Council News #312 - 12 September 2020

INSIDE: HELP US NAME LOCAL PARKS, 'SLOW DOWN' SUCCESS + MORE

Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA

FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2020

Issue No: 312

Weekly information from us to you

BIODIVERSITY IN OUR BACK YARDS Want to help protect and preserve our environment? Every backyard and balcony counts.

Whether you plant natives, set out water for birds and insects, or rethink the amount of grass you have, everything you do in your own space can have a positive impact on our region’s biodiversity.

See full story inside.

GET STARTED THIS WEEKEND: Lucio (7) and Elena (4) are doing their part by planting natives in their backyard.

Game on! Esports comes to region Video game enthusiasts across the region can now sign-up for the inaugural Riverina Esports Cup – an electronic sports tournament to be played out over four weeks starting later this month.

Wagga Wagga City Council has teamed up with leading esports provider Australian ESports League (AEL) to deliver an online competition dedicated to gamers and other participants who live in the Riverina.

Registrations for the tournament, which starts on 28 September, opened Friday 11 September with two of the most

popular esport games – Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and Rocket League – locked in for the Riverina’s first annual competition.

Wagga City Councillor Dan Hayes said the tournament had the potential to grow into a popular annual activity which could leverage off the global popularity of esports.

He said the success of the 2020 Riverina Cup would help decide if an option for a further two tournaments with AEL is supported in 2021/22.

The tournament will be geo-locked to only include players in specific postcodes across the Riverina, including Albury and Griffith.

“Wagga Wagga hosting this Riverinabased tournament provides a new and exciting concept for the region,” Cr Hayes said.

“For many years community members,

young and old, male and female, have been asking for esports in our area.

“Esports has huge potential to put the Riverina on the national platform for what is a multi-billion dollar industry, and it will be a whole lot of fun.

“There is the opportunity from across the world to view this tournament and so for four weeks this year the Riverina will be in the gaming spotlight with the potential for a global audience.

“This promises to be an extremely popular event for both novice and serious gamers in a COVID-safe environment. It ticks a lot of the boxes for providing new and exciting opportunities in these times.”

AEL Executive Producer Darren Kwan said esports continues to grow in popularity around the world and organising a local tournament opened up global opportunities for regional centres in southern New South Wales.

Weekly waste tip Eaten takeaway? Place the scraps in the green lid FOGO bin

after completing your meal, but DON’T forget to remove any soft plastic bags or hard plastic knives/forks/spoons first. Remember, the green lid bin is for food organics and garden organics only.

For more info visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/householdwaste

The two games selected for the first Riverina Esports Cup cater for all levels of players.

CS:GO will be for 18+ participants with Rocket League suited to 13+ players and is a family-friendly participation activity.

During the first three weeks players and teams will earn points towards a place in grand final week.

The grand final will include the top eight in each game. During matches there will be a live broadcast with commentary from their location which will be streamed for audiences to watch the live action.

Two to three matches will be broadcast each night which provides 2-3 hours of content.

This also allows for spectators to comment on the games and be engaged in the tournament.

Registration details will be available on AEL’s website at ael.org.au

Backyard biodiversity: how you can help Your backyard, balcony or selection of pot plants may seem inconsequential, but combined with everyone else’s, they create an urban habitat we can harness to help improve our region’s biodiversity.

Environmental Officer Samantha Pascall said people often don’t realise the positive impact each

household can have on the local environment.

“Picture an aerial view of your neighbourhood and you begin to see how all our yards and balconies combine to create one large habitat,’ Ms Pascall said.

“What you do in your space has a very real impact on our local wildlife and our resources.”

W H AT YO U C A N D O T O E N H A N C E L O C A L B I O D I V E R S I T Y PLANT NATIVES

“One of the easiest things you can do is plant native species because they’re designed to survive in our climate,” Ms Pascall said.

“While exotics can be very beautiful, you’ll most likely end up using a lot more water to keep them alive – water which could be used elsewhere.

“Native plants are great for native birds, bees and pollination, and you’ll be able to relax come summertime instead of running around with a hose.”

CREATE HABITAT

“If you’ve got a little pond, think what you can do to make it frog-friendly. If you’ve got a few rocks, what can you do to make it friendly for skinks and lizards?

“In summer, put some water out with stones and sticks in it so birds and insects can drink safely. There’s so many little things the kids can get involved in.”

WATCH YOUR WATER CONSUMPTION

“Look at your garden and ask yourself: do I need this much grass? Does it need to be watered every day in summer?

“Try to conserve as much water as you can.”

