INSIDE: WINDOWLESS WORLDS A SHATTERING EXHIBITION + MORE
THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING FEATURE BY WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL
Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 7 AUGUST 2021
Issue No: 357
Weekly information from us to you
READY TO ROLL: Council’s Strategic Recreation Officer Peter Cook (left) and Wagga and District Kart Racing Club president Trent Martin discuss upgrades to the track after receiving funding through the Office of Sport’s Regional Sport Facility Fund.
Kart track upgrade a ‘game changer’ Kart racers can soon look forward to competing on an upgraded track in Wagga Wagga after the green light was recently given to the project.
Wagga Wagga City Council has accepted $407,407 in funding from the NSW Government for the upgrade of Wagga and District Kart Racing Club’s track. The club will partner with Council to complete the works in a similar arrangement where Council has worked with other sports associations, such as rugby league, hockey and tennis, to complete upgrades at local facilities. Council’s Strategic Recreation Officer Peter Cook said
discussions with the kart club over the past 12 months around the condition of the track has resulted in a successful grant application with the Office of Sport’s Regional Sport Facility Fund to progress the works. “The focus was on the asphalt surface which has significantly deteriorated over time and recently reached a point where the club’s track racing licence was not renewed,” Mr Cook said. “It’s another example of Council partnering with a sporting body to deliver community infrastructure. “These include the construction of additional seating and change rooms at McDonald’s Park, the upgrade of the tennis courts at the South Wagga Tennis Club and a new synthetic surface at Jubilee Park hockey fields. “These projects have delivered excellent value for Council funding and have produced high quality venues
post development. This delivery model has also provided improved ownership and community participation.” Club president Trent Martin said the funding opportunity was a “game changer” for the club. “We had reached a point where we had to make some serious decisions about the future of the club and then we secured this grant which helped make those decisions a lot easier,” Mr Martin said. “We see a promising future for karting in Wagga Wagga because it’s a great location and has the potential to attract top level competitions. Now that we’ve got the money to upgrade the track, we can make that happen. “We’ve worked closely with Council to put together a funding application and now that’s been successful the club is keen to project manage the upgrade and get real value from every dollar.”
Weekly waste tip If you’re firing up the wood heater this winter ensure you dispose of ash responsibly. Allow ash time to completely cool before placing in the green lid bin.
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Dine & Discover Vouchers popular at Civic Theatre Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre has experienced one of its busiest six-month periods, with rate of ticket sales and attendance numbers up to July comparing favourably to its record year in 2019. The theatre only returned to full-capacity in February this year when it launched its 2021 Season featuring a busy schedule of touring shows by leading companies, the Wagga Comedy Fest and local performances. Civic Theatre Manager Carissa Campbell said the State Government’s Dine & Discover NSW Vouchers played a role in the strong attendance figures. “When you pulled up Dine & Discover
NSW for this area, we were sitting there as soon as you opened the app and I think that made people think about coming to the theatre,” she said. “Along with our regular patrons, we had many new faces coming through the doors of the theatre who were using a voucher. “So far, we have redeemed more than 5000 Discover Vouchers, and in my conversations with all the regional theatres, that’s the highest amount by quite a margin.” Ms Campbell said another factor driving the demand for tickets was how much the community missed the opportunity to be social when the theatre was operating under
pet
reduced COVID-19 Safe capacities in 2020. “Wagga people love going out. They always want more, and they love live music; it’s always had huge audiences,” she said. “There’s nothing like not having that to make you think ‘hey, that’s really valuable, I really want to do that, I want to go out and support it’. “An example of that was the recent on sale day for The Wiggles. They normally sell out in a day and a bit and this time, they sold out in less than an hour so that tells you about the scale of demand.” Under current NSW Government health order guidelines, the theatre remains open
with a restricted 50 percent audience capacity. Show tickets and details are available online at civictheatre.com.au or by calling the box office on 02 6926 9688. The Dine & Discover Vouchers scheme gives residents four $25 vouchers to spend, two for cultural venues and two for hospitality venues. Residents have until the end of August to spend their vouchers. To find out more about applying for the Dine & Discover Vouchers, visit service.nsw.gov.au and follow the links.
