Bill Jacob Athletics Centre upgrade is tracking along
LIGHTING UP ATHLETICS: Exciting progress was made at the Bill Jacob Athletics Centre site this week with the installation of new light towers, while the revamped track cures in preparation for its final surface to be laid. For regular project updates, head to haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au
Adopting a pet from Council’s Glenfield Road Animal Shelter will make you a friend for life.
Whether you choose a dog or a cat, you only pay a single fee, and never have to pay a cent more.
Council’s Animal Welfare Supervisor
Julie McPhail said the one-off fee could save you as much as $800 compared to buying a pet off Facebook, or more if you included veterinarian fees.
“The fee covers everything you need,”
Ms McPhail said.
“Your new pet will come with a lifetime
registration and lifetime microchip.
“The fee also covers vaccination, desexing, a heartworm test, an ID tag and a flea and worming treatment.”
Ms McPhail said microchipping and registration are two different things, but essential processes.
“Registration informs us of the ownership of an animal, and microchipping is like a form of ID for your pet.
“For example, when we scan a lost pet, it will give us a number we can then check up to find the owner’s contact details.”
Ms McPhail also warned pet-owners about the importance of being aware of scams asking them to pay extra fees for “microchip renewal”.
“A recent scam introduced from overseas, ‘Petchip’, used emails to skim personal information by asking people to renew their microchip licence.
“Please don’t pay any fees or give any details to ‘Petchip’.
“In NSW, once you’ve paid your lifetime registration fee you’ll never be asked to renew the microchip or registration.”
For more information, go here wagga.nsw.gov.au/services/petsand-animals
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: Council’s Director Infrastructure Services Henry Pavitt says Ivan Jack Drive and its bridge will undergo significant work in early 2025.
Ivan Jack Drive Bridge and road works slated for the new year
Council will be undertaking bridge rectification and road rehabilitation works on Ivan Jack Drive in Wagga Wagga’s city centre in early 2025.
At its Ordinary Meeting on Monday 28 October, Council agreed to use funding from its Bridge Replacement Reserve and Civil Infrastructure Reserve to fund the bridge rectification works.
The budget for the road rehabilitation works is included in Council’s annual roadworks program for 2024-2025.
The Ivan Jack Drive Bridge, built in the early 1960s, spans the Wollundry Lagoon, linking Trail Street to Best Street.
Director Infrastructure Services
Henry Pavitt said the bridge recently underwent its five-yearly inspection and, while it is structurally sound and safe, it was determined that it requires some stabilisation and structural works.
"The works include stabalisation of the wing walls and structural improvements to the abutments at either end of the bridge," Mr Pavitt said.
“This will involve placing precast concrete tilt panels under the existing bridge structure supporting the existing piers, with the tilt panels to be placed on a new strip footing.
“Major excavation will need to be carried out on each bridge abutment to restabilise the ground conditions.
“To allow this to happen safely, we’ll be closing the bridge to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic.”
Once the bridge rectification is completed, the focus will shift to the road rehabilitation phase, covering the length of Ivan Jack Drive from The EsplanadeBest Street intersection to the JohnstonTrail streets roundabout.
At this stage, the project is set to start in January 2025 and is expected to take five weeks to complete.
“Detours will be in place and the road will be under traffic management control.
“We are planning to carry out the works in January during the summer school holidays and into early February in an effort to minimise the impact on traffic.”
Council will provide an update to the community once a start date for the works is finalised.
CHIPPING IN: Council’s Animal Welfare Supervisor Julie McPhail and Animal Welfare Officer Courtney Krause checking the chip of Glenfield Road Animal Shelter guest Ira.
Water safety important as weather warms
Wagga Wagga City Council’s Recreation Coordinator Joshua Walsh encourages community members to enjoy the city’s wonderful water resources – from the magnificent Murrumbidgee to the Oasis Aquatic Centre.
“But it’s important people using these resources also take care around water, particularly at the river,” Mr Walsh said.
“The waters of the Murrumbidgee can be cold and the current fast, and there might be many hidden dangers like submerged branches just below the surface.”
