Council News #332 - 13 February 2021

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INSIDE: RETURN AND EARN DATA FOR WAGGA WAGGA, PET OF THE WEEK + MORE

Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA

FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2021

Issue No: 332

Weekly information from us to you

LAZE & GRAZE ADVENTURE Wagga Wagga City Council's Stacey Post (left) and Kim Parker show off some of the tasty treats on offer as part of the Picnic Collective.

Pack a picnic and discover our city It is a great time of year to be out and about in Wagga Wagga and the Picnic Collective campaign is a fantastic way for locals and visitors to discover the city’s beautiful open spaces while supporting local business.

The Picnic Collective is a unique experience for Wagga Wagga, with people

able to purchase tickets for a handpicked foodie adventure catering for two. Wagga Wagga City Council’s Visitor Economy Officer Stacey Post said it is a Wagga Tourism Partner program-linked campaign involving several tourism businesses. “It’s about helping to support these businesses impacted by the COVID-19 situation, by driving foot traffic through their doors,” Ms Post said. “For those on the picnic trail, it’s a chance to meet the friendly faces behind these businesses and to get a taste of the wonderful produce Wagga Wagga and the Riverina have to offer.

“If they’re on foot or riding a bike, it’s also a great opportunity to have a look in other shops along the way or take the time to check out the large-scale murals we have in our CBD. “Once picnic-goers have filled their picnic baskets, they can then laze and graze on the foodie bites in one of our beautiful open spaces such as the Victory Memorial Gardens, Collins Park or Riverside: Wagga Beach.” The Picnic Collective began on Friday (12 February) and runs through to Easter Saturday (3 April). The picnic pick-up dates alternate weekly between a Friday or a Saturday, with tickets available online.

“On the day you’ve purchased your picnic pass, you head to the Visitor Information Centre first to pick up your souvenir Picnic Collective basket and a few goodies to start you on your food adventure,” Ms Post said. “You then download an app with a map of the trail which you follow to add the mix of savoury and sweet treats to your basket from the eight foodie locations in the CBD. “This is a curated foodie trail, so the only things you need to bring is your picnic pass, good company, a healthy appetite and a picnic blanket!” For more information or to purchase a picnic pass, visit visitwagga.com/picnic


Success of Summer Reading Challenge

Wagga Wagga City Library’s Summer Reading Challenge saw children swapping screens for books over the holidays, to the delight of many parents and carers. As part of the reading challenge, school-aged children were encouraged to read 10 hours across the month of January, based on the gold standard of 20 minutes a day. Children who achieved the 10 hours could then enter a draw to win one of five double movie passes. The challenge saw over 100 participants reading regularly across the holidays, visiting the library to pick up their registration kits, completing the extra activities for virtual badges and mini-prizes, and

writing book reviews for their peers. Manager Library Services Claire Campbell said that matching the success of the COVID-safe holiday programs ‘The Little Wave’ and ‘Make at Home: Bee Gardens’ was a priority. “We wanted to make sure we had something extra fun planned for the big summer break,” Ms Campbell said. “With the new Beanstack platform, we’re able to provide online reading challenges for all ages. “The platform is a fun way for children to log their reading. They get virtual badges for reaching reading goals or completing extra activities we might set – for example, some of the activities involved coming

to the library to find a code word, or writing a review for any book they’re reading. “It was fantastic to see so much engagement with our young book lovers. We’ll have new challenges every school holidays as well as separate challenges for adults and teenagers. “We also have an ongoing challenge for pre-schoolers, 1000 Books before Kindergarten, which is always available.” The Summer Reading Challenge five double movie passes were won by Pippa (11 years), Evie (9 years), Addison (9 years), Cate (12 years) and Riley (5 years). Register for Beanstack and stay up-to-date with future reading challenges at waggalibrary.com.au

SPEEDY READER: Pippa (11 years) was one of five young book lovers to win a double movie pass as part of Wagga Wagga City Library’s Summer Reading Challenge.

