INSIDE: LIVESTOCK MARKETING CENTRE UPDATE + NEW CAT ISOLATION ROOM
Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 20 JUNE 2020
Issue No: 300
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BIODIVERSITY IS 'EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY' With over 90 per cent of our region’s original vegetation cleared, it’s critical the community works together to halt the decline of biodiversity.
WE’VE GOT A PLAN: After months of work and community consultation, Council’s draft Biodiversity Strategy is ready for your feedback. Environmental Assessment Officer Samantha Pascall is encouraging you to visit connect.wagga.nsw.gov.au/biodiversity and share your thoughts on how we can all help protect and preserve our region’s biodiversity.
Strategy to protect local biodiversity Wagga Wagga City Council is seeking community feedback on a draft strategy outlining a 10-year plan to address key threats and impacts on local biodiversity.
the environment we depend upon for water, food, health and recreation,” Ms Summerhayes said. “Over 90 per cent of the original vegetation in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area has been cleared and the remaining 10 per cent exists in isolated pockets. “Key threatening processes are placing native plants and animals under pressure. Some of these processes include fragmentation, infestation of pest animals and weeds, habitat loss or change, and The draft Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanna aims to increase community climate change. “‘Maldhangilanna’ is Wiradjuri for working awareness of the importance of biodiversity, together. Our draft biodiversity strategy strategically approaching the challenge of preserving, protecting, and enhancing local focuses on what we can do to halt the decline of biodiversity in our region, and biodiversity into the future. how we can work together as a community Council’s Community Director Janice for a healthier and sustainable future.” Summerhayes said biodiversity was The draft strategy has four main focus everyone’s responsibility. areas, with strategic objectives and “Biodiversity is important because underlying actions for the areas of: it supports the healthy functioning of
• Planning for Biodiversity • Strengthening Natural Assets • Managing Biosecurity • Educating and Collaborating.
The Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanna is on public exhibition until Monday 13 July 2020. To view the strategy, visit connect.wagga. nsw.gov.au/biodiversity The draft Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanna is a 10-year document outlining the legislative framework associated with biodiversity conservation, internal and external policy context, key threatening processes, and threatened species within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area. The draft strategy has been developed through extensive community consultation and supports the vision and objectives expressed in the Community Strategic Plan.
Weekly waste tip Please aim to keep a distance of at least 50cm between your bins when you present them on the kerbside for servicing. This space is needed to allow the reaching arm to grab hold of your bin to lift and then empty it into the truck.
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Council News clocks up 300 editions The community’s award-winning Council News today celebrates its 300th edition. This significant milestone for the four-page weekly newspaper insert has been reached six years after its launch on 1 July 2014. Wagga Wagga City Council’s Communications and Engagement team produces 50 editions of Council News a year with the aim of keeping the community informed and updated on issues across the Local Government Area. Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey said Council News has served an important role in getting information to all corners of the community. “Council News was developed on the premise of being a onestop shop for all things Council,” Cr Conkey said. “It’s just one way to help keep the community updated on what’s happening at Council. “Our projects, festivals,
Disruption to Council Services For information on the latest disruptions to Council’s facilities, please visit the link below.
wagga.nsw.gov.au/coronavirus
Vacancies Truck Driver (Water Cart)
Remuneration: $1,975.06 gpf + super Enquiries: Robert Mithilan on 02 6971 4617 or 0429 157 065 Closing date: Monday 22 June 2020 Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer
To view these opportunities and apply, visit:
wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs
events, and developments are all successfully promoted and reported through the pages of Council News.” Council News was awarded the RH Dougherty Award in only its second year of production. The award recognises Councils which encourage greater understanding and communication in their local communities. And only on special occasions in its 300-edition history has Council News changed from its traditional black banner. One of those was for a special welcome home civic ceremony for Wagga Wagga Olympic champion Alicia Quirk who won a gold medal – a first for the city – with the Australian women’s Rugby 7s team at the 2016 Games in Rio. The 27 August front page carried a full page image of Alicia, with the Council News banner changed to gold in honour of the local sports star’s achievement.
