Council News Issue No: 159
CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 26 AUGUST 2017
Weekly information from us to you
LEVEE MILESTONE: General Manager Robert Knight, Senior Project Officer Darryl Woods and Mayor Greg Conkey OAM welcomed General Manager of Central West Civil Simon Withers (second from right) to Wagga Wagga this week for the contract signing of stage 1 of the Main City Levee upgrade. The signing took place on the levee bank at Flowerdale, where construction will start on 3 October.
Signed, sealed, ready to deliver Levee contracts exchanged and start date announced Work on upgrading one of the city’s most vital pieces of infrastructure will start on 3 October.
The official start date was announced on Wednesday and coincided with the signing and exchange of contracts for the first stage of the Main City Levee upgrade.
Bathurst-based company Central West Civil will undertake the stage 1 works, which will take about six months to complete. Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM, Wagga Wagga City Council General Manager Robert Knight, Council project managers, Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and Central West Civil General Manager Simon Withers were on the levee this week for the
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signing and exchange. “This announcement is a huge milestone in the delivery of this important project for the city,” General Manager Robert Knight said. “The upgrade of the levee is a high priority for Council and the community, however, a thorough and considered process, involving many voices, had to be followed before we could get to this construction stage. This included
community consultation, studies, designs and seeking funding sources. “The project is now in a position where all parties are confident that what is built will be the best for the Wagga Wagga community.” Cr Conkey said the levee upgrade has many benefits for the local community. “We’ve had to follow an extensive process, and the community will be pleased to learn that construction
of the first stage of the levee is now just weeks away,” Cr Conkey said. “This project is a great example of what can be achieved when all levels of government work together. "The levee upgrade helps safeguard our community and boosts confidence in the local economy to drive further investment.” www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/levee
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Your guide to Wagga Wagga's levee bank upgrade HOW WE GOT HERE
Major milestones associated with the levee upgrade to date: Feasibility and community consultation • 2010: NSW Public Works Department engaged to carry out feasibility study • 2012: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage grant for investigation and concept design works. Final concept design report received mid-2013. • 2012/13 and 2015: Extensive community engagement carried out for Main City and North Wagga Levee upgrades Detailed Design • 2013: Council resolution to proceed with design for Main City and North Wagga Levee options and look at mitigation options • 2013: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage approve NSW Public Works Department to undertake design • 2013: WMA Water engaged to revise Wagga Wagga Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan • 2014/2015: NSW Public Works Department complete detailed design for Wagga Wagga Levee Approvals • 2015: Council resolves to construct Main City Levee to 1 in 100 year level of protection • 2015/16: Community engagement and application to IPART for special rate variation (SRV) to help fund levee upgrade. SRV approved and came into effect July 2016. • January 2017: Council resolved to go out to tender for Stage 1 construction of Main City Levee upgrade • June 2017: Council receives report on tender process and resolves to begin negotiations with preferred tenderer • August 2017: Contracts exchanged between Wagga Wagga City Council and Central West Civil to construct stage 1 of the Main City Levee upgrade
WHAT’S
ON WAGGA WAGGA + SURROUNDS
THIS WEEK:
MARKETS BY THE LAKE
Sat 26 Aug 9am-2pm. Apex Park Ph: 0497 937 934 DEMONSTRATION
GARDENS – VEGE SWAP OR BUY
Every Sat 9am-12pm. Community Demonstration Gardens, Cnr Albury and Shaw Sts. Ph: 0411 417 956
MATES GULLY
MILESTONE: General Manager Robert Knight and Mayor Greg Conkey at the contract signing.
PARTNERSHIP: Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and Mayor Greg Conkey after the Federal Government confirmed its $10M committment to the levee bank project.
WAGGA.NSW.GOV.AU/LEVEE
NEXT STEP: Mayor Greg Conkey watches on as Central West Civil General Manager Simon Withers signs the contract for stage 1 works.
STAGE 1 WORKS
WHO’S BUILDING OUR LEVEE?