OF THE
WEEK
#adoptdontshop
We’ve stuck with the Hollywood theme for our star pet this week, and named him after the King of Comedy Jerry Lewis. Jerry Lewis loved his pet dogs and starred in movies featuring many loveable canines. Our pet of the week is a cattle cross and is an outgoing guy who has lots of energy to run and bounce around. So without a second thought , we named him Jerry Lewis. Jerry is red-speckled in appearance and is 18 months old who can be adopted for $301 which includes: de-sexing, vaccination, worming, microchipping, lifetime registration, ID tag, heartworm test. Drop into the shelter and say g’day to this little legend. Impound #D405
VALUE-ADDING: Council’s Senior Strategic Planner Crystal Atkinson discusses the potential benefits of allowing artisan food and drink industries in parts of the Wagga Wagga LGA with Mates Gully Farm’s Paul Nolte.
New proposal for artisan food industries
FUR FACTS: If you are selling or giving away an animal, the dog or cat must be microchipped and you have to complete a change of owner form into the new owner’s name. This is the breeder/original owner’s responsibility. The details need to be kept up to date to ensure your furry friend always has a phone call home if they become lost.
6971 4651 | graswagga.com.au
R251000208
Vacancies Executive Assistant
Remuneration: $2,588.60 gpf + super Enquiries: Scott Gray on 02 6926 9295 Closing date: Monday 9 August 2021
Labourer (Gregadoo Waste Management Centre) Remuneration: $1,918.82 gpf + super Enquiries: Mat Windle on 02 6926 9163 or 0437 701 447 Closing date: Monday 9 August 2021
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Operator
Remuneration: $2,123.58 gpf + super Enquiries: Mat Windle on 02 6926 9163 or 0437 701 447 Closing date: Friday 13 August 2021
Business System Analyst
Remuneration: $3,100.50 gpf + super Enquiries: Reece Hamblin on 02 6926 9243 Closing date: Sunday 22 August 2021
Aboriginal Community Development Officer
Remuneration: $2,851.22 gpf + super Enquiries: Sarah Lehman on 02 6926 9320 Closing date: Monday 23 August 2021
Ranger
Remuneration: $2,273.04 gpf + super Enquiries: Kathleen Bagshaw on 02 6926 9336 Closing date: Monday 23 August 2021 Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer
To view these opportunities and apply, visit:
wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs
Wagga Wagga City Council is seeking the community’s feedback on a proposal to include artisan food and drink industries in certain rural and commercial zones within the Local Government Area (LGA). Artisan food and drink industries cater for boutique, craft or artisan food and drink products, which are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. Senior Strategic Planner Crystal Atkinson said the proposed amendment to the Wagga Wagga Local Environmental Plan 2010 would create opportunities for producers and businesses to sell local produce through retail areas, restaurants or cafes and tours. “If approved, the changes would allow these industries in rural areas where they relate to product grown and made on the property,” Ms Atkinson said. “In the city itself, it would apply to business zones where
WHAT’S
ON WAGGA WAGGA + SURROUNDS
THIS WEEK: BARISTA DAMON: POP-UP ESPRESSO BAR
Sat 3, Wed 7, Thu 8 & Fri 9 Jul, 7am to 1pm Thirsty Crow, 153 Fitzmaurice St. Ph: 6921 7470
DEMONSTRATION GARDENS VEGETABLE SWAP OR BUY