KEEP CATS INSIDE

“Many of us love cats, and I think loving your cat includes respecting the hunters they are and keeping them inside.

“Recent research shows that domestic cats are killing an estimated 230 million native Australian birds, reptiles and mammals every year.

“Keeping them inside is better for cats too – the RSPCA advises that indoor cats are healthier and live longer because they’re safe from the risk of traffic accidents, snake bites and fights with other cats and dogs.

“Simply keeping your cat inside will make a huge difference to the native animals in your neighbourhood.”

ENJOY NATURE

“We live in such a beautiful area, it’s important to enjoy it and stay connected.

“Try something new. Go for a walk in a different location and appreciate it.

“If you see something that doesn’t look right, such as an area where there is a lot of litter, or an infestation of weeds, please let Council know.”

WA G G A V O T E S – D I V E R S I T Y C O U N T S : AWA R D F O R N E W C O U N C I L P R O G R A M A program aimed at getting greater female elected representation on Wagga Wagga City Council has been recognised with a new award at this year’s 13th annual Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government.

Council was recently named winner of the Employment Diversity Award for the pre-election program it developed towards achieving an equitable, diverse and culturally inclusive council.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Cr Greg Conkey OAM congratulated Council staff on the initiative and said it would go a long way towards encouraging increased female representation on Council.

“Wagga votes – diversity counts: There’s no doubt women have been underrepresented in Local Government for quite some time,” Cr Conkey said.

“We need more women in Local Government and this initiative encourages women to put their hands up to nominate … hopefully we see the results of this program in action when elections are held in 2021.”

The program, which was developed before the postponement of the 2020 elections due to COVID-19, focuses on providing support and information for women considering standing for election in September next year, incorporating initiatives to increase the participation of women in community leadership.

Council’s Manager Governance and Risk Ingrid Hensley said a strong communications strategy, incorporating a social media campaign, aims to engage with the community and break

AWARD WINNERS: Checking in to the online awards ceremony this week were Council’s Governance and Risk team (from left) Nicole Johnson, Ingrid Hensley, Cathy Wade and Neil McDermott. down potential barriers which may have prevented women from standing for election.

Social media posts will include profiles on previous female candidates and candidate information sessions will include a mix of workshops incorporating practical components such as running a campaign. The “Women in Council” workshop will also be livestreamed, to support events and training that are welcoming and accessible to female participants.

“Part of this program supports candidates to have a voice in debate and decision-making,” Ms Hensley said.

“Women, and also people from diverse backgrounds, have been under-represented on local councils across the State.

“Wagga Wagga City Council is rolling out this program within its own LGA by actively

engaging with the community in a variety of formats, in a way that has not been done in previous years within the LGA. “In a regional context, Council is also taking a lead role in promoting female participation at the elected representative level by inviting surrounding regional councils to participate in the program and highlighting the commitment of Wagga Wagga City Council to increasing community, including female, participation in public life.”

The Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government celebrate the contribution of women to local councils and their communities across NSW. In addition to recognising the significant contribution of award winners, the awards aim to encourage more women to enter the local government sector in NSW.

CREATING HABITAT: Elena and Lucio fill a saucer with water, rocks and sticks, so birds and even the tiniest insects can drink safely.

Name your local park: Council seeks suggestions Wagga Wagga City Council is asking the community to suggest names for two local parks: Cootamundra Boulevard Park in Gobbagombalin and Sturrock Drive Park in Boorooma.

Of the 95 playgrounds, parks and open spaces in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area, 42 remain without official names.

Parks and Recreation Officer Glenda Pym said over many years these parks came to be known by the street they were on. The difficulty came with differing opinions on which street name was used.

“The same space can have multiple names, depending on where you live, which street is closest to you, or which online map you’re looking at,” Ms Pym said.

“This can cause confusion if people need to find their way, a parent is dropping off or collecting a child from a park, or if emergency services are called.”

Having an official name also gives the community the ability to claim their local environment.

“We understand how important these spaces are,” Ms Pym said.

“Having a local park or open space helps give you a sense of place. It’s where you can play, relax and take part in the outdoor recreation that’s so important to our physical and mental health.

“Calling that space after the nearest street name doesn’t necessarily do it justice or give you a sense of ownership.”

Council decided to put a naming process in place after receiving requests from the public to name parks after family members or public figures.

“Our starting point was to go through all our parks and open spaces and identify those that don’t have formalised names,” Ms Pym said.

“We’re planning to steadily work our way through the list.”