Stage 1 of the levee upgrade consists of embankment levee earthen works and construction of two concrete spillways. Residents will see movement on the banks of the levee from September 2017 for site preparation works. Excavators will move in from 3 October, starting at the Flowerdale section of the levee, moving around to the Wiradjuri Bridge. Works will then start on section 2, starting at Copland Street and moving south towards Kooringal Road Monumental Cemetery. In total, machinery will move 25,000 cubic metres of clay, topsoil and granite as part of the stage 1 upgrade of the levee.
LEVEE FUNDING
The following funding contributions have been made to cover the $23M cost of the Wagga Wagga levee upgrades: • City of Wagga Wagga raising one-third share of $7.75M through a special rate variation, effective from 2016 and maintained for five years
PRODUCE MARKET
Every Sat 9:30am-12pm. Mates Gully Café. Ph: 6921 4241
ARTBLAST! SCRATCH THE SURFACE Sat 26 Aug 1:30pm-4pm. $20pp. Bookings essential. Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Ph: 6926 9660
UMBILICAL BROTHERS ‘SPEEDMOUSE’
Sat 26 Aug 8pm. Adults $49.90, concession/student $44.90. Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre. Ph: 6926 9688
RIVER & WREN BOUTIQUE MARKETS
Sun 27 Aug 10am-3pm. Free entry. Wagga Wagga Showgrounds.
• State Government - stage 1 grant funding of $2M and stage 2 funding of $2.1M • Federal Government $10M funding under the Community Development Grants Programme Note: $23M costing pending tender processes and/or variations.
Ph: 0409 152 187
PRE-SPRING PICNIC AT BORAMBOLA WINERY Sun 27 Aug 1pm-4pm. $45pp, kids free, Borambola Wines.
RIVERINA CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC 2017 CONCERT SERIES NO. 8: THE OPERATIC CLARINET Sun 27 Aug 7:30pm. Adults $27, Concession/Student $17, RCM Students $10. Ph: 6925 3522
ROSELEIGH MANOR: SUNDAY BRUNCH Sun 27 Aug 10am-3pm. Devonshire Tea $14 per head, Ploughman’s Lunch $35 per head, High Tea $35 per head. Ph: 6921 9585
SOUL FOOD:
Central West Civil have proven experience constructing levees across the state, having recently worked with WaterNSW at Lake Brewster and Hillston and Darlington Point councils to complete large-scale levee embankment and rehabilitation projects. General Manager of Central West Civil Simon Withers said the company recognised the importance of delivering the project for Wagga Wagga. “We look forward to starting work in Wagga Wagga this spring. The project has been designed to have minimal impacts to adjoining properties and we are confident we can deliver the works in the assigned six-month timeframe,” Mr Withers said.
MINDFUL MEDITATIONS ON SPIRITUAL THEMES
Sun 27 Aug 10am-11:30am. Free. Kurrajong Waratah Conference Centre. Ph: 0458 540 622
RIVERINA PRODUCERS’ MARKET
WIRADJURI LAND: Aunty Kath Withers gives a Welcome to Country at the contract signing, which took place at Flowerdale Lagoon - a signficant site to the Wiradjuri people.
OPTIONS FOR N O RT H W A G G A In July 2015 the elected Council resolved to proceed with the construction of the Main City Levee to provide a 1 in 100 year level of protection, making allowances for the possibility that the North Wagga Levee may also be constructed to provide up to a 1 in 100 year level of protection. A final position on upgrading the North Wagga Levee is dependent on
decisions voted on by the Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee as part of an overall update of the Wagga Wagga Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan. This study and plan are currently being finalised. A report recommending placing the draft study and plan, including options for North Wagga, on public exhibition is expected to go before the elected Council in the coming months.
MAIN CITY LEVEE UPGRADE STAGES
The Main City Levee upgrade will be delivered through a staged construction. Stage 1 – consists of two levee sections: • Section 1 – Flowerdale, including spillway, to Wiradjuri Bridge • Section 2 – Copland Street, including spillway, to Kooringal Road Monumental Cemetery Stage 1 is expected to be complete by April 2018. Stage 2, pending tender process, is expected to start in April 2018 and be complete by the end of the year. The stage 2 Main City Levee upgrade will be from the wall along Cadell Place (parallel to Fitzmaurice Street) to Johnston Street, then from Riverina Playhouse to Hammond Avenue.
vacancy
Every Thursday 1.30pm to 6.30pm, Wagga Showground, Bourke Street Ph: 0428 263 297
EDUCATIONAL LEADER/REFLECTIVE EARLY LEARNING SESSION FACILITATOR 8 Month Contract - Part-time 15 hours per week
/waggaevents For support in organising your event, contact Council’s events unit at events@wagga.nsw.gov. au or 1300 292 442 Mon to Fri. To promote your event or for a full list of events call 1300 100 122. visitwagga.com
To view this opportunity and apply, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs
Remuneration: Min $968.67 gpf + super (pro-rata) Enquiries: Kym Stewart - (02) 6926 9370 Closing Date: Monday, 11 September 2017
City of Wagga Wagga is an EEO employer
Values - Part of everything we do: Trust • Respect • Innovation • Teamwork
Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication
PET WEEK
OF THE
i to Say h ia Ellar
THANK YOU: Some of the staff who were recognised for their many years of service to Council and the community at the annual dinner and presention on Thursday evening.
Nearly 400 years of dedication recognised Wagga Wagga City Council has recognised 17 of its longest serving employees who have combined to contribute nearly 400 years of service to Council and the community. The annual dinner was held at the Mercure on Thursday, with the highlight being Irrigation Plumber (Parks Operations) Peter Morrow’s 40 years with Council. Mr Morrow started with Council in July 1977 in the Parks and Gardens team where he planted many trees that he has seen grow tall during his time with the organisation. He also worked
in the Botanic Gardens Zoo and in the Civic Precinct, with Mr Morrow playing an important role in developing and maintaining the city’s green spaces over the years. His four decades of commitment and hard work was also recognised by his colleagues with a special barbecue last month, and he was also named as the Parks and Gardens employee of the month for July. Each of the long serving employees were presented with a certificate and a small gift by Mayor Greg Conkey and General Manager Robert Knight.
RECOGNISING OUR LONG SERVING EMPLOYEES 40 years • Peter Morrow 35 years • Michael Schmid 30 years • Stephen Walden • Graeme White • Anthony Powell 25 years • Peter Ross • Donald Tokley
20 years • Ricky Caldow • Kylie Tribe • Ronald Cheney • Andrew Mason • Nicole Johnson • John Perkins 15 years • Louise Wheaton • Alan Salan • Michelle Castle • Anthony Phelps
This week’s pet of the week is Ellaria, a two-year-old female kelpie. This black beauty is looking for a new family and is available now for adoption. Ellaria can be adopted from the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter for $313, which includes microchipping, desexing, lifetime
registration, vaccination, worming, heartworm testing and a vet check. You can meet Ellaria or any of her furry friends at the shelter from 1pm to 4.15pm, Monday through Saturday. Contact the shelter on 6971 4651 or visit graswagga.com.au.
