducted an assessment of the application against the relevant sections of the Wagga Wagga Development Control Plan 2010.
“The assessment demonstrates that the proposed development will not cause any significant adverse impacts on the surrounding natural environment, built environment, infrastructure or local character and amenity,” a council staff report reads.
Councillors will vote on whether the application will proceed on Monday (7 July).
