Wagga Wagga City Council weekly
It’s go-time!
Festival of W is back to light up Wagga Wagga
The community can still voice their support of the fight to secure the future of the Wagga Wagga Airport, with a public survey and petition to remain open while Council continues to lobby for a meeting with Defence to discuss the issue.
Council’s current 30-year lease of the airport from the Commonwealth Department of Defence has been extended to 30 June 2026, but Council
remains concerned Defence will still pursue the option to privatise the airport through a commercial lease.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout welcomed the strong response received from residents, stakeholders, and businesses for Council’s Airport Lease Advocacy Campaign.
"We want to say ‘thank you’ to the Wagga Wagga and regional community for their support for the fight to secure the future of the airport lease,” Cr Tout said.
"While we are still analysing all the data and feedback collected so far, the support has been overwhelming, with more than 97 per cent in favour of the lease with Council being renewed.”
Over the six weeks to 1 July 2024, Council received a total of 426 responses.
Executive Manager, Regional Activation - Projects Christine Priest said the feedback reinforced the significance of the airport as a gateway for the region.
“There were concerns about the potential impacts of privatisation on the cost and number of flights,” Ms Priest said.
“The responses covered many areas, but some specifically focused on the vital link the airport plays in providing access to health specialists who use the airport and people who use air travel to access medical treatment, along with our community's ability to access metropolitan and international locations when required.”
The submissions are being reviewed and will be provided to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Honourable Richard Marles.
“A meeting was scheduled between Council and Defence a number of weeks ago, however, this unfortunately was postponed by Defence and was to be rescheduled,” Cr Tout said.
“Council is still waiting for another date to be booked in.”
Council has left the survey open while it works towards a positive outcome for the community.
Submissions can be made online at haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/ airport-future or emailed to council@ wagga.nsw.gov.au or handed to our Customer Service team.
You can also find printed copies of the submission form at our Civic Centre, along with the petition.
tunnel of light featuring 100,000 individual golden buds.
It’s time to make the whole place shimmer at Wagga Wagga’s Festival of W.
Festival of W (FoW) 2024 will light up the Wollundry Lagoon precinct and Victory Memorial Gardens for 16 wintry days from Saturday 6 July to Sunday 21 July 2024.
A curated festival program, featuring local, national and international artists, performers and businesses, will deliver immersive light-art experiences, ice skating, live music and winter food offerings across the 16-day festival.
From 10am on Saturday, festival folk can enjoy the return of ice skating on the Skate Wagga Wagga ice rink, with tickets for all sessions, running from 10am to 10pm, on sale now.
From 11.30am, the festival’s dining hub House of FoW will also open, offering a range of winter-warming delights.
Council’s Events Officer Emma Corbett said the festival’s crowd-pleasing light show, Lightvision, returns at the Wollundry Lagoon precinct from 5pm to 10pm each evening.
“Council has once again partnered with leading Australian multi-disciplinary design and production experts, Mandylights, to deliver the free, largescale, light and sound experience,” Ms Corbett said.
Lightvision will feature a floating installation on the Lagoon.
The festival will also deliver a special pop-up area, funded by the NSW Government's Open Streets Program from Friday 12 July to Sunday 14 July, which will feature temporary activations within the festival.
Live music from a range of local and regional artists can also be enjoyed each Friday and Saturday evening at House of FoW.
Festival folk wanting to experience something a little bit different can also secure a ticket for one of the Silent Dis-FoW sessions.
Festival of W is proudly presented and delivered by Wagga Wagga City Council with sponsorship from creative producers Mandylights for the contributions to Lightvision, and the NSW Government for funding the special pop-up street activation.
For the full festival program head to visitwagga.com/fow
Date/t im e: Saturday 13 July, 9am - 1pm (or until all seedlings are claimed)
TUNNEL OF LIGHT: Council’s Events Officer Emma Corbett and Events Assistant Tyrelle Gow inspect the installation of the 48-metre
COOL FEST: Now in its third year, the multi-day Festival of W is growing bigger and brighter each year. Last year’s festival attracted more than 120,000 attendees, and Council are expecting an even larger turnout for Festival of W in 2024. (Picture: Jack of Hearts Photography 2022)
TWO CUTE: The Zoo & Aviary’s latest residents for visitors to meet – a new lamb and a baby wallaby.
Tons of fun for everyone during winter’s school holiday
This year’s winter holiday will be filled with activities for everyone, from making Aussie-animal origami to meeting a great white shark faceto-face!
Even better, many of the activities are completely free!
Wagga Wagga City Library is hosting a raft of extra events during the holidays. Bookmarks and Badgemaking Galore, for example, will let you use your imagination to make wonderful creations. The library is also hosting free family movies on both holiday Fridays at 10.30am.
For a full list of its holiday activities, visit waggalibrary.com.au/whats-on
At the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, kids can sculpt their favourite cartoon characters from dry-air clay or art-text books from book texts, collaged images and paint.
For a full list of the gallery’s activities, visit waggaartgallery.com.au/whats-on
For animal lovers, the Zoo and Aviary at our lovely Botanic Gardens is open seven days a week, from 9am to 4pm.
Anyone who turns up before 10.30am on any day except Thursday can join a one-hour Zoo Interaction tour.
Museum of the Riverina is inviting people to get involved in one of its free drop-in activities, like making Aussie animal origami or playing retro computer games.
For more information, visit museumriverina.com.au/whatson
Ever wondered what it might be like to come jaw-to- Jaws with a great white shark? Then make a splash with Shark Dive at Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
Why not see The Australian Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty Act III, and Other Works, an exhilarating program of favourite classical pieces and ground-breaking contemporary work?
