Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter
Saturday 9 September 2023 |
Works & Projects
Issue #462
Meet your new neighbours!
Wagga Wagga Zoo and Aviary
welcome camels
NEW RESIDENTS: Wagga Wagga Zoo and Aviary is now home to two male dromedary camels, Dune Buggy and Safari. Pictured: Zoo Keeper Hannah Wilkin, Safari, Zoo Curator Wendy McNamara, and Dune Buggy.
Wagga Wagga is now home to two camels with the Botanic Gardens Zoo and Aviary expanding its list of animal residents.
Our new fuzzy friends arrived safely at the zoo at the start of September and are settling into their new enclosure with quality care from zoo keepers.
Wagga Wagga City Council Zoo Curator Wendy McNamara says staff are excited to have the camels amongst the animals staying at the zoo.
“We have a variety of local and non-local animals here and the camels certainly add to the zoo experience,” Ms McNamara said.
“We decided to get them because it's something different that you don't see every day, so we thought it'd be a great addition to what was happening here.
“Camels are fascinating animals that are very social creatures, but also resilient and stubborn.
“They love to scratch themselves and you will often catch them rolling on their backs in the dirt or sand or rubbing against a tree.
“The two camels we have with us are male dromedary camels we have named Dune Buggy and Safari.
“We got them almost a week ago now. They arrived Friday last week from a camel dairy in Victoria. They’ve settled in really well and we have been interacting with them every day completing training and getting them used to the lead.
“We are working on their training in the hopes they can be part of public interactions in the future. Luckily, they were handled every day quite easily at their previous home.
“We're really looking forward to learning more about them and for the community to get to know them.
“The camels are excited and ready to meet the community. Come and visit, they're on display every day the zoo is open.”
Dromedary camels is the breed of camel most found in Australia. They have a single hump and are typically brown or sandy in colour.
They have a diet made up of grass fibres, thorny plants and dry bushes. However, they will eat almost anything that grows in the desert.
“In the time we’ve spent together I've really gotten to know their favourite treats as well. They love getting fresh pink grass and lucerne grass for treats.”
Dromedary camels can go a long time
without having to drink because they can drink 100 liters of water at once.
“They can live up to 50 years old as well,” Ms McNamara said.
“Dune Buggy and Safari are only two years old, so these ones are still quite small. Hopefully they'll be able to live out their lives here if everything goes to plan.”
You can find the camels located near the alpaca and deer enclosures.
The Zoo and Aviary's normal opening hours are Thursday to Monday, 9am to 4pm (no entry after 3.45pm).
RESTORATION: Bridge works set to deliver a smoother and safer ride.
Houlaghans Creek Bridge on Coolamon Road gets a lift
Wagga Wagga City Council advises motorists to allow for delays with bridge restoration work set to take place at Houlaghans Creek Bridge on Coolamon Road in the coming week.
The project aims to address ongoing subsidence impacting the approach to the bridge on both ends.
The work is set to take place between 12 and 15 September between 8am and 5pm, weather permitting.
Manager Transport & Traffic Jamie Harwood said the work will address the gradual sinking of the supporting soils.
“This has resulted in misalignment between the rigid bridge structure and the flexible pavement, leading to an uneven surface resulting in a poor ride quality,” Mr Harwood said.
“To mitigate this challenge, a unique solution of injecting expanding resin into key areas of the bridge and pavement structure to fill voids will be used.
“This innovative technology not only strengthens the foundations due to the expanding nature of the product but also lifts and levels the road, providing improved structural stability at the bridge approaches which are areas of concern on Houlaghans Creek Bridge.”
Once the injection method is complete, Council will overlay the pavement with asphalt to further strengthen the road.
During these works, one lane will be closed, and traffic control measures will be in place.
“This project is expected to deliver a smoother transition for road users while travelling across the bridge, and create a safer driving experience,” Mr Harwood said.
“Council thanks the community for their patience over the past couple of months with the speed reduction through this area.”
The road will return to the original speed limit after the work is completed.
You can stay up to date on road works taking place across the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area by visiting livetraffic.com
AND VISIT: The camels are ready to meet the community. Staff are working on their training in the hopes they can be part of public interactions in the future.
MAIN ACT: Bare Necessities Collective will be headlining the festival.
Line up announced for 2023 FUSION BOTANICAL multicultural festival
From culture to cuisine, there is much to enjoy at the 2023 FUSION BOTANICAL multicultural festival in the city’s sprawling Botanic Gardens Precinct on Saturday 21 October. Headlining the festival are Bare Necessities Collective (Sydney), as well as support acts Munasib (Sydney) and Clypso (Sydney).
These unique Australian artists will bring an eclectic mix of beats and DJ styles to the Brolga Pond stage kicking off at 4pm.
Director Community Janice
Summerhayes says the festival has proven to be a community favourite in past years.
“FUSION BOTANICAL has grown to be one of the city’s biggest outdoor events, with thousands of residents and visitors from across the region and beyond soaking in the sights, sounds and scents,” Ms Summerhayes said.
“We have curated an exciting and eclectic line-up with some of the country’s most creative and talented DJs and artists.
“Along with our headline and support acts, there will be a mix of other entertainment, including Silent Disco Walking Tours, interactive roving acts and outdoor creative play experiences alongside giant lawn games, miniature railway rides and our amazing community performers.
“You will want to arrive hungry at FUSION BOTANICAL multicultural festival with more than 25 traditional street food and drink vendors operating in the World Food Village.”
Try authentic street food, soak up the festival atmosphere and dance to upbeat, culturally diverse musicians at FUSION BOTANICAL.
The festival will be held in the Botanic Gardens, Macleay Street on Wiradyuri Nguramgbang (Country) from 4pm to 9.30pm on Saturday 21 October.
