Council to enter funding arrangement for Lake Albert foreshore works and pipeline
Wagga Wagga City Council has approved a funding agreement with the Australian Government for the development and construction of the Lake Albert Pipeline, foreshore remediation and weir works.
This funding is a result of Council’s successful application for $4,493,776 from the Growing Regions Program –Round 1 to undertake the project.
Council’s Manager City Growth and Regional Assets Ben Creighton said alongside the approved funding, Council is required to also contribute $4,493,776 towards the delivery of this project.
“At the August 5 Ordinary Council Meeting Council endorsed the funding deed with the Government for just under $4.5 million,” Mr Creighton said.
“Council will match that $4.5 million. We'll essentially have a $9 million project that would see the development of a pipeline from the river through to the lake.
“It will also see a bit over two kilometres of foreshore works completed to address significant erosion. There will also be some weir upgrade works, which will allow us to better control the outflow of the water from the lake.”
Additional to the report for funding, there was another report presented to Council providing an update on the different activities being undertaken at Lake Albert (read more on page 2).
Although Council has not yet received the funding deed from the government, Council is expecting it shortly following the recent announcement.
“The announcement has been made, but we don't have the funding deed yet. Despite this, there's a number of planning activities Council is currently working on at the moment, as well as investigating potential partnership opportunities on the delivery model.”
While still in the planning stage for the works, it is expected that Council will go to market for the foreshore works before the end of 2024.
“The pipeline works do require some land and easement acquisitions, and we’re currently identifying those areas. However, I anticipate that the acquisition works would be completed over the next 12 months, and then we would look to complete the pipeline in the following year.”
As the works progress, updates will be provided through Council’s Have Your Say website: haveyoursay.wagga.nsw. gov.au
Art Gallery’s GREEN 2023 gets a gong
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery has won a major award for GREEN 2023: Year of Environmental Exhibitions and Programs at the 2024 Local Government Week Awards.
The gallery received Highly Comgended recognition in the Leo Kelly OAM Arts & Culture Award for its series of collaborative, environmentally focused exhibitions and programs curated and presented throughout 2023.
Council’s Art Gallery Director Dr Lee-Anne Hall said the award was recognition of the Gallery’s innovative work in creating, organising, and managing the year-long program.
"GREEN 2023 featured 20 exhibitions, with associated programs throughout the year,” Dr Hall said.
“During 2023 we held workshops for children, teenagers and adults that explored waste and sustainability, singleuse plastic and upcycled materials.
“The success of GREEN 2023 is due to the dedicated staff at Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, and our incredible contributors and partners, such as the Museum of the Riverina.”
Dr Hall said the gallery also hosted residencies, where artists utilised its workshop area.
“The public’s reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
“The exhibitions and programs all had strong attendance, from school groups and locals to visitors from across Australia.
“They enjoyed and appreciated the fact that GREEN 2023 identified the environmental challenges we face globally, but also suggested how we might take action at a local level.
“What GREEN 2023 demonstrated was that our Gallery can be a safe space for difficult ideas.”
Whilst GREEN 2023: Year of Environmental Exhibitions and Programs is complete, the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery continues to explore and host exhibitions and programs with socially and environmentally conscious themes and ideas.
To see what’s on visit the art gallery website at waggaartgallery.com.au/ whats-on
Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter
GREAT AWARD FOR GALLERY WORK: Art Gallery Director Dr Lee-Anne Hall with the Leo Kelly Arts and Culture Highly Commended Award for GREEN 2023.
MINISTER VISIT: Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP, met with Mayor Councillor Dallas Tout and Council’s Manager City Growth and Regional Assets Ben Creighton to discuss the Lake Albert works.
Foodbank pop-up returns for the 2024 Homelessness Week Expo
In recognition of Homelessness Week, Wagga Wagga City Council joined multiple local community support groups and organisations at the Homelessness Week Expo on Thursday 8 August.
Locals experiencing food insecurity and homelessness were able to attend and access fresh food, health care services, and other support services.
The Homelessness Week Expo is an initiative of the Triple H Forum, organised by Wagga Wagga City Council and supported by Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) as part of their ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Murrumbidgee community.
Council’s Community Development Coordinator Alex Osgood said
community members were able to meet with services that provide early intervention and crisis support.
“The event provides access to food relief, and a chance to meet with local services that can help,” Ms Osgood said.
“Especially with the rising cost of living, it’s important that people know that there are services available to support them at an earlier intervention stage but also at that crisis stage.
