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Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter
Saturday 9 December 2023 | Issue #475
Council
Adopting a best friend this Christmas
FUREVER FRIEND: If a pet is on your Christmas wish list, the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter is the perfect place to find your next companion. Council
Council raises concerns in submission on latest Inland Rail reports Wagga Wagga City Council has made a submission in response to two reports on the Albury to Illabo Inland Rail (A2I) section of the Inland Rail project, which once again highlights items of concern and raises fundamental issues with the approach taken by the proponent. The Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited (ARTC) released its Response to Submissions (RTS) on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Preferred Infrastructure Report (PIR) on 14 November 2023.
Submissions on these reports were required by 6 December 2023. Director Strategy and Projects Phil McMurray questioned whether it was reasonable to allow Council and the general public only three weeks to respond to the RTS and PIR. “There are 34 files and folders, 709MB of data and we estimate in the region of 6000 pages of report, and these documents are, in places, highly technical,” Mr McMurray said. “This has all the hallmarks of a ‘rubber stamping’ process as is the fear of the inhabitants of this city.” Council staff have undertaken a critical review of the RTS and PIR. Mr McMurray said while Council supports Inland Rail and the opportunities the nationally significant project has for our community, it is important to ensure the best interests of the community of Wagga Wagga are represented. “It is made plainly evident by the responses to the EIS submissions put forth by Inland Rail that there is still a clear, fundamental disconnect between what the proponents believe the scope of the project to be and the responsibilities they have to assess and address the impacts of A2I,” Mr McMurray said. Council’s key concerns based on its review, include: • Failure to mitigate significant impacts on the Wagga Wagga road network
Hey Wagga Wagga residents, your input is needed!
expected to result from increased rail operations and level-crossing closures. • Failure to mitigate sound and vibration impacts with the currency of the project, instead proposing to address these at an unspecified date. • Failure to include sufficient mitigation measures for the decreased safety of Edmondson Street bridge. • Failure to resolve numerous outstanding issues including: poor consideration of train operations, speeds; incorrect assumptions regarding the Bomen viaduct’s condition; and reduction in operational assessments to only consider the Parkes to Melbourne portion of Inland Rail. “Our position remains that all impacts of Inland Rail - instantaneous and developing - must be fully assessed and addressed before construction commences as the community will be left with no opportunities for recourse once the Inland Rail project has been completed. “The risks that the City of Wagga Wagga and the local community will be left with adverse impacts with no avenues for rectification available from any level of government must be mitigated before the project proceeds any further.” To read Council’s full Inland Rail A21 submission, visit news.wagga.nsw.gov. au/inlandrailsubmission
There are many beautiful cats and dogs currently at the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter (GRAS), waiting to find their forever home, and Council is encouraging residents to visit the local shelter when searching for their next companion. While it might be exciting to gift a pet to a family member or friend this Christmas, it is important to remember that animals are a lifelong commitment. Animal Welfare Supervisor Julie McPhail says she would love our community to consider giving a rescue animal a second chance. “The shelter has animals coming in all year around, not just at Christmas time,” Ms McPhail said. “We currently have about 50 animals in the pound, which is about average. So far this year, we've had over 1000 animals surrendered or abandoned. “If you’re going to adopt an animal, or give one as a gift over Christmas, make sure the person receiving the animal is prepared to make a lifelong commitment." Ms McPhail says there are always beautiful cats and dogs at the shelter ready to be loved. “There are so many animals that come through that are like diamonds in the rough. Animals that we often look at and think ‘why are you here? You’re so perfect’,” Ms McPhail said. “Most of the animals here have had a rough start to life, but there is nothing wrong with them. Chances are that your best friend is waiting for you here if you are willing to put in the time and commitment.” Animal Welfare Officer Courtney Krause says if you are not able or wanting to adopt a new pet, there are other ways you can support these local animals. “We regularly accept donations from the community in support of the animals,” Ms Krause said. “Items that are most valuable are treats, towels, toys, wet and dry food, and new collars. We don’t usually accept blankets or pillows, or anything else that might be polyester, or feather filled.” In the lead up to Christmas, the shelter will also be accepting pet Christmas hampers donated by members of the public. These hampers can include any of the accepted items listed above. Hampers can be donated at Council's Customer Service Desk at the Civic Centre, or at the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter office during opening hours. Find out more about pet adoption, registration, fees and opening hours at graswagga.com.au
Council is presenting two potential projects – both resulting from community feedback – that will provide increased access to arts, entertainment, conferencing and cultural experiences for residents while creating jobs and providing significant economic benefits to the community.
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