THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING WAGGA WAGGA CITY publication COUNCIL CouncilFEATURE News - ABY Wagga Wagga City Council
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Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter
Saturday 17 December 2022 | Issue #426
Plenty to showcase in the new guide
Events & Tourism
Enticing visitors to our Wagga Wagga + Surrounds region GET YOUR GUIDE: (from left) proprietors of Wollundry Grove Olives Bruce Spinks and Joo-Yee Lieu, Council Destination & Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker and Director of In Motion Fitness Kayak Tours Mick Wainwright at the launch of the 2022/23 Wagga Wagga + Surrounds Visitor Guide. Parks & Recreation
Be ‘water safe’ at the river this summer Wagga Wagga City Council is urging residents and visitors to the area to take care when in and around the Murrumbidgee River this summer, after recent flooding events caused changes to the river environment. The Murrumbidgee flooded in August, October, and again in November, with each event resulting in Wagga Beach, its carpark, and the Riverside precinct being inundated by water. Council has partnered with Royal Life Saving NSW (RLSNSW) over recent years to promote the message about safety in and around the river, but Strategic Asset Planner Ben Creighton said this year it is of particular importance.
“We’ve had the flooding situation over the past few months and still have the risk of high rivers moving forward,” Mr Creighton said. “We need people to understand the Murrumbidgee River that’s flowing through here today is not the same as it was last summer in terms of its flow, its banks and beaches, any submerged objects and its depth. “If you’ve been down to Wagga Beach since the water from the last flooding event receded, you can see there’s been a significant change to the landscape in and around the river, including a large amount of sand on the beach itself. “That means the river is changing all along this section.” There are several public spaces along the Murrumbidgee which are popular
for locals and visitors over the warmer months for swimming, fishing, camping, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing etc. RLSNSW Riverina Regional Manager Mick Dasey said it is important to make the right decisions when in and around the river. “If you just look at the flow of the river in this stretch, it’s flowing particularly quick for this time of year,” Mr Dasey said. “We can see the changes above the water but what we don’t know is what changes have happened underneath. “We’ve already commented on the amount of sand around on the banks at the beach; that sand had to come from somewhere in the river. “What it might have done is created a larger or deeper channel in certain parts of the river which could alter the speed of the current and cause other changes below the surface. “So, we’re just saying to people, by all means come and enjoy and use the facilities, but also be aware that things have changed and you need to make some changes in the way that you approach things as well.” As part of a rolling program of re-establishing Riverside post flooding, Council and Royal Life Saving NSW this week reinstalled water safety equipment, including the defibrillator and lifebuoys, containing an angel ring and throw rope, which were removed ahead of the flood events.
The new 2022/23 Wagga Wagga + Surrounds Visitor Guide encourages visitors to embark on a journey through our region and discover our unique culture, landscape and experiences. The new-look guide launches in time for the Christmas and summer holiday period, which is shaping up to be a busy time for visitors to our region. The publication showcases more than 140 tourism partner businesses from the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area and across seven neighbouring shires, including Coolamon, Junee, Narrandera, Snowy Valleys, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Greater Hume and Lockhart Shire. Wagga Wagga City Council’s Destination & Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker said the guide was informative, inspirational, and shared our region's story to visitors. “The guide highlights attractions visitors can see and do, places to shop, places to eat and drink, where to stay, great day trips and a vibrant year-round calendar of events,” Ms Parker said. “This year, through consultation with Wiradjuri Elders, Council has built on the First Nations storytelling in the guide. For the past two years the guide has included Wiradjuri phrases and translations to English. In addition to the phrases, this new guide introduces an illustration of 'Gugaa' (goanna) tracks. “The Gugaa is recognised as the overarching totem of the Wiradjuri Nation and a way of connecting all people, past and present, on Wiradjuri Land. As well as holding cultural significance, the illustration is also a symbolic representation of visitors to our region.” The 74-page guide aims to increase visitor numbers to our destination, which annually welcomes more than 1.38 million visitors and injects about $385 million into the economy. “There are so many reasons why our region is an ideal destination, from our National Parks, the Murrumbidgee River, plentiful fields of produce, arts, history, and culture, to our unique and inclusive events,” Ms Parker said. “We're already seeing encouraging accommodation numbers for the up-coming Christmas and New Year period, through positive forward bookings, indicating a strong return of the visiting friends and relatives market. “We're hoping this strong visitor demand continues well into 2023 and the new visitor guide will help with this sentiment.” The 2022/23 guide will be distributed through the Wagga Wagga Visitor Information Centre and local businesses, as well through the Australian Visitor Information network. The guide is also available at visitwagga.com
Council Christmas trading hours Council administration will close for the Christmas holiday period. Check our website to see our opening hours over the festive season.
wagga.nsw.gov.au/openhours
THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING FEATURE BY WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL
Events & Tourism
pet
Community
CANOPY COVER: An important element to helping cool our city is the goal to increase urban canopy cover in public open spaces including parks, reserves and sportsgrounds.
