Council News #379 - 22 January 2022

INSIDE: NEW TOP SPOTS GUIDE, URBAN TREE COVER SURVEY

Council News

THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING FEATURE BY WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL

Weekly newsletter from Wagga Wagga City Council

First Printed Saturday 22 January 2022 | Issue #379

ANTHEM FINALISTS: Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Cr Dallas Tout meets the four young singers who will perform the National Anthem at our Australia Day events (from left) Sophie Locker, Sudhanva Venkatesh Iyengar, Matilda Seal and Sofia Vargas Illescas.

Australia Day Awards nominations recognise local heroes Eight local residents have been recognised for their generous contribution to the community with nominations for the 2022 Wagga Wagga Australia Day Awards.

Wagga Wagga City Council’s Director Community Janice Summerhayes said Council is delighted to have received nominations across all five categories: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Environmental Citizen of the Year, Ted Ryder Sports Memorial, and Walk of Honour inductee.

“These eight nominees have worked tirelessly devoting time and energy into making Wagga Wagga a better place to live The official Wagga Wagga Australia Day awards ceremony will be held at the Wagga for all,” Ms Summerhayes said.

“It is wonderful to see so many citizens Wagga Civic Theatre on Tuesday 25 January being recognised for the outstanding work from 7pm.

they do for our community.”

Free general admission tickets to the ceremony are available through the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre booking office by calling 6926 9688 or online at civictheatre. com.au On Australia Day, Wednesday 26 January, the city will welcome 18 new Australian citizens, including one child, from eight different countries at a community ceremony at the Victory Memorial Gardens.

Our new Australian citizens have come to live in Wagga Wagga from Colombia, India, Iraq, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, the

Are you lifting the lid on the right bin?

Styrene foam material can be recycled at the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre for free or put in the red lid general waste bin only. Don’t drop it in the green lid FOGO or yellow lid recycling bins.

To learn more visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/householdwaste

United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The ceremony will be held at 9am and is one of the main events on the day.

Residents are invited to attend this free community event starting at 7am which includes a breakfast, sand sculpture demonstration and workshops, drumming workshops, lamington competition and more.

For more details about Wagga Wagga’s Australia Day 2022 activities, go to wagga. nsw.gov.au/australiaday

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Community directory a valuable local information resource LOCAL GUIDE: Wagga Wagga City Council Social Planning Coordinator Sarah Lehman checks out the My Community Directory which is accessible through Council’s website.

Newcomers to the city seeking ways to connect with their community are being encouraged to check out the Wagga Wagga community directory.

My Community Directory is an online listing of community groups, services and facilities, providing up-to-date information for community organisations who provide services in the Wagga Wagga area, as well as showing upcoming events.

It provides residents, visitors and organisations with the opportunity to easily find contact information for community-based services in the local area.

The information in the directory can be accessed by the public, community organisations and government, all in the one, up-to-date location.

Wagga Wagga City Council’s Social Planning Coordinator Sarah Lehman said finding accurate and up-to-date information about what’s available in the community when you need it can be a challenge.

“With Wagga Wagga LGA being home to two large military bases and a resettlement area for new arrivals, it is of further importance to ensure this type of information is easily sourced to facilitate the settling in of new individuals,

families and cultural groups through inclusivity and ease of access,” Ms Lehman said.

“It is a valuable one-stop-shop for all residents and visitors for information about community services, health services, sporting and community groups available near you.”

Ms Lehman said the directory also provides the digital infrastructure to enable Council to better match customer enquiries to the information they require.

“It can also assist local services in the provision of their health and community service to meet individual and emerging community needs by reviewing data/statistics that can help identify gaps in local services or what kinds of services community members are searching for the most,” Ms Lehman said.

“That information can be accessed by contacting Council. We can assist with providing relevant statistics and data that may assist in addressing gaps in services to the community.”

The information contained in the community directory is reliant on community organisations or groups listing their services and keeping them updated – it is free to list in the directory.

My Community Directory can be accessed at wagga.nsw.gov.au/directory

2022 Australia Day Awards Nominations

AUSTRALIA DAY 2022 For further event information: Call us on 1300 292 442 or visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/australiaday

pet

OF THE

WEEK

#adoptdontshop

Do you love cats and kittens and have been thinking about adopting a new pet? Now is the perfect time!

Cats of all kinds are waiting for you at the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter.

The team at the shelter will be more than happy to introduce you to the many fluffballs waiting to meet their new owners.

