Council News #450 - 17 June 2023

Zoo looking for new homes for

beloved goats

GREENING CAMPAIGN: Environmental Education Officer Christina Reid and Vegetation Management Officer Charles Metcalfe at this week’s One Tree for Me giveaway.

Seedling giveaways are back for 2023!

Wagga Wagga City Council’s popular seedling giveaway program One Tree for Me has returned for 2023, kicking off with a visit to Harris Park in Mount Austin earlier this week.

The campaign aims to see 65,000 native seedlings planted throughout our local area over a six-year period.

Environmental Education Officer Christina Reid said one giveaway will be held in a different suburb or rural village each month over June, July and August and September.

“Our community has embraced the One Tree for Me initiative over the past two years and we expect it will be just as popular this time around,” Ms Reid said.

“We’ve already achieved more than 22,000 native seedlings planted within the community and this year over our four free events we expect to give away another 8,000 seedlings.

“We try to choose a different location each time in places where we can reach the most people, so everyone gets an opportunity to access the events.

The Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens Zoo & Aviary is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from the community to rehome five of its adult goats.

Zoo Curator Wendy McNamara said the goats have been on display for several years but had to be relocated due to recent changes at the zoo.

“We are looking to rehome five older goats to be kept as pets, lawn mowers and weed eaters, preferably in a hobby farm situation,” Ms McNamara said.

“With all the renovations and changes we’ve had going on at the zoo the goats have been off display for some time.

“For their benefit, we would like to find them new homes were they can live out their days somewhere more comfortable and with more space.”

Members of the community may place an EOI with their bid for the goats via Council’s website.

There are two males and three females looking for new homes: Bilbo (male), Rocky (male), Lumpy (female), Scraggles (female), and Figwit (female).

It is preferred the goats stay together, at minimum in pairs.

There will be a screening process for applicants to ensure the goats, who are familiar to the community and beloved by the zoo staff, will find comfortable new homes.

Requirements of the new owners include: agreement to provide the goats with a safe, secure and permanent home with suitable land, fencing and shelter for the remainder of the goats’ lives.

The goats must not be used for slaughter, consumption, or profit, and are not to be on-sold.

Photographs of the property must be provided with the Expression of Interest to show the conditions where the goats will be housed.

Staff may also phone applicants to discuss other conditions of the property.

“We are asking people to put in an Expression of Interest for the goats and explain what they can offer in terms of a home for them,” Ms McNamara said.

“It’s not about the highest bidder, it’s about the best outcome for the goats. We

do love them so we will be selective about where they go.”

For further information about the goats, the conditions of their rehoming, and to arrange to view the goats in person please contact the Wagga Zoo & Aviary on 0418 228 348 or email zoo@wagga. nsw.gov.au

EOIs are open from Saturday 17 June and close Sunday 25 June 2023.

Submissions can be made online via wagga.nsw.gov.au/goats

“To receive the seedlings all you have to do is turn up within the allotted time and we will give you a bag containing five seedlings, and best of all, it’s all free!”

One Tree for Me is part of Council’s Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanha 2020-2030, which sets our path to protecting and enhancing biodiversity in our local area.

The initiative is designed to encourage people to grow the right sort of plants for the local environment.

“We’ve carefully selected plants that are native to the local area and are suited to thrive in the Wagga Wagga climate,” Ms Reid said.

“They’re also designed to support any type of native wildlife that you may find in your backyard, such as birds and other pollinators, such as bees, butterflies or even our microbats.”

The day, time, and location of the next seedling giveaways will be announced a few days prior across Council’s social media networks.

To find out more about the program, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/onetreeforme

REHOMING TIME: Zoo Keeper Hannah Wilkin is one of the staff at the Wagga Zoo & Aviary who want to see the goats sent to comfortable and caring new homes.

Environment & Animals

Environment & Animals

Join a team of visitor economy changemakers

Applications now open for Council's Tourism Partner Program.

