ALBURY Council is rolling the dice for a $2 million cash boost from the federal government for the next stage of Wagga Road improvements.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council has submitted an application to the Building Better Regions Fund for $2 million which it has also committed to contributing $2.5 million.
The first stage of the Wagga Road upgrade from the Five Ways to Kaylock Road was completed last year.
If the latest funding bid is successful, the improvements will extend from Kaylock Road to Barlow Street.
The $2.5 million council contribution will be included in upcoming budget documents.
Mayor Kevin Mack said the works carried out had left a positive impact on the area which had previously struggled following the opening of the internal freeway through the city.
“We've started a job and we want to finish it,” he said.
“It's important to understand that since the revitalisation has happened in Wagga Road businesses are going really well.
“We not only see it as one of our priorities, but we promised to fix Wagga Road when the freeway went through 10 years ago.
“It's a work in progress.
“We need the federal government to complete the job to attract businesses and beautify the corridor.”
Griffith Road improvements were originally going to take priority over Wagga Road before some successful lobbying by Albury Northside Chamber of Commerce led to the switch.
The council had earmarked $600,000 for the Griffith Road works before being added to a NSW Government 3 per cent interest subsidy on the total project cost of $2.6 million.
The subsidy represented a $417,455 saving.
The Albury ambulance station and an Aldi supermarket have opened in Wagga Road in recent years.
Jacob Toyota has also increased its presence on the former Hume Highway route.
The former Grant's Timber and Hardware site in Wagga Road has also been earmarked for redevelopment.
Building Better Regions Fund was formerly known as Stronger Regions Fund, with Albury successful in obtaining $4 million from for the Lavington Oval redevelopment which is due to begin this year.
Wodonga Council also obtained $10 million in 2015 for further CBD works which also start this year.
Wodonga is not pursuing funding for a major project in this round after putting Baranduda Fields on hold.