INSIDE: ENTWINE PROJECT, FARRER ROAD UPDATE + PETS OF THE WEEK
Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 11 JANUARY 2020
Issue No: 277
Weekly information from us to you BUSHFIRE CRISIS: OUR CITY ANSWERS CALL FOR HELP The City of Wagga Wagga and its residents across the entire local area have shown true community spirit amid the bushfire crisis which has affected so many people in recent times. Wagga Mayor Cr Greg Conkey OAM has expressed his thanks to community members for all their efforts to help others in need. Cr Conkey’s message to the community appears inside on Page 2.
BATTLE GROUND: Wagga City Council graders, water carts and their operators have been used extensively on the firegrounds during the current bushfire emergency.
Staff lauded for frontline efforts Emergency services personnel and support agencies across the region remain on alert this weekend as the bushfire situation is expected to develop amid threatening weather conditions.
Wagga City Council will continue to contribute its ongoing support under the direction of Emergency Operations Management at centres in Tumut and Wagga. Council staff have been heavily involved in frontline operations since 29 December
as the Green Valley-Dunns Road bushfire intensified over the new year period. Staff have contributed in various support roles involved the Evacuation Centre at Equex and also with animal care and accommodation, administration, communications, information technology, transport, airport operations, arboricultural services, traffic control, waste management, services at the Oasis and cultural centres, the Visitor Information Centre and in emergency office management. Council Director Commercial Operations Caroline Angel said Council had committed a number of graders, water carts and experienced operators to the fire zones around Tumbarumba, Rosewood, Adelong/ Tumut and in the Tarcutta/Westbrook Road area. “The efforts of our people on the frontline
of the fires has been exceptional,” Ms Angel said. “Our people were doing enormous days for several days straight, and were back in the zone early this week after a brief stand down to address fatigue. We will continue to work this weekend. “Council committed six graders and four water carts to this effort. We also had to be mindful to keep plant available closer to Wagga in the event of any emergency across the local area.” Ms Angel said the decision to open the Multi Purpose Stadium as an Evacuation Centre at Equex had proven to be the best option for such a facility. “That decision was made early. It is an excellent space and it passed its first test as a set-up facility such as the evacuation centre … the agencies operating from there
Weekly waste tip If you have furry friends in your household, our tip is for you! Doggy droppings and cat scats should go in the red lid bin. But all their fur can go in the green lid bin.
have praised the location, the large spaces and the facilities available inside the MPS,” Ms Angel said. Council General Manager Peter Thompson said the bushfires had highlighted the role local government performs in emergency situations. “There are many agencies pulling together in these times with the community’s well-being their number one focus,” Mr Thompson said. “Local government is involved at a significant level – from the frontline of the fire activity through to management and administration roles.” Council’s Bob Osborne Skills Centre in Wagga has been utilised as an Emergency Operations Centre in the past week, in addition to the stadium at Equex being used as the evacuation centre.