Council has progressed plans to upgrade the intersection of Boorooma Street and Estella Road, including construction of a two-lane roundabout and associated stormwater drainage works.
The upgrade is needed to respond to increased traffic associated with Estella Public School and continued residential growth across Estella, Boorooma and Gobbagombalin.
Council has proposed changes to its infrastructure funding plans to help fund the road and drainage works, which will now be placed on public exhibition, giving the community an opportunity to review the proposals and provide feedback.
At its Ordinary Meeting on Monday 24 August, Council also formally accepted $1 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Faster Assessments and Incentive Program towards construction of the roundabout.
Council recently completed the design of the Boorooma Street Upgrade and associated works, with the total cost of the project estimated at $7.844 million, including $4.4 million for the new roundabout.
The scope of works will include the full duplication of Boorooma Street between Bradman Drive and Farrer Road, a two-lane roundabout at the Estella Road intersection, and an intersection treatment into the future Bradman Drive connection point.
There will also be kerb and gutter works, drainage, pedestrian refuge islands, line marking, signage, street lighting and landscaping, and associated stormwater upgrades to mitigate flooding impacts within the subdivision growth area to the east and north of Boorooma Street.
Director Infrastructure Services Henry Pavitt said the intersection and associated works will provide key connections between residential neighbourhoods, Charles Sturt University and local schools.
“The northern suburbs are growing at quite a rate, with new residential and business developments occurring at the moment and more expected to come into play in coming years,” Mr Pavitt said.
“At the same time, traffic volumes along Boorooma Street and Estella Road are increasing, placing pressure on the existing T-intersection, which experiences delays for turning vehicles, particularly during peak school drop-off and pick-up periods.
“Once they’re completed, the new dual lane roundabout and other pavement upgrades and intersection treatments will improve traffic flow along this key road corridor, reduce vehicle speeds and enhance safety for all road users.”
The project will be delivered over a 24-month period, with the main construction phase expected to commence in the 2027/28 financial year.
The road funding changes (Wagga Wagga Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan 2019- 2034) and stormwater funding changes (Developer Servicing Plan – Stormwater 2007) will be on public exhibition from Friday 28 August to Sunday 27 September 2026.
Following the public exhibition period, Council will receive a further report addressing any submission made in respect of the proposed documents.
The NSW Government funding is through the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s Faster Assessments and Incentive Program, which is an evidence-based, competitive grant program that rewards medium and high growth councils for reducing and maintaining low average development assessment timeframes.