we already have those types of industry cafés, artisan food and drink places, such as craft breweries and microbreweries. “It’s all about someone producing something on the land, whether that’s animals or a crop, and then manufacturing that into a product which is consumed on the premises or taken home to consume.” The proposed amendment is expected to deliver broad social and economic benefits through supporting business development and growth, particularly small start-ups and primary producers, as well as catering for increasing community and visitor interest and demand for boutique businesses. Ms Atkinson said it would also increase tourism opportunities for the city and its surrounds and will help put Wagga Wagga and the Riverina on the culinary map. “We are in the food bowl of Australia and this is an
Demonstration Gardens, Cnr Shaw St & Albury St. Ph: 0411 417 956
OPEN STUDIO GALLERY
Sat 7 Aug, 10am to 3pm Wagga Art Society Studio, 11 Small St. Ph: 0400 225 768
WAGGA WAGGA ROAD RUNNERS – SATURDAY RUNS Sat 7 Aug, 1pm San Isadore Ph: 0428 651642
THE HOLLOW
Sun 8 Aug, 3pm to 5pm The Basement Theatre, Cnr Morrow & Tarcutta Sts. Ph: 69 212594
BOOK LAUNCH WITH RHONDA MCINNES AND LAWRENCE Sat 10 Jul, 9am to 12pm BARLOW
opportunity to showcase the products that are being grown and manufactured in the region,” she said. “Rather than people just getting it on their plate and not knowing where it comes from, they will instead be able to come to the region and see where the produce was grown and manufactured, and then consume it on site. “Another aspect is ability to have educational tours or pickyour-own products, making it about the whole experience of how the product is made before it gets to you.” The proposed amendment is currently on pubic exhibition, with submissions open until 28 August 2021. To make a submission online, visit connect.wagga.nsw.gov. au/lep20-0008 while written submissions can be delivered to Council offices or emailed to council@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Sun 8 Aug, 3pm to 5pm 6.30pm The Curious Rabbit, 44 Wagga Wagga Johnston St. Ph: 6921 5391 Showgrounds, Bourke St. Ph: 0428 263 297
THE THIEF OF STARS
Sun 8 Aug, 6pm to 18pm THURSDAY TRIVIA The Curious Rabbit, 44 Thu 12 Aug, 7.30pm Johnston St. Ph: 6921 5391 Thirsty Crow Brewery, 153 Fitzmaurice St. BBQ AND CHARCOAL Ph: 69217 470
(GLUTEN FREE) – COOKING CLASS
Mon 9 Aug, 6pm to 10pm Food I Am, 29 Kunzea Pl. Ph: 0439 565 653
WAGGA WAGGA SOCIAL NETBALL
Wed 11 Aug,10am Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. E: caronne@scvella.id.au
RIVERINA PRODUCERS MARKET
Thu 12 Aug, 1pm to
FRIDAY NIGHT PIZZAS
Fri 13 Aug, 5.30pm to 7.30pm Mates Gully Café, 38 Morrow St. Ph: 6921 4241
/waggaevents
For event organising and promotion support, contact Council’s events unit: events@wagga.nsw.gov.au or 1300 292 442 Mon - Fri.
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CHALLENGING IDEAS: Art Gallery Director Dr Lee-Anne Hall and Windowless Worlds curator Dr Sam Bowker with some of the stunning glass art works on display as part of the exhibition.
CONFRONTING CENTREPIECE: 18 kilograms of shattered window glass collected from the streets following the Port of Beirut explosion on 4 August 2020 on display as part of Windowless Worlds exhibition at the National Art Glass Gallery in Wagga Wagga. PERCHED: Three glass swallows by Turkish glass artist Felekşan Onar have made the long journey to Wagga Wagga to be part of the Windowless Worlds exhibition.
