Council News #82 - February 20 2016

Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA

FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2016

Issue 82

Weekly information from us to you

! e m o c l e W Say g’day to our newest Aussies!

Twenty-eight people from 10 countries were welcomed to Wagga and Australia on Thursday

by Mayor Rod Kendall at the February citizenship ceremony.

Levee one step closer

Rate variation application submitted for vital flood protection upgrade City of Wagga Wagga has submitted an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a temporary special rate variation (SRV) to begin in 2016/17.

IPART is currently reviewing the application and is expected to make an announcement on whether or not it is successful in May 2016.

If successful, the money raised will be used to fund Council’s one third, $7.75M share of a $23.3M upgrade to the main city and North Wagga flood levee system.

Director of Corporate Services, Craig Richardson, says this is an important step towards upgrading the levee system.

“A temporary special rate variation is the responsible way to fund this major project, which will be of great benefit to the wider Wagga Wagga Local Government Area,” he said.

“To fund a project of this scale within Council’s existing budget would have a significant impact on the delivery of services.”

Under the proposed rate increase property owners in the farmland rate category will pay

an additional 3.7 per cent in 2016/17 (1.8 per cent rate peg, 1.9 per cent levee upgrade component).

All other properties will see an increase of 5.9 per cent in 2016/17 (1.8 per cent rate peg, 4.1 per cent levee upgrade component).

The levee upgrade component of rates will be maintained, but will not compound, for a period of five years.

Rates will only rise by the rate peg for the last four years of this period and the levee upgrade component of rates will drop off at the end of this period.

To ensure transparency, the levee upgrade component of rates would be shown separately on rates notices each year over the five-year period.

Residents are encouraged to learn more about how the increase will affect them by calling 1300 292 442 or going to the website.

Submissions on the application can be made on the IPART website, closing 14 March.

wagga.nsw.gov.au/srv

ACTIVE LIVING 1-10 APRIL 2016 1300 292 442 wagga.nsw.gov.au/seniorsweek

Seniors Festival program is jam-packed Whether you want to learn something new, discover local history or sit back and relax, the 2016 Wagga Wagga Seniors Festival has something for everyone aged 50 years and over.

The jam-packed celebration of seniors has outgrown a week and now runs for 10 days from April 1 to 10, prompting a name change from NSW Seniors Week to NSW Seniors Festival.

Whatever your passion, there is something for everyone 50-plus to enjoy in this year’s program of events and workshops.

“This year’s program is bursting, with up to 38 events and workshops designed to inspire, excite and delight,” Wagga Seniors Week Committee chair Kate Brill said.

“A number of new elements have been

introduced this year that would not be possible to roll-out without the generous support of local community-based organisations and volunteers.”

This year’s festival includes unique activities such as the Love Cats Collage Workshop and the Silver Screen Seniors program, as well as informative events such as the Elder Abuse Legal Aid NSW Workshop and Climate Conversations.

City of Wagga Wagga’s Director Environment and Community Services Janice Summerhayes encouraged all of the community’s seniors to take part.

“With approximately a third of our city’s population aged 50 years and over, it is important to have a greater focus on seniors integrating and connecting with others, and

this is one of the key aims of the festival,” she said.

“Council is proud to fund and support local festivities that promote positive attitudes towards older people.

“I would strongly encourage everyone to pick up a copy of the program and book as soon as possible so they don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in the celebrations.”

Tickets go on sale and bookings for free events can be made from Monday 7 March.

The Wagga Seniors Festival 2016 program is available online now at wagga.nsw.gov.au/ seniorsweek or you can pick up a copy from the Civic Centre, Visitor Information Centre, Civic Theatre and Seniors Community Centre.

Nominate now for the Community Service Awards Nominations are open now for the Wagga Wagga Seniors Festival 2016 Community Service Awards.

Proudly sponsored by Member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire and Council, the awards recognise outstanding contributions to the community by seniors.

Nominations close on 11 March and will be announced on 3 April. For more information, contact Mr Maguire’s office on 6921 1622.

Sewer issues – who you gonna call?

Most of us probably don’t give running water a second thought once it has trickled off down the drain.

Within the foundations of a building or home and further underground are a maze of plumbing, pipes, pumps and treatment processes installed to supply and carry away this water.

As plumbing infrastructure is predominately out of sight, it’s also easy for it to be out of mind.

If there was an issue with your property’s drainage, would you know who to call? Or, as a property owner, do you know what sewer infrastructure is your responsibility, and what is Council’s?