Stormwater infrastructure contribution: Council seeks community feedback on updated plan Wagga Wagga City Council has updated the plan setting stormwater infrastructure contributions for development and has released the plan for public exhibition. The draft Development Servicing Plan Stormwater 2020 sets the infrastructure contribution developers pay to help fund the infrastructure needed to support development of the city. Contributions Coordinator Belinda Maclure explained the plan, saying while the update mostly affected developers, it would also affect residents wanting to develop their own property. “When a section of land is developed, the developer pays an infrastructure contribution to Council,” Ms Maclure said. “We then use those contributions to pay for identified infrastructure required for that area specifically, and the city generally. As the City grows, we need more infrastructure to
AN IMPORTANT PART OF DEVELOPMENT: developer contributions ensure stormwater infrastructure is provided for all future developments. manage the potential impacts and provide the level of service our community expects. “The stormwater plan caters for the future by considering our current assets and what we'll need in years to come. This ensures that infrastructure is provided in a coordinated and financially sustainable manner.”
The draft Development Servicing Plan Stormwater 2020 and the draft Implementation Guide for the Development Servicing Plan Stormwater 2020 are currently on public exhibition with submissions open until 12 August 2020. To view the plans, visit connect.wagga.nsw.gov.au/ stormwaterdsp
Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication
Animal shelter and Tip Shop reopen Wagga Wagga City Council’s Glenfield Road Animal Shelter and Gregadoo Waste Management Centre Tip Shop are reopening thanks to the continued easing of NSW Government COVID-19 restrictions. Glenfield Road Animal Shelter reopened on Tuesday 16 June, and Animal Welfare Supervisor Julie McPhail said she and the team were relieved. “Adoptions are going to go so much easier now!” Ms McPhail said. “It’s good to see people face-to-face.” Shelter staff are requesting the community abide by the hygiene and social distancing measures in place. “We’re asking everyone to use the hand sanitiser at the front door, and we’re allowing one person or family group into the office at a time,” Ms McPhail said. “We’re also getting everyone to sign in, so we have their details in case of an outbreak. “We can allow a maximum of 7 people in the cattery, and 20 in the kennel at a time. If either is full, we’re just asking people to wait patiently until someone comes out and we can let you in. “We have some beautiful furry friends who are looking for a home, so they’ll be very pleased to see you.” The Gregadoo Waste Management Centre Tip Shop will be reopening on Saturday 27 June from 8am–4pm. Facility Manager Geoffrey Pym said the team had seen an increase in tip visits during
N E W I S O L AT I O N R O O M T O PR O T E C T F E L I N E S
CAT CARE: Wagga Wagga City Council Animal Welfare Supervisor Julie McPhail with a feline resident at the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter's new cat isolation room. the COVID-19 shutdown. “We’ve had a lot more items dropped off,” Mr Pym said. “Generally, on a good Saturday or Sunday we see around 200–250 small vehicles arrive with a load, but we were seeing the same numbers throughout the week as well.” “We’ve been busy gathering materials in preparation for our reopening. Obviously, a lot of people have cleaned out the back of the shed, because we’ve had an increase in mowers and whipper snippers.” In addition to new social distancing measures, the tip shop’s operating days have
changed, with the shop now open Saturday, Sunday and Monday each week. “The shutdown gave us an opportunity to rethink how we operate, and we decided to make Saturday our first day of trading, rather than Friday,” Mr Pym said. “We wanted to make sure the whole community, including people who work Monday–Friday and school children, have an equal opportunity to come out and see what they can reuse, recycle and repurpose. “We’re looking forward to reopening, as we’ve got a lot of quality materials looking for a new life.”
