Council News Issue #487 - 16 March 2024

Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter

Michael Marien.

Building phase begins for Jim Elphick Tennis Centre

Wagga Wagga City Council has announced plans to undertake remediation works for the former Wiradjuri Landfill located in Narrung Street/Galing Place, with activities onsite scheduled to commence from 18 March 2024.

Works are expected to last approximately two months, and will be conducted between 7am and 6pm, weather permitting.

These remediation efforts aim to enhance the safety and usability of the former Wiradjuri Landfill area. Works undertaken will include placing new capping and marker layers on the existing landfill surface, installing new stormwater drainage systems, turf, and irrigation systems, and replacing the current playground facilities while removing existing trees.

The new play equipment will be installed once all other remediation works are completed.

Construction has officially begun on the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre – Wagga Wagga’s new regional tennis hub – with a ceremonial sod-turn marking commencement of stage one of the re-development for the Bolton Park Sports Hub.

The event, which took place on Monday afternoon, was attended by representatives from Wagga Wagga City Council, Tennis NSW, Wagga Wagga Tennis Association, and members of the local First Nations, sporting, and broader communities.

Special guests at the event included Australian tennis legend Wally Masur and CEO of Tennis NSW Darren Simpson.

Upon completion, the new facility will feature eight International Tennis Federation (ITF) championship hard courts, two warm-up courts, five community courts, two multi-purpose netball courts, and a new clubhouse.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga, Dallas Tout, highlighted the benefits the new centre will bring to the region.

"The Jim Elphick Tennis Centre will not only enhance Wagga Wagga's standing as a top-tier athletic centre

but will also provide our community with outstanding facilities that promote local health and wellbeing and cultivate young athletes at the grassroots level, across multiple sports," Cr Tout said.

The project received funding from Wagga Wagga City Council, financial support from Tennis NSW through the ATP Cup Legacy Fund, and grant funding from the NSW Government’s Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund.

CEO of Tennis NSW, Darren Simpson, expressed his excitement about the construction of an international standard facility in Wagga Wagga.

"The Jim Elphick Tennis Centre will be one of the few venues within NSW capable of hosting ITF-level events and will provide young talent the opportunity to develop their skills on a grand slam surface," Mr Simpson said.

The redevelopment of the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

For more information on the project, visit haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov. au/bolton-park-sports-hub

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: Life member of Wagga Wagga Tennis Association Pat McDonald with up-and-coming junior Lily Bradshaw (top). Aunty Mary Atkinson provided a warm welcome to event attendees (below).

During the remediation process, the site, including the current play equipment, will be inaccessible. However, access to Galing Place and Narrung Street will remain open for residents and visitors.

Senior Project Manager Robert Mithilan says despite efforts to minimise disruptions, Council is advising the community there will be altered traffic routes, noise, dust, and increased heavy vehicle traffic.

“Council is very much aware of the inconvenience caused by such works, especially when undertaken in a residential area. To that end, we sincerely thank residents for their patience, and look forward to delivering a high-quality project that will valueadd to this part of our community,” Mr Mithilan said.

Access to essential services and residences would be maintained throughout the project.

This remediation of the former Wiradjuri Landfill project is funded by Wagga Wagga City Council.

For further information, residents are encouraged to contact the Senior Project Manager on 6926 9785 or 0429 157 065, or email mithilan.robert@ wagga.nsw.gov.au.

FIRST SERVE: A ceremonial sod-turn has been held to commemorate the start of the construction of the new Jim Elphick Tennis Centre. From left: Australian Tennis legend Wally Masur, John Ferguson, CEO of Tennis NSW Darren Simpson, Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout, Bruce Vonarx, Ken Lansdown, Kay White and President of the Wagga Wagga Tennis Association

Council

North Wagga Flood Mitigation Options Feasibility Study reaches next stage

CBD Masterplan.

Both plans are designed to help guide the future of our local area, towards growth and success. You can find more details about these plans via our Have Your Say Wagga Wagga page: haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au

Pop up stalls

Check out below to see a list of pop-up stalls coming to a location near you in the coming week:

Monday 18 March

3pm – 5pm

Community Strategic Plan & CBD Masterplan

Estella Shopping Centre

Wednesday 20 March

5pm – 7pm

CBD Masterplan

Oasis Aquatic Centre

Saturday 23 March

9am – 11am

CBD Masterplan

Kooringal Mall

9.30am – 11.30am

Community Strategic Plan

Lake Village Shopping Centre

Sunday 24 March 11am – 2pm

Community Strategic Plan

Carevan Car Boot SaleLadysmith Hall

More pop-up sessions will be added to the list between now and April. The best way to stay updated on session times is via Council’s Have Your Say website, and the City of Wagga Wagga socials.

Residents of Wagga Wagga and surrounds are invited to have their final say on the Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee’s (FRMAC) reports and recommendations made in an effort to mitigate the impact of flooding in North Wagga.

At its Ordinary Meeting on Monday 11 March, Council endorsed placing FRMAC’s reports and outcomes on

(CIE), completed a wide ranging and comprehensive analysis of the various flood mitigation options for North Wagga that were recommended as part of the 2018 Murrumbidgee River Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.

Between December 2023 to February 2024, residents were then given the chance to vote for their choice of three potential options proposed to mitigate flooding in North Wagga.

These options included voluntary purchase and voluntary house raising for eligible properties located on the floodplain (Option 1); an upgrade to the North Wagga levee and related access (Option 2); or a combined approach (Option 3), which draws on key aspects of both Option 1 and Option 2.

The survey results were presented to FRMAC at a meeting in February; as a result, the committee found that Option 3 – a combined approach – is the path of action most preferred by survey participants.

Director of Projects and Strategy Phil McMurray said it is important for the community to provide input on the recommendations during the public exhibition period.

“Any feedback obtained through the public exhibition phase will be considered by the floodplain risk management committee before the recommendation is again presented to Council for adoption,” Mr McMurray said.

“Once adopted, the implementation of the recommended mitigation options can proceed.”

The reports and recommendations are accessible on Council’s Have Your Say website for 42 days until 26 April 2024.

To read the recommendation and reports, and to make a submission visit haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au

Benny is beaut!

Benny is a male short-hair cat, approx 4-5 months old. He came into the shelter in December with his three siblings who have all been adopted. He can be a little sassy with other cats and kittens and is flighty at times, so he will need some extra attention to show his playful side and to build his confidence. Adoption price for Benny is $224 and includes microchipping, registration, flea and worm treatment, vaccination, desexing, FIV test and an ID tag. (Impound no: C23/0542)

6971 4651 graswagga.com.au

gpf + super

Closing: Sunday, 31 March 2024

Senior Property Officer

Remuneration: $2,896.12

Closing: Monday, 8 April 2024

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