C YC L I N G A S S E T S FO R T R AV E L N E T WO R K

War Animal Remembrance Day Commemorative Service Saturday 20 February 2021

Wagga Wagga’s cycling community can look forward to two new facilities along the popular Active Travel pathways close to the Central Business District. Construction on the end of trip amenities and bike storage areas near the Visitor Information Centre in Tarcutta Street and the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre in Morgan Street started earlier this month. The $297K project is scheduled for completion at the end of

June and will provide several benefits for people wanting to access the CBD on a bicycle. Manager Project Delivery Rupesh Shah said the new facilities will add to the Active Travel network and provide more options for the community. “The facilities will support people who want to cycle into the business district rather than driving or taking public transport,” Mr Shah said. “It will encourage the use of

non-motorised transport and help promote a healthy lifestyle to a more active community with a reduced reliance on cars.” Features include a toilet and shower area, lighting, wall mounted bike racks, enclosed bike lockers, bicycle maintenance station, e-bike charging stations and a water drinking station. The lockable facility will have electronic swipe card access. CCTV will enhance security in the area.

Open invitation to the Wagga Wagga community and Riverina district to recognise the role of War Animals in World Wars I and II, and all other conflicts past and present. 10.30am for 11am start Cenotaph, Victory Memorial Gardens, cnr Baylis & Morrow sts, Wagga Wagga Organised by the Light Horse Memorial Committee Riverina and South West Slopes In conjunction with Riverina Light Horse Troop Proudly supported by Wagga Wagga City Council Federal Member for Riverina Mr Michael McCormack MP Independent Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr MP NSA Wagga and District Inc Wagga Wagga RSL Club 1/19 RNSWR

END OF TRIP: Construction on two new facilities has started in Tarcutta Street and Morgan Street as part of the Active Travel pathway network.

Have your say!

Vote for your favourite playground We’ve got one of the best beaches in Australia – now we need a playground to match. Wagga Wagga City Council is rejuvenating our much-loved Wagga Wagga beach and river precinct as part of the Riverside – Stage 2 project.

View the playground options and vote for your favourite. Visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/riverside Voting ends 5pm, Fri 19 Feb 2021.

It’s time to choose a brand-new playground.

To vote or learn more visit:

wagga.nsw.gov.au/riverside

Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication


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Local video marks National Apology Day anniversary Wagga Wagga City Council is inviting the community to head online to commemorate the 13th Anniversary of the National Apology to Stolen Generation Survivors. Council has collaborated with Wiradjuri and First Nations community members to create a truth-telling video which can be viewed on Council’s website. The video produced by Wagga Wagga-based Wiradjuri videographer Wes Boney features Senior Wiradjuri Elder Uncle James Ingram performing a Welcome to Country, Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Cr Greg Conkey OAM delivering an official civic address and Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Gail Manderson reflecting on the

significance of the Australian Government’s National Apology to Wiradjuri and First Nations People The talented Wagga Waggabased Ngiyampaa singer/ songwriter Dane Kennedy also performs his original song ‘Mission Line’. The Federal Government Apology was delivered by the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008 and represented the completion of one of the five key measures of reparation recommended in the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s 1997 Bringing Them Home Report. “The Apology was a landmark moment in history and an important step towards healing,” Cr Conkey said. Aunty Gail Manderson said

Mr Rudd’s words in 2008 were important. “I think it was very important, a lot of people let out their emotions and it had some healing but there is a very long way to go,” Aunty Gail said. Cr Conkey said the anniversary of the National Apology video provides an opportunity for the wider community to reflect on past wrongdoings to First Nations People and Stolen Generation Survivors. “It is a constant reminder that we should continue to commit to reconciliation within Australia and make sure that these devastating occurrences never happen again,” he said. The video can be viewed online at wagga.nsw.gov.au/ apologyday

