Canadian First Nations delegation visits Wagga Wagga

Contractors commenced stabilisation works on a stretch of Bourke Street between Holbrook Road and Red Hill Road on Friday.

Director Infrastructure Services Warren Faulkner said Bourke Street is a major traffic thoroughfare for the southern growth area of Wagga Wagga.

“It is a key connector for local residents accessing the schools and businesses along Bourke Street as well as for residents and visitors travelling into the city centre,” Mr Faulkner said.

Plan ahead: Bourke Street road works start

Motorists and other road users are asked to plan their journey and expect delays as work starts on the rehabilitation of Bourke Street near the Jubilee Park precinct.

Saturday 25 February 2023 | Issue #434

Wagga Wagga City Council welcomed a delegation of First Nations representatives from Canada to our city this week.

A Mayoral event was held to mark the visit on Tuesday 21 February in Council’s E3 art space, providing the delegation with the opportunity to meet local Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri and First Nation Elders and community members.

Council’s Aboriginal Community Development Officer Bernard Higgins said the event encouraged knowledge sharing relating to Canadian First Nations treaties and governance, with the event's timing connecting well with Australia’s Uluru Statement from the Heart – Voice to Parliament process.

“The event provided a wonderful opportunity to come together to listen and exchange cultural knowledge and reflections with the Canadian First Nations delegation as we continue on our own journey towards reconciliation,” Mr Higgins said.

Uncle Hewitt Wyman led the event proceedings, which commenced with a smoking ceremony and didgeridoo performance by Luke Wighton and a Welcome to Country presented by Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri Elder Aunty Isabel Reid.

A dynamic performance then took place by the Waganha biladha dancers, set against the backdrop of the Wollundry Lagoon.

Aunty Isabel Reid said it was incredibly important to host the event in Wagga Wagga.

“Coming together to listen and learn together makes us stronger and helps us all to grow and heal as a community,” Aunty Isabel said.

“These pavement rehabilitation works will deliver a smoother and safer surface for everyone who uses the road.” Bourke Street will be closed between Holbrook Road and Bourkelands Drive from 6am to 7pm from Monday 27 February. Traffic control measures will be in place on the section between Red Hill Road and Bourkelands Drive.

The community will still have access to the Jubilee Park precinct and Bourkelands from Bourke Street during the works.

“While we’ve had to make some changes to our original schedule of works due to weather and contractor availability, we’ve been able to achieve a lot over the past month,” Mr Faulkner said.

“The project to widen and stabilise Mitchell Road, between Brunskill and Inglewood roads, will finish early next week with sealing of the road, while the rehabilitation of Lloyd Road is also about to wrap up.

“Contractors finished resurfacing the section of Lake Albert Road between Warrawong Street and Copland Street earlier this week, then moved to Copland Street to asphalt overlay the intersections with Blaxland Road, Lawson Street, Hartog Place and Say Street.

“We appreciate the patience motorists and residents have shown while all these works have been carried out.”

The night works previously planned for Nagle Street this week have been rescheduled for 12 to 15 March, with the road to be sealed during the daytime on 16 March.

Uncle Hewitt Whyman said welcoming the Canadian First Nations delegation to Wagga Wagga was a wonderful experience for everyone involved.

“The opportunity to listen and exchange lived experiences with the delegation has been an enriching learning and healing opportunity for our Elders and community,” Uncle Hewitt said.

DYNAMIC DANCE: Set against the backdrop of the Wollundry Lagoon, event attendees watched a cleansing dance performance by Ashmont Public School's dance group, Waganha biladha.

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY: (from left) Council’s Director Community Janice Summerhayes and Wagga Wagga Mayor Cr Dallas Tout with members of the Ladysmith Playgroup, Megan Murphy with daughter Elsie, and Emily Carlisle, with daughter Henrietta. The Ladysmith Playgroup received a $5000 grant in a previous Annual Grants round.

Council’s Annual Grants Program opens Monday

Individuals, community organisations, and local businesses who have a project, event or great idea for the local community are invited to apply for funding under Wagga Wagga City Council’s Annual Grants Program.

Applications for the 2023/24 program open on Monday 27 February, with a total of $202,000 available across 10 categories: Community Programs and Projects; Recreational and Community Facilities; Neighbourhood and Rural Villages; Rural Halls; Arts, Culture and Creative Industries; Local Heritage; Events; Environment; Youth Programs and Projects; and Small Business.

The Annual Grants Program is part of Council’s commitment to developing a vibrant and diverse community in line with the goals of the Community Strategic Plan 2040

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga

Councillor Dallas Tout said the annual grants program allows Council to offer significant financial support, directly benefiting the community.

