Council News WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER 2015
Issue 67
Weekly information from us to you
Community's cultures combine at Fusion15 A grey sky may have hung overhead early, but even the weather couldn’t stop Wagga’s community spirit shining through at Fusion15. The Victory Memorial Gardens and Civic Precinct burst into life on 17 October for the multicultural street festival with 10,000 people experiencing sights, scents and sounds from around the world. The bumper crowd was entertained by community performers and headline acts L-FRESH The LION, Mojo Juju, Relfejos Musique and The Dancing Accountant. Fusion15 also featured circus entertainers to keep the kids occupied, while the free interactive creative arts activities also proved a hit. The festival was again a paradise for foodies, with the crowd tasting delicacies from Afghanistan, Turkey, and Poland – and everywhere in between. “Wagga is made up of 98 countries, 99 language groups and 67 faiths,” Council’s Director Environmental and Community Services Janice Summerhayes said. “Fusion brings together every facet of our community to not only share our cultures and cuisines, but to celebrate our differences. “A sprinkling of rain didn’t deter the crowds and just meant we were treated to a stunning sunset as L-FRESH took to the stage.” Fusion15 was proudly funded and presented by Wagga Wagga City Council and Multicultural NSW in partnership with Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga, Riverina Community College and St Vincent de Paul Society NSW. As thoughts turn to next year’s Fusion, Council wants your feedback on the 2015 event. Visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/ fusion and take the survey for your chance to win a hamper filled to brim with tasty treats.
GET INTO MIX: The sights, scents and sounds of Fusion15 attracted about 10,000 people to the Victory Memorial Gardens on 17 October, with the crowd enjoying everything from L-FRESH The LION (above) to food from around the world.
Wagga's fitness regime
Council's Fit for the Future proposal deemed fit by IPART The Independent and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has deemed Wagga Wagga City Council Fit for the Future in its report released on 20 October.
“This announcement is great news for the city and demonstrates that Council is
2015
COMMunity survey.
To view the full report visit www.ipart.nsw.gov.au equipped to meet the demands of the future and enable continued growth of the Local Government Area,” Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Rod Kendall said. “At this stage, Council is free to go it alone if we wish, but there may be an adjoining
council who wants to have discussions.” IPART assessed each Council’s proposal on scale and capacity, and financial criteria including; financial sustainability, infrastructure and service management and efficiency.
“Now that Council has been assessed as fit for the future our focus shifts to implementing the improvement plan identified in Council’s proposal to IPART,” Council’s General Manager Alan Eldridge said. “The improvement plan will focus on identifying further efficiencies and cost savings as well as additional revenue and redirecting resources to infrastructure maintenance and renewal.”
Your chance to give Wagga Wagga City Council a report card is NOW OPEN! CLOSES 31 OCTOBER 2015 wagga.nsw.gov.au/communitysurvey