Where’s Charlie? wagga.nsw.gov.au/charlie
Council’s education and engagement truck Charlie will be visiting the following areas. Village/Suburb
When
Where
Kapooka
Tuesday 12 September 3pm-6pm
Kapooka Community Centre
San Isidore
Tuesday 19 September 3pm-6pm
Norman Duck Oval
Uranquinty
Tuesday 10 October 4pm-7pm
Olympic Hwy rest stop
Currawarna
Tuesday 17 October 4pm-7pm
Near Bidgee St / Old Narrandera Rd intersection
N O M I N ATE YOU R PRI O R IT Y PROJ EC T Add your voice to the more than 200 people that have already selected their preferred projects for the Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF). The SCCF is one of many NSW Government grant programs that Wagga Wagga City Council is preparing applications for to secure funding for important projects across the Local Government Area. A shortlist of six potential projects has been developed according to the criteria for the SCCF and while applications for all projects will be submitted, the review process will consider favourably projects that have been nominated as priorities by the community. Choosing from the shortlist, members of the community can nominate their top three projects using the online form, by calling 1300 292 442 or
by visiting the Customer Service Desk in the Civic Centre. • Female change room facilities at three sportsgrounds • Develop adult laydown change facilities within the CBD for people with a disability • Social infrastructure for the nine rural villages in our community • Upgrade amenities at Anderson Oval and Frenchs Fields • Upgrade and enhance existing parks, playgrounds and community facilities • Install footpaths to connect our communities The shortlist will be open for consideration until Friday 1 September. wagga.nsw.gov.au/sccf
C U S T O M E R S E RV I C E I N F O C U S Wagga Wagga City Council hosted more than 30 Visitor Information Centre (VIC) staff from around the region this week as part of a two-day training program. Developed by Destination NSW and TAFE NSW, the workshops focused on the latest customer service techniques for VIC staff so they can better assist domestic and international travellers.
16–24 September 2017
Get cycling this September! Lake Run & Ride: Apex Park, Lake Albert Sunday 10 September 2017 • 10km course • Generations Challenge with prizes • Check out Charlie, the bright yellow education and engagement truck
wagga.nsw.gov.au/cycling
• Launch of Wagga Wagga Bike and Walking Trails Guide • Free safe cycling gear • Road safety information • Bike checks
lakerunride.com
For more information visit transportnsw.info/bikeweek or call 1300 292 442 Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication
WELCOME TO WAGGA (left): Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the United States of America Mr James Carouso (middle) was given a tour of the Kapooka Army Recruit Training Centre by Commandant of Kapooka Colonel Michael Garraway (right) and Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM (left) this week. Mr Caruso visited a number of sites around the city while he was in the region.
GRATE IDEA: Manager Project Operations Bruce Sheridan with one of the new iron-grate drains that will be installed at the crossings in Baylis Street.
Main street drainage upgrade to get underway on 29 August Drainage improvement works will start in Baylis Street on Tuesday 29 August. The works are to help prevent large puddles forming on the footpath approaches to the four centre-of-block pedestrian crossings in the main street. The works include installing new iron-grated drains on the east and west sides of the crossings, and are part of an overall improvement program being carried out in Baylis Street. To allow for a safe work site, the crossings and parts of the footpaths on the approach to the crossings, and, a small number of parking spaces next to the crossings, will be closed.
Works will be completed one block at a time, starting in the northern block, Morrow to Tompson streets, and then moving south along the length of Baylis Street. One crossing will take about 10 days to complete, with works undertaken between the hours of 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (subject to works and weather conditions). If works are completed ahead of this schedule crews will move on to the next block. “Council has received many customer service requests to fix this drainage problem, so we are now pleased to be delivering a solution,” Manager Project
Public Notices
28/08/2017 to 11/09/2017 Where: Wagga Wagga City Council, cnr Baylis and Morrow Streets, Wagga Wagga (Customer Service Counter). ENVIRONMENTAL When: 9.00am to 5.00pm, PLANNING & Monday to Friday (except ASSESSMENT ACT, Public Holidays). 1979 NOTICE OF Any person seeking DEVELOPMENT to make a submission PROPOSAL in relation to the Wagga Wagga City Council abovementioned has received the following development should application to carry out address all correspondence “Development” under the to the Consent Authority Environmental Planning and to be received prior to Assessment Act, 1979. 5:00pm on the final day of the exhibition period. If any DA17/0301 Truck Showroom, 24 Dobney Ave submission is made by way of objection, the grounds of WAGGA WAGGA NSW objection must be specified 2650, Lot 2 DP 160251, Lot in the submission. 3 DP 625456, Applicant: Wagga Motors Properties Persons lodging Pty Ltd submissions are required to Name of Consent Authority: declare political donations Wagga Wagga City Council (including donations of more than $1,000) made The subject application in the previous two years. and accompanying For more details, including documentation, may be disclosure form, go to inspected at the following www.planning.nsw.gov.au/ address until the closure of donations. exhibition. Persons making written Submission Period:
Contact us 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
Operations Bruce Sheridan said. “We thank the community for their patience as we work through these works.” The drainage works will cost about $100,000 and is part of an overall improvement program for Baylis Street. Already this year street furniture in the main street has been sanded and varnished, new recycling bins have been installed and the street bollards given a fresh coat of paint. Information on the drainage project and updates during the works will be via Council’s City of Wagga Wagga Facebook page or at wagga.nsw.gov.au/roads.