FUSION BOTANICAL is presented and funded by Wagga Wagga City Council and supported by cultural partner the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga.
To discover more about this year’s festival, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/fusion
WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
CITY LEADERS: Newly elected Deputy Mayor Councillor Amelia Parkins and re-elected Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout.
Mayoral election results in new Deputy Mayor for Wagga Wagga
At the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday night Councillors elected the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga who will lead Council through to the next NSW Local Government elections in September 2024.
Councillor Dallas Tout was re-elected the Mayor and Councillor Amelia Parkins was elected the Deputy Mayor for the first time, replacing outgoing Deputy Mayor Councillor Jenny McKinnon.
Both positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor were uncontested, and Cr Tout and Cr Parkins were unanimously voted in to their respective roles by the Councillors.
Cr Tout was thankful to the eight other Councillors who have shown their support for him as Mayor.
“I'd really like to thank the Councillors for allowing me the honour of being the Mayor for the next 12 months, but as I always say, the leadership sits with the nine Councillors, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor represent the Councillors at events,” Cr Tout said.
“I'd also like to thank Cr Jenny McKinnon for the time we've had as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and I look forward to spending the next 12 months with Deputy Mayor Cr Parkins undertaking those roles.”
Taking on the role of Deputy Mayor for the first time, Cr Parkins replaces Cr Jenny McKinnon who did not contest a leadership role.
Cr Parkins said she is excited for the opportunity.
“I feel honoured, privileged, and really excited for the next 12 months. I think it's a really great indication of how well the Council works together, the fact that I was given unanimous support,” Cr Parkins said.
“Cr Jenny McKinnon did a fabulous job as Deputy Mayor, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to take up the role.
“The support and encouragement from my family is also very important. I couldn’t do this without them.”
Cr Tout and Cr Parkins will remain as Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively until the NSW Local Government elections which will be held on 14 September 2024.
Ladysmith Railway Station, 15 Kyeamba St.
P. 0458 263 443
Open Studio Gallery SAT 9 SEP, 10AM – 3PM
Art Studio and Gallery, 11 Small St. P. 0413 786 209
REVAMP: Design options released for a new Gissing Oval playground.
New playgrounds on the way: Vote for your favourite!
Wagga Wagga City Council is planning new playgrounds for Gissing Oval in Turvey Park and John Street in Kooringal and is asking the community to vote for their favourite design.
Each location has three different playground designs for residents to choose from, with voting now open online.
Council Works and Playground Officer John Conlan said the community input is an important part of the playground improvement process.
“The playground designs encourage play between younger and older children and incorporate exciting features that will add extra appeal to each neighbourhood,” Mr Conlan said.
“We are putting out three design options for each playground and we want the residents in those suburbs to help in deciding which design is best for their neighbourhood.”
The Gissing Oval playground is located on the corner of Blamey Street and Bluett Cresent, while the John Street Playground is bordered by Panorama Street and John Street.
Mr Conlan said the playgrounds are regularly used by families in the surrounding area but are in need of a revamp.
“They’re both getting close to their useby date in terms of the age and style of the play equipment,” Mr Conlan said “Each of the design options on the table for Gissing Oval and John Street incorporate traditional playground equipment, such as swings and slides, as well as featuring bespoke elements.
“They will mainly cater for children aged from four years old to early teens and will have improved accessibility with more equipment at ground level.”
Residents can now vote for their favourite option by visiting haveyoursay. wagga.nsw.gov.au/playgrounds and following the links.
Voting closes at 9am on Wednesday 20 September 2023.
The funding allocated for each project is $49,000. Council aims to commence construction on the winning design options before Christmas, depending on availability of equipment from suppliers.
Big buddy Bruce Bruce is a male English Bull Terrier x Mastiff who is approx. two years old. Bruce has a very sweet nature and gets along well with other dogs. He can be very excited to see you at first, but he soon calms down. Bruce would benefit from training to work on his manners.
The adoption cost for Bruce is $312.00 and includes microchip, lifetime registration, vaccination, desexing, heartworm test, flea/worming treatment and ID tag (ImpD23/0437).
6971 4651 graswagga.com.au
Vacancies
Fashion with Marita Macklin SAT 9 SEP, 10AM – 2PM Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow St. P. 6926 9660
Ladysmith Tourist Railway SAT 9 SEP, 10AM – 2PM
Drag Race Down Under Viewing Party SAT 9 SEP, 6PM – 8PM
The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St.
P. 6921 5391
Saturday Night Roller Disco
SAT 9 SEP, 7PM – 9PM
Bolton Park Stadium,
Morgan St.
P. 0427 075 600
Dancing in the Shadows of Motown
SAT 9 SEP, 7.30PM – 9.40PM
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.
P. 6926 9688
Elysae’ – Live Music
SUN 10 SEP, 3PM
Jungle Duke Hotel, Fitzmaurice St.
P. 5950 9342
Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Guy Noble
SUN 10 SEP, 3PM – 4.15PM
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.
Help shape our future
Have your say Wagga Wagga
haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au
Road closures
TURNER ST (BETWEEN URANA ST AND WOODEN ST)
Date: Monday 11 September 2023 (weather permitting)
Duration: From 7am to 5pm
Reason: Footpath concreting works
Detour: Access for residents maintained SHAW ST (AT DOCKER ST ENTRANCE)
Date: Monday 18 September to Friday 22 September (weather permitting)
Duration: From 7am to 5pm
Reason: Kerb & Gutter concreting works
Detour: Access for residents maintained via Bolton St
ALL NOTICES NOW ONLINE AT: wagga.nsw.gov.au/publicnotices
1300 292 442 wagga.nsw.gov.au