Adoption prices vary but includes: desexing, microchip, life time registration, vaccination, worming and ID tag.

The shelter is open between Monday and Saturday from 1pm to 4.15pm.

R251000208

6971 4651 | graswagga.com.au

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES Deidre Tome Deidre has energetically participated in, and contributed to, the Wagga Wagga community for many years. She has worked conscientiously to support, publicise and coordinate many successful fundraising events for the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest committee, Legacy Club of Wagga Wagga, Wagga Wagga Bidgee Dragons, Rotary programs such as PolioPlus and the combined Wagga Rotary Clubs homelessness project.

June Durham For many years June has comforted, cheered up and delighted many elderly, socially isolated and hospitalised community members with her musical therapy performances that she has also presented at local retirement and aged care facilities.

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES Chloe Hinds Chloe has been nominated for her devotion to many fundraisers in our community including the PCYC toy drive, the Forest Hill Fire Brigade and Kooringal High School’s Year 12 versus staff trivia night. Chloe is a fantastic role model for young people in Wagga Wagga as she strives to balance her personal, school and work life, all whilst devoting her time volunteering for our community.

Ariba Omar Ariba is an active volunteer for the Cancer Council Australia.

Since the age of four she has volunteered to sell raffle tickets and merchandise for Daffodil Day, Red Nose Day and Pink Ribbon Day. In 2020, Ariba even donated her hair to the ‘VarietyHair with Heat’ charity. Ariba continued to devote her time during the COVID-19 lockdowns to inspire people to become a better version of themselves, by advocating for children to reduce their screen time and

spoke out against bullying and cyber security.

George Kirolus George has been described as an incredibly community minded young individual as demonstrated through the time and effort he has invested into improving the wellbeing of the Riverina Anglican College community. George demonstrates his commitment to his community through his many fundraising efforts along with his community advocacy work around the issues that impact the health and wellbeing of young people.

decades. From the age of 16 he has contributed to both the cricket and AFL communities in Wagga Wagga holding key roles and responsibilities. His work as an AFL umpire has included 436 matches to date, including several grand finals in both the Farrer and Riverina Leagues.

He has also volunteered as the coach to school teams throughout the years.

WALK OF HONOUR Dick Green Dick Green is an environmental sustainability champion, as demonstrated during his time working for Greening Australia along with ENVIRONMENTAL CITIZEN his volunteering commitments OF THE YEAR AWARD with local community NOMINEES organisations such as Wagga Rotary Club of South Urban Landcare and Erin Earth.

Wagga Wagga – Rocky Hill Dick also worked with local Regeneration Sub-Group Wiradjuri Elders and community The South Wagga Wagga members to compile the 2002 Rotary Club Sub-Group has Wiradjuri Heritage Study for worked tirelessly over the last 18 months to restore the Rocky Wagga Wagga.

Dick’s volunteering and Hill Reserve. The project group has engaged with residents and enthusiasm has inspired many and he is always eager to share a large segment of the Wagga his expertise and knowledge Wagga community to remove with the next generation of rubbish, manage weeds and environmentally-conscious plant over 750 native plants. residents seeking to learn The direct impact on our community from the on-ground new skills, knowledge and works undertaken by this group approaches to contribute towards an environmentally is outstanding. sustainable future for all TED RYDER SPORTS residents, along with the flora MEMORIAL AWARD and fauna, who call Wagga Wagga their home.

Brian Robinson Brian has been an integral part of the South Wagga Blues Cricket Club for nearly five

Council News - A Wagga Wagga City Council publication

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Rediscover your city with Top Spots guides Wagga Wagga City Council launched two Top Spots guides this week, showcasing some of the best places to visit for food, attractions and shopping in our city and surrounding regions.

Top Spots for Attractions + Shopping, and Top Spots for Foodies guides are now available at the Visitor Information Centre, local cafes and businesses, and online.

Visitor Economy and Events Officer Cassandra Farquharson said the pocket-size guides are a perfect way for residents to discover new venues and hidden gems within their own city.

“With the start of the new year, and with

many residents staying closer to home due to the pandemic, it’s an ideal time to explore your local area as if you were a visitor,” Ms Farquharson said.

“We have such a wealth of venues and attractions in our region, there’s a good chance that there’s a fantastic café, attraction or natural place nearby that you’ve never been to.

“The guides cover our city and lots of surrounding local towns which are perfect for short day trips as well.”

Both guides contain a numbered map showing clearly where each recommended business or activity is located, making it easy to create an itinerary

based on where you are.