H AV E A S N A G A N D A C H A T Bust your afternoon hunger pangs with a free sausage sandwich next week when Council’s engagement truck Charlie swings by the northern suburbs. As well as a free barbecue on offer Council staff will be on hand to lodge requests, answer questions and provide updates on major projects. A town planner will be on board to provide initial advice on planning matters, and the City Strategy team
Fuel” are invited and will be received by the undersigned until 2pm Wednesday 13 September 2017. The Contract is a schedule of rates Contract and it is Council’s intention to secure a fuel supplier to supply and deliver bulk automotive fuel to the nominated sites that Council has indicated. Tenders will be assessed on a number of criteria. Tenderers are advised that the lowest or any Tender will not necessarily be accepted. Enquiries should be directed to Mark Hewson on 02 6926 9432. A non-refundable fee of $110 will be charged for each hard copy of the Specification or specifications at nil cost can be accessed at the following web address: https://www.tenderlink. RFT 2018/07 SUPPLY OF BULK AUTOMOTIVE com/wagga
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 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.
FUEL
Suitably endorsed Tenders marked “RFT No 2018-07 Supply of Bulk Automotive
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RFT 2018-06 SUPPLY OF ONE (1) STREET SWEEPER
will be seeking your input on two draft strategies that lay out the plan for the city until 2040. While you’re there you can also pick up some information on the new kerbside waste collection service, which is set to start on 2 April 2018. • WHEN: Tuesday 29 August 3-6pm • WHERE: Cnr Avocet Drive and Rainbow Drive wagga.nsw.gov.au/charlie
Suitably endorsed Tenders marked “RFT 2018-06 Supply of One (1) Street Sweeper” are invited and will be received by the undersigned until 2pm Wednesday 20 September 2017. Tenderers are advised that the lowest or any Tender will not necessarily be accepted. Enquiries: Mr Graeme White on 02 6971 4621 or Email: white.graeme@ wagga.nsw.gov.au A non-refundable fee of $110.00 will be charged for each hard copy of the Specification or specifications at nil cost can be accessed on the following web address: https://www.tenderlink. com/wagga
RFT 2018- 08 D&C RURAL FIRE SERVICE SHED
Suitably endorsed Tenders marked “RFT 2018- 08 D&C Rural Fire Service Shed” are invited and will be received by the undersigned until 2pm Wednesday 20th
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wagga.nsw.gov.au/councilnews
September 2017. This is a lump sum contract for the design and construction of a Rural Fire Service Shed at Tarcutta NSW 2652. A compulsory pre-tender site meeting will be held on Wednesday 13th September at 10.30 am. Registration to attend the site meeting can be directed to Mark Hewson via email Hewson.mark@ wagga.nsw.gov.au. Enquiries: Directed to Council’s Project Manager, Adrian Inglis on 02 6926 9436 or Email inglis. adrian@wagga.nsw.gov. au. A non-refundable fee of $110.00 will be charged for each hard copy of the specification or specifications at nil cost can be accessed on the following web address: https://www.tenderlink. com/wagga
Robert Knight, General Manager