Council News Issue No: 103
WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 16 JULY 2016
Weekly information from us to you
BALLOON MAN: Questacon’s Excited Particle Lachy Agett wowed kids in the Wagga area this week with the science spectacular Balloonatic.
KIDS BLOWN AWAY BY BALLOONATIC FUN Kids from across the Wagga area were in their element this week learning about earth’s chemical elements. A school holidays treat, Australia’s leading science centre Questacon brought their Excited Particles show Balloonatic to rural halls in the Wagga region. Balloonatic is a hands-on, fun-filled science show complete with fire, loud explosions with helium and hydrogen and a mind-boggling liquid nitrogen trick. “The show is a really engaging demonstration about all we can do with the science of aerodynamics and balloons,” Excited Particle and star of the show Lachy Agett said. The spectacular science show was the latest instalment in the City of Wagga Wagga’s Hall-A-Day Adventures outreach program, which has brought national and local performances to rural halls in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area each July school holidays since 2013. “The crowds in the Wagga area have been amazing and are rivalling some of the best school groups we have performed to,” Mr Agett said. “It’s great that we can offer travelling science shows like Balloonatic, because we can bring some of the best bits that Questacon has to offer out into rural areas for those who wouldn’t have the opportunity to come to Canberra to see us.” There are now new little scientists across the Wagga area with the show performing to 10 sold-out shows in Uranquinty, Oura, Collingullie and Ladysmith and Galore, which was introduced into the program this year.
Pothole repair a priority: GM It’s winter, it’s wet and potholes are popping up across the city’s road network. Patching and monitoring potholes is always a priority for Council, more so during the winter months. Above-average rainfalls in May and June this year have contributed to an increased number of potholes across the city’s 2300km road network. Since this time, and when
weather conditions have permitted, Council road maintenance staff have concentrated efforts on pothole repairs. Potholes are best repaired when the weather is dry and warm as the material has a better chance of sticking. “In the past few months, when the weather conditions have been right, all Council crews have been out patching and repairing potholes across the city,” City of Wagga Wagga General Manager Alan Eldridge said. “Crews work on repairing
FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
potholes on high volume and high speed zone roads first, as these can carry higher safety risks. “When our crews are out and about they are applying about 17 tonnes of material daily to patch the road failures.” Potholes form when moisture works its way into the road surface or when the subgrade of the road becomes saturated. So, more rain, more potholes. Council uses a number of different materials to patch potholes, including bitumen emulsion and aggregate, hotmix asphalt or coldmix asphalt.
Material choice depends on the location and nature of the pothole and weather conditions at the time of repair. The community can also assist Council with timely pothole repairs. “We ask all motorists and community members to report a pothole directly to our customer services team when they see one,” Mr Eldridge said. “With such an extensive road network it’s impossible for Council to know exactly where a pothole is at any given time.”
POTHOLE PATROL Let us know! Residents can report potholes to Council on 1300 292 442 or at wagga. nsw.gov.au/online services, or download the iCouncil app and report it straight from your phone.
Music at Midday and Music in the Evening Featuring Australian Army Band Kapooka, conducted by Major Lindsay Mee
Wednesday 12noon and 6pm 20 July 2016
To book tickets call 6926 9688 or visit: www.civictheatre.com.au
REPORT GRAFFITI ON COUNCIL PROPERTY See it, report it. That’s the message from Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Rod Kendall when it comes to vandalism in the community. “If you spot graffiti or vandalism on Council property, please let us know and staff can then organise its removal,” Cr Kendall said. “You can contact our customer service team, make a request online or use the iCouncil app.” Examples of Council property include playgrounds, parks and Council signage and buildings. For incidents of graffiti on other state government or commercial property, residents are urged to
contact those owners. “Cleaning up graffiti is a costly exercise for residents, businesses and all levels of government,” Cr Kendall said. “Tackling this sort of vandalism is a community effort and together we can all make a difference.” Victims of graffiti can call the Police Assistance Line on 13 14 44. If you have information relating to graffiti vandalism, know of persons responsible, or require additional information, contact NSW Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. To report graffiti on Council property, call 1300 292 442 or visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/online services.
DIGITAL SUCCESS: Amy Geach from Riverina Hand Therapy learns some online tips last year.
SMALL BUSINESSES TO ACHIEVE BIG RESULTS
HONK, HONK: William Maguire’s Arm Horn, installed in Tarcutta, will be officially launched on Tuesday 19 July.
CHILDHOOD MEMORY AND TRUCKING H I STO R Y R E F L E C T E D I N TA R C U T TA A RT One of the newest public artworks in the Wagga region, which encourages public interaction and draws on childhood nostalgia, will be opened in Tarcutta next week. Arm Horn is the work of Australian blacksmith William Maguire and illustrates two children using the popular arm pull gesture to indicate to passing truck drivers to give them a friendly honk of the truck horn. There is also a toddler joyfully waving to passing trucks. The artwork also features a sandstone visitors rock between the steel-sculptured children for Tarcutta kids, tourists and truckies to interact with the artwork and capture the gesture on camera.
Mr Maguire’s own memories of waving to truck drivers and getting them to honk their horn was the inspiration for the artwork. The artwork is also a nod to Tarcutta’s long-established trucking history. Tarcutta Progress Association has worked with Council from the beginning to help bring the public art work to life. Arm Horn is located at the southern end of the Sydney Street road reserve, across from the Tarcutta truck driver’s memorial. The art work will be officially launched on site on Tuesday 19 July at 11am. The work is part of the Wagga Works Public Art Plan and cost $25,000.
Small businesses will have the opportunity to learn how to unlock their online potential as part of a free program. The City of Wagga Wagga and TAFE NSW Riverina have partnered with the NSW Small Business Commissions to deliver the Activate Online program. Businesses will learn everything from how to develop an online strategy to taking advantage of social media in a series of free workshops starting on 25 July. “An online presence is vital for small businesses in this day and age and this program will show you the best way to use different online tools and resources,” Council’s Manager Economic
Council will enter into direct negotiations with a preferred tenderer to deliver the bulk of the Bomen Enabling Roads project. Councillors passed the resolution unanimously at Monday’s Supplementary Council Meeting with no debate, paving the way for an overhaul of heavy vehicle access to Bomen Business Park. The entire Bomen roads project is in the vicinity of $40M, with this tender to include closing the Dampier Street level crossing and building an underpass, as well as constructing link roads. The reconstruction of the Eunony Bridge was not part of this tender, but is fully funded and scheduled for replacement.
6.30pm Wednesday 10 August 2016 San Isidore Catholic Church Hall Have a question to ask or an issue to raise?
You are invited to attend a neighbourhood meeting with Councillors & Council staff
Workshops will be held on Monday evenings at Riverina Institute’s Wagga Wagga Campus between 6pm and 8pm over a period of six weeks, with the first cycle starting on 25 July. To register your interest in the program or for more information, visit www. activateonline.com.au or email joanna.carlisle@tafensw.edu.au.
ACTIVATE ONLINE PROGRAM SUBJECTS:
• Establishing an online strategy • Website development options • Marketing online and e-commerce • Social media • Managing security and risk • Cloud technology for business
Support flows for Bomen roads
Council is hosting a neighbourhood meeting to discuss news, events and issues relating to San Isidore/Kapooka and the broader Local Government Area. Stay for a cuppa after the meeting!
Attention San Isidore, Kapooka & district residents
Development and Visitor Economy Richie Robinson said. “The program is free and helps business as well as not-forprofits and community groups to develop and enhance an online profile.” Three cycles of the program will be delivered, with workshops also starting in October and February. Each cycle of the program comprises of six workshops as well as one-on-one coaching to further develop the skills learned throughout the session. The program is free for participants and available to small or medium enterprises, not-for-profit organisations and local cultural organisations.
Contact Stacey Post on 6926 9197 or communityengagement@wagga.nsw.gov.au
The Bomen Enabling Roads project will vastly improve road safety in the area, create a potential round trip saving of 36 minutes for Higher Mass Limits (HML) vehicles and better link the industrial precinct with the Olympic and Sturt highways. Along with providing substantial standalone benefits, the Bomen Enabling Roads project serves as stage one of the proposed Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub program. Negotiations with the tenderwill take place over the coming weeks with construction to start as soon as possible.
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Council News - A Wagga Wagga City Council publication
Development application processing times decrease Development applications (DA) processed by the City of Wagga Wagga have reduced by up to five days – a reverse trend to the state average which shows determining times have increased. During the 2014/2015 year Council’s Planning and Regulatory Services Directorate determined DAs in an average of 45 days for gross applications (those that require further information from applicants) and 31 days for net applications (those that require no further information). These figures are down on Council’s 2013/14 processing times of 50 days for gross and 33 days for net applications, and
are up to 40 pe rcent better than Council’s 2008/09 averages which were 80 days (gross) and 46 (net). The state average processing time for DAs in 2014/15 stands at 71 days for gross and 48 days for net. Both figures increasing from the previous reporting period. “When compared to the state average, which has increased by up to three days, Council’s processing times are reducing, and are well below the average state figures,” Manager Development Services Colby Farmer said. “Over the last six to seven years, Wagga
Council has been experiencing a downward trend in development application processing times, due mainly to significant process and system improvements put in place. “These figures highlight Council’s commitment to timely delivery of application services to the community while endeavouring to maintain and promote positive on-the-ground development outcomes.” All figures are detailed in the NSW Department of Planning’s Local Development Performance Monitoring report for 2014/15, which provides a
comprehensive breakdown of development assessments statistics for all NSW councils. The report also highlights, when compared to 19 other NSW councils of a similar population and function/operation, Wagga performs well in regards to determination times, number and value of applications determined. Wagga is 16 per cent lower for gross total days and 8 per cent lower for net days compared to the Local Government group averages. In the 2014/15 year the City of Wagga Wagga determined 1051 applications with a total development value of $203.23M.
REPAIRS: Concrete is poured to reinstate the kerb, gutter and footpath in Morrow Street following excavations on the site to investigate the cause of a sinkhole.
MORROW STREET WORKS COMPLETE
UP AND COMING: Si Yuan Gu, (Tempe High School) What Happened to I?, drawing, 2015, exhibited in the ARTEXPRESS 2016 exhibition now showing at Wagga Wagga Art Gallery.
UP-AND-COMING ARTISTS AND ART FORMS SHOWCASED The new age of art and the new generation of artists are being celebrated by Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. The Channel is the gallery’s new media space, dedicated to displaying single-channel video works for media art practitioners. The Channel is in the heart of the main gallery and provides an intimate and immersive viewing space. The first screening in the new space is Hollywood Burn from New York based artistic duo Soda_Jerk. Hollywood Burn was constructed over four years and is a blend of science fiction, romantic comedy and a classic action movie. The 52-minute video is an anti-copyright epic constructed from hundreds of samples pirated from the Hollywood archives. Hollywood Burn will run on a loop and screen in The Channel eight times daily. In addition to the new media space, the gallery is also hosting ARTEXPRESS 2016, which showcases the best artworks from the most recent HSC visual arts graduates. The exhibition has more than three dozen artworks, from ceramics and paintings to sculptures and photography, and reflects a range
THIS WEEK: FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL
Until Wed 20 July The Alliance française de Wagga Wagga is holding the annual French Film Festival at the Forum 6 Cinema in Wagga this July. Ph: 6921 6863
TARCUTTA MARKETS Sat 16 July 8am - 2pm Tarcutta Memorial Hall, Sydney Street, Tarcutta. Ph: 0477 472 154
MINIATURE RAILWAY Sun 17 July 10.30am - 4pm $2 per ride, enclosed
footwear essential. Botanic Gardens, Macleay St
TAKE FIVE BAND COMPASSION FUNDRAISING CONCERT
Sun 17 July 1pm - 4pm Mt. Austin Primary School Hall, McKell Avenue. Ph: 6926 4901
WAGGA SWAP MEET
Sun 17 July 7am - 5pm Over 900 sites of auto jumble, bric a brac, antiques, collectables and more. Everything including the kitchen sink! Wagga Showground. Ph: 0458 454 477
NEW AGE ART: Hollywood Burn 2006, Soda_ Jerk, digital screen still. This 52-minute film is the first screening in the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery’s digital space ‘The Channel’. of interests, concerns and world issues. The ARTEXPRESS 2016 exhibition has been carefully chosen to include students from the region alongside their counterparts elsewhere in NSW, with both public and private schools represented. Both exhibitions were launched at the gallery last night and will run until 11 September. MUSIC AT MIDDAY & MUSIC IN THE EVENING
Wed 20 July 12pm & 6pm Featuring the Australian Army Band Kapooka. Conducted by Major Lindsay Mee. Civic Theatre. Ph: 6926 9688
RIVERINA PRODUCERS’ MARKET
Thursdays 1pm - 6pm Free entry. Run by producers to connect with those that love good food. Civic Centre Precinct, off Tarcutta Street. Ph: 6924 3574
CRAFTALIVE
Fri 22 July 10am - 5pm
CraftAlive annually brings together both talented interstate and local exhibitors, focusing on creative hand finished products, DIY products, craft supplies, homewares and creative workshops to inspire young and old. Wagga Showground. Ph: 03 9682 5133
Repairs to a section of Morrow Street, which was under investigation due to the formation of a sinkhole, is now complete. On July 7 Council staff excavated part of the road, between Ivan Jack Drive and Peter Street, where a sinkhole was forming.
The investigations uncovered remnants from an old tree, which was believed to be the cause of the void. The rotted organic matter was removed and the site made stable again. The excavation site measured about 10x6m and was about half-a-
PET WEEK
OF THE
Meet Kiki This week’s Pet of the Week is a white and tan female staffy cross named Kiki (imp 374). Kiki is 18 months old, playful and ready to find her forever home. She is available for adoption now at the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter. Her adoption fee is $262 (she is already microchipped).
This fee also covers lifetime registration, vaccination, desexing and worming. If you would like to meet Kiki or any of her buddies, visit the shelter from Monday to Saturday between 1pm and 4.15pm. For more information, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/animals or call 6971 4651 during business hours.
mobile library timetable
/waggaevents For support in organising your event, contact Council’s Events Unit at events@wagga.nsw.gov.au or 1300 292 442 Mon to Fri. To promote your event or for a full list of events go to: visitwagga.com or call 1300 100 122.
metre deep. The road has been subject to road closures since the excavation for kerb, guttering and footpath concreting and asphalt works to reinstate the road base. Asphalt works were complete on Thursday and the road open to motorists.
Collingullie Tuesday July 19, 3.45pm – 4.45pm Humula Wednesday July 20, 9.15am – 11.15am Tarcutta Friday July 22, 9am – 11am Ph: (02) 6926 9771
www.rrl.nsw.gov.au
Council News - A Wagga Wagga City Council publication
COUNCILLOR COLUMN Many years of hard work by a large number of people came to a conclusion last Monday night when the green light was given for Stage One of the Bomen Business Park upgrade. This is a $40M project that will improve road safety, open up additional industrial land and provide
a northern by-pass for the city. In the end it was a lightning fast decision probably less than two minutes for the motion to be put and moved with unanimous support. However, behind the scenes staff spent many hundreds of hours negotiating with key stakeholders quite apart from the Council briefings, workshops, consultations, discussions and debates.
Stage Two of the project will see the construction of an intermodal freight hub with negotiations for that hub at an advanced stage. The significance of the Bomen Business Park in the future development of this city cannot be overemphasised. The first stage gives the park the necessary infrastructure to adequately service the present facility The next stage will allow many of the existing
councillor.conkey@wagga.nsw.gov.au
businesses to grow and expand as well as hopefully attract more industries to the city. The project has been a partnership between the three levels of government – City of Wagga Wagga, the NSW Government and the Federal Government. The Federal Government committed nearly $15m to the project some years back and has been very patient in the months it took for the NSW Government to also
come on board. Such a valuable Wagga Wagga asset must have access to the latest communications systems in the country. Last Monday night, Councillors also called for a report on whether the existing fixed wireless telecommunications network can meet those demands or whether a fibre optic network is required. Depending on the
findings of that report, which will include discussions with Bomen industries, Council may consider lobbying for an upgrade. It just doesn’t make sense for Council to develop a state-of-the-art business park that has an inferior telecommunications system.
Councillor Greg Conkey
AUGMENTED REALITY: Pokemon trainers have flocked to the Civic Precinct to try and catch them all.
Pokemon take over Civic Precinct Have you “gotta catch them all”? Hopeful trainers have been flocking to the Civic Precinct all week as part of the global Pokemon Go craze. Both the Wagga Wagga City Library and Museum of the Riverina Historic Council Chambers site are “Poke Stops” where players can score free items, along with a number of public artworks around the Civic Centre, the Wollundry Amphitheatre and various parts of the Victory Memorial Gardens. There are also plenty of gyms
Public Notices
RFT2016-014 DESIGN & CONSTRUCT MULTI PURPOSE STADIUM
Suitably endorsed Tenders marked “RFT2016-014 Design & Construct Multi Purpose Stadium” are invited and will be received by the undersigned until 2pm Wednesday 24th August 2016. This Contract is a lump sum contract for the design and construction of a multi purpose stadium
around – including one next to the Civic Theatre. “Across the week there have been hundreds of people catching Pokemon out the front of the theatre and doing battle at the gym,” Civic Theatre Manager Carissa Campbell said. “People have been doing a loop around the Civic Precinct and Victory Memorial Gardens during their lunch breaks and after work trying to ‘catch them all’.” Library Manager Claire Campbell said there have been even more people than usual in
at the Exhibition Centre, Copland Street, Wagga Wagga. A compulsory site meeting will be held on site at 11am on Thursday 28 July 2016. Registration to attend this site meeting can be made via email to barclay.leanne@wagga. nsw.gov.au. Tenders will be assessed on a number of criteria. Tenderers are advised that the lowest or any Tender will not necessarily be accepted. Enquiries are to be made to Mr Adrian Inglis, Supervisor Project Manager on Ph: 1300 292 442. A non-refundable fee of $110.00 will be charged for each hard copy of the specification or specifications at nil
Contact us 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
the library over the last week of school holidays. “People have been activating lures in the game, which attract Pokemon to the library and Poke Stops in the Civic Precinct,” she said. “It’s great to see so many people of different ages and backgrounds interacting and taking advantage of the great facilities Council provides. “The library is a great place for trainers because we have free Wi-Fi and a charging station, as I’m told the game is quite a drain on smartphone batteries.”
cost can be accessed from www.tenderlink. comwagga.
NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
Wagga Wagga City Council has received the following application to carry out “Development” under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979. DA16/0363, 6 x 3 bedroom, two story units, 80 Stirling Blvd TATTON NSW 2650, Lot 214 DP 1155271, Applicant: Paul Bourne Homes Pty Ltd DA16/0376, Multi dwelling housing (3x3 bedroom dwellings) to be Community Subdivided.
26 Messenger Ave BOOROOMA NSW 2650, Lot 810 DP 1191265, Applicant: Lanmac Pty Ltd DA16/0385, Demolition of existing dwelling & construction of 4 two storey 2 bedroom units & subdivision, 296 Edward St WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650, Lot 11 DP 11613, Applicant: Adam Morrison Name of Consent Authority: Wagga Wagga City Council The subject application and accompanying documentation, may be inspected at the following address until the closure of exhibition. Submission Period:
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THIRSTY WORK: Trina Collins’ completed murals on a water tank on top of Willans Hill.
GIANT MURAL COMPLETE
Wagga’s largest public artwork is complete. Mural artist Trina Collins spent the past three weeks strategically painting a myriad of colours on the side of a water reservoir on top of Willans Hill. Armed with 750 cans of spray paint, Trina’s masterpieces feature faces of Wagga students cupping water from a tap. The concrete canvas stands eight metres high and is 85 metres around. Check out Trina’s creations by visiting Willans Hill Reserve, off Captain Cook Drive. The mural project is a joint venture between Riverina Water County Council (RWCC) and the City of Wagga Wagga. The public art project had a budget of $14,500, fully funded by RWCC. 18/07/2016 to 01/08/2016 Where: City of Wagga Wagga customer service, cnr Baylis and Morrow Streets, Wagga Wagga. When: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays). Any person seeking to make a submission in relation to the abovementioned development should address all correspondence to the Consent Authority to be received prior to 5pm on the final day of the exhibition period. If any submission is made by way of objection, the grounds of objection must be specified in the submission.
Persons lodging submissions are required to declare political donations (including donations of more than $1000) made in the previous two years. For more details, including disclosure form, go to www.planning.nsw.gov. au/donations. Persons making written submissions regarding the above development are advised that any submission received within the submission period will be subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 and the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPPA) and may
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be attached to the final report, in its entirety or in part, to Council unless explicitly requested by the person making the submission that they do not wish this to occur. Enquiries: Further details relating to the matter can be obtained by contacting the Council’s Development Services. If you have any enquiries regarding the application, or about making submission, please telephone Development Services on 1300 292 442.
Alan Eldridge, General Manager