Council has successfully secured almost $5 million in funding through the NSW Government's Get NSW Active 2025-26 program, paving the way for construction of the Plumpton Road section of the Active Travel Plan (ATP).
Formal acceptance of the $4,892,415 was endorsed by Councillors at their Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 10 June 2025.
The proposed 4.6-kilometre concrete pathway will be three metres wide and will stretch from Rowan Road to the Kooringal Road - Red Hill Road intersection, connecting the Southern Growth Area to Wagga Wagga's existing Active Travel network.
The significant financial contribution from the State Government will enable Council to deliver this key piece of infrastructure, which will do much to support the city's growing southern corridor.
Manager City Growth and Regional Assets Ben Creighton highlighted the significance of this step forward for the Active Travel network.
"The Active Travel Plan has been one of our better-received projects over the last 10 years, which was highlighted in the feedback captured during the recent development of the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) report," Mr Creighton said.
"While we get a lot of requests and plans are ongoing for the path to continue into specific areas, part of this project is also planning for the future by making sure that people located in the future Southern Growth area will have the same access to the ATP as the rest of the city."
The project will include road crossings at Lloyd Road, Nelson Drive, Gregadoo Road and Lloyd Road and will cross Stringybark Creek through a crossing separated from the roadway.
Mr Creighton made clear that the link would be delivered as part of the broader Plumpton Road upgrade, with works to build the path occurring alongside the road duplication.
This will enable Council to minimise disruption throughout the construction period and minimise the need for rework that would be required if they were delivered as separate projects.
"Council's focus is on making sure we can deliver the infrastructure - both Active Travel and the Plumpton Road Project - together, in an effort to reduce the impact of construction on local residents," Mr Creighton said.
Council applied for the funding in late 2024, recognising the path's importance in linking growing residential areas and promoting safer, more sustainable transport choices.
No direct financial contribution will be required from Council to build the shared path; however, ongoing maintenance costs will be factored into future Long Term Financial Plans.