Record winter sale at the LMC
A moving exhibition exploring confronting themes of conflict, social injustice and failures of government has opened at the National Art Glass Gallery in Wagga Wagga. The centrepiece of Windowless Worlds is 18 kilograms of shattered window glass collected from the streets of Beirut, Lebanon, following the Port of Beirut chemical explosion on 4 August 2020. Brought to Australia for this exhibition, the shattered glass is exhibited alongside recycled household objects made from the windows of the city and select works from the National Art Glass collection. The exhibition was curated by Dr Sam Bowker from Charles Sturt University, in conjunction with Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. “Windowless Worlds is a consolidation of a new direction for the National Art Glass Gallery in working with external curators and using our own collection along with works that have come from outside to explore and express often challenging ideas,”
said Art Gallery Director Dr Lee-Anne Hall. “It is also represented in the narrative direction of shows in using glass as a device to represent and convey these ideas.” The Port of Beirut blast was felt over 240 kilometres away, and at least 207 people were killed, with more 7500 injured, many by shattered and falling window glass. Dr Bowker said Windowless Worlds shares the power of broken glass as a metaphor, as a way of telling emotional and real stories. “What we are looking at is a series of objects that work like the stanzas of a poem or the lyrics of a song,” he said. “We regard broken glass as loud, fragile, fast and dangerous, so this exhibition brings together the different ways artists have used broken glass to tell stories.” Among the artworks are three mould-blown glass birds made by Turkish glass artist Felekşan Onar from her original series of 99 glass swallows, ‘Perched’, reflecting on the Syrian refugee crisis.
Another moving piece is by quilt artist Jenny Bowker recognising the Rabaa pro-democracy protest massacre in Cairo, created in collaboration with photojournalist Mosa'ab Elshamy. The recycled household objects are table vessels, known as ibrik, which were used for pouring water, wine or olive oil – items associated with good times with friends or family at home or restaurants. “They show that within the shattered glass there is hope, rebuilding and optimism for a better future,” Dr Bowker said. A reflection was held at the National Art Glass Gallery on Wednesday (4 August) to mark the first anniversary of the Port of Beirut explosion. Windowless Worlds runs until Sunday 5 December. It will be accompanied by a range of public programs, including Sunday music performances by tanbur player Keri Shngle (Khairi Darweesh) on 22 August, 26 September and 24 October. For more details on these events, visit waggaartgallery.com.au
This week’s
Biodiversity Bite Red guide posts are used to mark high risk weeds on roadsides.
START
A record winter sale at the Livestock Marketing Centre (LMC) was held last month as the regional agricultural sector enjoys outstanding growing and market conditions. Local producers sent a total of 56,277 head of stock to the centre for sale on 29 July. The sale grossed $12.86 million. Wagga Wagga City Council’s LMC Manager Paul Martin said this week’s sheep sale (5 August) fell just short of the July record with a yarding of more than 55,000. “Market conditions are strong,” Mr Martin said. “There’s plenty of sale activity at the centre on market days and that is reflected in the sector which is enjoying these outcomes in recent weeks. “Certainly these numbers are the best we’ve seen in any winter season.” The average price per head for the 29 July sale was $228.59.
Windowless Worlds. Reflecting on trauma, resilience and recovery
Avoid pulling over in these locations. Weeds are pretty smart hitchhikers and will gladly join you on your journey to help them spread far and wide.
/sustainable.waggawagga
wagga.nsw.gov.au/biodiversity Council News - A City of Wagga Wagga publication
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New PCYC building gets set for a start Early works on the $23 million Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) building in Wagga Wagga has marked the start of the new facility which forms part of the Bolton Park Masterplan and redevelopment. Wagga Wagga City Council has contributed $3 million in funding to the project with the Federal and State governments contributing $10 million each. PCYC will move from its Gurwood Street headquarters, which was built in the early 1960s, to the new building when it’s expected to be completed in late 2022. Council’s Strategic Asset Planner Ben Creighton said the preliminary works were a good
indication the Fitzhardinge Street site would soon be buzzing with activity as construction on the main building is set to start. “The impressive building is a key part of the Bolton Park Masterplan which is a 20–25 year vision for this important sporting precinct,” Mr Creighton said. “It was a significant breakthrough to have all three levels of government come on board for this development which is going to be a massive benefit to the community. “The PCYC is well known for its work in the community with local youth and to have a state-of-theart facility like this one, which will offer traditional sports and new technology concepts to the city’s
youth, is just fantastic. “We’re hoping to see construction start in the very near future.” PCYC Manager Wayne Flood said a new and updated building provided the opportunity for the organisation to expand its programs and offer local youth a greater selection of activity. “We’re very thankful to have received this funding which will provide a new building and so many opportunities for local youth,” Mr Flood said. “Our building in Gurwood Street has served its purpose for many decades … this project will allow us to take PCYC to a new level in Wagga Wagga.”
