A future vision for Wagga Wagga's popular Botanic Gardens precinct was formally adopted by Wagga Wagga City Council at its meeting this week.
The Botanic Gardens Masterplan sets out long-term plans and strategies for the precinct, which includes the gardens, Zoo and Aviary, café and restaurant, Miniature Railway, Museum of the Riverina, event spaces, playgrounds and amenities.
Developed following extensive engagement with community stakeholders, internal Council teams, and Councillors, the draft Botanic Gardens Masterplan was placed on public exhibition for community feedback from 22 April to 19 May 2026.
At its meeting on Monday 22 June 2026, Council adopted the draft plan and noted the 27 submissions received during the public exhibition period.
Council's Recreation Coordinator Josh Walsh was pleased with the amount of feedback saying overall, there was strong support for the direction detailed in this important planning document.
"I think this reflects the extensive consultations we undertook with all the user groups, as well as the community, in developing the masterplan," Mr Walsh said.
"Everyone loves the gardens and all the assets that are there; it draws thousands of regular and new visitors every year and hosts some iconic local events.
"We want to bring it up to the 21st century so it can cater to people of all ages and abilities, as being located on the side of a hill comes with some positives but also some challenges with accessibility, and that was probably a big focus of the community.
"The masterplan identifies opportunities to improve accessibility, enhance the visitor experience, address operational challenges and make better use of underutilised spaces."
The items that ranked highest across the survey questions in the online public submissions included improved pedestrian, wheelchair and pram access, upgraded paths, fence and general maintenance and improved parking.
Among the concepts outlined in the masterplan are improving pedestrian circulation, vehicle access, parking, the Zoo & Aviary, café, Musical Bowl, playgrounds and amenities, Hub and Rainforest, Native Garden, and Miniature Railway.
"As part of the most recent consultation, we asked the community what their priorities were from the concepts that were developed in the masterplan." Mr Walsh said.
"Now that the plan's adopted, the next step will be using that feedback to help us develop a list of projects to focus on so we can turn the concepts into reality."
No funding is currently allocated to the projects identified in the masterplan schedule.
Prior to implementation, all projects will require design, business case development and feasibility assessments.
Further reports will be presented to Council when grant opportunities become available.
