Council News #292 - 25 April 2020

INSIDE: RESPECT THROUGH ART, SCIENCE FOR YOUNGSTERS + MORE

Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA

FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2020

Issue No: 292

Weekly information from us to you

Civic centre solar project gets underway Installation of a new solar system on Wagga Wagga’s Civic Centre started this week with the first of more than 300 panels lifted on to the building’s roof.

A 100-tonne mobile crane was used to do the heavy lifting as Wagga Wagga City Council’s $360,000 Energy Savings Project entered its second phase.

The works at the Civic Centre follow the recent installation of a 30kW system at the Livestock Marketing Centre at Bomen to assist in the supply of energy to the facility’s pump house.

The Civic Centre installation is much larger. It is a 100kW system generated by 302 panels which are expected to be installed and commissioned by the end of next week, weather permitting.

The system will provide supplementary power to the Civic Centre to help reduce mains electricity usage and carbon emissions.

The solar project supports Council’s recent move to replace lighting in the Civic precinct with energy-efficient LEDs. Local business the Solar Professionals was awarded the contract for the project at Council’s 25 November Ordinary Meeting last year.

Time to apply for annual grants Local community groups, individuals and small businesses will have more time to complete their funding applications in Wagga Wagga City Council’s Annual Grant Program 20/21.

Considering the major disruption during COVID-19, the deadline for funding applications has been extended by three weeks to allow potential applicants to complete their submissions.

The new closing date for applications is Monday 25 May (previously 4 May) and a series of online information sessions

have been scheduled to assist community members to develop and finalise their submissions.

This year’s Annual Grants program will deliver to $227,000 into the local community.

“This is about giving our local community groups, organisations and small businesses the best opportunity to get their submissions together in the current circumstances,” Director Community Janice Summerhayes said.

“The pandemic has changed the way we all have to do things at the moment, and Council is accommodating these circumstances by ensuring everyone has the chance to put together an application and have that opportunity to succeed.

“Our online information sessions will also be supported by grants administrators

Wagga Wagga City Council’s

Annual Grants Program 2020-2021

who can be contacted by phone or email if people are not comfortable using the online meeting arrangements.”

The online information sessions, to be conducted through Zoom, will be held between 28 April and 1 May. Interested people can register for the online sessions by emailing grants@wagga. nsw.gov.au or calling Customer Service on 1300 292 442.

More information can also be accessed at wagga.nsw.gov.au/grants or via Council’s Facebook page with information about specific sessions.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said the Annual Grants program 20/21 is one of the most popular and well supported funding programs available through Council.

“There has been some fantastic programs

and projects funded previously through our Annual Grants program,” Cr Conkey said.

“I would encourage groups, organisations, individuals and small businesses to pursue the program as there has been some real success stories emerge from the opportunities made available.

“We are a vibrant and diverse community and this program supports that ethos in every way.”

Last year’s Annual Grant Program supported 57 community projects and programs. There are 10 grant categories: Recreational Facilities, Community Programs & Projects, Neighbourhood and Rural Villages, Rural Halls, Arts, Culture & Creative Industries, Local Heritage, Events, Natural Environment, Youth Led Initiatives and Small Business.

Continued on Page 2.

Could your project, event or great idea for the community do with a funding boost?

Funding available for the below categories: • Recreational Facilities and Rural Halls • Community Programs and Projects

• Small Business • Local Heritage • Natural Environment Applications close 4pm, Monday 25 May 2020

To find out more: 1300 292 442 | wagga.nsw.gov.au/grants

A P P LY F O R A N N UA L G R A N T S

From front page.

“There was a real mix of projects and initiatives in the last round of funding, all of which aligned with Wagga View 2040, our Community Strategic Plan, and Council’s ongoing commitment to helping foster a growing, vibrant community,” Cr Conkey said.

More than half of the submissions to the Annual Grants Program in

2019/20 were made by first-time applicants, while the new Small Business category introduced last year was well-supported with a majority of the applications by female entrepreneurs.

Applications close: Monday 25 May at 4pm.

More information: wagga.nsw.gov.au/grants

Grant categories and funding amounts available:

BUSINESS SUCCESS: Wagga Wagga artist Julia Roche successfully applied for a grant through Council's Annual Grants Program last year and continues to grow her business at a national and international level.