Council’s Parks Naming Policy provides guidelines on eligible name types, such as names that are

Boorooma

Gobbagombalin areadily recognised and used by the community, names of Aboriginal origin, names that acknowledge Wagga Wagga’s multicultural nature, or those with a relevant historical background.

Ms Pym said the call for park name suggestions was a great opportunity for the community to celebrate the city’s stories and possibly create history.

“Once Council endorses a name, it will be included in the Geographical Names Board of NSW records,” Ms Pym said.

“Signage will then be erected at the park indicating the name with some explanatory text."

Ms Pym said she was looking forward to seeing suggested names and associated stories come in.

“The material that people submit will be a goldmine moving forward,” Ms Pym said.

“Regardless of whether a suggested name is successful or not, there may be information about individuals that is important for us to keep as a record of Wagga’s history.”

To make a name suggestion for Cootamundra Boulevard Park in Gobbagombalin or Sturrock Drive Park in Boorooma, visit connect. wagga.nsw.gov.au/nameyourpark Submissions are open until 7 October 2020.

Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication

old:NEW – Riverina’s history from a new perspective From Aboriginal grinding stones to a teacup and saucer which survived the 1852 Gundagai flood, a selection of unique objects from the region’s museums has provided inspiration for the pieces featured in a new exhibition in Wagga Wagga. old:NEW, which opened at Museum of the Riverina on Friday (11 September), aims to start conversations about what we keep, why we collect, and how history informs the present.

Museum Manager Luke Grealy

said the exhibition came from Eastern Riverina Arts as part of this year’s Art State Conference being held in Wagga Wagga.

“Eight regional artists were invited to choose an object, concept or theme from their local museum to create a new work, revealing contemporary connections to our past,” Mr Grealy said.

“Some of the pieces are really gentle and soothing, while others are quite confronting, but what they have in common is

they inspire the viewer to reflect on the history of the original object or theme and the modern interpretation.”

The exhibition features works by Jordy Bos, Peter Ingram, Heather Lowes, Juanita McLauchlan, Beverly Moxon, Jodi Stewart, Ralph Tikerpae and Sue Wood.

The objects were drawn from Coolamon’s Up-to-Date Store, Gundagai Museum, Temora Rural Museum, Wyalong Museum, Junee’s Broadway Museum, Lockhart’s Greens Gunyah

CONFRONTING: The sculpture ‘Borree Jack’ by Wyalong artist Ralph Tikerpae, inspired by a famous photo of a racehorse impaled on a guide rail during a race in the district in the early 1900s.

LINE-UP REVEALED F O R C I V I C T H E AT R E C A B A R E T F E S T I VA L

In a time when many businesses are cancelling events and future plans, Wagga’s Civic Theatre is bucking the trend, announcing a brand-new festival for Wagga.

The inaugural Re-Ignite Cabaret Festival will run from 24 September to 3 October 2020 and promises to be exclusive and intimate.

Audiences will experience show-stopping performances from some of the country’s best cabaret performers.

Civic Theatre Manager Carissa Campbell said as an extra special touch, both the performance and audience for these events will be located on the Civic Theatre stage.

“With many performers unable to get work in the cities, it is the perfect opportunity for us to lure them to Wagga for a real live gig,” Ms Campbell said.

“The line-up of performers will push boundaries, celebrate local talent, dazzle you with musical talent and leave you wanting more!”

Local performers Meredith Adams, Peter J Casey and Jamie Way kick off the festival with their show ‘You’re Welcome’, while jazz vocalist Emma Pask, crooner Michael Simic and acclaimed stage performer Simon Burke round out the line-up.

“We are so proud of the COVID Safe plan we have in place, which

Museum, the Pioneer Women’s Hut, and Museum of the Riverina.

Among the pieces is a shield by Peter Ingram from the CollingullieLockhart area, who used recycled metals and farm scraps to create the object inspired by grinding stones from the Greens Gunyah Museum.

There is also a sculpture using recycled metal by Ralph Tikerpae from the Wyalong area. ‘Borree Jack’ is based on a photo of an infamous incident in which a racehorse was impaled on a guide rail when a dust storm swept across the track during a race in 1909.

According to old:NEW’s curator Kate Allman from Eastern Riverina Arts, the exhibition is about thinking about our history in the

region and having a conversation about where we’ve been, where we are now and where we might be in the future.

“I think sometimes we walk through our museums and just have a glance and think ‘oh, that’s a cool old thing’,” Ms Allman said.

“Maybe we read a little about it and think about that object’s place in history but putting an artist’s perspective on it adds a different layer.

“It can make us think about some deeper themes, some deeper connections to history, and I think that’s what this exhibition does through the stories it tells us.” old:NEW will be on at the Museum of the Riverina at the Civic Centre from 11 September to 22 November 2020.

STORY TO TELL: Kate Allman, the curator of the old:NEW exhibition at Museum of the Riverina, says the works by eight regional artists will provoke a fresh understanding of and deeper connection to the long history of the eastern Riverina.

Vacancies Geospatial Technical Officer

Remuneration: $2,884.76 gpf + super Enquiries: Trent Whitehead on 02 6926 9522 Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2020

Business System Analyst

Remuneration: $3,039.68 gpf + super Enquiries: Reece Hamblin on 02 6926 9243 Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2020

Visitor Economy Development Officer Remuneration: $2,795.28 gpf + super Enquiries: Fiona Hamilton on 02 6926 9627 Closing date: Monday 21 September 2020

Asset Maintenance Assistant

Remuneration: $1,920.54 gpf + super Enquiries: Brad Tilyard on 0427 713 359 Closing date: Monday 21 September 2020

Gardener

Remuneration: $1,881.26 gpf + super Enquiries: Clayton Wighton on 0407 262 850 Closing date: Monday 28 September 2020

Casual Relief Zoo Curator

OPENING ACT: (from L-R) Jamie Way, Meredith Adams and Peter J Casey promise to provide plenty of entertainment when they kick off the Re-ignite Cabaret Festival with their show ‘You’re Welcome’. enables us to bring live events and performances to the Wagga community, when so many of our colleagues throughout Australia and the world are yet to open their doors,” Ms Campbell said.

“It’s time to get out of the house and onto the stage for a night of entertainment and eats – escape the everyday and embrace the night with Re-

Ignite Cabaret Festival.”

Tickets for the Cabaret Festival are being sold in tables of two or four and include savoury or sweet platters of food and your selection of wine.

For more information about the shows and to book your table before they are sold out, visit civictheatre.com.au or call the box office on 6926 9688.

Remuneration: $38.22 gph + super Enquiries: Jonathan Nicoll on 0424 750 206 (7.00am to 4.00pm) Closing date: Monday 28 September 2020

Library Assistant (Circulation & Facility)

Four (4) Permanent Part-Time Positions - Sunday Remuneration based on part-time hours of work Enquiries: Claire Campbell on 02 6926 9717 Closing date: Monday 5 October 2020 Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer

To view these opportunities and apply, visit:

wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication

'Slow Down’ campaign success in Wagga Wagga Wagga City Council’s recent ‘Slow Down’ project has been hailed a success towards helping reduce the number of speeding motorists on local roads.

"Slow Down in My Street", a local road safety project jointly funded by Wagga Wagga City Council and Transport for NSW with support from NSW Police, aimed to deliver a strong message to local drivers that speeding is not acceptable on the city’s streets.

Recent research showed one Wagga street recorded almost 1 in 3 drivers travelled more than 10km/h above the speed limit with some speeds recorded considered “grossly dangerous”.

The campaign has involved the local community, Police and Council to deliver a strong message to local drivers that speeding is not acceptable.

Council’s Road Safety Officer Emma Reynolds said speeding is a factor in about 40 per cent of road deaths in NSW. “During the past six months Council has collected data

across the city which not only records traffic numbers, but also the speed at which vehicles are travelling,” Mrs Reynolds said. ”On several local roads, almost 13 per cent of vehicles were detected travelling up to 25km/h over the speed limit during the five-week recording period.

“Speeding is one of the most common factors associated with road crashes.

Any increase in speed adds to the potential for a crash. This also increases the impact forces associated with a crash and the severity of injuries sustained.”

Wagga Wagga Highway Patrol’s Sergeant Bloomfield said officers saw a noticeable change in driver behaviour during the campaign.

“Although speeding offences were still detected, there appeared to be a lesser number than there would usually have been,” Sgt Bloomfield said.

“Public opinion to the campaign was very positive. Police reported residents in many of the identified

locations speaking to them favourably regarding their presence.

“I believe that the campaign was a valuable initiative that acted as both a deterrent to offenders and a reassurance to Wagga residents.

It reinforced the message that the issue of speeding motorists can be effectively addressed by a collaborative approach from WWCC and the NSWP Highway Patrol.”

Another speed focused project will start this year with Transport for NSW supporting the expansion of the project to rural roads around Wagga Wagga.

Five residential roads and five rural roads will be chosen in consultation with the community and Police.