“We’ve included 114 members from our 2021-22 Wagga Wagga Tourism Partner Program, so there’s something for everyone, including nature-based experiences, shopping, dining and bars.

“The Wiradjuri Trail is detailed in the guides’ maps as well, so you can take a stroll to build up an appetite before you pick a spot for lunch or dinner or order a takeaway.”

The Top Spots guides are free and available at the Wagga Wagga Visitor Information Centre on Tarcutta Street, through local participating businesses and online at visitwagga.com

Strong community feedback for Playgrounds Survey: 400+ responses received Wagga Wagga City Council is working through feedback received from the community in our recent Playground Survey on how we manage new and existing play spaces across the Local Government Area (LGA).

The survey, held at the end of 2021, is the first step in a review of the current Playgrounds Strategy 2016-2036, which guides future play space development in the LGA. Council received a great response with 405 replies; shade and a water park topping the list of issues raised by respondents.

Strategic Asset Planner for Parks and Recreation Ben Creighton said Council was pleased to see such strong interest from the community.

“We want to thank those residents who took the time to participate in this survey, giving us feedback on how we develop new playgrounds and upgrade or improve existing play spaces, as well as what they would like to see changed,” Mr Creighton said.

“There were many positive comments about our current playgrounds, along with plenty of suggestions on what could be changed or improved.

“It’s important we hear their aspirations and expectations around the quality and diversity of the playgrounds to help us make sure that we get the right balance going forward.”

Council manages 100 playgrounds across the LGA, 84 in the Wagga Wagga urban area and 16 in the surrounding rural villages.

Most of these are classified as local level playgrounds or suburban playgrounds, and there are also three regional level play spaces.

We are also currently building the regionally significant playground as part of the Riverside Stage 2 project at Wagga Beach.

Mr Creighton said the number one issue identified in the survey was the provision of shade for all levels of playgrounds.

“While it would be wonderful to have shade sails across every playground in the LGA, they are quite costly to install and maintain, which would require a significant increase in the playgrounds budget,”

REDISCOVER YOUR CITY: (from left) Visitor Economy Assistant Sharryn Burke and Visitor Economy and Events Officer Cassandra Farquharson with the new Top Spots guides. The free guides are available now at the Visitor Information Centre, local participating businesses and online at visitwagga.com

Public Notices FEEDBACK: Shade cover at all playgrounds and a water park topped the list of issues raised by the community in our recent Playground Review Survey.

Mr Creighton said.

“Shade sails are the most expensive part of our annual maintenance costs as they are the highest vandalised and damaged playground item that we have.

“Council is examining the possibility of installing them at regional and suburban level playgrounds as they’re the destination playgrounds; they’ve got the toilets, the barbecues, the skate parks and all the other bits and pieces that go with it.

“In the meantime, we will be applying for government grants focusing on planting more shade trees at every park.”

Number two on the list of suggestions from respondents was a water park for the city.

As part of broader recreational strategies in addition to the playground strategy, Council is currently looking at how this could be facilitated in the Bolton Park Master Plan, which is currently being developed.

Other findings identified in the survey include more accessibility/ inclusivity, a wider variety of play activities for different ages and abilities, more infrastructure such as seating areas and public amenities, ongoing maintenance and upgrades, and fencing around play spaces near water/high traffic roads.

The responses are being collated and will inform a Draft Playgrounds Strategy, which will go on public exhibition for comment and feedback later this year.

GLENFIELD ROAD – ROAD REHABILITATION

PROPOSED TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE RED HILL RD: BOURKE STREET TO

weekly

MOWING REPORT 24-28 January 2022

WHAT’S

ON WAGGA WAGGA + SURROUNDS

THIS WEEK: WAGGA WAGGA ROAD RUNNERS – SATURDAY RUNS Sat 22 Jan, 7.30am

Wagga Wagga Beach. waggaroadrunners.com

DEMONSTRATION GARDENS – VEGETABLE SWAP OR BUY Sat 22 Jan, 8am to 12pm

Cnr Shaw & Albury Sts. Ph: 0411 417 956

UPCYCLING CLOTHING WEEKEND WORKSHOP Sat 22, Sun 23 Jan, 9am to 4pm

Middlemost, 45 Tompson St. Ph: 0423 335 410 OPEN STUDIO GALLERY Sat 22 Jan, 10am to 3pm

Art Studio, 11 Small St. Ph: 0413 786 209

MEDITATION WITH ROYA Sat 22 Jan, 1.30pm

Notice is hereby given under Roads Act 1993 Part 8 Division 4 of the temporary closing of: Road: Red Hill Road between Bourke Street and Glenfield Road Date: 20 January 2022 to 25 January 2022

For the week commencing Monday 24 January 2022, we’ll be mowing in the following locations:

IMPRESSIONISTS – MONET Sat 22 Jan, 2pm

The Little Yellow House Studio, 41 Tompson St. Ph: 0418 414 455] MYTHS, MALTS AND STORIES – FOR WHISKY LOVERS Sat 22 Jan, 5.15pm to 7.30pm

Food I Am, 29 Kunzea Pl. foodiam.com.au MONA WOMEN’S WRITING WORKSHOP Sun 23 Jan, 9am to 2pm

The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. events.humanitix.com/ mona-women-s-writingworkshop

• Wiradjuri • Tolland • Ashmont • Kooringal

Food I Am, 29 Kunzea Pl. foodiam.com.au JUNOR CHEF – 11+ YEARS Tues 25 Jan, 1pm to 3.30pm

Food I Am, 29 Kunzea Pl. foodiam.com.au

Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way wagga.sales. ticketsearch.com/sales/ salesevent/11894

wagga.nsw.gov.au/ australiaday

11.30am

• Both sides of Currawarna & Mangain

SHIPWRECKED SESSIONS – AUSTRALIA DAY PARTY Wed 26 Jan, 2pm to 8.30pm

Wagga Wagga Boat Club, Nelson Dr. Ph: 6926 2300

RIVERINA PRODUCERS MARKET Thu 27 Jan, 1pm to 6.30pm

The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. events.humanitix.com/lifedrawing-january-2022

2022 AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS & CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY EXPLORING GEORGIA Wed 26 Jan, 7am to 10am ARTY PARTY Victory Memorial Gardens, Fri 28 Jan, 6pm

AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS Wed 26 Jan, 12pm to 4pm

Wagga Wagga RSL Club, Kincaid St. Ph: 6921 3624

NIDA WORKSHOP – ACTING ON SCREEN FOR AUSTRALIA DAY MARKETS BY THE LAKE GRADES 11-12 Wed 26 Jan, 9am to 1pm Mon 24 Jan, 11am to 4pm

Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. wagga.sales. ticketsearch.com/sales/ salesevent/11896

Peter Thompson, General Manager

2022 AUSTRALIA DAY Wagga Wagga CELEBRATIONS AWARDS Showgrounds, Bourke St. CEREMONY Ph: 0428 263 297 Tue 25 Jan, 7pm to 9pm Wagga Wagga Civic LIFE DRAWING CLASS AT Theatre, Burns Way (off THE CURIOUS RABBIT Thu 27 Jan, 6pm to 8pm Tarcutta St.).

NIDA WORKSHOP – ACTING ON SCREEN FOR Baylis St. GRADE 9-10 wagga.nsw.gov.au/ Sun 23 Jan, 11am to 4pm australiaday

Wagga Wagga Women’s JUNIOR CHEF – 8-10 Health Centre, 22 Peter St. YEARS Tues 25 Jan, 9am to Ph: 6921 3333 EXPLORE THE

Duration: 7am – 6pam weekdays, weather permitting Reason: Closed for rehabilitation works

Apex Park, Lake Albert.

Ph: 0497 937 934

AUSTRALIA DAY AT THE MURRUMBIDGEE TURF CLUB Wed 26 Jan, 12pm to 6pm

Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Slocum St. mtcwagga.com.au/

The Little Yellow House Studio, 41 Tompson St. Ph: 0418 414 455 GERALDINE HICKEY & NATH VALVO LIVE Fri 28 Jan, 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. W: civictheatre.com.au/ whatson/geraldine-hickeyand-nath-valvo-live

/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

Council News - A Wagga Wagga City Council publication

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More shade needed: complete the Urban Tree Cover Survey Council launched the Urban Tree Cover Survey this week, which asks residents to share their thoughts on trees in gardens, public spaces and roadsides, and nominate locations for additional plantings.

As our climate heats up, urban areas become significantly warmer due to hard surfaces and their ability to absorb, store and radiate heat – otherwise known as the urban heat island effect.

Environmental Coordinator Carly Hood said one of the best ways to reduce the urban heat island effect is to increase the amount of shade in our city and, in particular, in our own backyards.

“It might surprise residents to know that most of the land available for additional trees is locked up in backyards and out of Council’s control,” Ms Hood said.

“That’s why we’re

really keen to work with residents to dramatically increase the number of trees in backyards.