“Through our annual grants program, we can support the many great ideas, initiatives and events that local people want to develop and deliver for the benefit of our community,” Cr Tout said.

“The sheer number of proposals we receive through the annual grants process is testament to the thoughtfulness and creativity of this community, and seeing them come to fruition is gratifying for everyone involved.

“Whether you’re an individual or a non-profit community group looking to stage a community event, or a small business with a big idea; if it benefits our community, we’d love to hear from you.”

The previous 2022/23 Annual Grants Program supported 59 projects.

Director Community Janice Summerhayes encouraged community groups, individuals and small business owners to get in touch with Council before submitting their application.

“It can be really helpful to have a chat with one the grants category officers to discuss your ideas and plans, and we’re happy to answer any questions you may have,” Ms Summerhayes said.

Applications for the Annual Grants Program 2023/24 close on Monday 1 May 2022 at 11.59pm.

For more information, visit wagga.nsw. gov.au/grants

Annual Grants 2023/24

Community Consultation Session

Date: Wednesday 15 March 2023.

Time: 10am–12pm.

Venue: Council Meeting Room, Civic Centre.

Registration required: email grants@wagga.nsw.gov.au or contact Jessica Payne on 1300 292 442.

Public Art Expressions of Interest Festival of W + Humula + Mount Austin

Council are committed to becoming a thriving, innovative, connected and inclusive community, where culture and creativity engage and involve the whole community.

We are seeking experienced artists to design and install three seperate public art projects for; •

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Improving safety and access on river walking tracks

Council will be removing several poplar trees along the Murrumbidgee River in Wagga Wagga’s city centre as part of vegetation management works to improve public access and trail safety.

Contractors will begin removing the eight poplars along the Wiradjuri Trail between Wagga Beach and Sculpture Park (Cadell Place entrance) on Monday 27 February.

Manager Parks and Strategic Operations Henry Pavitt said the clean-up of the poplars, which are an introduced species to Australia, has been planned for some time.

“These trees have been deteriorating for a while, but we haven’t been able to remove them as the soil was too waterlogged until recently from last year’s wetter than usual conditions,” Mr Pavitt said.

“During the November 2022 flood, one of them fell across the Wiradjuri Trail and there’s a chance the others may do the same if we don’t remove them soon.

“It’s important to ensure the public’s safety from the likelihood of these trees falling in an area which is regularly used for recreation.

“Due to their size, if one of them came down over the levee, it could result in damage to property and potentially cause harm to pedestrians and cyclists using the shared pathway which runs along the top of the levee bank.”

Contractors will cut down the poplars that are still standing and clear away the limbs and branches from the fallen tree.

Mr Pavitt said the roots of all eight poplars would remain embedded in the bank for extra support to combat erosion during those times when water levels rise.

The clean-up works are expected to take five days, weather permitting.

The Wiradjuri Trail between Wagga Beach and Cadell Place will be closed between 7am and 5pm as the work is carried out. The shared path on the levee will remain open.

Road closures

BOURKE STREET - BOURKELANDS

DR TO HOLBROOK RD

Date: 27 February to 9 March

Duration: 6am to 7pm each day

Reason: Pavement rehabilitation works

Detour: Traffic control measures will be in place. Public access to Jubilee Park will not be affected.

GREGADOO - LADYSMITH RD (local traffic only)

Date: Sat/Sun 4-5 March 2023

Duration: Saturday 12.30pm to 5pm

Sunday 9am to 5pm

Adoption can change a life

Tia (ImpC23/0060) is a darling eightyear-old domestic female cat looking for her forever home.

With magnificent green eyes and a sweet and calming nature, she would make the perfect addition to any family.

Tia’s adoption fee is $86 which includes lifetime registration, microchip, vaccination, de-worming, FIV test and ID tag.

Vacancies

Landscaper $2,211.18 gpf + super

Closing: Sunday, 26 February 2023

Team Leader Tree Maintenance $3,001.30 gpf + super

Closing: Monday, 27 February 2023

Trainee Technician - Civic Theatre $1,485.40 gpf + super

Closing: Monday, 6 March 2023

Gardener $1,957.26 gpf + super

Closing: Monday, 6 March 2023

Communications and Engagement Officer $3,001.30 gpf + super

Closing: Monday, 6 March 2023

Destination and Events Coordinator $3,681.74 gpf + super

Closing: Friday, 24 March 2023 gpf = gross salary per fortnight

Enquiries: 1300 292 442

For more details and to apply, visit:

Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer wagga.nsw.gov.au/ jobs apply, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/publicarteoi

To view the guidelines

Reason: Tolland Open Cycle Race

Detour: Gregadoo East Rd –Tumbarumba Rd