THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING WAGGA WAGGA CITY publication COUNCIL Council FEATURE News - ABY Wagga Wagga City Council
ADVERTISEMENT
Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter
Saturday 14 October 2023 | Issue #467
Environment & Animals
Council
A boost for Council’s Lake Albert pipeline project
Bird is the word! Aussie Bird Count on again this year BIRD COUNT: The 2023 Aussie Bird Count is on from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 October. Council is encouraging residents to get involved and will be offering free guidance to those wishing to take part. It's time again this year to dust off the binoculars and head outside as part of the BirdLife Australia Aussie Bird Count taking place over one week, from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 October. Council is encouraging residents to take part in this fun activity for all ages and is offering multiple free guided sessions over the week to assist anyone wanting to get involved. The Aussie Bird Count is a national event which involves observing and counting birds in your local area. Council’s Environmental Education Officer Christina Reid says whether you are an avid bird watcher or looking for a new activity to try, this initiative is for everyone. “There are so many reasons to take part! It’s such a fun thing to do, it’s free and it’s really easy,” Ms Reid said. “You can participate from home by recording what you see in your own backyard, or you can head out and discover which species are present in our beautiful conservation areas. “Choose a time that suits you to count as many birds as you can see in a 20-minute period. “You can use your smart phone to enter
details via the free Aussie Bird Count app, or you can write down what you see and log your findings when you get back to your computer via the website. “There’s also a helpful tool built into the app to help you identify birds you’re unsure of.” To take part in the bird count, you will need to register online and complete a short form at aussiebirdcount.org.au Data collected by citizen scientists play a vital role in informing councils, environmental officers, and organisations like BirdLife Australia of the health of Australia’s ecosystems. Environmental Officer Samantha Pascall says as a supporter of the count, Council receives access to local data of identified species and how many people took part. “Last year we saw 246 Wagga residents participating in the count to record more than 15,000 individual birds, which included 124 separate species,” Ms Pascall said. “While the most common bird nationally was the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, the most common bird spotted in the local area was the Australian Magpie. However, we also recorded six threatened species, such as the Dusky Woodswallow and the Brown Treecreeper.”
This year Council’s Environment team will be assisting those wishing to take part in the activity. They will be available for 30 minutes each day in different locations across the city, so residents can ask questions and see how the count works: • Monday 16 October at 8:30am at Wagga Beach – meet at the original Kiosk building. • Tuesday 17 October at 4pm at the Marrumbidya Wetlands – meet at the covered presentation area. • Wednesday 18 October at 9am at Flowerdale Lagoon – meet at the carpark on the corner of Sturt Highway and Edward Street (West). • Thursday 19 October at 4pm at the Botanic Gardens, Macleay Street, Turvey Park – meet at the Music Bowl. • Friday 20 October at 10am at Lake Albert – meet at Lake Albert Picnic Area at Apex Park, Lake Street. • Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October – staff will not be available this day, but it is a great opportunity to go off on your own and choose a place to explore. For more information visit aussiebirdcount.org.au
Be mindful to not overload your bin. If you struggle to shift it, the truck will struggle to lift it. Avoid placing large amounts of soil, rubble or sand in your red lid bin.
To learn more visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/householdwaste
A step forward for the Lake Albert pipeline project, with Wagga Wagga City Council having been granted a specific purpose water licence for the lake by the NSW Government. The licence will allow Council to pump 1800 megalitres of water annually from the Murrumbidgee River to Lake Albert once a pipeline has been constructed. Work on the project to deliver a solution to the periodic drying of Lake Albert, which has occurred for at least 75 years, is currently in the planning and design phase. General Manager Peter Thompson said Council has been working with a consultant to identify options for the pipeline route and an access point to take water from the river. “The focus is currently on using the former Riverina Water offtake point and designing a single pipeline route, after other options were considered and dismissed,” Mr Thompson said. “Once the design work is done, we will be able to do a costing for the project. “We don’t have a delivery date for when construction work will begin or be completed.” Funding for the project will need to be identified, which will likely exceed $7 million for the design, procurement of easements, water licences and construction of the pipeline from the river to Lake Albert. Mr Thompson said given the potential cost of the project, Council will continue to apply for grant funds. “An Expression of Interest has been submitted for the Growing Regions Program which is currently undetermined. Council staff will continue to work closely with Riverina Water to further define the design, construction and long-term management of this infrastructure.