GROUNDBREAKING: Checking over the site for the new PCYC in the Bolton Park precinct are (from left) Lipman Constructions’ Dylan Edwards and Mitchell Jeffries, NSW Police Sergeant Scott Holbutt, Senior Constable Zarina Munguia, Council’s Strategic Asset Planner Ben Creighton and PCYC Manager Wayne Flood.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL TREE DAY 2021
Nature lovers from across the city gathered at Bomen last Sunday for National Tree Day, ready to help plant out a large parcel of previously cleared land. Many age groups across the community were represented, from retirees right through to babies, with the group planting 1500 native seedlings in two hours. As the native seedlings grow, they will provide important habitat for native fauna, including threatened species like
the squirrel glider and swift parrot. Participants enjoyed a barbecue lunch, prepared by Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare, and were gifted with a free seedling for their own backyard. All seedlings planted will contribute to Council’s ‘One Tree for Me’ tally. Through the One Tree for Me initiative, Council is aiming to get 65,000 seedlings planted in our local area over the next six years – one seedling
for every resident. Environmental Education Officer Alice Kent said every native seedling planted in a backyard would help support our region’s biodiversity. “We’re planning more seedling giveaways to keep encouraging residents to plant native trees, shrubs and groundcovers in their backyards,” Ms Kent said. “Backyards act as stepping stones, allowing native animals to travel safely between
larger areas of natural bushland. “Your backyard also supports millions of invertebrates such as bees, butterflies, worms and ants, with every creature working to keep the system in balance. “Winter is the best time to get natives into the garden, so the more seedlings you can plant now, the better.” Find out more about One Tree for Me at wagga.nsw.gov.au/ onetreeforme
Public Notices NOTICE OF TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
One Tree for Me seedling giveaway Date: Thursday 26 August Time: 2pm - 6pm (or until all claimed) Venue: Sturt Mall, 135 Baylis St, Wagga Wagga
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
Limit of five seedlings per household. All seedlings are Australian native species suitable for urban backyards including groundcovers, shrubs and small trees.
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Notice is hereby given under Roads Act 1993 Part 8 Division 4 of the temporary closing of: Road Kimberley Drive Saturday 14 th August 2021 Duration: 7.00am to 1.30pm Reason: Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon & Mountain Bike Event Detour as per signs
EXHIBITION OF DRAFT AMENDMENT TO WAGGA WAGGA LEP 2010
Amendment No. LEP20/0006 PUBLIC EXHIBITION Land Description: The amendment will apply to land at Springvale. Aim: To exhibit the Planning Proposal
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LEP20/0006 to amend the Wagga Wagga LEP 2010 land zoning and minimum lot size at Springvale and invite submissions until 19 September 2021. Exhibition Period: 9 August 2021 to 19 September 2021 (inclusive) Inspection Venue: The Planning Proposal is available for inspection at the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, Cnr Baylis and Morrow Sts, Wagga Wagga during the hours of 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday (public holidays excluded) or on Council's website connect.wagga.nsw.gov.au/lep20-0006 Submission Procedure: Any interested person or organisation wishing to make a written submission in relation to the draft amendments should do so prior to the close of the exhibition period. Submissions may be delivered to the Council Chambers or mailed to The General Manager, Wagga Wagga City Council, PO Box 20, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 or emailed to council@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Peter Thompson, General Manager THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING FEATURE BY WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL