A five-storey hotel is set to be built in Peter Street, after Wagga Council gave the project the green light. Image: HTZ Investments Pty Ltd.
Wagga Wagga City Council has narrowly approved plans for a five-storey, 30-room hotel in the heart of the CBD, despite concerns about parking, privacy and its visual impact on the streetscape.
The proposal, lodged by HTZ Investments Pty Ltd, will see an existing building at 91 Peter Street demolished to make way for a modern hotel featuring just 12 on-site car spaces and no traditional lobby.
Instead, the development will operate with a fully digital check-in system, with guests accessing their rooms via lock boxes rather than an in-person reception area. The developer also owns the nearby St Hugh Hotel.
The application was deferred last month but returned to the council on Monday (13 April), when councillors heard from nearby residents before voting.
Anna Sefton told the meeting the parking provision was “grossly inadequate” for one of the busiest parts of the CBD and warned it would increase congestion in surrounding streets.
She also raised privacy concerns about the building’s height and orientation.
“Motel visitors will be able to see into a number of residential front and backyards,” she said.
Paul Kerr questioned whether even the proposed number of cars could be accommodated on site.
“You get one bloke with a big Ram vehicle and you won’t be able to get six [cars] in there,” he said.
HTZ director John Kerrigan defended the project, noting that other approved developments in the CBD had higher room-to-parking ratios and that his proposal complied with planning controls.
Council planning staff recommended approval, arguing the central location reduced reliance on cars. They pointed to factors such as car pooling, nearby public parking and the likelihood that not all guests would drive.
Councillor Jenny McKinnon echoed that view, noting many visitors to Wagga arrived by plane or train and did not require a car. She said higher-density developments such as this were important to curb urban sprawl.
“We can’t just keep spreading Wagga outwards and not upwards,” she said.
However, Cr Lindsay Tanner rejected the idea that most visitors would arrive without cars.
“We’ve had no increase in train travel, we have reduced flight availability, are we car pooling? I don’t think so,” he said.
Cr Mick Henderson also opposed the proposal, arguing it would be out of character with the area.
“This is going to stand out, it’s not going to blend in and it’s not going to pass the pub test for its parking,” he said.
Cr Richard Foley joined Crs Tanner and Henderson in voting against the project.
The motion ultimately passed 4–3, with Mayor Dallas Tout and Crs McKinnon, Amelia Parkins and Karissa Subedi voting in favour.
The approval clears the way for construction of the hotel in one of Wagga’s most prominent central locations, with the debate highlighting ongoing tensions between CBD densification and parking expectations.
