INSIDE: RIVERINA SCIENCE FESTIVAL, PET OF THE WEEK + MORE
THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING FEATURE BY WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL
Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 14 AUGUST 2021
Issue No: 358
Weekly information from us to you
Touch carnival in Wagga Wagga two more years
SAFE & SECURE: Bicycle Wagga Wagga’s Emily Graham tests out the new End of Trip facility near the Visitor Information Centre with Council’s Strategic Asset Planner Ben Creighton.
On your bike! End of Trip facilities open in the CBD Two ‘End of Trip’ facilities are now open in Wagga Wagga’s CBD, making it easier for people to choose cycling as their main form of transport to and from the city. The Wagga Wagga City Council facilities are located near the Oasis Aquatic Centre in Morgan Street and the Visitor Information Centre in Tarcutta Street. Strategic Asset Planner Ben Creighton said they are an important asset for those who want to ride to Wagga Wagga’s CBD for work or for social or shopping activities. “They will allow all cyclists, both residence and visitors alike, to securely park their bikes and shower or change before heading to the office or shops,” he said. “They will also promote a healthier and more active community. “This is part of our broader Active Travel Plan. Between the two stages of the plan, we are talking more than 55-kilometres of cycleway across the city. It’s a very innovative project for the city.”
The End of Trip facilities include secure bicycle parking, bicycle lockers, a bike repair station, water bottle filling station, sensor lights and 24-hour CCTV surveillance. The Visitor Information Centre also has a shower and change room available, while you can also access the showers and change rooms at the Oasis Aquatic Centre for a fee. An access pass is required to use the facilities which are open 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Emily Graham from Bicycle Wagga Wagga said the End of Trip facilities are a welcome addition to the city as part of the Active Travel Plan. “To get in and out of work and to have a safe place to park their bicycles, and also to have a facility where you can shower and refresh before going to work, is a positive step,” she said. “We see it as being a great asset for the city as it really encourages people to use their bikes to commute into town.” Access cards cost $5. Apply for your card at wagga.nsw. gov.au/endoftrip
Wagga Wagga has retained the New South Wales Touch Association’s (NSWTA) Junior State Cup Southern Conference carnival for the next two years after this week being named the venue for the prestigious titles. NSWTA named Wagga Wagga the winner to host both the 2022 and 2023 carnivals after an extensive tender process saw the city’s facilities edge out Dubbo and Wollongong for the two-year rights. It follows Wagga Wagga hosting the carnival for the past three years from 2019-21, with this year’s event held under COVIDSafe conditions. The Southern Conference will be held at Jubilee Park in Wagga Wagga from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 February 2022 and Friday 17 to Sunday 19 February 2023. Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Cr Greg Conkey OAM said securing the titles for the next two years was testament to the city’s ability to host top level events and carnivals. “We had the runs on the board with NSW Touch and proved to General Manager Dean Russell and his team that Wagga Wagga has the capacity to
deliver this major carnival,” Cr Conkey said. “When changes were made earlier this year due to COVID, we responded and did everything we could to make sure the carnival proceeded." Mr Russell said NSWTA received some excellent submissions for the tender to run the carnival for the next two years. “There was a long list of requirements which we measure against several criteria,” Mr Russell said. “Wagga Wagga ticked the boxes. We’ve seen what they were able to do over the past three years and that gave NSWTA a lot of confidence. “We look forward to continuing that relationship over the next two years to take the Junior State Cup to the next level.” Cr Conkey also recognised a reshuffle of the conference dates to assist with accommodation requirements in the city across that weekend. “Council has partnered with Charles Sturt University which will open its doors next February and provide additional beds for visitors,” Cr Conkey said. “That goes a long way towards overcoming any accommodation shortfall."
STAY IN TOUCH: Mayor Cr Greg Conkey OAM (right) and NSW Touch General Manager Dean Russell.
Wagga Wagga City Council’s Reusable Products Rebate
Going green just makes good financial sense.
Council is offering residents from the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area the opportunity to apply for a rebate after purchasing reusable nappies and/or menstrual products.
Get money back on reusable nappies and menstrual products.
Rebate trial: 1 July 2021 – 1 January 2022 Apply now: wagga.nsw.gov.au/reusableproductsrebate