Image courtesy: Tayla Martin

Disruption to Council services Service

Notes

Airport

Reduced operating hours from Monday 6 April. Please check website.

Animal Shelter

Existing operating hours are in place. Front gate will be closed with staff meeting public at front gate for safety for animal pick ups and drop offs.

No cash payments.

Art Gallery

Currently closed - For more info visit the Wagga Art Gallery website.

Building Inspections

Existing operating hours are in place.

Call Centre

Existing operating hours are in place for 1300 292 442.

Cemetery

Funerals attended by a maximum of no more than 10 people and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies.

City of Wagga Wagga Library

Currently closed - For more info visit the Wagga Library website.

Civic Theatre

Currently closed - For more info visit the Civic Theatre website.

Community / Recereation Centres

Currently closed.

Community Centres / Halls

Currently closed.

Council Committees

Changes to committee meetings and dates. Read the Council Committees page for more information.

Council Meetings

Council meetings will still be held but they will be conducted remotely.

Members of the public are encouraged to watch these meetings on our livestream or via Facebook.

Customer Service

Customers are encouraged to utilise Online Services(external site) or contact the Call Centre on 1300 292 442.

Development Assessment

Existing operating hours are in place.

Family Day Care

Existing operating hours are in place.

Gregadoo Waste Management Centre

Existing operating hours are in place. No cash payments.

Health Inspections

Currently closed.

Livestock Marketing Centre

Existing opening hours are in place. Closed to members of the public.

Only agents, current employed processor buyer’s, transporters, contractors and staff are permitted to attend LMC.

Museum

Currently closed.

Oasis Aquatic Centre

Currently closed - For more info visit the Oasis Aquatic Centre website.

Parks

Boot camps, personal training operating outside are limited to groups of no more than 2 people and social distancing must be exercised.

Riverina Regional Library (RRL)

Currently closed.

Sewer Services

Still operating.

Sporting Facilities / Stadiums

Currently closed.

Sportsgrounds

Closed to sporting organisations as well as social sporting-based activities.

Visitor Information Centre

Closed as of 5pm Wednesday 25th March.

Waste and Recycling (Kerbside) Collection

Existing collection schedule in place.

Wilks Park and Oura Beach Reserve

By Public Health Order Wilks Park is closed from 26 March 2020 until further notice.

Oura Beach Reserve was closed to the public on 2 April.

Zoo

Currently closed.

• • • • • • • • • •

Community Programs & Projects ($500 - $5000) Recreational Facilities ($500 - $7500) Neighbourhood & Rural Villages ($1000 - $5000) Rural Halls ($5000 - $10,000) Arts, Culture and Creative Industries ($1000 - 5000) Local Heritage ($500 - $10,000) Events ($500 - $7,500) Natural Environment ($500 - $3,000) Youth Led Initiatives ($500 - $3,000) Small Business ($1000 - $10,000)

Council shows support for sister city relations

A recent decision to cut ties with Wagga Wagga’s sister city in China was reversed earlier this week at an extraordinary meeting of Wagga Wagga City Council.

Councillors voted 6-1 in favour of a motion to rescind a resolution from the 14 April 2020 ordinary meeting for Wagga Wagga to repeal and sever, any and all sister city agreements associated with China.

Crs Greg Conkey, Dan Hayes, Rod Kendall, Vanessa Keenan, Tim Koschel and Yvonne Braid voted in favour of the rescission motion with Cr Paul Funnell against it.

Two councillors – deputy Mayor Dallas Tout and Kerry Pascoe – declared a conflict of interest and took no part in the debate.

The rescission motion was lodged by Mayor Cr Conkey OAM and also signed by Crs Hayes and Kendall on 15 April, and was considered at the extraordinary meeting on Wednesday 22 April.

Council also endorsed a

report put to the meeting by Cr Conkey, authorising the Mayor to write a letter of apology to the Mayor of Kunming and recommit to Wagga Wagga’s sister city and friends in China.

The resolution also included that Council apologises to the community for the harm and reputational damage the previous resolution has caused.

This report was endorsed with a vote of 6-1, with councillors’ “for and against” voting reflecting the same as the earlier rescission motion.

In his report to Council, Cr Conkey outlined the city’s strong relationship with Kunming spanning more than 30 years.

“As a Council and as a community, let’s show the world that we haven’t changed – we are the same community with a proud history of leading regional initiatives,” Cr Conkey said.

“A letter to our friends in China is a start towards reclaiming the reputation and confidence in the compassion and inclusiveness of our city.”

Wagga Wagga City Council’s

Annual Grants Program 2020-2021

Could your project, event or great idea for the community do with a funding boost?

Community organisations, groups and individuals in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area are invited to apply for funding under the categories below.

Funding categories: • Recreational Facilities and Rural Halls • Small Business • Community Programs and Projects • Local Heritage • Natural Environment

$227,000

in funding available For community organisations, groups, individuals + small business Applications close Monday 25 May 2020, 4pm Online consultation sessions

by EOI, Tuesday 28 April to Friday 1 May 2020.

To learn more visit:

wagga.nsw.gov.au/grants

Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication

Respect through art: focus on gender equity

Local students are learning about gender equity and respect as part of Enlighten for Equity, a youth-based initiative from the city’s primary prevention project, theDVproject:2650.

Wagga Wagga City Council’s Equity and Respect team commissioned Kamilaroi artist Juanita McLauchlan to work with over 800 primary school students, creating posters reflecting their understanding of equity and respect.

Red Hill Public School Assistant Principal Melissa Ristivojevic said teaching respect through art was a powerful way to involve students.

“Our students were able to represent their understanding through their drawings,” said Ms Ristivojevic.

“They were inspired by Juanita and encouraged that everyone can be an artist and represent their understanding in different ways.”

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School teacher Tegan Cuthbert

said it was extremely important for her students to be involved in the project.

“The students were able to eliminate stereotypes,” said Ms Cuthbert.

“They subsequently changed and challenged previously prescribed opinions and points of view with clarity and a clear moral and ethical conscience.”

Margaret Halicki, a teacher at Mater Dei Primary School, said students had embraced the opportunity to express their thoughts, ideas and opinions freely and creatively.

“The most important aspect of nurturing young minds is developing within them the principles of respect and respectful relationships,” said Ms Halicki.

High school students studying design and technology will lead the second phase of the Enlighten for Equity project.

The students will be tasked with creating a series of interactive sculptures based on concepts

and ideas developed in the primary school students’ posters.

The sculptures will be permanently installed at Wagga Wagga’s redeveloped Riverside precinct.

As students will be starting term two from home, planning is underway to accommodate virtual 3D tours of the Riverside precinct, ensuring students are able to map out their design requirements.

The final sculptures will be eagerly awaited by many young artists, keen to see what their high school counterparts make of their original artworks. theDVproject: 2650 was created to help educate the community on the causes of violence against women and their children, promote gender equality and respect for women, and challenge rigid gender roles and stereotypes. The three-year project is running until June 2021.

Find out more at wagga.nsw. gov.au/equity

REFLECTING RESPECT: Kamilaroi artist Juanita McLauchlan with students from Red Hill Public School.

The students created posters illustrating their understanding of equity and respect.

C O U N C I L’ S W A S T E F A C I L I T I E S C L O S E D O N S A T U R D AY

Wagga Wagga City Council advises the Gregadoo Waste Management Facility and rural transfer stations will be closed on ANZAC Day, Saturday 25 April.

Normal operating hours at Gregadoo are 7am to 4.30pm Monday to Sunday, however, due to the pandemic there has been various changes.

Residents also need to be mindful of “nonessential” travel away from their residence as per

the advice from Federal and State agencies.

The Tip Shop is closed until further notice and there is no cash handling at the weighbridge.

Transactions are by EFTPOS only, similar to what most other Wagga Wagga businesses are encouraging.

Disruptions to other Council operations can be found in the table on Page 2 of Council News.

GET YOUR LITTLE SCIENTIST READY: Little Bang Discovery Club is a popular online program which uses household items to explore the world of science. Kids are the scientists, while adults act as their lab assistant.

LITTLE BANG DISCOVERY CLUB: THE ONLINE STEM PROGRAM FOR YOUNGSTERS

Perfect for days at home, the Wagga Wagga City Library is running an online version of the Little Bang Discovery Club – a hugely popular science program for children.

Kids take centre stage as junior discoverers, while their parent or carer serves as a lab assistant. It’s suitable for children between 3–8 years of age and can act as an introduction to the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Programs Team Leader Christine Bolton said the hands-on sessions combined everyday objects and experiences with genuine scientific enquiry methods.

“Little Bang Discovery Club appeals to children’s naturally curious minds and it’s a great way for them to discover the world of science,” said Ms Bolton.

“Young kids absolutely love it, and we get fantastic feedback from parents and carers whenever we run the program.”

Unable to offer Little Bang Discovery Club from the library itself this year, the team decided to purchase an online version from the creators at the Children’s Discovery Museum.

“Each video runs for about 20 minutes,” said Ms Bolton.

“Everything you’ll need will either be in your house already or can be easily purchased from the supermarket – things like string, Blu Tack and so on.

“It’s completely free, and anyone can join in. It’s a fun way for your child to explore a STEM field, and it’s fascinating to watch them operate as their own little scientists.”

The library will offer four separate online sessions of Little Bang Discovery Club over the coming weeks. The first session, Collecting and Classifying, is available now.

To start discovering, visit waggalibrary.com.au/riverinascience-hub

Vacancies Asset Assessment Support Officer

Remuneration: $2,094.02 gpf + super Enquiries: Yoga Jayantha on 02 6971 4623 Closing date: Monday 11 May 2020 Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer

To view these opportunities and apply, visit:

wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs

Stay vigilant. Stay at home.

Our community is doing well at slowing the spread of COVID-19. Don’t become complacent.

It’s important that we keep up the good work and stay at home. Help stop the spread.

1.5m

1300 292 442 council@wagga.nsw.gov.au wagga.nsw.gov.au Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication

COUNCILLOR COLUMN

Importantly, acknowledging and supporting Wiradjuri & First Nations culture is a cornerstone of the Plan.

Last Tuesday It also identifies how our night, Councillors suburbs, villages and unanimously agreed neighbourhoods will to adopt the city’s new be supported through Cultural Plan – the first arts and cultural in 13 years. This plan programming to help maps out the way make them even better Council will foster and places and spaces for develop arts and culture residents. Similarly, in our City over the next our city centre will ten years. be activated through

programs such as renewing our vacant shop fronts, expanding creative lighting to help make our public spaces both safer and more enjoyable such as the tree in Collins Park and pedestrian crossings in Baylis St. We’ll ensure creative experiences can be enjoyed by everyone by expanding the Library’s opening hours, making our cultural facilities and

0418 445 131 | councillor.keenan@wagga.nsw.gov.au

city more accessible to people with disabilities and putting our cultural collections online to increase public access. We’ll support the development and creation of local original creative work.

The plan also identifies how Council will support the creative industries through recognising their economic value. Like the hospitality sector,

the arts were amongst the first to be hit by COVID-19 with around 1 in 5 people employed in the sector in March, now unemployed.

The creative industries make up a significant portion of our city’s local economy, mostly freelancers, sole traders or casual workers and so therefore go under the radar when it comes to business advocacy.

At this critical time in

ANZAC Day: Keep the spirit alive at home Courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice. The ANZAC qualities which were forged on the battlefields at Gallipoli 105 years ago are still relevant in our communities today.

Perhaps never before in recent times have we needed to call on our ANZAC Spirit to endure everything 2020 has challenged us with so far.

This ANZAC Day – Saturday 25 April – will be different, but is still a chance to stop and remember those who have fought and died in defence of this great country.

Community members are urged to stay at home this Saturday amid the pandemic, but still embrace this national day of remembrance in other ways to help keep the ANZAC Spirit alive.

Wagga RSL Club will play the Ode followed by The Last Post at 6am and 6pm on Saturday.

This will be heard by those in surrounding streets.

Community members were also encouraged to “Light up the Dawn” and go to the end of their driveway or stand on their balcony at 6am and perform, or listen to, a brief commemorative service.

our City, it’s so great to see Council increase its allocation towards our arts and cultural grants which is always oversubscribed. The Annual Grants Program is currently open and has been extended for a month.

It’s worth taking a moment to think about how our lives would be impacted without the arts right now as we all stay home. The music,

TV shows and movies we are streaming are all created by teams of artists who once were ‘local artists’ working in their own neighbourhoods, creating work for their community, telling their stories. This Cultural Plan means Wagga’s creatives and artists can continue to do just that.

Needing assistance?

These are uncertain times for many. If you are experiencing hardship and need assistance please reach out to one of the listed agencies.

Help is being offered in many ways including supplies, financial counselling or assistance with food or meals, supported by Carevan.

Anglicare Ph: 6931 3456 Salvation Army Emergency Relief Ph: 1300 371 288 St Vincent De Paul Society Inc. Micah Hub Ph: 6921 7337 The ABC broadcast a 5.30am service from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

There will also be a 10am service from the ANZAC Memorial in Sydney broadcast on ABC and livestreamed.

Together – although we’re apart – we will remember them.

Other ways you can commemorate ANZAC Day 2020 include: Support our veterans with a message. Acknowledge a veteran you know by doing

a short video on your phone (landscape preferred) with a message about what ANZAC Day would normally be like.

Go to yourlocalclub.com.au and upload your message.

Record yourself reciting the ode. Respond “Going” to the ANZAC Day 2020 Facebook event. Then use the hashtag #ANZACSpirit and share how you’ll be commemorating privately, as well as who you’ll be remembering this ANZAC Day. Reach out to a mate who

might be alone. Many people are alone during this time of isolation. It’s an opportunity to invoke the ANZAC value of mateship and check to see how a mate is doing.

Donate to the ANZAC Appeal online at anzacappeal. com.au. Donations support Australian veterans and their families in need. Donations in New South Wales support services provided by RSL DefenceCare and Veteran Sport Australia.

For more information visit:

wagga.nsw.gov.au/coronavirus

Weekly waste tip Aerosol cans, such as deodorant, hair spray or fly spray cans, go in the yellow lid bin.

Please ensure they are fully emptied before disposing.

Public Notices

RFT 202029 DESIGN & CONSTRUCT TWO BRIDGES

Suitably endorsed Tenders marked “RFT 2020-29 Design & Construction of two Bridges” are invited and will be received by the undersigned until 2pm Wednesday 13 May 2020.

This is a lump sum contract for the design &construction of two bridges, one at Palmers

Contact us

Councillor Vanessa Keenan

Road and one at Mona Vale Road. The work also calls for the demolition of the two existing bridges. A pretender briefing will be held on Tuesday 28 April 2020 at 11.00am. Registration to attend the pre-tender briefing can be directed to the contact person below.

Details of the pre-tender briefing will be provided at time of registering to attend.

Enquiries should be directed to Council’s Contracts Supervisor Mark Hewson on 02 6926 9432 or email hewson. mark@wagga.nsw.gov. au. A non-refundable fee of $145.00 will be

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

charged for each hard copy of the specification or specifications at nil cost can be accessed on the following web address: tenderlink.com/wagga

LICENSING OF PART SMALL STREET RESERVE 9 Small Street, Wagga Wagga Notice is hereby given under the Local Government Act Chapter 6 Part 2, of the proposed licensing of Part Lot 1 DP 202188 and Part Lot 2 DP 654511 known as Small Street Reserve, Wagga Wagga to Wagga Amateur Radio Club Inc. for the

purpose of a clubhouse for a term of three (3) years.

Persons wishing to make a submission in relation to the above proposed licence renewal should do so prior to the close of the exhibition period.

Submissions should be in writing and may be mailed to the General Manager, Wagga Wagga City Council, PO Box 20, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 or emailed to council@ wagga.nsw.gov.au Persons making written submissions regarding the above proposed licence renewal are advised that any submission received within the submission

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period will be subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 and the Privacy 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. Any questions relating to the above proposed licence renewal may be referred to Jenny Bailey, Land and Property Officer on 1300 292 442.

Submissions will be received until 5pm on Monday 25 May 2020.

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

Notice is hereby given under Roads Act 1993 Part 8 Division 4 of changes in conditions along: Road: Cobb Street (between Nordlingen Drive and Henschke Avenue) Date: 24 April – 1 May, 2020 Duration: 7.00am to 5.00pm, weather permitting Reason: Maintenance works. Detours will be in place. Access to local residents.

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

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I CAN BE RECYCLED!

Notice is hereby given under Roads Act 1993 Part 8 Division 4 of changes in conditions along: Road: Lawson Street (between Copland Street and Wentworth Street) Date: 27 – 29 April, 2020 Duration: 7.00am to 5.00pm, weather permitting Reason: Asphalt works.

Road will be under the direction of traffic controllers. Access to local businesses.

Peter Thompson, General Manager