We're open
Social distancing and hygiene practices in place. EFTPOS payment preferred. • Glenfield Road Animal Shelter Monday – Saturday, 1.00pm–4.15pm For more information visit graswagga.com.au • Gregadoo Waste Management Centre Tip Shop Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 8.00am–4.00pm (from Saturday 27 June)
The health and safety of resident cats at the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter was central to a new isolation building recently constructed at the facility. Wagga Wagga City Council Animal Welfare Supervisor Julie McPhail said the cat isolation room would greatly assist staff to ensure all animals have the best care when they first arrive at the shelter. Ms McPhail said the isolation room would keep new arrivals separate from other cats until they have been quarantined and checked over for any diseases they may carry. “Having an isolation room is in the best interests of all our residents,” Ms McPhail said. “It is a separate area we can place all incoming cats to ensure they are well enough before mixing with the general population. “We will monitor any newcomers for diseases for seven days and by doing this it isolates any potential illness and keeps other cats healthier and safer. “After the quarantine period we know it is okay to take them out of isolation and move them into the main cat shelter.” The cat isolation room is an extension to the existing cat shelter. It is approximately 25sqm and is an air-conditioned facility with stainless steel cages. Improvements at the shelter also include new disabled access for visitors to the facility. This involved widening all internal doors to accommodate wheelchair movement throughout the building and installing an external ramp for access. “We continue to make improvements at the shelter for our residents and also visitors,” Ms McPhail said.
For more information visit yourwaste.com.au
Easing of access restrictions started at Wagga Wagga City Council’s Livestock Marketing Centre (LMC) this week with vendors back on site to see their stock sold. General hygiene and social distancing requirements remain as conditions of entry with LMC manager Paul Martin now preparing for more attendees at Monday’s cattle sale. Thursday’s sheep sale gave farmers and producers the opportunity to attend the sale but view it from a separate lane to the active buyer’s lane. Access to the vendors’ lane was available on a first in, first served basis and then one in, one out as per space restrictions in the current Public Health Order (PHO). The same will apply for Monday’s cattle sale and will continue until further advice is received from the State Government health authorities, Mr Martin said. “We need to be mindful that there are space restrictions we have to ensure are kept so access will be limited and then offered as people come and go,” Mr Martin said. “Failure to comply may see
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VENDORS BACK AT LIVESTOCK CENTRE
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Hard Waste Collection STAGED PLAN: Vendors were back at the Livestock Marketing Centre's sheep sale on Thursday as implementation of a staged plan now includes access to farmers and producers selling their stock. LMC put back to Stage 2 restrictions, so we are urging everyone to be patient and thank them for their understanding under these testing conditions.” Mr Martin said Council has worked closely with Wagga Selling Agents’ Association to ensure the health and safety of all participants and to ensure
sales have proceeded through the pandemic. Council is working to a staged plan towards reopening the facility to the general public in line with the PHO. A date has not been set for the implementation of Stage 4, which includes access to the public.
The hard waste collection helps residents dispose of larger household items that cannot be disposed of through the regular kerbside collection service. Properties that pay the domestic waste management service charge can access one free hard waste collection per calendar year to dispose of up to two cubic metres of hard waste.
Book your collection: Book online at yourwaste.com.au/hardwaste or by calling (02) 5942 6150.
Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication
COUNCILLOR COLUMN
0447 231 080 | councillor.hayes@wagga.nsw.gov.au
was ‘what do we want 1. Increase accessibility such things as significant multiplier our communities to and participation employment. effect. look like in the future?’ for all members 2. Improving our This allows us to look and ‘how do we use of our community environmental at construction projects, stimulus projects to and workforce as impact as we look which are a main driver create a better society?’ many, whether at ways to increase for economic recovery, I was recently on a through being born The value of stimulus energy efficiencies and compare projects Zoom webinar where overseas, having a projects will depend and reduce costs. like upgrading a road the topic was about disability, or being on how you answer the to other possibilities. economic recovery 3. Supporting and First Nations, often questions above. For facing us all due to creating local jobs as It is with this in mind are excluded or have coronavirus. Two of the me when I think about we know that money that it was beyond increased challenges key features highlighted those questions three spent locally has a disappointing to hear in accessing key themes come out:
this week that the new school at Estella ignores the possibility of utilising local jobs in its construction, as significant parts of the construction is being done in Western Sydney and Queensland, then transported to Wagga. Our city is in a good position to be
able to recover well from the impact of the coronavirus with upcoming projects as long as we can support our community members and businesses.
