Wagga council approves hotel plan on Baylis and Edward streets to revitalise long-vacant site
A plan for a multimillion-dollar boutique hotel set to transform a site dubbed “an eyesore” for years has been approved by Wagga City Council.
The Wagga News
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Wagga councillors have approved a grand plan to transform a prominent site into a $15.5 million boutique hotel aiming to revitalise a “gateway” into the city.
The proposal includes a six-storey building with 104 hotel rooms and 10 commercial spaces at 7-9 Baylis Street, a site considered an eyesore.
The building would have one commercial ground floor, one carparking floor and four hotel-room floors. There will be carparking for 70 vehicles.
The long-vacant site, which formerly housed a service station, has been earmarked for a hotel since mid-2019 when Design Workshop Australia lodged its plans with council.
The proposal, which council operations recommend to be approved, was revised in January and went on public exhibition in February.
The approval comes as a 148-room Holiday Inn is set to open across the road in early 2021, representing a $37 million investment in Wagga, and a 42-room hotel proposal on Forsyth Street gaining approval last year.
At its ordinary meeting on Tuesday, councillors voted unanimously in favour of the development application.
Councillor Tim Koschel said he was supportive of the development.
“I’m supportive of development in Wagga. I supported the Forsyth Street one and I’m happy to support this one as well,” Cr Koschel said.
He also said the coronavirus has impacted the hotel industry in Wagga.
“But putting this through at the moment, hopefully, in 12 or 18 months’ time when this development’s done, we’re back to normal,” he said.
Cr Paul Funnell said he had no issues with the application and that it was “great use of the site”.
Independent property valuer Chris Egan previously said it would make that precinct a “self-perpetuating beast” to help the city because it was a “gateway”.
“It’d bring people from out of town to inject capital because businesses are suffering,” he said.
“That’s what that part of the city needs — The Mill site has been disgraceful for years and a boutique hotel is a positive.
“Other hoteliers may get upset but there are so many classes of accommodation providers that it’d compliment existing providers.”
Committee 4 Wagga chief executive Alan Johnston said he looked forward to the corner being rehabilitated.
“It’s obviously needed to a face lift for a long, long time,” he said.
Applicant Robert Gizzi at Design Workshop Australia has been contacted for comment.