Cooling our city: Council adopts an Urban Cooling Strategy Wagga Wagga City Council has adopted the inaugural Urban Cooling Strategy 2022–2052, a 30-year plan to help cool our city through sustainable future developments and adapting public spaces. At its Ordinary Meeting on Monday night (12 December), Council agreed to adopt the Urban Cooling Strategy after reviewing submissions received during the exhibition period of the draft strategy document. Director Community Janice Summerhayes said the development of an Urban Cooling Strategy was critical to increasing community health, wellbeing and resilience to climate change, and the inherent risks associated with a warming environment. “An important element to cooling our city is the goal to enhance our urban canopy cover,” Ms Summerhayes said. “This strategy addresses the gaps that we have in our canopy cover across the city and was based on thermal imaging to understand how suburbs compare in terms of temperature and canopy cover.” Among many other actions within the Urban Cooling Strategy, Council will look at developing a detailed Urban Tree Management Plan which will drive how Council approaches tree planting through the city.
WHAT’S
ON WAGGA WAGGA + SURROUNDS
THIS WEEK: CHRISTMAS ART EXHIBITION OPENING Sat 17 to Sat 24 Dec The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St Ph: 6921 5391 TARCUTTA MARKETS Sat 17 Dec, 8am to 1pm Tarcutta Soldiers Memorial Hall, Sydney St Tarcutta Ph: 0477 472 154 BEST ST CHRISTMAS ART SALE Sat 17 Dec to Wed 21 Dec 9am to 5pm
Best Street Art Studios & Garden Art Gallery Ph: 0427 212 977 JESS JOHNSON & SIMON WARD: TERMINUS Sat 17 Dec to 6 Jan 10am to 2pm Wagga Wagga Art Gallery Cnr of Baylis & Morrrow Sts Ph: 6926 9660 CHRISTMAS TWLIGHT COMMUNITY MARKET Sun 18 Dec, 4pm to 8pm Victory Memorial Gardens Morrow St Ph: 0430 062 854 CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKETS BY THE LAKE Sat 17 Dec, 4pm to 8pm Apex Park, East Lake Dr Ph: 0497 937 934 CHRISTMAS WITH THE CON Sat 17 Dec, 7pm to 9pm Victory Memorial Gardens Morrow St Ph: 6925 3522 A SALUTE TO ROY ORBISON
WEEK
#adoptdontshop
International pro-wrestling event set to debut in Wagga Wagga Wagga Wagga City Council has welcomed the announcement the city has been chosen to host the New Japan Pro Wrestling’s first Oceania Cup in 2023. The professional wrestling event will be held over four days and will feature an inclusive event for people with disability and elite professional wrestlers, engagement sessions with fans, and a special appearance by legend wrestlers. Council has been in discussion with GLO Sports about the proposal to stage the event in Wagga Wagga for the past six months. Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout said the decision to hold the international competition here reflects the city’s reputation as a great location for top-level events. “Wagga Wagga is known as across the country and world as the ‘City of Good Sports’ not just for our homegrown sporting talent but for our high-quality sporting facilities,” Cr Tout said. “We have successfully hosted a lot of regional, state and national sporting competitions and it will be exciting to add an international professional wrestling event to that list. “In addition to the competitors and their support teams who will be attending, it’s anticipated the Oceania Cup will also draw thousands of pro-wrestling fans to our city. “This will be a great boost for the local and regional economy, as those visitors will be spending their dollars on accommodation, food, drinks and shopping, and hopefully taking time out to visit some of the surrounding towns and attractions while they’re here.” The Oceania Cup will be held at the Multi-Purpose Stadium at the Equex Centre. The timing of the event is yet to be confirmed.
OF THE
2021 pilot Outback Lifesaver program held at Wagga Beach.