Councillor Dan Hayes
Lost Lanes @Home Wagga Wagga’s favourite winter festival Lost Lanes is on this Saturday 20 June from 6pm. This year’s online version – Lost Lanes @Home – will be live streamed on the City of Wagga Wagga Facebook page, and the Visit Wagga Wagga Facebook and Instagram pages. Be sure to like the pages and you’ll be notified when the event kicks off. Tune in for live cooking and cocktail demonstrations that you can follow along to at home and enjoy the star-studded line-up of entertainment culminating with festival headliner Australian DJ Nina Las Vegas.
Residents are encouraged to preorder party packs for their Lost Lanes @Home parties. A full list of food and beverage businesses offering Lost Lanes @Home packs and discounts is available at visitwagga.com/lostlanes/eats Make sure you grab your Lost Lanes beanie for the night and send your pics wearing the fashionable and warm head wear during the Lost Lanes @Home live stream. You can pick up your beanies for $20 each or two for $30 from the Wagga Wagga Visitor Information Centre on Tarcutta Street. For more information head to visitwagga.com/lostlanes
PATH WORKS: Wagga Wagga City Council civic works crew member Tom Litchfield inspects the newly resurfaced shared path along Plumpton Road.
Plumpton Road shared path upgrade The shared path alongside Plumpton Road has undergone recent maintenance work to improve conditions for walkers and cyclists. Approximately 2km of the path between the Kooringal Road roundabout and Nelson Drive was identified for maintenance this financial year.
Public Notices EXHIBITION OF DRAFT AMENDMENT TO WAGGA WAGGA DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PLAN 2010 – SECTION 10, MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT
Land Description: Morgan, Murray and Forsyth Street,
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Council’s civil works crew fixed pot holes and failed edges using asphalt mix and then resurfaced the path with bitumen seal. Council’s stormwater crew is also planning to start the installation of pipe crossings in three locations to improve drainage along
mixed use precinct Aim: To exhibit the draft development controls for mixed use development in the Morgan, Murray and Forsyth Street mixed use zone. Exhibition Period: 18 April 2020 to 18 July 2020 (inclusive) Inspection Venue:The exhibition documents are available on Council’s website waggaview.com. au/morganstreet If you are unable to access the documents online, please contact Council on 1300 292 442 to arrange a
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 shared path. The path is a popular walkway which also provides access to Lake Albert and the golf club. Works started in late May and are expected to be completed with the drainage works in early July, weather permitting.
copy to be posted. Submission Procedure: Any interested person or organisation wishing to make a submission in relation to the draft plan should do so prior to the close of the exhibition period. Submissions may be mailed to The General Manager, Wagga Wagga City Council, PO Box 20, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650, emailed to council@wagga. nsw.gov.au or submitted online viawaggaview.com. au/morganstreet
EXHIBITION
RUG UP AND TUNE IN: Lost Lanes @Home is live streaming this Saturday 20 June from 6pm on the City of Wagga Wagga Facebook page.
OF DRAFT DEVELOPMENT SERVICING PLAN STORMWATER 2020 AND THE DRAFT IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICING PLAN STORMWATER 2020
exhibition with submissions invited until 12 August 2020. Inspection Venue: The draft documents are available for review at Wagga Wagga City Council, Corner Baylis and Morrow Streets, Wagga Wagga within the exhibition period. They can also be accessed at Council’s Wagga View website Council’s draft connect.wagga.nsw.gov.au/ Development Servicing stormwater. Plan Stormwater 2020 and Submission Procedure: the draft Implementation Persons wishing to make a Guide for the Development submission should do so Servicing Plan Stormwater before 12 August 2020. 2020 are now on public Submissions should be
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made in writing and may be delivered to Wagga Wagga City Council, mailed to the General Manager, Wagga Wagga City Council PO Box 20 Wagga Wagga NSW 2560, emailed to council@wagga.nsw.gov. au or submitted through Council’s Wagga View website connect.wagga. nsw.gov.au/stormwater. Persons making a written submission are advised that any submission received within the submission period will be subject to the Government Information (Public Access)
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Act 2009 and the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1988 and may be attached to the final report to Council in part or in entirety, unless explicitly requested by the person making the submission that they do not wish this to occur. Any questions relating to the documents may be referred to Council’s Contributions Coordinator on 1300 292 442.
Peter Thompson, General Manager