INSIDE: LIGHTING UPGRADE, PET OF THE WEEK + MORE
Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 2019
Issue No: 276
Weekly information from us to you MAYOR CLARIFIES OASIS FREE ENTRY
CHRISTMAS DELIVERYFOR B O TA N I C GARDENS ZOO A N D AV I A RY
City of Wagga Wagga Mayor Councillor Greg Conkey OAM is reminding community members that an existing policy guides a declaration of free entry for the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre. Council will only declare free entry for the facility when the Bureau of Meteorology displays a forecast for 41 degrees Celsius or above before 2pm the day prior. If the BOM’s prediction changes after 2pm, unfortunately free entry will not apply. “Setting the cut off at 2pm is to ensure additional lifeguards can be rostered on to cope with the expected influx of additional visitors,” Councillor Conkey said. “We will declare a free day through Council’s social media channels. “I would encourage community members to follow Council’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages to receive those updates. “We will communicate free days to the public, in advance, to alleviate any confusion.” Councillor Conkey is also calling on community members taking advantage of the pool to show more respect towards staff and patrons. He said he’s been shocked and disappointed by the level of disrespect shown towards Council staff and visitors inside the facility and the amount of anti-social behaviour that has been observed in the past 48 hours. He said there is no excuse for behaviour that shows a lack of consideration for other people, violates the basic rights of staff or other patrons or causes disruptions within the facility.
Santa Claus made a brief stop in the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens Zoo and Aviary last week to drop off a package of adorable new additions, a trio of cria – more commonly known as baby alpacas. The newcomers are 9 months old, weigh roughly 50 kilograms each and join the popular Wagga attraction from an alpaca stud in Murrumbateman. “They’ll be with us for the next 10 to 15 years,” Team Leader Parks operations (Botanic Gardens) Jonathan Nicoll said. “When they’re fully mature, they should weigh around 90 to 100 kilograms.” Christened Cecil, Albert and Leo by Zoo Curator Kira McBeath, the young alpacas are already halter broken and staff inside the gardens are committed to continuing their education. “The goal is to be able to take them out, one at a time, for short walks through the zoo to allow visitors to interact with them, give them a pat and meet the guys face-to-face,” Mr Nicoll said. “We plan to that with a lot of our handreared animals… we hope to create a more, hands-on experience for our visitors.” The zoo’s new stars are settling into a newly renovated enclosure, featuring a brand-new fence, new irrigation system and fresh turn. “Alpacas love to eat, and they love water too, so we’ve set up sprinklers in the enclosure,” Ms McBeath said. “The new irrigation system will mean we can keep the enclosure green all year round.”
TAKING SHAPE A long-term vision to develop a Health and Knowledge Precinct in the heart of Wagga Wagga took a decisive step forward this week, with Councillors endorsing the revised Master Plan for the area.
The new Precinct Master Plan has incorporated changes suggested by the community during the community engagement activities and was approved by Council earlier this week. The Master Plan outlines a 25 to 30-year vision for the area around Wagga’s two major hospitals and is designed to grow, and support, the city’s employment and educational opportunities.
Manager City Strategy Tristan Kell said the plan is to turn the precinct into a thriving, central activity hub for the key industry, in an effort to enhance current health services in Wagga and the Riverina while supporting the creation of new services. Mr Kell believes the revised Master Plan sets down a solid foundation for a strategically designed, mixed-use precinct centred around the city’s two major hospitals, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and Calvary Riverina Hospital. “Receiving approval for the Master Plan is a crucial step forward for the 50-hectare precinct, incorporating 144 medical specialists who live and practice in the area and two teaching universities,” Mr Kell said. “We are so grateful for all the community members who took the time to make a submission towards the Master Plan… it was fantastic to see the interest in this vital project for the city.”
WHAT’S
ON WAGGA WAGGA + SURROUNDS
CAROLS IN THE PARK
NEW YEAR’S EVE WAGGA WAGGA
HOW TO MAKE GRAVY
WILLANS HILL MINIATURE RAILWAY RIDES: OPEN DAYS
Sat 21 Dec 6pm to 9.30pm Victory Memorial Gardens, Morrow Street. Ph: 0409 776 381 Sat 21 Dec, 6pm to 10pm Thirsty Crow Brewery, 153 Fitzmaurice St. Ph: 6921 7470
Tue 31 Dec, 5pm to 9.30pm Victory Memorial Gardens, Morrow St. Ph: 1300 292 442
Sun 5 Jan, 10.30am to 4pm MARKETS BY THE Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. LAKE Sat 21 Dec, 9am to 1pm TED RYDER CUP DAY Ph: 0412 439 455 Apex Park, East Lake Dr. Tues 24 Dec, 12pm PINOCCHIO Ph: 0497 937 934 Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Tue 7, Wed 8, Fri 10 Jan, Travers Street. 11am & 2pm & Sat 11, REWILD Ph: 6921 2151 Sun 12 Jan, 2pm COMMUNITY Basement Theatre, MARKET COME TO Burns Way. Sat 21 Dec, 9am to 2pm BETHLEHEM Ph: 0417 433 968 Visitor Information Centre, Sat 14 Dec, 8pm to 183 Tarcutta Street. 9.30pm visitwagga.com Ph: 0409 662 917 Holy Trinity Primary School, 13 Bardia St. WAGGA WAGGA /waggaevents Ph: 6931 3601 INTER CHURCH
THIS WEEK:
Tuesday 31 December 2019 5pm - 9.30pm | Victory Memorial Gardens Free entry F A M I L I E S // F I R E W O R K S // F O O D T R U C K S
wagga.nsw.gov.au/nye