“There’s no doubt sewerage networks can be confusing. Both property owners and Council have a responsibility to maintain or repair infrastructure for the effective running of the system, which services more than 18,000 residential and 2,000 non-residential properties,” Manager Waste and Stormwater Services Geoff Veneris said.

“Property owners are responsible for sewer pipes within their property and up

IDENTIFYING A CHOKE

• You hear gurgling noises coming from the sink • Basins are draining slowly • Unpleasant odours or sewage spilling from sinks, toilets or gully traps outside the house

PREVENTING A CHOKE

• Don’t put food scraps, oil or cooking fats down the sink • Only flush toilet paper down the toilet • Don’t plant trees over sewer pipes

to the connection to Council’s sewer.

“Wagga Council looks after sewerage pipes up to the first pipe joint within a property, as well as maintaining all treatment plants, pipes and plumbing stations to supply water and take sewage from homes.”

As a joint responsibility, and with residents on the frontline, Council relies on residents to contact them as soon as possible if there are problems with Council’s sewer service.

The most common problem is blockages, or chokes, within the pipes.

Fixing chokes at the first sign of a problem is much easier than if left unattended – a few hours will make the repair works, and mess, bigger and costlier.

“Council has an all-hours sewer mobile service, regardless of time or day, even on weekends and public holidays, we can have a team member on the case as soon as possible.”

The service number is 1300 292 442.

If a problem is detected within a resident’s property they should first contact a licenced plumber.

WHO DO I CALL IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEWER SERVICE? If you suspect an issue, first locate the boundary riser (look for a plastic or metal cap with a concrete surround) or yard gully trap outside your home.

CONTACT A PLUMBER IF:

• The yard gully is blocked • The boundary riser is blocked • Internal property drainage lines are blocked

CONTACT COUNCIL IF:

• The council sewer main is blocked – this will be outside your property boundary • Sewage is overflowing from a council sewer manhole • Your plumber cannot clear the blockage downstream of the boundary riser.

FITZHARDINGE STREET BOURKE STREET-RED HILL ROAD

TAMAR DRIVE-RED HILL ROAD

Road works projects completed It has been a busy week for Council road works with the completion and beginning of a number of projects.

Asphalt works completed over six nights resulted in brand new surfaces for Red Hill Road intersections at Bourke Street and Tamar Drive, remediation works were finalised on Fitzhardinge Street and finished with a reseal, a right hand turning lane was constructed on Red Hill Road at the Kimberley Drive intersection and a section of Johnston Street has brand new kerb and guttering.

Works have begun on the two month long remediation project of a busy section of

Plumpton Road. Some 1500 cubic metres of old material has been removed, with work on underground services and subgrade set to begin this week. The road will be closed to through traffic between Red Hill Road and Lake Albert Road throughout the project, with access maintained for local residents only.

Motorists are advised to expect delays if they travel through this area during peak hours.

Night works are scheduled to begin on Tarcutta Street between Hammond Avenue and Morgan Street on Wednesday 2 March.

wagga.nsw.gov.au/roads

Tidy Town committee reveals best summer gardens The best gardens of summer were announced last week

by Wagga Wagga Tidy Town Sustainable Community Committee.

The residents of Depazzi

Close earned the title of Street of the Season, while Darryl Forbes-Taber of Lakehaven Drive was awarded Garden of the Season.

If you are interested

in joining the Tidy Town committee, contact president John Rumens on 6926 3447 or Council’s Environment and Community Services Department on 6926 9303.

2016

The 2016 Big Business Breakfast will feature Anthony Bell, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of BRW award winning Firm Bell Partners, one of Australia’s largest sole partner Advisory and Accounting firms.

REGISTER NOW! www.businesswaggawagga.com.au

Friday 18 March 2016 from 7.30am - 9am Elements at the Garden Register online from Monday 22 Feb www.businesswaggawagga.com.au Tickets $55 per person

For more information please call Andrea at Wagga Wagga City Council p. (02) 6926 9131 e. business@wagga.nsw.gov.au

Council News - A Wagga Wagga City Council publication

Jail tales to headline women's day webinar

READY TO GO: Construction started this week on Wagga’s fifth skate park at Chambers Park in Tolland.

Tolland skate park construction begins Construction has started on a new skate park at Chambers Park in Tolland.

The skate park will feature grind rails and boxes, banks and three quarter pipe ramps – one 800mm with a slide rail, another 900mm with a bent penny.

Seating, bins and a water fountain are also included in the design.

The skate park will complement the park’s 12-month-old play equipment, existing basketball courts, cricket nets, oval and sheltered seated areas.

“The skate park adds another great recreational element to Chambers Park and aims to make the site a popular destination for kids, families and even those adults who are young at heart,” Director Environmental and Community Services Janice

THIS WEEK:

GLASS: ART DESIGN ARCHITECTURE

Until Sun 6 March National Art Glass Gallery.

Showcasing twenty-three outstanding projects by contemporary Australian artists, designers and architects. This exhibition represents a cross-section of current creative practices and relationships to this versatile material.

Ph: 6926 9660

HELI HEATWAVE

Until Sun 21 February 9am - 5pm Fri and Sat, 9am to 3pm Sun. International guest is 3D Helimaster, Dunkan Bossion from France. For the first time there will also be FPV Quad racing. Wagga Model Aero

PLANS: A concept drawing of the new skatepark.

Summerhayes said.

“Parks and recreational facilities are key components to any city.

They add to the liveability of the city, are visually appealing and help with child development.”

The Tolland skate park will be the fifth in Wagga, with one at Henwood Park in Kooringal, Bolton Park in Central, Webb Park

Club, Olympic Highway 5km from Uranquinty.

Ph: 0437 869 733

VEGE SWAP OR BUY

Saturdays 9am - 12pm Demonstration Gardens, cnr Albury and Shaw Streets. Ph: 0411 417 956

TARCUTTA MARKETS Sat 20 Feb 10am - 2pm Tarcutta Memorial Hall, Sydney Street, Tarcutta.

Ph: 0477 472 154

MINIATURE RAILWAY

Sun 21 Feb 10:30am - 4pm $2 per ride, enclosed footwear essential. Botanic Gardens, Macleay Street.

WAGGA BEACH MARKETS

Sun 21 Febr 9am - 2pm Free entry. Wagga Beach, Johnston Street.

Ph: 0497 937 934

in Ashmont and William Street in North Wagga.

The park is due for completion at the end of March.

Keep up-to-date with what’s happening with Wagga’s playgrounds, have your say during consultations or find playgrounds by visiting yoursaywagga.com.au/ playgrounds.

TAKE FIVE BAND COMPASSION FUNDRAISING CONCERT

CORK AND FORK

Sun 21 Feb 1pm - 4pm Mt. Austin Primary School Hall, McKell Avenue.

Ph: 6926 4901

RIVERINA PRODUCERS MARKET Thu 18 Feb 1:30pm - 6.30pm Civic Centre Precinct. Run by producers to connect with those that love good food. A variety of stalls sell fresh and prepared foods, food related products and complementary homewares. Products include meat, fruit, vegetables, cheeses, bread, honey, jams, berries, pickles, sweet treats, chocolate and more, directly from the producer to you. Wollundry Lagoon Precinct. Ph: 02 6924 3574

Fri 26 Feb 5pm - 9:30pm Pop-up restaurants will line the banks of the Murrumbidgee, Borambola Wines beer, wine and cider bars will operate and a variety of entertainers will perform whilst you relax on a picnic rug! Wagga Beach, Johnston Street.

Ph: 0404 084 657

If you love Orange is the New Black, then you won’t want to miss a special event at the Museum of the Riverina next month.

Piper Kerman – the real life version of the TV show’s Piper Chapman and author of Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison – will headline All About Women, a series of inspiring talks by leading women at the Opera House on 6 March.

The museum’s Historic Council Chambers site is an official satellite venue for the event, with Masha Gessen, Crystal Lameman, Mallory Ortberg, Ann Sherry and Anne-Marie Slaughter also leading a panel discussion via the live webcast.

The partnership between the Museum of the Riverina and the Sydney Opera House builds upon the success of the simulcast of two headline talks from the Festival of Dangerous Ideas in September 2015.

“This museum holds the stories of our community’s past, but we also need to lead important discussions in

the here and now,” museum manager Luke Grealy said.

“All About Women is a terrific opportunity to do just that.”

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said modern technology ensures everyone can take part in important conversations, like the International Women’s Day talks.

“The use of streaming technology to give audiences everywhere access to leading local and international talents is a fantastic way to bring the best of arts and culture to regional communities,” he said.

Now in its fourth year, the All About Women festival is a unique platform for women’s voices on contemporary issues and ideas.

Council’s Social Planning Coordinator Lisa Saffery will emcee the local event, facilitating discussion about improving the lives of women in Wagga.

For more information or to reserve your spot for the free event, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/museum.

All About Women Where: Museum of the Riverina (Historic Council Chambers site) When: Sunday 6 March 2016 12.30pm to 4pm.

Tickets: Free, but RSVP essential at wagga.nsw.gov.au/museum

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE? (PANEL, 70 MINUTES )

Masha Gessen, Crystal Lameman, Mallory Ortberg, Ann Sherry and Anne- Marie Slaughter If you could change the world overnight, what would you do first?

Sometimes, it can seem like women are stuck as second-class citizens: devastating domestic violence statistics, the lack of women in leadership everywhere, the number of mothers living on the poverty line or beneath it.

What needs to change? We ask our panel to tell us what crucial levers they would pull if they had the power to change things overnight.

ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (60 MINUTES)

Piper Kerman Meet the real life Piper Kerman, otherwise known as inmate #11187424. You may know the story from the Netflix series based on her bestselling memoir, Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison.

How did a well-educated woman from Boston with a thirst for travel become embroiled in a money laundering operation – and how did her criminal past inspire a TV series?

Piper reveals lessons from ‘doing time’ and how the women she met inside inspired her to become an advocate for female prisoners.

facebook.com/waggaevents

For support in organising your event, contact Council’s Events Unit at events@wagga.nsw. gov.au or 1300 292 442 Monday to Friday.

To promote your event or for a full list of events go to: visitwagga.com or call 1300 100 122.

Council is hosting a neighbourhood meeting to discuss news, events and issues relating to Gumly Gumly and the broader Local Government Area. Stay for a cuppa after the meeting!

Explore the story of cycling in Australia and how bicycles have brought millions of people joy, excitement, freedom, even glory.

On exhibition 8 Feb - 15 May | FREE Historic Council Chambers site (cnr Baylis and Morrow St) wagga.nsw.gov.au/museum

6pm Wednesday 9 March 2016 East Wagga Football Club Have a question to ask or an issue to raise?

Attention Gumly Gumly residents You are invited to attend a neighbourhood meeting with Councillors & Council staff

Contact Stacey Post on 6926 9133 or communityengagement@wagga.nsw.gov.au

Freewheeling is a travelling exhibition from the National Museum of Australia Image: Freestyle riding in Toowoomba, Queensland, 2012. Photo: Patricia Woods

Council News - A Wagga Wagga City Council publication

Big Business Breakfast is on again

Wagga’s annual Big Business Breakfast is back for the eighth consecutive year on 18 March.

CEO and founder of the BRWaward winning firm Bell Partners, Anthony Bell, will be the special guest at the popular business networking event, which is set to be another sell out.

Heading up one of the country’s largest sole partner advisory and accounting firms, the former CSU

Wagga student is a nationally recognised public speaker, writes for a number of publications and is retained by clients ranging from entrepreneurial individuals and companies to some of the top 100 Australian companies.

“We are excited to have Anthony Bell sharing his knowledge and experience with our business leaders,” Council’s Acting Director Commercial and Economic

Development James Bolton said.

“The idea behind the Big Business Breakfast is to bring local business leaders together to network with other business and industry representatives. The breakfast is designed for any business, regardless of the size.”

This year’s breakfast will be held at Elements at the Gardens in the picturesque Botanic Gardens at a cost of $55 per person. Seats are

limited and business and industry representatives can book online at businesswagga.com.au from Monday 22 February.

The Big Business Breakfast is proudly supported by the City of Wagga Wagga, along with event partner TAFE NSW Riverina Institute. The events major sponsors are Wagga Mobile Cranes and Heavy Haulage, Riverina Water County Council, RSM and Ladex

Construction Group along with the Event Supporters; Jam Media, RIC Electrics and Tag Publishing and the Townhouse Hotel.

There are limited sponsorship packages still available and if your organisation wants to be involved, please contact Andrea Crossley at 1300 292 442 or email business@ wagga.nsw.gov.au. Anthony Bell appears by arrangement with Renegade Management.

Meet Snowball

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We might be in the middle of a hot Aussie summer, but this week’s pet of the week is one cool cat.

Snowball is a male domestic short hair and can be adopted now from the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter for $191.70.

This fee includes microchipping, lifetime registration, vaccination, desexing and worming.

If you would like to meet Snowball or any of his buddies, visit the shelter from Monday to Saturday between 1pm and 4.15pm.

For more information, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/animals or call 6971 4651.

We Ek

mobile library timetable Uranquinty Monday February 22, 3.30pm – 5pm Ladysmith Thursday February 25, 1.30pm – 2.15pm www.rrl.nsw.gov.au

Ph: (02) 6926 9771

Upgrade under way for Baylis Street furniture

Baylis Street furniture is being benched while upgrade and restoration works take place.

The first round of refurbished seats have been reinstalled, complete with freshly powder-

coated gloss black frames and new Merbau timber with stainless fasteners.

The timber has been stained in a light, natural finish to accentuate the grain of the wood compared

Path closed for water works A section of the shared path and Wiradjuri Walking Trail along the main city levee will be closed for one week from Monday 22 February to allow for works by Riverina Water.

The track will be closed between Hammond Avenue

and Mason Street, with pedestrians and cyclists to be detoured via paths along Hammond Avenue, Tarcutta Street and Day Street. If you have any questions contact Riverina Water on 6922 0660.

Public Notices

EXHIBITION OF DRAFT POLICY - POL 013 RETURN ON INVESTMENT COUNCIL BUSINESSES POLICY

WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL VACANCIES

careers at council

MANAGER INTERNAL AUDIT

Enquiries: Alan Eldridge - 02 6926 9121 Closing Date: Monday 29 February 2016

MANAGER PEOPLE & CULTURE (Re-Advertised) Enquiries: Laurie Flack - 02 6926 9216 Closing Date: Monday 7 March 2016

TEAM LEADER TREE MAINTENANCE (Re-Advertised)

Remuneration: Min $1,186.92 gpw + super Enquiries: Jim Dunn - 0457 704 727 (Mon - Fri, 8am to 4pm) Closing Date: Friday 4 March 2016

To view these opportunities and apply, visit www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer

Values - Part of everything we do Trust • Respect • Innovation • Teamwork

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

Council hereby gives public notice of the exhibition of its draft Return on Investment Council Businesses Policy. The draft Policy/Masterplan will be on exhibition for a period of 28 days, from Tuesday 2 February 2016 until Tuesday 1 March 2016. Council invites public submissions on the draft Policy, to be lodged within the exhibition period.

Inspection Venue: The draft Policy/ Masterplan is available for review at Wagga Wagga City Council, Cnr Baylis & Morrow Sts, Wagga Wagga, during the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (public holidays excluded) within the above exhibition period. The draft Policy can also be accessed from Council’s website at www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/public.

Submission Procedure: Persons wishing to make a submission in relation to the revised Policy/ Masterplan should do so prior to the close of the exhibition period.

Submissions should be in writing and may be delivered to Wagga Wagga City Council 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. Persons making written submissions regarding the above Policy/Masterplan are advised that

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to the dark stain of the older benches.

The upgrade works have started at the southern end of Baylis Street and will progress north towards the Civic Centre.

Tree maintenance planned

Council will be undertaking tree maintenance on Baylis Street trees from Monday 22 February.

Works are scheduled to take place from 6am to 8.30am each day, starting from the Edward Street end and moving downward.

A block will be completed each morning and a sweeper truck will be used to clean any debris.

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.

Any questions relating to the Policy/ Masterplan document may be referred to contact name on 1300 292 442.

a submission in relation to the abovementioned development should address all correspondence to the Consent Authority to be received prior to 5:00pm on the final day of the exhibition period. If any submission is made by way of objection, the grounds of objection must be specified in the submission.

Persons lodging submissions are required to declare political donations (including donations of more than $1,000) made in the previous two For more details, including NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENT years. disclosure form, go to www.planning.

PROPOSAL nsw.gov.au/donations.

Wagga Wagga City Council has Persons making written submissions received the following application regarding the above development are to carry out “Development” under advised that any submission received the Environmental Planning and within the submission period will be Assessment Act, 1979. subject to the Government Information DA15/0717, Residential Subdivision (Public Access) Act 2009 and the (Brunslea Park Stages 14 - 16), Privacy and Personal Information Residue Lot Wollemi St FOREST HILL Protection Act (PIPPA) and may be NSW 2651, Lot 115 DP 1213333, attached to the final report, in its Applicant: Brunslea Park Estate entirety or in part, to Council unless Name of Consent Authority: Wagga explicitly requested by the person making the submission that they do Wagga City Council not wish this to occur.

The subject application and Enquiries: Further details relating accompanying documentation, may to the matter can be obtained by be inspected at the following address contacting the Council’s Development until the closure of exhibition.

Services. If you have any enquiries Submission Period: 22/02/2016 to regarding the application, or about 07/03/2016 making submission, please telephone Where: Wagga Wagga City Council, cnr Baylis and Morrow Streets, Wagga Development Services on 1300 292 442.

Wagga (Customer Service Counter).

When: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday ALAN ELDRIDGE (except Public Holidays).

GENERAL MANAGER Any person seeking to make

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wagga.nsw.gov.au/councilnews Council News - A Wagga Wagga City Council publication