INSIDE: LEARN HOW TO ENJOY YOUR LIBRARY FROM HOME + MORE
Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2020
Issue No: 289
Weekly information from us to you
We’re all happy here at the zoo! Life is just grand for all the animals at the city’s Botanic Gardens Zoo and Aviary. The gates might be closed, but inside it’s been business as usual every day with Wagga Wagga City Council staff working hard to look after all the residents’ needs. See full story inside.
FEEDING FUN: Resident donkeys Forrest and Shrimp love a visit from zoo curator Kieralee Tori who is one of the Wagga Wagga City Council staff members working hard to ensure the animals’ welfare at the popular attraction which has been closed during the pandemic.
Support for 'Live Local. Be Local' Wagga Wagga business groups are banding together in support of local retail and commercial operations currently navigating their way through the initial impacts of the pandemic. Wagga Wagga City Council is part of an online initiative “Live local. Be local” alongside the Wagga Business Chamber, Women In Business Wagga Wagga, Committee 4 Wagga and BEC Advice as a
new approach to help manage the impacts of COVID-19 on business. The “Live Local. Be Local” campaign is being driven through a new website and Facebook group which aims to be the launching pad for local business operators seeking support or promoting innovative ideas to help boost local economic activity. Council Director Regional Activation Michael Keys said all businesses across the region are invited to be part of the campaign. “This is one measure to establish a support base for local business and how we can all move forward under these extremely challenging conditions,” Mr Keys said. “It is a collaborative approach. We want businesses to work together with industry
groups and support agencies to bring ideas to the table showing how strong and innovative our local community is to tackle these challenges. “Working with leading business groups we want to know how we can help. There is support available and Wagga Wagga City Council wants to work together with these groups to provide assistance and support.” Mr Keys said Council had agreed to a number of initiatives at its Ordinary Meeting on Monday night which will go a long way towards assisting local business. This includes waiving and reducing various fees and charges associated with operating a business. These extend to residential properties and also individuals affected by the current restrictions.
Weekly waste tip Leftover or out of date processed food such as pastries, cakes, cereals, pizza and chips can all go in the green lid bin minus any plastic packaging.
Key areas affected include airport related activities, Gregadoo Waste Management Centre, financial hardship assistance, food and health related activities as well as development applications. Council also approved rent abatements for Council’s commercial tenants, initially for a two-month period. A review will then take place at the end of this period, from 1 June, on a monthly basis. More information about the revised fees and charges will be available on Council’s website. Mr Keys urged local business operators to make themselves familiar with the “Live Local. Be Local” campaign. Continued inside.