A unique approach to image making Local art collectors with a keen interest in acquiring new artworks will be intrigued with Wagga Wagga Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, The Art Factory: 5 Years. The exhibition celebrates the growth, creative practice and community engagement of The Art Factory Supported Studio, which supports artists living with a disability. The studio, established in 2016 at Wagga Wagga’s Riverina Community College, has grown from a modest group of seven artists to its current contingent of 35 artists. The studio encourages its artists to explore new materials and themes and develop their own unique approach to image making. Art Gallery Director Lee-Anne Hall said the honesty of the exhibition was impressive. “Every work is personal,” Ms Hall said. “The artists are extremely passionate about what they do and quite prolific – some have

WHAT’S

ON WAGGA WAGGA + SURROUNDS

THIS WEEK: WAGGA WAGGA ROAD RUNNERS – SATURDAY RUNS

Sat 13 Feb, 7.30am Marrambidya Wetland, Narrung St. Ph: 0407 220 398

WOLLUNDRY SATURDAY MARKETS

Sat 13 Feb, 8am to 1pm Civic Centre Precinct, Tarcutta St. Ph: 0488 102 835

DEMONSTRATION GARDENS VEGETABLE SWAP OR BUY

Sat 13 Feb, 9am to 12pm Demonstration Gardens, Cnr Shaw St & Albury St. Ph: 0411 417 956

LADYSMITH TOURIST RAILWAY

already held solo exhibitions. “Art is a form of visual communication that transcends so may barriers. It’s beautiful to see artists expressing how they feel about the world, their interests, and how they see the world through art.” The Art Factory: 5 Years presents dynamic and insightful

works by Chris Salter, Isobel Lambert, Ivan Harradine, Jacko Myers, Kellie Hulm, Lilly Salmon, Lorraine O’Hara, Richard Thomas, Samra Angilo, Scott Lea, Steven O’Hara, Tanya Crawshaw and Wayne Emerson. The artworks in the exhibition are available for purchase.

This week’s

Biodiversity Bite What is biodiversity?

BIO

DIVERSITY

“life”

“variety”

Biodiversity means the variety of all living things, including plants and animals, as well as the genes they contain and the ecosystems they live in. This variety keeps us all healthy. Visit our website to see how Council plans to help protect and enhance local biodiversity.

/sustainable.waggawagga

wagga.nsw.gov.au/biodiversity

Vacancies Airport Reporting Officer

Remuneration: $2,081.84 gpf + super Enquiries: Leon Burger on 02 6926 9267 Closing date: Monday 15 February 2021

Plant Operator (Mini Excavator)

Remuneration: $2,125.48 gpf + super Enquiries: Malcom Brydon on 02 6971 4616 or 0419 403 538 (Monday to Friday) Closing date: Monday 22 February 2021

Truck Driver (Water Cart)

Two (2) Positions Available Remuneration: $2,004.68 gpf + super Enquiries: Mark Morrow on 02 6971 4612 or 0428 964 158 (Monday to Friday) Closing date: Monday 22 February 2021

Environmental Assets Attendant

Two (2) Positions Available Remuneration: $1,920.54 gpf + super Enquiries: Kamahl Leonard on 0417 906 734 or Brad Tilyard on 0427 713 359 Closing date: Monday 22 February 2021

Apprentice Plumber/Drainer ARTISTIC EXPRESSION: Artist Jacko Myers with her artwork Studio Portraits 2020.

OPEN DAY

Sat 13 Feb, 10am to 2pm Ladysmith Railway Station, Cunningdroo St. Ph: 0458 63 443

OPEN STUDIO GALLERY

Sat 13 Feb, 10am to 3pm Wagga Art Society Studio, 11 Small St. Ph: 0400 225 768

80 Butterbush Rd. Ph: 0405 072 464

TEEN ILLUSTRATION CARTOON ANIME DRAWING Tue 16 Feb & Wed 17 Feb, 4pm to 6pm De Lew Designs Studios, Cadell Pl, 171 Fitzmaurice St. Ph: 0405 072 464

EVENING ART WORKSHOP – VALENTINE’S DAY AT GARDEN ART COTTONTAILS Tue 16 Feb, 6.30pm to Sat 13 Feb, 6pm to 10pm Cottontail Wines, 562 Pattersons Rd. Ph: 6928 4554

DARREN COGGAN – REMEMBER THE DAYS OF CAT STEVENS

Sat 13 Feb, 8pm to 10pm CSU Riverina Playhouse, 8 Cross St. Ph: 6926 9688

SUNDAY ART CLASS FOR KIDS Sun 14 Feb. De Lew Designs Studios, 80 Butterbush Rd. Ph: 0405 072 464

MONDAY NIGHT VISUAL ART TASTER CLASS

Mon 15 Feb, 6.30pm to 8.30pm De Lew Designs Studios,

8.30pm De Lew Designs Studios, 80 Butterbush Rd. Ph: 0405 072 464

EVENING ART WORKSHOP – SCREENPRINTING

Tue 16 Feb, 6.30pm to 8.30pm De Lew Designs Studios, Cadell Pl, 171 Fitzmaurice St. Ph: 0405 072 464

WAGGA SOCIAL NETBALL

Wed 17 Feb, 10am Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. caronne@ scvella.id.au

RIVERINA PRODUCERS MARKET

Thu 18 Feb, 1pm to 6.30pm Wagga Wagga Showgrounds, Bourke St.

Ph: 0428 263 297

THURSDAY TRIVIA

Thu 18 Feb, 7.30pm to 9pm Thirsty Crow Brewery, 153 Fitzmaurice St. Ph: 6921 7470

WAGGA WAGGA EXPO

Fri 19 Feb, 9am to 4pm The Range Function Centre and Gardens, Copland St. Ph: 1300 665 059

FRIDAY NIGHT PIZZAS

Fri 19 Feb, 5.30pm to 7.30pm Mates Gully Café, 38 Morrow St. Ph: 6921 4241

EVENING ADULTS ART CLASS – FINGER PAINTING Fri 19 Feb, 6.30pm to 8.30pm De Lew Designs Studios Cadell Place, 171 Fitzmaurice St Rd. Ph: 0405 072 464

/waggaevents

For event organising and promotion support, contact Council’s events unit: events@wagga. nsw.gov.au or 1300 292 442 Mon - Fri.

visitwagga.com

Remuneration: $1,427.60 gpf + super Enquiries: Kamahl Leonard on 0417 906 734 or Brad Tilyard on 0427 713 359 Closing date: Monday 22 February 2021

Saleyard Labourer

Remuneration: $1,881.26 gpf + super Enquiries: Stuart Lymbery on 0418 430 680 Closing date: Monday 22 February 2021

Maintenance Operator

Remuneration: $2,081.84 gpf + super Enquiries: Stuart Lymbery on 0418 430 680 Closing date: Monday 22 February 2021

Visitor Economy Officer

Remuneration: $2,323.72 gpf + super Enquiries: Fiona Hamilton on 02 6926 9627 Closing date: Sunday 28 February 2021

Transfer Station / Weighbridge Operator

Remuneration: $2,081.84 gpf + super Enquiries: Mathew Windle on 02 6926 9163 or 0437 701 447 Closing date: Monday 1 March 2021

Rural Transfer Station Attendant (Uranquinty)

Permanent Part-Time Position - 7.30 hours per week Remuneration: $371.30 gpf + super based on part-time hours of work Enquiries: Mathew Windle on 02 6926 9163 or 0437 701 447 Closing date: Monday 1 March 2021 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


COUNCILLOR COLUMN

It was great to see the water seriously flowing into Lake Albert last weekend which means that many events that have been cancelled in previous years can now proceed.

Work on an agreement with the State Government about a permanent solution is well underway with that agreement to be in the hands of the Minister by the end of the month. The agreement is the result of more than 12 months of advocacy and strategy. In

general terms, we are transferring five gigalitres of our water to the Government for the river and in return Wagga Wagga City Council will have authority to draw 1.8 gigalitres of water from the river to store in the lake. The question that needs to be asked is why has it taken

this long after a wetter than average winter and a wet summer for natural flows to reach the lake. Part of the answer lies in the number of contour banks and dams that have been erected in the catchment area which divert and store water. All these dams

0417 467 760 | councillor.conkey@wagga.nsw.gov.au are now full which means the water can now flow down the creeks and into the lake. State Government licences are needed to build dams and to enlarge dams. There have been suspicions for some time that not all of the infrastructure which is taking water from Lake

Albert has been approved. To make doubly sure, I will be writing to the regulators asking for an audit of the upstream private works in the Lake Albert Catchment to ensure earthwork has approval. Last month shutters at the end of Tatton Drain were

illegally erected (and have since been removed) and either before or after, the gates leading from the lake into that drain were also unlawfully removed. This disabled the weir which keeps the water in the lake. Council has now fixed the senseless

Rewarding behaviour: residents embrace Return and Earn scheme In the first three years of the Return and Earn initiative, almost 60-million beverage containers have been returned within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area (LGA). The NSW Container Deposit Scheme offers a 10c refund to customers per eligible bottle, can or carton deposited at one of the Return and Earn kiosks or automated depots. Data from the ThreeYear Local Government Network Collection Volumes Report reveals 59,918,420 beverage containers have been recycled in Wagga Wagga through the program.

This equates to $5.99M in refunds to individuals, organisations – including Council – and charities. Gregadoo Waste Management Facility Manager Geoff Pym said Wagga Wagga City Council was involved in the program as a stakeholder through the scheme’s inception and roll out. “Council was an early adopter of kerbside recycling collection, first introducing the service in the 1990s,” Mr Pym said. “There’s intrinsic value now in the eligible bottles and cans that are collected through the kerbside recycling bins.

“Both Council and Kurrajong benefit from that recycling through the Return and Earn refunds.” The initiative is also delivering other benefits to the city and its surrounds. The NSW Government introduced the scheme on 1 December 2017 with the aim of reducing drink container litter across the state. “By monetising the value of the beverage containers, it changed people’s behaviour,” Mr Pym said. “People are not as likely to just throw the beverage container out of the car window

or drop it as they walk along because they know they can get a monetary return from it. “Even when containers are thrown away, their value is often seen by somebody else who picks it up and gets the financial benefit by taking it to the Return and Earn station. “For Council, it means there is less litter along our roadsides, in our parks and gardens and along residential streets which our staff would otherwise have to clean up.” For more details on Council’s waste and recycling services, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/ waste

RFT 2021-11 SUPPLY OF HIRED FLEET PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Contact us

2018 REFRESH

Suitably endorsed Tenders marked “RFT2021-11 Supply of Hired Fleet Plant and Equipment” are invited and will be received by the undersigned until 2pm Wednesday 10 March 2021.

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

This is a Schedule of Rates panel contract for the Supply of Hired Fleet Plant and Equipment to Council. Enquiries should be directed to Mark Hewson via email hewson.mark@ wagga.nsw.gov.au A non-refundable fee of

$155.00 will be charged for each hard copy of the specification or specifications at nil cost can be accessed at: https: info.vendorpanel.com

@cityofwaggawagga

WEEK

How can you resist those green and blue eyes? Moon and her young male kitten Shadow are our Pets of the Week! These domestic short hair felines are looking for their new forever homes, but due to their white colour, they need an indoor only household to prevent cancer becoming an issue in the future. Moon and Shadow can be adopted together or separately. The adoption fee is $247 for Moon and $212 for Shadow, which includes desexing, vaccination, worming, heart worm test, microchipping, lifetime registration and ID tag. Contact the team at the shelter for more information. Impound numbers: C54 & C57.

6971 4651 | graswagga.com.au

SUNDAY 7 MARCH register at cleanup.org.au

Subscribe Share your #waggaview

OF THE

#adoptdontshop

Peter Thompson, General Manager

Follow us

Councillor Greg Conkey

pet

R251000208

Public Notices

disabling of the lake so it can now fill to capacity, rains permitting. It has been hard enough to try to fill the lake, the last thing we needed was someone removing the weir to ensure the water was lost.

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