• Charles Sturt Director of External Engagement for Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga to attend event on population growth
• Committee for Wagga Wagga aims to grow city’s population to 100,000 by 2038
• Seminar on Friday 27 September to discuss how to achieve this goal with businesses, politicians and community groups

Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) is playing a part in helping the city of Wagga Wagga grow to a population of 100,000 by the year 2038.

The Committee for Wagga, with the Housing Industry Australia and Wagga Wagga City Council, is hosting a seminar with stakeholders, including Charles Sturt, to discuss strategies to reach the city’s population target within 19 years.

The planned growth is assisted by local, state and federal government investment in industrial and community infrastructure, including the Special Activation Precinct at Bomen.

Charles Sturt’s Director of External Engagement for Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga Ms Samantha Beresford will be attending the public forum on behalf of the University.

“Charles Sturt University plays an important role in facilitating growth through teaching and learning to provide skills to our regions and research and engagement with our local communities,” Ms Beresford said.

“Regional growth and development is important for a city to thrive and the University plays a role in supporting this by providing education in relevant fields, such as agriculture, science, engineering, health and education to provide jobs for the growing population.

“Charles Sturt has a critical role in building strong, vibrant regional communities with intellectual and social capital and infrastructure.

“The University has been helping regional people improve their lives and their communities for more than 30 years.”

According to the Western Research Institute, Charles Sturt contributed 6.6 per cent of gross regional product, 8.5 per cent of household income, and 8.3 per cent of full-time equivalent employment in the Wagga Wagga region in 2016.

The same report stated healthcare was one of the main industries benefitting from Charles Sturt when it came to full-time employment.

Ms Beresford said the University has a strong history of establishing health programs in regional NSW, including community health, nursing and midwifery and Indigenous health programs, and staff and students can contribute substantially to the proposed Wagga Wagga Health and Knowledge Precinct.

The University’s close proximity to the proposed Special Activation Precinct site is of great benefit to the University and provides strong links between courses and research to industry, according to Ms Beresford.

Ms Beresford also said Charles Sturt’s AgriPark is a powerful agricultural network that could work in collaboration with the Special Activation Precinct to the benefit of the University, businesses and Wagga Wagga’s thriving community.

Managing director and founder of The Demographics Group Mr Bernard Salt AM will deliver the keynote presentation.

The Wagga Wagga 100,000 Population by Year 2038 event will be held from 9.30am until midday on Friday 27 September at the Rules Club Wagga Wagga.