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$8.6 million Museum of the Riverina officially launched
The redeveloped Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site has been officially launched after a $8.6 million upgrade creating a new and inclusive experience for residents and visitors to our city.
The event was held on Wednesday with Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri Elder Aunty Isabel Reid performing a Welcome to Country before the museum was officially launched by NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts, Regional Youth and Tourism, Ben Franklin MLC, and Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout.
Designed and built by Cumnock Constructions, the museum integrates renovated and revitalised collections with a spectacular new building, creating a new exhibition gallery, learning studio, collection storage facility, public spaces, and staff offices.
A landscaped living outdoor area will complement these works once the heat of summer has passed.
The Mayor said the museum redevelopment will be a fantastic asset to the city.
“The upgrade brings significant economic benefits and will lift the status of the precinct from a local to a regional attraction,” Cr Tout said.
“It will position Wagga Wagga as a centre for cultural excellence and showcase the region as an exciting and unique tourism destination.
“It is expected to bring almost 20,000 visitors to the site when it reopens, and the increased visitation will generate an additional 39 jobs through direct and indirect impact.
“We have constructed a new exhibition space and upgraded storage areas to manage the museum’s large and diverse permanent collection holdings which are valuable community assets.
“Ongoing community consultation and implementation of Wiradjuri cultural heritage perspectives as part of the research and development of the new exhibition spaces was a key focus of this project.”
Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri Elders and Cultural Knowledge Holders were engaged to work on the research and development of the new exhibitions and programs that will be presented when the museum opens to the public.
“Wiradjuri and First Nations creative practitioners’ works have been commissioned, loaned or acquired as part of this project,” Councillor Tout said.
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Mr Franklin said the project was made possible thanks to the NSW Government’s record $100 million Regional Cultural Fund, which is a cornerstone of the $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund.
“We know that arts and culture are at the heart of our regional communities, which is why this investment in the redevelopment of this cultural institution for the people of Wagga Wagga is so important,” Mr Franklin said.
“Regional museums have the power to invigorate communities by delivering many positive social, cultural and economic benefits. This spectacular museum will attract locals and tourists of all ages to connect, learn and enjoy the many wonderful exhibitions and cultural experiences.”
The $8.6 million project was managed by Council and funded by the Australian Government ($4.3 million), NSW Government’s Create NSW Regional Cultural Fund ($3.18 million) and Restart NSW - Infrastructure NSW ($739,466), and Council ($400,000).
The Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site is expected to open to the public this autumn.
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An extension to Lake Albert Road Upgrade works
Night works are set to commence next week on resurfacing a section of the northern end of Lake Albert Road, as part of the $4.8 million project to rehabilitate one of Wagga Wagga’s busiest thoroughfares.
Wagga Wagga City Council at its ordinary meeting on Monday night (30 January) agreed to extend the scope of the most recent Lake Albert Road Rehabilitation program, using a surplus of grant funding made available after the initial Stage 3 works came in under budget.
The extension has also been approved by Transport for NSW.
Stages 3A and 3B of the project were completed in January 2022.
This additional section of works will see a 380m stretch of the road from Warrawong Street to and including the Copland Street intersection resurfaced, with night works scheduled to start on Monday 6 February, weather permitting.
Director Infrastructure Services Warren Faulkner said Fulton Hogan contractors have been engaged to undertake the pavement rehabilitation works.
“The night works will involve removing the existing pavement by milling it out and replacing it with a new thick layer of asphalt,” Mr Faulkner said.
“The result will be a fantastic new surface on one of the city’s most important thoroughfares.”
The new works are expected to take just over a week to complete, depending on weather conditions.
The road will be closed to through traffic at the roadworks site between 6pm to 6am, with detours via Lord Baden Powell Drive and Railway Street. Vehicular access for residents and emergency services within the roadworks will be made available.
“The road works are being undertaken at night to minimise inconvenience to road users and surrounding residents and for the safety of construction staff working on the site,” Mr Faulkner said.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this work may cause and appreciate the patience of residents and road users.”
The project is funded via a 75 per cent contribution from the Australian Government and NSW Government under Round One of the Fixing Local Roads program, with the remaining funding provided by Council.
DRIVE ELECTRIC: Residents and visitors can expect the installation of four new electric vehicle charging stations across Wagga Wagga by the end of August 2023.
Council receives NSW Destination EV Charging Grant
Wagga Wagga City Council is set to receive $23,796 for the installation of four new electric vehicle charging stations under the $20 million NSW Destination Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Grant Round.
The NSW Government Office of Energy and Climate Change initiative aims to assist regional NSW destinations to attract new visitors, cater for an increasing number of EV drivers, and reduce carbon emissions, helping reach net zero emissions targets.
Manager Environment & Regulatory Services Sharomi Dayanand said the installation of four additional charging stations would also ease range anxiety for new and existing EV users by increasing our city’s charging network.
“While the installation of public place EV charging stations is not a local government responsibility, councils across NSW, including Wagga Wagga City Council, are working closely with the NSW Government to increase their availability, given the rise in electric and hybrid vehicle purchases,” Ms Dayanand said.
“The new chargers will be installed at car parks within the Visitor Information Centre, Apex Park, Bolton Park and Morrow Street.”
Residents and visitors alike can expect the additional EV charging stations to be ready for use by the end of August 2023.
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Set the stage: Civic Theatre prepares for busy year
The Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre stage is undergoing a major upgrade this week in preparation for a packed season in 2023.
It’s been more than 10 years since the stage last had minor upgrade works and, under the weight of thousands of performances, it has sagged in areas, creating an uneven surface.
Manager Civic Theatre Isobel MacCallum said theatres typically replace their stage surfaces every 10 to 15 years.
“The Civic Theatre stage gets a lot of use and, post-COVID, we’ve been particularly busy, sometimes averaging up to three or four different shows per week,” Ms MacCallum said.
“Some productions have big and heavy set pieces, and securing them to an uneven surface poses challenges.
“This upgrade will create a flat, safe and stable performance area, which means we can present the widest range of creative artforms to our audiences and maximise safety for professional and community users.”
Ms MacCallum said the new stage will be ready for the year’s full schedule which kicks off at the end of February.
“Our first show of the season is The Wharf Revue: LOOKING FOR ALBANESE, followed by an incredibly busy March,” Ms MacCallum said.
“We’ll have On by Circa, followed by 360 Allstars featuring BMX tricks, basketball, breakdancing, beatboxing and acrobatics, which is a massive hit with teenagers and a staff favourite.”
The $50,000 stage upgrade was made possible through a $41,000 grant received under Create NSW’s Creative Capital Funding Program – Minor Works and Equipment Round 1, with Council contributing the remaining $9,000. For more information, visit civictheatre.com.au
A $4.2 million funding boost to help repair local roads
Wagga Wagga City Council has welcomed this week’s announcement by the state government that it will share in a slice of $280 million in funding for NSW councils to repair flooddamaged roads.
Council will receive just over $4.2 million from the Regional and Local Roads Repair Program.
The allocation adds to the $793,000plus Council received last year as part of the $50 million provided by the government to help regional councils carry out emergency pothole patching.
Director Infrastructure Services Warren Faulkner said Council looks forward to the quick rollout of these funds.
“This funding is focused on the restoration of roads to pre-existing conditions and cannot be used for upgrades and renewal works,” Mr Faulkner said.
“The community will see a lot more removal of the ‘pothole patchwork quilts’ and repair of localised pavement failures on our road network that have occurred because of the prolonged and significant wet weather events, to improve ride quality, safety and aesthetics.
“However, we do advise that this funding will not fix all the problems on the road network.”
In January, Council commenced its road rehabilitation program of works on several key distributor roads.
Renewal and improvement of the pavement on a stretch of Inglewood Road, east of Mitchell Road, wrapped up on Thursday 2 February.
Works continue to widen and stabilise Mitchell Road, between Brunskill Road and Inglewood Road, and to rehabilitate Copland Street, between Blaxland Road and Tasman Road.
Contractors will start works on Lloyd Road, from Plumpton Road and Holbrook Road, on Monday 6 February, weather permitting.
Traffic control measure are in place at these road work sites. Motorists are asked to plan their journeys and to expect delays.
Golden best friends, Brennan (ImpC23/0014) and Dale (ImpC23/0015), are looking for their forever home. Both these domestic short-haired cats love to play. Brennan is confident, while Dale is a little quieter.
You can adopt these golden boys for $220 each.
Contact the shelter for more information.
6971 4651 graswagga.com.au
Vacancies
Vacancies
Accounting Cadet $2,318.42 gpf + super Closing: Monday 6 February 2023
Work Health and Safety Officer $3,001.30 gpf + super Closing: Friday 10 February 2023
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Operator $2,165.98 gpf + super Closing: Sunday 12 February 2023 gpf + super
Plant Operator (GWMC) $2,165.98 gpf + super Closing: Sunday 12 February 2023
Closing: Sunday 12 February 2023
Senior Vegetation Management Officer
$2,771.44 gpf + super
Closing: Sunday 19 February 2023
Senior Vegetation Management Officer $2,771.44 gpf + super Closing: Sunday 19 February 2023
Natural Resource Management Officer
$2,908.36 gpf + super
Closing: Sunday 19 February 2023
Natural Resource Management Officer $2,908.36 gpf + super Closing: Sunday 19 February 2023
Fleet Operations Officer $2,771.44 + super
Closing: Sunday, 19 February 2023
Fleet Operations Officer $2,771.44 + super Closing: Sunday, 19 February 2023
Cemetery/Crematorium Assistant $2,165.98 + super
Closing: Monday 20 February 2023
Cemetery/Crematorium Assistant $2,165.98 + super Closing: Monday 20 February 2023
Executive Assistant $2,640.48 + super
Closing: Monday 20 February 2023
Executive Assistant $2,640.48 + super Closing: Monday 20 February 2023
Executive Assistant to the Mayor $2,771.44 + super
Closing: Monday 20 February 2023
Executive Assistant to the Mayor $2,771.44 + super Closing: Monday 20 February 2023 gpf = gross salary per fortnight
Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer
Enquiries: 1300 292 442
For more details and to apply, visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/ jobs
