Councillor Dan Hayes with the city’s new public air compressor. Photo: Chris Roe.
With the reemergence of Wagga’s famous sandy beach and the sudden arrival of summer, Wagga City Council has a surprise waiting for swimmers and cyclists.
“People say politicians are full of hot air so it’s about time we provided that to the community,” laughed councillor Dan Hayes, unveiling the city’s new air compressor available for bikes and floatation devices.
“When I put this idea forward to council a few years ago, I said that some ideas will change the world, and that this was not one of them!
“Rather, this is something that just makes it a little easier for people.”
The freely available air compressor and a bike repair station were rolled out as part of the Riverside Stage 2 plans and Cr Hayes hopes it enhances the time honoured tradition of a float down from the rocks.
“This is something that people have been doing for decades, something I was doing as a little kid growing up here and continue to do as an adult,” he said.
The new Wagga Beach compressor is ready to roll for summer. Photo: Chris Roe.
“I know when I’ve come down here with my daughter with a couple of floats, you’ve got to pre-inflate them and getting them in the car is pretty hard to do and I often see people down here trying to blow up their floats with their mouth, which takes a hell of a long time and a lot of air.
“With this, people can ride their bikes down with a deflated float in their backpack, pump it up, have a float and then deflate it for the ride back home.”
Cr Hayes said the addition of the compressor and repair station encouraged people stay active.
“The bike repair station will be great for cyclists on the way around the active travel plan,” he said.
“We know how popular the beach can get and having this just as the hot weather starts is fantastic timing.”
He also had a reminder to always treat the fast flowing river with respect and not to rely on flotation devices.
“This isn’t about making it completely safe, because it can’t be. It’s the river, it’s dangerous. You’ve got to respect it.”
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