Mr Walsh said our local river poses a risk no matter how familiar with it you think you are.
“Royal Life Saving Society research shows that 40 per cent of those who drown in an inland waterway were within 20km of their home.
“We want residents to enjoy the river and all our other recreation sites as the weather gets warmer, but be prepared and listen to advice and warnings.”
RECREATION HUB: Council plans to bring Bolton Park recreational facilities
Jim Elphick Tennis Centre and Oasis Aquatic Centre, including the gym and cafe, under the one management model.
Bolton Park recreational facilities to join under one management model
Changes to the management and operations of the Bolton Park recreational facilities can be expected after Council resolved a new management model at the 28 October 2024 Ordinary Meeting.
The resolution means that the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre, which was previously operated under a community club, will now be managed by Council alongside other Bolton Park facilities, including the Oasis Aquatic Centre.
This new model will also provide Council with the opportunity to enter negotiations for the ownership and management of the gym attached to the Oasis facility, which was recently listed
Safety tips around water:
• check conditions before entering
• enter slowly, feet first
• take care around crumbling riverbeds and slippery dam edges
• avoid underwater obstacles such as rocks, branches and rubbish
• take care when walking on unstable or slippery riverbeds
Council’s Manager City Growth and Regional Assets Ben Creighton says this will allow Council to offer a diverse and inclusive range of recreational facilities, all operating under the one management model.
“Essentially this means that in the future members of the community would be able to access the facilities like the pool, gym and tennis centre under a joint membership.
“This is, however, subject to the sale and negotiations currently being finalised with the owners of the gym.”
• avoid using alcohol or drugs around water
• wear a lifejacket when using watercraft
• never swim alone.
For more information on water safety visit:
Royal Life Saving NSW: drowningprevention.org.au/ Council’s website: wagga.nsw.gov.au/riversafety
Mr Creighton says that Council is also looking at implementing improvements to the Oasis Aquatic Centre cafe as part of a broader strategy.
“With the new model we’re proposing, council will have more flexibility to make the cafe more sustainable and create a better environment for everyone using the broader precinct.
“There is no current timeline for when these changes will come into effect, however Council is hopeful that the current discussions and future contract arrangements will be resolved prior to the end of the year.”
Tackle life with Ninja!
Ninja is a 3-year-old, male, ginger tabby with a sweet and cheeky nature. Ninja is FIV positive, but that shouldn’t stop him from being a part of your family. He would suit a home without any other pets.
The adoption cost for Ninja (ImpC24/0372) is $256 and includes: microchipping, lifetime registration, desexing, vaccination, flea/worming treatment, FIV/FeLV test, and ID tag.
Vacancies
Landscaper Remuneration: $2,391.68 gpf + super Closing: Sunday,
Road closures
FORSYTH ST
Roads: Forsyth St (between Baylis St and Berry St)
Date: Monday night 11 November to Wednesday night 20 November 2024 (weather permitting)
Duration: 6pm to 6am
Reason: Road Rehabilitation
Detour: As per traffic control
BANDERA AVE
Date: Thursday 7 November to Tuesday 12
November 2024 (weather permitting)
Duration: 7am to 3pm
Reason: Preparation for reseal works
Detour: As per signage
GROVE ST
Roads: Grove St (between James St and Meadow St
Date: Wednesday 13 November to Friday 15
November 2024 (weather permitting)
Duration: 7am to 3pm
Reason: Preparation for reseal works
Detour: As per signage
COOINBIL CRES
Roads: Cooinbil Cres (between Stanley St and Walana Cres)
Date: Wednesday 13 November to Friday 15
November 2024 (weather permitting)
Duration: 7am to 3pm
Reason: Preparation for reseal works
Detour: As per signage
ALL NOTICES NOW ONLINE AT: wagga.nsw.gov.au/publicnotices
PLAY IT SAFE: Wagga Wagga City Council’s Recreation Coordinator Joshua Walsh said the Murrumbidgee River can appear deceptively safe, so enter with appropriate caution.
Parks & Recreation