For more information on any of these events and to book your place, visit civictheatre.com.au/whats-on
MAKE AN OFFER: Council is asking for expressions of interest from the community for 23 sheep.
Council seeking expressions of interest for sheep
Council is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from the community until 2pm Monday 22 July 2024 for the sale of several sheep that have been impounded.
Council Ranger Maddison Seymour says “currently there are 23 sheep in our care, including one lamb, four males and 18 ewes, all of mixed ages,” Ms Seymour said.
“The breeds of the sheep include merinos, one dorper ram, and mixed breed sheep. It is unknown whether any other ewes have lambs on board, and what breed they may be.”
Applicants will be required to provide a Property Identification Code assigned by Local Land Services.
The new owner will also need to arrange for transportation of the sheep to their new location.
Council’s Regulatory Services Coordinator Claire Hynes says that due to the unknown background of the sheep, Council is unaware of the sheep’s vaccination and health history.
“It's important applicants are aware that we can’t guarantee ongoing health or temperaments of the sheep,” Ms Hynes said.
How to submit your EOI
Web: haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1300 292 442
Email: council@wagga.nsw.gov.au
In person: Council customer service, Wagga Wagga Civic Centre.
Public notice
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS14 SEPTEMBER 2024
ENROLMENT AS A NON-RESIDENT ELECTOR
Wagga Wagga City Council, in accordance the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 – Reg 280, hereby gives notice that persons are entitled to vote in the upcoming Local Government Election and are entitled to be enrolled as electors, if they are owners, rate paying lessees or occupiers of rateable land in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.
Siding Rd. P. 0427 042 686
NAIDOC Week –Community Events SUN 7 – SUN 14 JUL Various locations W. wagga.nsw.gov.au/ naidocweek
Willans Hill Miniature Railway Rides SUN 7 JUL, 10AM – 2.30PM Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. P. 0412 439 455 Wagga Wagga City Library – School Holiday Activities MON 8 JUL – FRI 19 JUL, VARIOUS TIMES Wagga Wagga City Library, 243 Baylis St. P. 6926 9700
EXPOSURE: Madeline Menzies and Brett Stevenson from Ladysmith Park Perennials.
Working together to boost tourism
Wagga Wagga City Council is inviting tourism businesses and organisations to join forces to bring visitors to our thriving Wagga Wagga + Surrounds region.
Applications are now open to join the Wagga Wagga Tourism Partner Program for 2024/25.
The program provides tourism businesses and organisations an opportunity to be involved in a range of marketing initiatives, as well as participate in workshops and events coordinated by Council’s Visitor Economy and Events team.
Visitor Economy Development Officer
Cassandra Farquharson says tourism thrives when businesses work together.
“We each have a vital role to play when shaping visitor experiences and raising awareness of our Wagga Wagga + Surrounds region,” Ms Farquharson said.
“Our destination is unique and welcoming, and we can’t wait to showcase all of the amazing businesses and experiences that make it so great.”
Applications are open year-round, however to be included in the Wagga Wagga + Surrounds Visitor Guide, businesses are encouraged to sign-up by Wednesday 14 August 2024.
To be eligible to sign up, businesses must be located within a 120-kilometre radius of the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area and must be accessible and relevant to visitors.
For further information or to join the program, head to visitwagga.com/ partners
Claims for enrolment as an owner, ratepaying lessee or occupier of rateable land in Wagga Wagga Local Government Area must be received by the General Manager of Wagga Wagga City Council by 6pm (EST) Monday 5 August 2024.
Claim forms are available from Council’s Customer Services Centre, cnr Baylis and Morrow Streets, Wagga Wagga or from Council’s website https://wagga.nsw.gov.au/the-council/ city-council-elections/voting Further information may be obtained by contacting Council’s Governance Officer, Kori West on 1300 292 442 or the NSW Electoral Commission website elections.nsw.gov.au
Charming Chase
Chase is a domestic long hair male cat who is around 5 years old. He loves to follow his favourite people around. His gentle and loving nature means he is always seeking pats and cuddles.
Chase is positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), which means it is best for him to be an indoor cat in a home without other cats. FIV positive cats usually enjoy a good quality of life like other cats, they just need a little extra care.
Adoption is $256, this includes microchipping, registration, flea and worm treatment, vaccination, desexing and an ID tag.
Vacancies
6 JUL, 7.30PM – 12AM Downside Hall, Downside-Shepherds
Wagga NAIDOC Week March & Flag Raising MON 8 JUL, 10 – 11.30AM
Morgan/Baylis Sts intersection, followed by Civic Centre Precinct P. 1300 292 442
Meet & Greet Encounters at the Zoo MON 8 JUL – SUN 21 JUL, 10.30AM – 1PM Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens Zoo, Macleay St. P. 1300 292 442
Unique State Art Space – School Holidays Activities TUE 9 – TUE 16 JUL, VARIOUS TIMES
Unique State Art Space, 43 Tompson St. P. 0437 699 995
Shark Dive WED 10 - FRI 12 JUL, VARIOUS TIMES Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. P. 6926 9688
Kids Art Explorers –Clay Workshops WED 10 JUL, 10.30AM – 12.30AM Northshore Studios, 57 William St. P. 0418 876 122
Heaps Decent Music Production Workshops WED 10 JUL, 11AM, 1.30PM & 3PM & THU 11 JUL, 10AM, 11.30AM & 2PM The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnson St. P. 6921 5391
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Riverina Playhouse, 8 Cross St. P. 6926 9688
For event organising and promotion support, contact Council’s events team: events@wagga. nsw.gov.au or 1300 292 442. Mon – Fri. /waggaevents visitwagga.com