The Draft Plan has been informed by independent research and analysis, as well as consultation and engagement with industry representatives, community groups, businesses, Councillors, government stakeholders, and the broader Wagga Wagga community.

The development of the Plan is a first of its kind for the LGA, and represents Council's commitment to the visitor economy, detailing the many opportunities to invest further in the development of our destination's offerings.

Research and consultation has included:

• 4 x workshops with industry including accommodation, retail, hospitality, First Nations small businesses, attractions, and experiences.
• 10 x individual and small group engagement sessions with other key stakeholders including; Mawang Gaway (Aboriginal Community Consultative Committee); Destination Riverina Murray; NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service; NSW Government Crown Lands; Wagga Wagga Business Chamber; Wagga Wagga Business Roundtable; rural villages progress associations; Wagga Access Reference Group; surrounding Shire Council Tourism Partners including Lockhart, Snowy Valleys, Junee, Coolamon, Temora, Narrandera, Cootamundra-Gundagai and Greater Hume.
• 36 x workshops/sessions including Councillors, directors, senior managers and staff from the following directorates/teams:
  • Regional Activation
  • Finance
  • People and Culture
  • Planning
  • Infrastructure Services
  • Community
  • Governance
  • Strategy and Projects
• Business and Community Survey (170 responses)
• 2 x past visitor focus groups
• 1 x future visitor focus group
• 1 x youth resident focus group
• Interactive pin map for ideas generation (82 responses) through the Have Your Say page:

Consultation findings and top priority projects from the community and business consultation process have been used to identify the outcomes for the plan. A key snapshot of these findings is detailed below, and the full findings is detailed in the Draft Plan’s appendices from pages 76 – 79.

Top 3 outcomes sought from the Plan

• Development of new attractions and experiences

• Increase in annual visitation, visitor spend, and length of stay

• Improve event facilities and open spaces

Top 3 investment priorities

• Nature and active outdoor experiences and infrastructure

• Roads, transport, infrastructure, and accessibility

• Airport and flight attraction

Top 3 areas of support most needed

• Region wide marketing

• Marketing/promotion support

• Business skills and collaboration opportunities between local businesses.

After engaging with the residents and local businesses, a Draft plan has been developed. Now's the time to review the Draft Plan and let us know if we are on the right track.

Wagga Wagga City Council will place the draft Wagga Wagga Destination Management Plan on public exhibition from 29 November 2024 to 16 February 2025.

Residents and businesses can complete a survey or meet with the engagement team at one of many pop up sessions across the city and rural villages.