“The key message that we want to get across to people is to reach out and ask for help.”
Alex Osgood says for those still experiencing hardship, Council’s ‘Can We Help’ online webpage is a good starting point to find a local service that can provide assistance.
“If you need food, someone to talk to or somewhere to sleep and shower, there are services that can help,” Ms Osgood said.
“Everyone deserves to be safe.”
To read more about these services, visit Council’s website: wagga.nsw.gov/ homeless
Update on planning and operational activities for Lake Albert
Council has received and noted a report providing an update on several planning and operational activities that will impact Lake Albert in the short and long term.
The report presented at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Monday 5 August included an update on the Waterzyme blue-green algae treatment trial, sedimentation levels, and the draft Lake
Theatre, Burns Way. W. www.civictheatre. com.au
Drag Trivia – The Simpsons with Sapphire Quartz & Jai Normes
Wollundry Saturday Markets
SAT 10 AUG, 9AM – 1PM
Wollundry Lagoon Precinct, Tarcutta
St. E. markets@ wollundryrotary.org.au
Twist & Shout a Salute to Rock n Roll of the 50’s & 60’s
SAT 10 AUG, 2PM – 4.30PM Wagga Wagga Civic
SAT 10 AUG, 6.30PM – 9.30PM The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. E. hello@ curiousrabbit.com.au
Travelling Film Festival
SAT 10 & SUN 11 AUG, 6.30PM – 10PM Forum 6 Cinemas, 77 Trail St. E. tff@sff.org.au
Band Fusion 2024
SAT 10 AUG, 7PM – 9PM Henschke Primary School Hall, 96 Bourke
Albert Plan of Management.
Manager City Growth and Regional Assets Ben Creighton says the Waterzyme trial began in January this year and coincided with testing results that indicated a Red Alert level for bluegreen algae.
“It did have some impact but didn't necessarily resolve all of the issues for us, so at this point in time, it's about investigating what options are out there,” Mr Creighton said.
“At this stage, we will be looking to take a report to the new council closer to summer on what treatments would be available for the upcoming season.
“We will also continue to talk to
St. E. kdunstan@ rivconmusic.nsw.edu.au
Native Candle Making Workshop SUN 11 AUG, 11AM – 1PM
Little Black Duck Studio, 23 Guttler St, Uranquinty. W. www. littleblackduckaus.com
Sunday Classics with Abbey and Jenna
SUN 11 AUG, 1PM – 2PM
The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. E. hello@ curiousrabbit.com.au
The Merry Widows SUN 11 AUG, 1PM –3.30PM & 5PM – 7.30PM The Basement Theatre,
Morrow St. E. contact@ soact.com.au
Life Drawing with Stefan Sits Still SUN 11 AUG, 2.30PM – 4.30PM The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. E. hello@ curiousrabbit.com.au
Ash Grunwald at Tilly’s SUN 11 AUG, 3.30PM – 8.30PM Tilly’s Wagga, 109 Baylis St. W. info@tillyswagga. com.au
Art Classes with Leigh Hewitt MON 12 AUG, 6PM – 8PM The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnson St. E. hello@
Waterzyme around their product as well, with the potential to look at that again this year.”
Councillors also received an update about sedimentation levels, with a recent hydrographic survey finding the sediment accumulation was substantially less than had previously been anticipated. It is recommended that staff continue to monitor sediment accumulation and movement and explore future sediment mitigation measures.
The final update was on the draft Lake Albert Plan of Management, which is expected to go on public exhibition during August.
Following the public exhibition period, if no significant changes are required, the department has also consented to the plan’s adoption following its consideration by Council.
curiousrabbit.com.au
The Visitors TUE 13 AUG, 7.30PM – 8.45PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. W. www.civictheatre. com.au
Drama as a Teaching Tool WED 14 AUG, 4PM – 6PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. W. www.civictheatre. com.au
Wheelchair AFL WED 14 AUG, 6.30PM Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. E. johnL@ wsnsw.org.au
Pottery and Pints THU 15 & FRI 16 AUG, 7PM – 9PM North Shore Studios, 57 William St. P. 0418 876 122 Riverina Producers Market THU 15 AUG, 1PM – 6.30PM Hammond Hall, Wagga Wagga Showground,
Council is offering residents from the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area the opportunity to apply for a rebate after purchasing reusable nappies, incontinence and/or menstrual products.
LOCAL HELP: Council’s Community Development Coordinator Alex Osgood is thankful for all the volunteers that helped provide relief to our community.