Get registered for Outback Lifesavers ’23
Young residents keen to learn more about water safety and lifesaving skills can now register for the Outback Lifesaver program set to start in the city next month. The popular program is a partnership between Wagga Wagga City Council and Royal Life Saving NSW and was piloted in 2021. The third season features a revamped eight-day program at Oasis Aquatic Centre from 16–25 January 2023 for youth aged between U8 –U13. Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre’s Aquatics Supervisor Taileigh King said while the program is being held at the Oasis due to the uncertain conditions of the Murrumbidgee River, the focus will still be on education about water safety, particularly inland waterways. “It’s about giving participants an opportunity to develop their lifesaving skills and understanding of safety around water,” Ms King said. “We aim to provide them with the knowledge to identify any dangers when swimming and enjoying water activities with their friends and pass on that knowledge to keep a safer environment. “Learning the basic skills around water safety and learning to respect the river now will provide children with important skills which will help prepare them when they’re in situations around the water with their family and friends.” For more information and to register, visit drowningprevention.org.au/ outbacklifesaver
REST, REFLECT & RESET Wed 21 Dec 5.45pm to 7.45pm The Curious Rabbit, 44 WILLANS HILL MINIATURE Johnson St Ph: 6921 5391 RAILWAY RIDES Sun 18 Dec, 10am to 2.30pm WHAT A CRACKER! ADULT WORKSHOP Wagga Wagga Botanic Thu 22 Dec, 11am to 2pm Gardens, Macleay St Unique State Art Space Ph: 0412 439 455 43 Tompson St SOUTH WAGGA TENNIS Ph: 0437 699 995 CLUB HOLIDAY CAMP SYDNEY THUNDER Mon 19 to Thu 22 Dec 9am to 12pm SCHOOL HOLIDAY CRICKET PROGRAM South Wagga Tennis Club Fri 23 Dec, 9am to 2.30pm Cnr Murray St & Morgan Ln Robertson Oval Ph: 0455 593 890 42-48 Morgan Street MEGA RUN – SCHOOL Ph: 0478 283 650 HOLIDAYS AT THE OASIS Mon 19 Dec, 11am to 3pm DECORATE A SANTA SACK! FAMILY Oasis Aquatic Centre 50 Morgan St Ph: 6926 9390 WORKSHOP Fri 23 Dec, 10.30am to FESTIVAL OF 11.30am & 1pm to 2.30pm CHRISTMAS TREES Unique State Art Space Wed 21 Dec to Fri 23 Dec 43 Tompson St 5pm to 9pm Ph: 0437 699 995 St. John’s Anglican Church RIVERINA PACEWAY Church St Ph: 6921 2574 CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL Sat 17 Dec, 8pm to 10.15pm Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre Burns Way. Ph: 6926 9688
AND FIREWORKS Fri 23 Dec, 4.30pm to 11.30pm Riverina Paceway 92 Cooramin St Cartwrights Hill Ph: 0499 852 060 INFLATABLE DAYS – SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AT THE OASIS Mon 26, Wed 28, Fri 30, Sat 31 Dec, Mon 2, Wed 4 & Fri 6 Jan Oasis Aquatic Centre, 50 Morgan St Ph: 6926 9390 LIGHT THE LAKE NYE Fri 31 Dec, 5pm to 10pm Apex Park, Eastlake Dr E: facebook.com/ lightthelakewagga
/waggaevents visitwagga.com For event organising and promotion support, contact Council’s events unit: events@wagga.nsw.gov.au or 1300 292 442 Mon - Fri.
Hey Buddy! Buddy is a male, 1-year-old, Australian Kelpie who is a bundle of joy. He gets along well with other dogs and has a lot of energy to burn. You can bring Buddy (ImpD22/0577) home for only $274, which includes lifetime registration, vaccination, desexing, de-worming, heartworm test and ID Tag. Look at all our available pets at graswagga.com.au or visit the shelter from Monday to Saturday, 1pm – 4.15pm.
6971 4651 | graswagga.com.au
Vacancies Gardeners - Two (2) Permanent Positions Available $1,957.26 gpf + super Closing: Monday 9 January 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
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Been feeling the gift of giving this festive season? Remember wrapping paper and cardboard packaging go in the yellow lid recycling bin.
To learn more visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/householdwaste
@cityofwaggawagga
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R251000208
Environment & Animals
1300 292 442 wagga.nsw.gov.au