Council News Issue #496 - 18 May 2024

Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter

Community called on to support fight to secure airport’s future

Council is urging the local and wider regional community to get involved in its fight to retain the lease on the Wagga Wagga Airport, beyond June 2025 when the current lease expires.

Council has launched an advocacy campaign for the Commonwealth Department of Defence to enter into a new and improved lease with Council to operate this critical community asset.

The community is being encouraged to write letters of support for renewing the lease to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles MP, and to Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP, by 30 May.

Community members can also add their voice of support through Council’s Have Your Say Wagga Wagga page, over the next four weeks, with the feedback received to be forwarded to relevant Ministers.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga

Councillor Dallas Tout is calling for broad community support for the fight to secure our airport’s future.

“We want to see our airport stay in the community’s hands; it plays a critical role as a social and economic lifeline for

our whole region,” Cr Tout said.

“It provides essential services and connection for the region to the rest of Australia, for families, individuals, businesses, education and health services, along with aviation training, maintenance, and general aviation.

“The airport is currently run with a community focus, with the emphasis on prioritising and optimising the broader economic and social needs to keep costs low for residents and businesses.

“We are concerned that privatisation will push up costs and create another barrier for people in our region.

“We need your help to let the Commonwealth Government know how privatisation of this vital infrastructure would impact you or your organisation.”

Where other airports were gifted to communities, or sold to communities for a dollar, Wagga Wagga Airport is currently leased at around $200,000 per year, with any improvements to the airport paid for by the community but owned by the Commonwealth Government.

According to the Mayor, while a formal determination from Defence has not yet been made, a decision to privatise

Wagga Wagga Airport through a commercial lease appears imminent.

“Ratepayers have made a significant financial contribution towards capital expenditure of the airport over the past 30 years, and we believe it should be treated as a community asset, not for private enterprise to profit from,” Cr Tout said.

“We are hopeful that through advocacy, the Commonwealth Government will reconsider its position, but time is of the essence.

“Please get involved, get writing, or head online and let the government know you want to keep our airport in the community’s hands.

“It doesn’t have to be a long or complicated submission, we just want you to have the opportunity to voice how important you feel it is to maintain an airport where servicing the community is the priority, not making a profit.”

You can submit your feedback and support the fight to save our airport online at haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov. au or email it to us at council@wagga. nsw.gov.au or drop it in to the Customer Service team at our Civic Centre by Friday 14 June 2024.

CONCEPT: The Riverside Stage 3 Business Plan is complete and ready for Council to pursue future funding.

Riverside Stage 3 Business Case prepared for future funding

At its 13 May Ordinary Meeting, Council supported the final business case and concept designs for a major entertainment and convention centre and First Nations cultural centre located at the third stage of Riverside.

The business case, which was funded through the NSW Government, notes the outcomes of the extensive community engagement that took place at the end of 2023.

The results of the community engagement showed strong support for both the Riverside plan and the Civic Theatre concept, with 1089 surveys and responses submitted.

Of the community responses received, 52 per cent indicated support for the Civic Theatre and 45 per cent for Riverside, with three per cent of participants not supporting either project. Executive Manager, Regional Activation – Projects Fiona Hamilton said the feedback demonstrates the community strongly support both projects.

“We received over 1000 submissions from the community that showed support for both projects, and both projects will rely heavily on State and Commonwealth funding to progress to detailed design and implementation,” Ms Hamilton said.

In July 2023, a detailed business case was prepared for a major entertainment and conferencing centre and First Nations Cultural Centre.

A separate business case, business plan and prospectus have been developed to support the First Nations Cultural Centre.

Council will now explore funding opportunities to progress the project to detailed design.

The draft Civic Theatre Performing Arts Masterplan public exhibition period closed on Friday 10 May 2024 with more than 200 submissions received.

Submissions are currently being collated and results are to be reported back to Council for consideration.

View the Riverside Stage 3 Business Case: haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/ futurevenue

GET ONBOARD: Wagga Wagga Mayor Cr Dallas Tout and Executive Manager Regional Activation Christine Priest are urging the local and regional community to join Council’s campaign to retain the lease on a critical community asset, the Wagga Wagga Airport.

Council

THANK YOU: Director Regional Activation John Sidgwick is proud of our community’s response during the public consultation period for the development of the CBD Masterplan.

Community

consultation completed for the CBD

Masterplan

Wagga Wagga City Council would like to thank our local community for getting involved in the public consultation period for the CBD Masterplan.

The preparation of a masterplan for the Wagga Wagga CBD provides Council with the opportunity to partner with the community in determining how to best activate, diversify and improve the CBD as the city grows.

Completed between March and April this year, the public consultation phase gathered a variety of feedback which will inform the draft masterplan, which Council’s strategic team are in the early stages of preparing.

Council’s Director Regional Activation John Sidgwick said our community showed great enthusiasm and interest over the consultation process.

“We asked our community to engage with us in order to hear what the main priorities are for the future of Wagga Wagga’s CBD,” Mr Sidgwick said.

“We are proud to say we received just shy of 1000 contributions in various forms, including online and in person responses through surveys and mapping activities, free form submissions, and pop-ups around the city and villages.”

Although the feedback is still being considered, early observations have indicated there are clear priorities from our community.

“The overwhelming response from our community means we have a little more data to organise than initially anticipated,” Mr Sidgwick said.

“Council staff will spend some time analysing submissions and preparing an engagement summary report.

“This report will be presented to Council and publicly available during exhibition of the final document so our community can understand how they have helped shape our future CBD Masterplan.”