Tourism businesses and organisations are invited to join forces to promote visitation to our thriving Wagga Wagga + Surrounds region.

In its eighth year, the program offers tourism businesses and organisations the opportunity to work with Wagga Wagga City Council's Visitor Economy and Events team on a range of tourism initiatives, including print and digital marketing opportunities and exclusive invites to industry events and workshops, coordinated by the team.

Each year, Wagga Wagga attracts more than 1.38 million visitors, injecting an estimated $385 million into the local economy.

Council’s Destination and Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker emphasised the importance of working together to drive our region’s visitor economy.

“As our city and region continue to grow, new visitor opportunities are emerging, each seeking unique experiences tailored to their needs and expectations,” Ms Parker said.

“With hundreds of tourism businesses in our city and surrounding region, we are fortunate enough to offer a diverse range of attractions and experiences, making it crucial for our industry to collaborate and market our destination cohesively.”

The Wagga Wagga + Surrounds region is fast gaining recognition as a leading tourism destination, highlighted by its selection as the host of the Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference in 2024.

“There has never been a better time to jump on board this momentum to help drive the visitor economy of our region,” Ms Parker said.

For the 2023/24 program term, participants can look forward to being included in the popular Wagga Wagga + Surrounds Visitor Guide and other digital and print publications, including the Top Spots Guide and the Business Event and Conference Guide.

Tarcutta Markets

SAT 17 JUN, 8AM – 1PM Tarcutta Soldiers Memorial Hall, Sydney St. Tarcutta. P. 0477 472 154

Demonstration Gardens – Vegetable Swap or Buy

There will also be opportunities to partner on future collaborative Visit Wagga Wagga campaigns and initiatives, in addition to accessing industry development support through the visitor economy and invitations to workshops and networking events.

The Tourism Partner Program has a strong track record and successfully delivered several initiatives during 2022/23, including:

• COLLABS – a collaborative product and marketing campaign with a focus on agritourism, local tourismfocused creators and curated storytelling

• Wagga Wagga Christmas Campaign - an online gift guide and promotional video supporting local businesses and increasing retail spend over the Christmas period

• Tourism and Events Masterclass Series – five free tourism and events masterclasses covering a range of industry topics including Wiradyuri/ Wiradjuri culture, destination trends and accommodation insights and digital marketing skills.

To be eligible for the program, businesses must be located within a 120km radius of the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area and be accessible and relevant to visitors.

The program encompasses categories including accommodation, attractions, food outlets, and retailers, all of which play significant roles in servicing the visitor economy.

Although applications are accepted year-round, businesses are encouraged to sign up by Monday 31 July 2023 to be included in the 23/24 Visitor Guide publication.

For further information or to join the program, head to visitwagga. com/partners or contact the Visitor Economy team at partners@wagga. nsw.gov.au or on 1300 292 442.

To learn more about the program

The Visitor Economy team will be hosting a drop-in session on Thursday 13 July between 9am and 5pm at the Wagga Wagga Visitor Information Centre, 183 Tarcutta Street. This is an opportunity to meet directly with a member of the team to learn more about how the program may benefit your tourism business.

Borambola Wines, 1734 Sturt Hwy, Borambola. P. 0411 255 198

Willans Hill Miniature Railway Rides

Food safety on the menu at a Wagga Wagga information session

Wagga Wagga City Council is encouraging local food business owners to come along to a free Retail and Food Service Information Session, being held in the city next week.

The event is being hosted by Council in partnership with the NSW Food Authority at the Wagga Wagga RSL Club on Tuesday 20 June 2023.

Council’s Environmental Health Coordinator Sharomi Dayanand said the session will offer participants the rare opportunity to hear directly from the NSW Food Authority team and Council’s Environmental Health team.

“The day is designed to help local retail food businesses ensure the food they sell is safe to eat and to strengthen skills required to develop and maintain good food safety culture across food businesses,” Ms Dayanand said.

