• Draw people from the central business area down through the precinct and along a connected trail to the Burraja Cultural Centre and the ‘Crossing Place’ cultural trail;
• Strengthen the physical connection between the town centre and the Wodonga Creek to encourage new economic opportunities;
• Allows for a range of tourism and leisure opportunities to cater to different markets;
• A focus on the preservation and promoting the cultural heritage;
• Hospitality operators and businesses who have the opportunity to leverage from the development;
• Greater activation, better utilisation of the waterway; and

Creating a starting point to the overall Gateway Island experience and has the potential to encourage a multi night stay.

To develop Gateway Island in a coordinated and well-planned manner and transform Wodonga Creek into a significant precinct.

• Connectivity of island improved through new Wodonga Creek pathways and linkages and improved signage.
• Development considers design element for other precincts to ensure uniqueness and different but seamless visitor experience.
• Development is sensitive to the environmental, cultural and heritage values of the island.

The development of visitor tourism product.

• Improved cultural connections and display of cultural materials.
• Moteliers promote profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural products/artwork.

To take advantage of economic opportunity by encouraging people to spend time in precincts closest to the central business area.

• Connection to central business area and Wodonga Creek offerings obvious.
• Improve pedestrian and cycle connections to Wodonga Creek from central business area and other areas of Gateway Island.
• Increased utilization of Wodonga Creek precinct.
• Improved patronage of existing and new hospitality vans.

Increased public access to active and passive recreational activities including improved access to the riverfront.

• Development provides options of active and passive recreation water activities.
• Development of options that provide opportunities to visually interact with the waterfront e.g. viewing deck, sitting areas, passive beach area

• Wodonga’s Council Plan, the detailed planning of Wodonga Creek is identified as a priority action under the strategic objective of planning for growth, demonstrating stewardship through protecting, enhancing and managing our unique natural and built environments which aligns strongly with Ovens and Murray Regional Economic Development strategy (REDS);
• A high-level Gateway Island masterplan (2018) has been developed in the context of the applicable planning scheme and specialist desktop studies in the areas of cultural heritage and tourism/economic opportunities.
• Alignment with the Albury Wodonga Regional Projects (Deal) priorities and objectives;
• The Ovens and Murray Regional Economic Development strategy (REDS) identifies ‘strengthening the visitor economy through leveraging the regions nature, epicurean and cultural tourism industries’ as one of its key strategic direction;

• The continued planning and transformation of the precincts on Gateway Island is supported by the Murray Regional Tourism Strategic plan. The plan supports new investments in visitor experiences and the strengthening of experiences for visitors of our unique offering including nature, history heritage and arts and culture, road and river experiences;
• In the Albury Wodonga Local Area action plan (Feb 2023), the plan identifies, after consultation with local visitors and economic stakeholders, the market expectation for more nature based experience, untapped First Nations stories and experiences and a focus for enhancement on Gateway Island including the delivery of the Gateway Island Master plan;
• The Albury Wodonga Destination Management Plan; identifies the need to grow the regions tourism product offering and infrastructure including the action to review and implement the Gateway Island Masterplan.
• The Wodonga Council Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan talks to incorporating story telling and culture into public spaces and council led events and initiatives; and
• Strengthening and developing iconic tourism products is also supported by the Ovens and Murray Regional Partnerships Roadmap as an economic development opportunity to grow and support the tourism sector.

This project is to be jointly funded by Wodonga Council and the Albury Wodonga Regional Partnership Projects fund.

The design significantly improves safe, inclusive access to the creek edge for pedestrians and cyclists:

• Shared paths run close to the creek in selected locations, giving people visual and physical connection to the water without encouraging unsafe access.
• Gentle ramps and landings (including 1 in 14 and 1 in 20 grades) allow people of different abilities to move down towards lower creek-side paths.
• In steeper or sensitive areas, access is provided via raised decking platforms on screw piles, which:
  • Allow people to experience the creek edge safely.
  • Minimise disturbance to the bank and vegetation.
• Granite sand paths are used on lower-bank walkways where a softer, more natural treatment is appropriate.
• Bollards, fencing and guardrails are placed strategically to:
  • Prevent accidental vehicle access to the creek.
  • Guide people to safe, intended access points.
  • Reduce the risk of falls near steep banks or flood-prone areas.

Overall, people are encouraged to get closer to the creek, but only at locations designed to be stable, accessible and safe.

Boat access is limited, controlled and low-impact, reflecting the park and creek environment and critical infrastructure in the area:

• A grassed, geogrid-reinforced access ramp is provided, rather than a hard concrete ramp.
  • This supports small, non-motorised or lightweight craft (e.g. kayaks, canoes).
  • The geogrid allows grass to grow while still providing structural strength and erosion protection.
• The ramp connects directly to the path network, allowing people to:
  • Walk lightweight craft down safely.
  • Avoid dragging craft over unstable banks.
• Bollards and removable bollards ensure:
  • Vehicles cannot drive directly to the creek edge.
  • Maintenance or emergency access can still be managed when required.

North East Water does not support formal recreational access for boats and powered watercraft being created at the proposed location due to the presence of critical water infrastructure within the vicinity.

North East Water’s preference is to encourage that other recreational waterway activities be undertaken downstream of the rock weir to limit any interaction between the public and North East Water's assets.

Environmental sustainability has been a key consideration throughout the detailed design phase. Comprehensive flora and fauna assessments, waterway condition reviews and a cultural heritage assessment have informed the final design to ensure works avoid or minimise impacts on the creek corridor and its ecological values.

The design integrates ecologically sustainable development principles, including the use of durable, low-maintenance materials, increased native planting to strengthen riparian habitat, improved bank stabilisation to reduce erosion, and enhancements that support long-term waterway health.

Water-play elements have been designed to minimise potable water use through controlled flow mechanisms and where possible, reused for irrigation.

The project also promotes active transport and reduced vehicle dependency by strengthening connections within the shared path network. These measures contribute to longer-term environmental, social and health outcomes for the community.