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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