“It’s an opportunity to learn how to instil and strengthen a culture of food safety to help keep their customers free from foodborne illnesses.”

There will be a number of presentations from guest speakers, covering topics ranging from food safety legislation requirements to preventing foodborne illness in NSW, along with a cleaning and sanitising presentation and demonstration.

The day will also include a panel discussion and information stalls.

“Customers expect the food they buy to be safe to eat,” Ms Dayanand said.

“It's more important than ever to increase your food handling skills and knowledge, know your responsibilities regarding cleaning and sanitising, handwashing, how to prevent food borne illness, allergens, pest management and Scores on Doors.”

The session will be held in the Mirage Room at the RSL Club from 9.30am to 12.30pm on 20 June.

For more information or to register to attend, contact the NSW Food Authority on 1300 442 406 or visit eventbrite. com.au/e/retail-food-serviceinformation-session-wagga-waggacity-council-tickets-556350829307

Vacancies

Insurance & Risk Management Officer $2,908.36 gpf + super Closing: Monday, 19 June 2023

Corporate Planning & Performance Coordinator $3,494.78 gpf + super

Closing: Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Net Zero Emissions Project Officer $3,001.30 gpf + super

Closing: Thursday, 22 June 2023

Ranger $2,318.42 gpf + super Closing: Friday, 23 June 2023

Airport Reporting Officer $2,165.98 gpf + super

Closing: Sunday, 2 July 2023

Road closures

THE ESPLANADE (BETWEEN THORNE & BEST STs) & IVAN JACK DR (BETWEEN MORROW & TOMPSON STs) – NIGHT

WORKS

Date: Monday night 26 June to Thursday morning 29 June

Duration: 6pm - 6am

Reason: Pavement rehabilitation works

Detour: Road closures in place to through traffic. Local residents will maintain access to their properties.

JOHNSTON ST (BETWEEN FITZMAURICE & SIMMONS STs) & TRAIL ST/IVAN JACK DR (BETWEEN GURWOOD & MORROW STs) – NIGHT WORKS

P. 6921 5391

Are We There Yet?

TUE 20 & WED 21 JUN, VARIOUS TIMES Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.

125th Philippine Independence Day Celebration

Wagga

Urana St. P. 6921 6666

The Riverina

SAT 17 JUN, 9AM – 12PM

Demonstration Gardens, Cnr Shaw St & Albury St. P. 0411 417 956 Open Studio Gallery SAT 17 JUN, 10AM – 3PM

Studio, 11 Small St. P. 0413 786 209

Vinyasa Flow Yoga at Borambola Wines SUN 18 JUN, 9.30AM –

18 JUN, 10AM – 2.30PM Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. P. 0412 439 455 Wagga Wagga

Music Club

18 JUN, 1.30PM – 4.30PM RSL Club Wagga, Cnr

St & Dobbs St.

6931 1366

Art Classes with Leigh Hewitt MON 19 JUN, 6PM – 8PM

The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St.

P. 6926 9688

Refugee Week: Tariq’s Story of Finding Freedom

TUE 20 JUN, 5.30PM – 6.30PM

Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.

P. 1300 292 442

Cotton Candy Clouds: Mid week session – Painting Session

WED 21 JUN, 7PM – 9PM

Pinot & Picasso, Baylis St.

Date: Thursday night 15 June to Monday morning 19 June (including weekends)

Duration: 6pm - 6am

Reason: Pavement rehabilitation works on roundabout

Detour: Road closures in place to through traffic. The public and local residents will maintain access to the Woolworths carpark and their properties.

Public Notices

1300 292 442 wagga.nsw.gov.au

OPPORTUNITIES: (from left) Destination and Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker, local business owner of ‘Ruby Tuesday’ Kell Stoll, and Visitor Economy Development Officer Cassandra Farquharson at a recent Partner Program workshop.

6971 4651 graswagga.com.au

R251000208

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