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Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter
Saturday 12 November 2022 | Issue #421
Flooding and rain take their toll on our road network
Council
Local roads affected by flooding gradually reopen to traffic REPAIR WORKS: Grader crews on the task of reinstating the road pavement and wearing course on the southern approach to the Eunony Bridge this week. Events & Tourism
Raiders v Storm in Wagga Wagga, 2022.
Raiders v Dolphins: NRL game in Wagga Wagga in 2023 Wagga Wagga City Council and Canberra Raiders’ commitment to bring the National Rugby League back to the city next year was today confirmed with the 2023 NRL draw including a premiership game at McDonald’s Park next season. The Raiders will play a round nine home game against the NRL's newest team, the Dolphins, in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 29 April 2023, kicking off at 3pm. Tickets will go on sale early next year. Councils’ Strategic Asset Planner (Parks
Courtesy of Canberra Raiders. and Recreation) Ben Creighton said the Raiders’ ongoing commitment to bringing one of their home games to Wagga Wagga reflects the strong partnership forged between the club and the city. “Seeing the date locked in for the round nine clash next April is exciting news for Wagga Wagga and for regional sporting fans who take every opportunity to support big sporting events in our city,” Mr Creighton said. “We have one of the premier regional venues in the state and we’re looking forward to welcoming a capacity crowd at McDonalds Park to see the Raiders take on the Dolphins, who’ll be travelling down from Queensland for the clash. “But it’s not just the footy fans who will benefit from having the game here. These
events deliver major flow-on effects for local businesses who can capitalise on the visitors to our city and region." This will be the fourth game in the past five years the Raiders have played here, with the 2020 fixture called off due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. The game is scheduled for the weekend before the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup Carnival, giving rugby league supporters the opportunity to extend their stay in the region. Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner said he welcomes the opportunity to make the trip out to Wagga Wagga again, giving their many Riverina supporters the chance to watch an NRL game in their own backyard. “We’re once again really looking forward to coming out to Wagga Wagga and playing one of our home matches regionally in 2023,” Mr Furner said. “The players and Coach Ricky Stuart really enjoy getting out to regional areas and the Wagga Wagga match has become one of our favourite fixtures. “Fans coming along to the match will also have the opportunity to see the NRL’s newest team in action in the Dolphins and we’re hoping to see plenty of support for the Raiders when we head out in round nine.” Tickets for the match will go on sale early next year. Council will keep the public updated on when and how tickets can be purchased.
Sipped on a soothing cuppa? Did you know you can put your tea bags - tab, string and all – in the green lid FOGO bin?
To learn more visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/householdwaste
Wagga Wagga City Council is thanking motorists for their patience, as flood affected roads remain closed this week while crews wait for them to dry out before commencing repairs. With water from the most recent flood receding, Council crews have been out assessing affected roads to determine the extent of damage and whether repairs will be required before they can be reopened. The October and November flood events, in addition to the August event, have taken their toll on parts of Council’s road network. Director Infrastructure Services Warren Faulkner said even though flood water may no longer be across some of these roads, many are still not ready to be driven on. “The asphalt or bitumen surface and the underlying layer of gravel in some places are absolutely saturated from being inundated, softening and weakening the gravel layer,” Mr Faulkner said. “Water is trapped in the pavement under the seal, and we already have isolated ‘blisters’ in the bitumen seal occurring in a few spots where the water is coming to the surface to try and escape. “Opening up the road before the pavement dries out sufficiently to regain enough strength to carry vehicle loading will lead to deformation of the road pavement as well as potholes. “We know the closures of key routes such as the Eunony Bridge Road and Hampden Avenue between North Wagga and Cartwrights Hill impact traffic flows, but we’re asking motorists to please comply with ‘road closed’ signs. “You may be tempted to ignore these signs, thinking it won’t do any harm, but driving on roads already compromised by the flood waters will only add to the damage, and the time and cost of repairs.” Hampden Avenue (between North Wagga and Cartwrights Hill) reopened to traffic on Friday morning. Council crews have also been working as quickly as they can to repair the Eunony Bridge Road. “The southern approach to the bridge sustained substantial damage from the force of the flood water flowing between the Travelling Stock reserves on either side of the road,” Mr Faulkner said. “It stripped off parts of the bitumen seal and washed away the underlying gravel pavement in many places. “Our grader crews have been out reinstating the road pavement and wearing course so we can reopen it as soon as possible and ease the pressure on vehicle flows over the Gobbagombalin Bridge and through North Wagga Wagga.” Boorooma Street between Gardiner Street and the Olympic Highway still had water flowing across it on Friday. Once the water has receded, Council will inspect the road for any damage and undertake necessary repairs. To stay up-to-date about local road closures, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/ flooding