Community members can nominate their street before the 28 September closing date at wagga.nsw. gov.au/services/ roads-and-transport/ road-safety For more information on safer speeds visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/ services/roads-andtransport/road-safety

STICKER PROJECT: Wagga Wagga City Council’s Road Safety Officer Emma Reynolds is promoting the use of wheelie bin stickers to highlight the ‘Slow Down’ campaign in the city.

DRIVERS URGED TO STICK TO LIMIT

The ‘Slow Down’ campaign recently completed in Wagga Wagga has raised community awareness about the number of speeding motorists on local streets.

To reinforce the ‘Slow Down’ message and to keep the campaign visual along the city’s streets, Wagga Wagga City Council is encouraging the community to get behind the next stage of the program.

Council will soon be giving away free wheelie bin stickers to complement the major speed

project and to help keep the campaign in the public space.

Council’s Road Safety Officer Emma Reynolds said the bin stickers concept was one way people could show their support and send a message to speeding motorists that safety must come first on local streets.

“The Slow Down in My Street campaign has helped us push that message into the community as we encourage drivers to be more aware of their actions and the consequences which could result,” Mrs Reynolds said.

“If we can get people to put

one of the stickers on their bins, it will be another visual reminder to drivers to slow down and be mindful of their surroundings and situations that may arise. There’s so many risks involved with speeding vehicles.”

Mrs Reynolds said the new sticker campaign is expected to start later in September.

Residents can visit Council’s website to request their stickers: wagga.nsw.gov.au/services/ roads-and-transport/road-safety/ slow-down-in-my-street-binstickers-form

New bus service to benefit isolated communities Improved transport options recently introduced across Wagga Wagga to provide commuters with greater access to the CBD and suburbs now include a new service between Tumut and the city.

The service is being trialled as part of Transport for NSW’s isolated communities program and includes travel benefits for Tarcutta and Ladysmith residents.

The trial started in late June and is one of 13 services the State Government has rolled across NSW this year with a focus on smaller regional communities.

Anthony Goode of

Public Notices ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT – SECTION 10 – MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WAGGA WAGGA

Contact us

Goodes Coaches in Tumut, which operates the weekly return service each Wednesday, said there had been good support for the service early in the trial.

“This is all about providing isolated communities with better services, and being able to access a major regional centre on a regular basis is a win-win for residents in the Tumut district,” Mr Goode said.

“We stop in Tarcutta and Ladysmith, so residents in these outlying villages of the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area also benefit from the service.

“People are utilising the service for different reasons

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN 2010

In accordance with Clause 21 (2) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations (2000), Wagga Wagga City Council hereby gives public notice of its decision to adopt Amendments to Wagga Wagga Development Control Plan 2010.

Council on Monday 10

p 1300 292 442 e council@wagga.nsw.gov.au w www.wagga.nsw.gov.au a Civic Centre Cnr Baylis & Morrow Sts PO Box 20, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

– medical appointments, transport hub connections and shopping would be the top three reasons.

“The trial is for a minimum of six months to 31 December 2020, however depending on its success there is scope for it to be extended beyond this time.”

The coach operates every Wednesday and stops in Wagga at the railway station, base hospital and the Marketplace shopping mall.

Current restrictions has the bus running at reduced capacity. Get more information and check seating availability with the operator.

August 2020 approved an Amendment to Section 10 – Mixed Use Development of the Wagga Wagga Development Control Plan 2010. The amendments come into effect on the date this notice is published and is identified as Wagga Wagga Development Control Plan, Version 21.

The Wagga Wagga Development Control Plan 2010, as amended,

WEEKLY SERVICE: Bus driver Trevor Harris did the trip between Tumut and Wagga this week. The new trial service has been well supported since its inception in June this year.

is published on Council’s website. For any enquires regarding this amendment, contact Council’s Strategic Planning section on 1300 292 442 or visit Councils website.

RFT 202104 MUSEUM REDEVELOPMENT DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

Suitably endorsed Tenders marked “RFT 2021-04

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Museum Redevelopment Design & Construction Phases 1 and 2” are invited and will be received by the undersigned until 2pm Wednesday 21 October 2020.

Please note: this is a revised tender request with an expanded scope of works and additional requirements, due to an increase in budget funding.

This is a lump sum contract for completion of the

design and construction of the Museum Redevelopment. A pretender briefing and site visit will be held on Tuesday 29 September 2020 at 11.00am. Registrations to attend the briefing can be directed to the contact person below.

Enquiries should be directed to Council’s Contracts Officer Melinda Conolly on 02 6926 9437 or email conolly.melinda@

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