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
Public Notices
Morrow St and Fitzmaurice St Duration: 6pm to 10pm 31 December 2019 Road: Ivan Jack Dr between Johnston St and The TEMPORARY ROAD Esplanade/Morrow St CLOSURES Duration: 4pm to 10:30pm Notice is hereby given 31 December 2019 under Roads Act 1993 Part 8 Roads: Morrow St between Division 4 of the temporary Baylis St and Peter St with closing of: left-only turn permitted from Road: Baylis St between Tongaboo Ln
Vacancies Asset Assessment Officer
Duration: 4pm to 10:30pm 31 December 2019 Reason: Free familyfriendly event in the Victory Memorial Gardens Detour: As per signs
Environmental Planning and exhibition. Assessment Act, 1979. Exhibition documents are only available between DA19/0645, Alterations & Additions to Medical Centre, Submission Period: Change of Use of 273 Edward 23/12/2019 to 14/01/2020 Street to Medical Centre & Where: Wagga Wagga Consolidation of Lot 1 City Council, cnr Baylis and NOTICE OF DP176158 with Lot 7 DP Morrow Streets, Wagga DEVELOPMENT 1130187, 271 & 273 Edward Wagga (Customer Service PROPOSAL St WAGGA WAGGA NSW Counter) or online via the Wagga Wagga City Council 2650, Lot 1 DP 176158, Lot 7 link:- eservices.wagga.nsw. has received the following DP 1130187 gov.au/exhibitiondocs application to carry out Applicant: Riverina Medical When: 9.00am to 5.00pm, “Development” under the & Dental Aboriginal Monday to Friday (except Corporation Public Holidays). Name of Consent Any person seeking to make Authority: Wagga Wagga a submission in relation City Council to the abovementioned The subject application development should and accompanying address all correspondence documentation, may be to the Consent Authority inspected at the following to be received prior to address until the closure of 5:00pm on the final day of
Two (2) Positions Available Remuneration commencing at $2,624.34 gpf + super Enquiries: Yoga Jayantha on 02 6971 4623 Closing date: Monday 23 December 2019 Remuneration commencing at $2,624.34 gpf + super Enquiries: Caroline Angel on 02 6926 9400 Closing date: Monday 6 January 2020
Design Engineer - Sewer, Stormwater and Waste Remuneration commencing at $3,486.36 gpf + super Enquiries: Tulshi Shrestha on 02 6926 9533 Closing date: Monday 6 January 2020 Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer
To view these opportunities and apply, visit:
wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs
With the flick of a few switches, the dawning of new era begins through the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre. Wagga Wagga City Council has this week completed the first major component of its Energy Saving Projects, the Civic Centre’s LED Lighting Upgrade. The project involved replacing existing lighting in the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, the Museum of the Riverina’s Historic Council Chambers site, the National Art Glass Gallery and the Wagga Wagga City Library with new energy efficient LED lighting. Commercial Operations Director, Caroline Angel said the
R E P O R T
weeks. The mowing teams will be operating in the following suburbs: • Wiradjuri • Currawarna • Glenfield • Lloyd
Team will also be operating in irrigated parks in the following areas: • Tatton • Lake Albert • Kooringal • Forest Hill
pet
OF THE
WEEK
#adoptdontshop
her toys and is very excited to play with anyone and everyone! Blitz can be adopted for $356.50, which includes microchipping, registration, vaccination, desexing, worming, heartworm test and ID tag. To meet Blitz
R251000208
transition to LED lighting paves the way for improved lighting quality inside Council’s major cultural assets, reduced energy costs and lower maintenance requirements. “This project is expected to save Council $56,000 a year in energyrelated expenses,” Ms Angel said. “As well as the financial benefits, this upgrade will also greatly improve the operational capacity of the galleries, because lighting is such a vital part of the visitor experience.” Contractor AC Electrics completed the project within the allotted schedule, while striving to minimise disruption to staff
or any other cats or dogs in need of a loving new family, visit the Glenfield Road
animal Shelter from 1pm and 4.15pm, Monday to Friday.
6971 4651 | graswagga.com.au
2019 has been a real productive year for the Wagga Wagga City Council local government area. We have worked well together as a council and would like to thank all Councillors and internal staff for their support and assistance over the year. As a team we work well together agreeing on majority of decisions unfortunately it’s when we don’t agree it gets the most publicity. The final meeting of the year on Monday was a big meeting with some key decisions around sub-divisions in the SAP (special activation precinct) and the changing of use for the Morgan street development. Both these reports
were strongly debated and ended up with a spilt decision between Councillors. It was also great to see residents turning out and filling the chamber on Monday to represent their stand on council issues. In Monday’s meeting I introduced a notice of motion into receiving a report back in regard to making Gears and Beers a Flagship event. This would allow Council to continue its support of such an important event for Wagga. This event has a big impact our social, cultural and economic plans. Any other council around Australia would jump at the chance to support this event and have it in their community. I was disappointed that amendments were made to my original motion, especially in
0400 712 880 | councillor.koschel@wagga.nsw.gov.au
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.
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
and visitors. “AC Electrics deserves credit for their hard work and willingness to work with Council to deliver the project successfully,” Project Manager Thomas Lemerle. “Nothing was ever too difficult, or too much to ask.” Part two of Council’s Energy Saving Projects is involving the installation of solar panels on top of the Civic Theatre roof, the Civic Centre roof and near the Livestock Marketing Centre Pump House. Council’s Solar Project is slated for completion in June 2020.
regard to removing the dollar figure of sponsorship. I thank my fellow councillors for supporting the new motion. I look forward to working with council when the report comes back to get Gears and Beers listed as a flag ship events with a sponsorship agreement that it deserves. 2019 was a great learning curve for myself in my time as a Councillor. I have put myself out there making some unpopular decisions and trying to enforce teamwork and accountability through all Councillors. My biggest highlight of the year would be what people don’t see in the public eye. This would be working with individuals and groups to help them with all
Weekly waste tip
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Peter Thompson, General Manager
COUNCILLOR COLUMN
weekly MOWING
Can you help beautiful Blitz (Impound number: 855) find her new paw-fect home before Christmas? Blitz is a gorgeous, tan female Staffordshire bull terrier cross. This energetic and friendly sweetheart loves
and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPPA) and may 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 City Development. If you have any enquiries regarding the application, or about making submission, please telephone City Development on 1300292442.
Future bright thanks to lighting upgrade approved
Infrastructure Administration Coordinator
Council is continuing to make steady progress with its seasonal mowing program. All parks, reserves and open space areas will receive one grass cut about every six
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 $1,000) made in the previous two years. For more details, including disclosure form, go to 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
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needs around Council issues. This is why I joined Council, to work with individuals and groups to help them achieve their goals. I also love to hear the surprise in someone’s voice when you answer the phone at 9pmt to listen to the concerns of community members. This happened on Tuesday night when a resident from Settlers Village called. Please continue to reach out to me with all concerns. With the year coming to an end, I would like to wish all residents of our community a very Merry Christmas and a safe and enjoyable new year. Please all travel safely and enjoy your time with family friends and loved ones.
Councillor Tim Koschel