To find more information and receive updates on the progress of the masterplan, visit our Have Your Say website haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov. au/wagga-cbd-masterplan

Residents across the Wagga Wagga Local Government area are being encouraged to give their feedback on three important planning documents that help Council discuss funding priorities and service levels across the community.

The three documents, which help Council discuss funding priorities and service levels, are part of Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework and are currently on public exhibition:

• draft Operational Plan 2024/25

• draft Long Term Financial Plan 2024/25

• draft Fees and Charges 2024/25

Chief Operating Officer Scott Gray said under NSW Government legislation, councils must prepare a number of plans detailing how they intend to deliver works and services in the short and long term.

“The IP&R documents are based on the community’s priorities and identify the annual budget required to deliver the actions, and the responsible service area within Council who will oversee and report progress and performance results achieved,” Mr Gray said.

“We are currently seeking community feedback on the draft documents, to help inform how Council operates, from rubbish and roads, to our parks, cultural and sporting facilities, to maintaining or improving existing facilities or how much certain services cost.”

Council’s draft Long Term Financial Plan 2024/25 details how the strategic aspirations of Council can be achieved in terms of time, money, assets and people.

Chief Financial Officer Carolyn Rodney said that capital works projects and programs account for more than $81 million of the planned activities for the 2024/25 financial year, including an allocation of $16.7 million for roads across our local government area.

“We want to hear your thoughts on these plans, as they shape our local identity and how we can work together to create a more sustainable future for our whole community,” Ms Rodney said.

The three documents are on public exhibition until Monday 10 June 2024.

To access the plans and submit a response online, visit haveyoursay. wagga.nsw.gov.au/budget-2024-2025

Hard copies can be collected from our Civic Centre on the corner of Morrow and Baylis streets.

Handmade Paper and Collage with Em Shannon SAT 18 MAY, 10.30AM – 4.30PM Unique State Art Space, 43 Tompson St. P. 0437 699 995

Saturday Night Roller Discos

SAT 18 MAY, 7PM – 9PM Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. P. 0427 075 600

Grease – Mater Dei Catholic College Musical

SAT 18 – SAT 25 MAY, VARIOUS TIMES

18 & SUN 19 MAY, 10AM – 3PM Art Studio and Gallery, 11 Small St. E. secretary@wwas.net.au

NEWLY PLANTED: Council staff planted the trees earlier this week. The saplings will soon grow leaves and secure roots in the new location.

Avenue of trees planted in honour of Presentation Sisters Wagga Wagga

To bring colourful shades of red and green, 93 Claret Ash trees now adorn the sides of Bourke Street, stretching from Redhill Road to Holbrook Road.

The avenue of trees was planted along Bourke Street this week by Wagga Wagga City Council crews in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the arrival of the Presentation Sisters in the region.

The concept for the tree avenue was proposed by the group and approved by Council at the 11 March 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting.

The Presentation Sisters contributed $14,762 to the initiative, with Council contributing to the tree planting, two summers of watering, and remaining costs.

The anniversary honours the arrival of the first five Sisters from Ireland in 1874, with the chosen locating marking the route taken when the small band of nuns first made the journey from Mangoplah to Wagga Wagga to provide Catholic education in the region.

Council was proud to support the initiative as a means of expressing the community's deep respect and gratitude for the work the Presentation Sisters have put into Wagga Wagga and surrounding villages.

Indeed, several schools within our Local Government Area and the wider Riverina are still standing strong after their initial foundation by the order.

You can read more about the Presentation Sister via their website: presentationsociety.org.au

‘Storm’ will shower you with love

This lovable girl is a nine-year-old silver Siberian Husky that will steal your heart. Despite her age, Storm is very energetic and ready to bounce into your life. Storm does well socialising with other dogs, however, she does not have experience around cats. The adoption cost for Storm (ImpD24/0170) is $121 and includes: microchipping, lifetime registration, desexing, vaccination, heartworm test, flea and worming treatment and ID tag.

Vacancies

Plant Operator (Excavator)

Remuneration: $2,310.74 gpf + super

Closing: Sunday, 19 May 2024

Surveyor Remuneration: $2,310.74 gpf + super

Closing: Monday, 20 May 2024

Design Engineers –Multiple Positions

Remuneration: An attractive remuneration in accordance with skills and experience.

Closing: Monday, 20 May 2024

Assistant Curator, National Glass Collection (Part-Time) Remuneration: $579.22 gpf + super Closing: Monday, 20 May 2024

Senior Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Support Technician

Remuneration: Annual salary range of $86,000 - $102,000 + super Closing: Sunday, 26 May 2024 wagga.nsw.gov.au/ jobs

Willans Hill Miniature Railway Rides

SUN 19 MAY, 10AM – 2.30PM Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. P. 0412 439 455 Markets at the Gardens

SUN 19 MAY, 11AM – 4PM Victory Memorial Gardens, Cnr Morrow & Baylis St. P. 0499 212 293

Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. P. 6926 9688 Flynn’s Walk SUN 19 MAY, 10AM – 12PM Apex Park, Eastlake Dr. E. flynnswalk@gmail. com

Mining the Archive Arthur Wicks Artist Talk SUN 19 MAY, 1PM – 2PM

The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. P. 6921 5391 Balcony Sessions SUN 19 MAY, 6PM – 8PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. P. 6926 9688

The Charles Dining Room x Campbells Wine Dinner WED 22 MAY, 6PM – 10PM The Charles Boutique Hotel & Dining Room, 82 Tarcutta St. P. 0408 542 481

Wheelchair AFL WED 22 MAY, 6.30PM – 8PM Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. P. 0407 682 545

RCM Lunchtime Concert No.4:

Roundabout

Date:

Duration: