THE TEAM AT COUNCIL NEWS WISHES READERS A SAFE + HAPPY FESTIVE SEASON
Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER 2020
Issue No: 326
Weekly information from us to you
PERFORMER: Bella Ingram MUSICIAN: Sam Campbell-McRae
VINO + VINYL: DJ Rick Stanley
THE ENTERTAINERS: Get in the vibe of Summer in the City this New Year’s Eve with a line-up of entertainment set to activate the city’s CBD. Stay on the lookout for a couple of pesky seagulls who will be roving the main street rummaging in bags and pockets and causing (socially distanced) chaos in their usual squabbling way. There’s also a line-up of performers (insets) who will bring their musical talents to the street scene.
NYE 2020: Summer in the City Wagga Wagga can look forward to a new approach to New Year’s Eve 2020 with a summer vibe - and a few surprises - being planned in the Central Business District this year.
Residents and visitors who are in Wagga Wagga on 31 December are being encouraged to make an early dinner booking at a CBD venue and enjoy a festive and fun environment to kick-start NYE celebrations. Civic Theatre Manager Carissa Campbell said the “Summer in the City” themed
activation will occur between 7pm and 9pm and will feature entertainment at programmed spaces with performers roving along the footpaths on sections of Fitzmaurice and Baylis streets. “We’re aiming for a family-friendly vibe to enliven the hospitality precincts and create that festive and fun environment,” Ms Campbell said. To take full advantage of the street performers and entertainers who will animate the streets during Summer in the City, residents are encouraged to plan ahead. “Take the family for a stroll, a coffee and some ice-cream or make a booking at a restaurant if you are planning to dine with family and friends,” Ms Campbell said. “Then, for those who wish, keep the vibe going at local night-time venues to see in
the new year.” The Fitzmaurice zone will extend from the Riverina Hotel to Romano’s Hotel, and the Baylis zone from Edward Street to Gelatissimo. Local business operators have been consulted and support the new approach, Ms Campbell said. “We’re expecting local hospitality businesses to take advantage of this opportunity and offer their own NYE special deals to attract customers to their establishment,” she said. Ms Campbell said local police are supportive of the planned activities. Council has allocated a $35K budget for the initiative, to be funded from the NYE annual budget allocation. For more information go to wagga.nsw.gov.au/nye
WHAT'S PLANNED
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Weekly waste tip The festive season is here! As the celebrations increase, so too does our food waste. Minimise food waste by shopping to a list, using your leftovers and storing food correctly.
Roving entertainment including characters and circus acts who will roam through outdoor eating areas greeting kids, performing circus tricks, and creating energy and fun. Enjoy the evening’s soundtrack courtesy of local emerging musicians and a DJ playing a host of summery and fun tracks. Kids balloon giveaway: local children’s theatre performers will meander the streets gifting free balloons to children.
COUNCILLOR COLUMN
Wagga is the `Home of the Soldier’ - it is our duty to stand by them when they are being wronged. Wagga is lt was great to end also the gateway to a tumultuous year the food bowl of the on a positive, with nation yet reliant upon Council unanimously agriculture, therefore supporting the as the regional capital motion expressing our we must stand up for condemnation of China them in these times. for maligning our Unfortunately party ADF and the ongoing politics continues baseless attack on our to undermine the industries. integrity of Wagga
City Council with ongoing misleading propaganda being played out from the ALP handbook. In the past we have seen reports by ALP Cr’s Hayes and Keenan with matters such as scaremongering over life spans of grave sites, the report submitted declaring a climate emergency, a recent report in relation to reusable nappies
0459 988 402 | councillor.funnell@wagga.nsw.gov.au
and sanitary products (Penrith Council & ALP Vic Gov’t health), this week’s report on the liquor accord, their claim that they delivered Farrer Road and their latest propaganda - they claim the delivery of a park at Wagga Beach. Fact Check - reports submitted have been cut and pasted from ALP and other left wing propaganda sources.
Farrer Road and beach playground had been in the system as far back as 2009. Cr’s Hayes and Keenan were just sneaky, dug out what had already been set out to happen, and then campaigned on it. This was particularly easy for Cr Keenan given she was a paid employee of Council for some years designing and setting
out delivery framework of such projects. The integrity of some should be called into question over such matters, particularly when there has been no declarations at any time. I believe Council should also look at the issue of plagiarism. Perhaps this should be extended to the protection of our intellectual property rights when councillors
then work for other councils. On a bright note, I wish everyone a happy and Holy Christmas and remind one and all that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ, the one sent to save us all. Merry Christmas.
Councillor Paul Funnell
Rambunctious Russell: Zoo welcomes a new wombat
WAGGA WAGGA’S WOMBAT: Zoo curator Kieralee Tori with Russell, one of the popular new additions at the Wagga Zoo & Aviary, located at the city's Botanic Gardens.
Vacancies Administration Officer (Cemetery)
Remuneration: $2,410.30 gpf + super Enquiries: Henry Pavitt on 02 6926 9615 or 0408 639 366 Closing date: Monday 11 January 2021
Visitor Economy and Events Officer
Remuneration: $2,323.72 gpf + super Enquiries: Fiona Hamilton on 02 6926 9627 Closing date: Friday 15 January 2021 Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer
To view these opportunities and apply, visit:
wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs
pet
At just nine months old, Russell, the common wombat, is set to become a star attraction at the Wagga Zoo & Aviary. The youngster arrived at the zoo on 18 November 2020 and has been settling into his new enclosure. Zoo Curator Kieralee Tori said Russell was rescued from the side of the road by the Porter family in Gundagai, with mum Nicky taking on the responsibility of caring for Russell. “He only weighed a kilo at the time which usually results in hand-rearing being unviable, but Nicky did an exceptional job to get him past that critical stage,” Miss Tori said. “Once he got bigger, she contacted the zoo because she wanted a good home for him, and we were happy to be able to provide that for Russell.” It has been just 12 months since the zoo’s popular wombat resident, Dozer,
died at age 25 after spending about nine years at the zoo. Now, young Russell will take up the mantle in bringing a bit of marsupial magic into the lives of visitors. “We will do isolated window visits for him with the public each day around the fence line of his enclosure, between 10am-10.30am and again at 2pm-2.30pm, weather permitting,” Miss Tori said. “Everyone’s more than welcome to line up and the keeper will pick him up and bring him over, so you can have a little meet and greet and give him a scratch.” Meantime, Council is pleased to announce works on replacing the perimeter fencing at the Zoo & Aviary have been completed as part of the on-going improvement project. Project Officer Henry Collie said the last panels of the front perimeter fence have now been installed, along with a new
WHAT’S
Sat 19 Dec, 9am to 12pm Demonstration Gardens, Cnr Shaw St & Albury St. Ph: 0411 417 956
OF THE
WEEK
ON
#adoptdontshop
Christmas is just around the corner and Wagga Wagga City Council has a message for the local community -‘adopt don’t shop! If you are thinking about getting a new pet this holiday season,
contact the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter. We have several cats and dogs ready for adoption. The staff and furry residents at the shelter would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
MARKETS BY THE LAKE
Sat 19 Dec, 9am to 1pm Apex Park, Lake Albert. Ph: 0497 937 934
WAGGA WAGGA + SURROUNDS
REWILD COMMUNITY MARKET
THIS WEEK:
Sat 19 Dec, 9am to 1pm Visitor Information Centre, 183 Tarcutta St. info@ rewildandco.com.au
BARISTA DAMON: POP - UP ESPRESSO BAR
Sat 19 Dec + Wed 23 Dec, 7am to 12pm Thirsty Crow, 153 Fitzmaurice St. Ph: 6921 7470
WAGGA WAGGA ROAD RUNNERS – SATURDAY RUNS
TARCUTTA MARKETS Sat 19 Dec, 9am to 1pm Tarcutta Soldiers Memorial Hall, Sydney St. Ph: 0477 472 154
Sat 19 Dec, 7.30am Wagga Beach, Johnston St. Ph: 6922 6208
R251000208
Contact us
6971 4651 | graswagga.com.au
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
DEMONSTRATION GARDENS VEGETABLE SWAP OR BUY
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OPEN STUDIO GALLERY
Sat 19 Dec + Sun 20 Dec, 10am to 3pm Wagga Art Society Studio, 11 Small St. Ph: 0400 225 768
WILLANS HILL MINIATURE
BABY BOOM: The city’s Zoo & Aviary has recently welcomed a new fawn who, along with Russell the wombat, has been bringing great joy to visitors enjoying the attractions at the Botanic Gardens. security gate near the entrance. “We began the work in September, initially demolishing and then replacing 420-metres of perimeter fencing around the back of the zoo and then moving to the front section, where we’ve put in another 180-metres,” Mr Collie said. “The new fence is 2.5-metres high and has half-a-metre of wire mesh dug into the soil underneath the fence line, which means predators such as foxes won’t be able to climb over or burrow under RAILWAY RIDES
Sun 20 Dec, 10am to 2.30pm Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. Ph: 0412 493 455
GOODWILL EATING Sun 20 Dec, 12pm to 3pm Thirsty Crow, 153 Fitzmaurice St. Ph: 6921 7470
PARK FOOTBALL WAGGA WAGGA
Mon 21 Dec, 7pm to 8.30pm Henwood Park, Forest St. Ph: 0435 386 510
SERVO BINGO – CHRISTMAS SPECIAL LIVE AND STREAMED Tue 22 Dec, 7pm to 8pm Thirsty Crow, 153 Fitzmaurice St. Ph: 6921 7470
COME TO BETHLEHEM
Tue 22 Dec to Thur 24 Dec, 8pm to 9.30pm Holy Trinity Primary
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the fence. “These works will add to the experience of visitors and, importantly, will improve the security of the zoo’s animals.” Starting from Saturday 19 December, the zoo will operate seven days a week from 9am to 4pm, for the school holiday period. During hot weather, 35 degrees and above, it will close at 3pm, allowing both keepers and animals to stay cool and safe. The zoo will be closed Christmas Day, but will open on Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Australia Day. School, 13 Bardia St. Ph: 6931 3601
WAGGA SOCIAL NETBALL
Wed 23 Dec, 10am Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. caronne@ scvella.id.au
RIVERINA PRODUCERS MARKET
Wed 23 Dec, 11am to 6pm Wagga Wagga Showgrounds, Bourke St. Ph: 0428 263 297
THURSDAY TRIVIA Thu 24 Dec, 7.30pm to 9pm Thirsty Crow Brewery, 153 Fitzmaurice St. Ph: 6921 7470
/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