“Trees are an incredibly important tool to help keep our homes cooler, reduce our electricity bills, clean the air we breathe, and protect our region’s biodiversity.

“When you see heatmaps of urban areas, properties with trees and full gardens are much cooler than those with minimal gardens and lots of hard surfaces.”

Ms Hood said there were many suitable options for all kinds of backyards.

“Our definition of canopy is anything over 3 metres. There are many species that will provide shade and help keep your house cool without blocking your view or endangering you in a storm. Different types of bottlebrushes, for example, grow from

KEEPING COOL: Heatmaps of urban areas show the stark difference in temperatures between hard surfaces and vegetation. How many trees do you have in your backyard? Fill out Council’s Urban Tree Cover Survey at connect.wagga.nsw.gov.au between 3 to 5 metres, provide lovely shade as well as flowers to feed birds and bees, and fill your garden with life.

“As long as you ensure

you plant with enough room from your house and your neighbour’s house, there’s plenty of room in most people’s backyards to put in at least one extra tree.”

The establishment of tree cover targets was identified as an action under Council’s Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanha 2020–2030.

The Urban Tree Cover Survey will help Council create the Urban Cooling Strategy, which will be released for public feedback in autumn of this year.

The survey closes 7 February 2022.

You can complete the survey at connect. wagga.nsw.gov.au

This week’s

Biodiversity Bite Succulents are a popular garden choice as they thrive on little maintenance. But some succulents are expert space invaders and a whole new plant can grow from a single fallen leaf.

Save succulents for pots indoors.

And remove particularly invasive species from your garden such as Mother of Millions and Prickly pears.

TEAM WORK: Checking out a newly refurbished table in Baylis Street this week were (front left, clockwise) Wagga Wagga City Council Team Leader Civil Rodney Smith, Civil team members Luke McClenahan and Justin Kearnes, and Men’s Shed representatives David Croft, Rick Priest and Peter Quinane.

/sustainable.waggawagga

wagga.nsw.gov.au/biodiversity

Vacancies Oasis Senior Customer Service Officer Term Contract until 30 December 2022 Remuneration: $2,167.92 gpf + super Enquiries: Fiona Claridge on 02 6926 9387 Closing date: Monday 7 February 2022

Revenue Officer

Remuneration: $2,458.54 gpf + super Enquiries: Craig Katsoolis on 02 6926 9471 Closing date: Monday 7 February 2022 Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer

To view these opportunities and apply, visit:

wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs

Contact us 1300 292 442 council@wagga.nsw.gov.au www.wagga.nsw.gov.au Civic Centre, cnr Baylis & Morrow sts PO Box 20, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

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Men’s Shed on main street mission Wagga Wagga Men’s Shed members have been on a mission to regularly help maintain the seats, tables and bin surrounds along the city’s main street.

The local men’s group has worked in partnership with Wagga Wagga City Council for the past five years to keep the community assets in tip top shape for those residents and visitors accessing the CBD. Council started the rehabilitation works on the main street furniture in 2016 and invited the Men’s Shed to be part of the rehabilitation works in 2017, with Council supplying timber slats, bolts and nuts, and timber stain paint.

Council dismantles the furniture in lots of about eight seats and four tables and delivers them to the shed where they are fully restored before Council reinstalls them and delivers more tables

and chairs for a spruce up.

It takes about one year to get through all the furniture along Baylis and Fitzmaurice streets.

Council’s Director Infrastructure Warren Faulkner said the arrangement with the local Men’s Shed was a positive community initiative “It’s a good arrangement and an example of where Council can work with a local volunteer group which carries more benefits than just a repair and replace service,” Mr Faulkner said.

“It provides ongoing work projects for the shed and Council has a willing and reliable service provider who is keen to get the job done at a reasonable cost to the community.”

Men’s Shed representative Rick Priest said the relationship with Council has had an enormous benefit to the

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community in many ways.

“Our rapport with Council has been absolutely fantastic,” Mr Priest said.

“Council has been so cooperative with us and we’ve worked together with them to achieve a great result for the community and also our members.

Council is funding the maintenance of the infrastructure which means plenty of ongoing work for our team, and the entire community benefits from having the seats looking terrific and in good order.

“Our members often see the benefits of their work and love to see people using the seats and bins when they go into town … it’s win-win for everyone.”

There are 56 picnic settings (table and seats) 87 bench seats and 93 bin surrounds along the city centre’s main street.

THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING FEATURE

BY WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL