Edition #8
June 2022
Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
COVID-19 is continuing to challenge our community. The pandemic has had enormous impacts on our communities, from our ability to travel freely, to the way It is also important to take other precautions in the colder we undertake jobs and connect with our friends and family. weather. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) see an increase in the number of residential fires during the cooler months Staff shortages have significantly impacted schools, due to heaters, electric blankets and overloaded power businesses and services. Yet, throughout those tough boards. Make sure you and your family are safe this winter times, we have seen consideration, determination by following the latest advice from FRNSW. and innovation. I commend our essential workers who have worked tirelessly, often putting their own Warm regards, wellbeing at risk. As COVID-19 continues to circulate in our community, we must remain vigilant. Receiving a booster vaccination is critical, especially throughout the flu season. Please monitor for symptoms and get tested. If you are vulnerable, please take extra precautions.
Dr Joe McGirr
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH PETITION Earlier this year I launched a petition calling for the establishment of a Department of Rural Health in NSW to safeguard and increase rural health services and provide the rural health workforce that communities need. For too long, the current system has failed to address the challenges faced in rural healthcare and I believe decisions about rural healthcare need to be made in the regions. I welcome the NSW Government’s announcement of a new Regional Health Division within NSW Health. This is a promising start, but there is still a great deal of work to be done and I will be closely monitoring developments to ensure we see the changes that are needed.
I would like to acknowledge the Wiradjuri people who are the Traditional Custodians of this land. I would also like to pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
GET IN TOUCH 64 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 PHONE (02) 6921 1622 EMAIL waggawagga@parliament.nsw.gov.au VISIT DR. JOE’S WEBSITE www.joemcgirr.com.au AUTHORISED BY JOE MCGIRR MP, INDEPENDENT, 64 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650. PRINTED BY CHAMBERS WHYTE DESIGN AND PRINT, 5 Rabaul Place, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 using parliamentary entitlements May 2022. PAGE 1
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Dr Joe McGirr MP
Responsible regional growth
Location: Batlow, NSW
INDEPENDENT MEMBER
FOR WAGGA WAGGA BATLOW COMMUNITY UPDATE
The Batlow community is continuing to renew and regrow after the devastation of the Dunns Road bushfire. The Batlow United Community Chamber (BUCC), formed last year, continues to meet and brings together local community groups to share information and ideas for the future. In February, it was a pleasure to attend the opening of the Batlow Men’s Shed. This organisation is an excellent example of community ties being strengthened. Congratulations to all involved. I am also delighted that a $32,133 grant from the 2021 Community Building Partnership Program is allowing for improvements at the Batlow Senior Citizens Village, including insulation to the floors of seven units and a shade sail. Responsible regional growth
Location: Wagga Wagga & Snowy Valleys, NSW
ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE Electricity infrastructure projects are continuing to impact the electorate.
I have called for a moratorium on the approval of new solar factories in the state until NSW Agriculture Commissioner Daryl Quinlivan has completed a review and provided his final report - currently expected later this year – and the government has finalised its new Large-Scale Solar Energy Guideline. TransGrid is continuing work on the HumeLink and EnergyConnect projects, which will impact a substantial number of landowners. I am continuing to advocate for landowners and urging TransGrid to listen to them on issues of compensation and the best route options.
Safe and supported communities
Location: Adelong & Batlow, NSW
Pictured: Opening of Batlow Men’s Shed.
Responsible regional growth
Location: Wagga Wagga, NSW
RIVERINA CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC
Work is under way on the project to give the “Con” a new home. The long-awaited $12 million renovation of the Simmons Street building that will serve as the new Riverina Conservatorium of Music is progressing. Work includes upgrading, refurbishing and repurposing the previously vacant government office building to provide teaching, rehearsal and administration space for the Riverina Conservatorium of Music providing much needed music education services to the people in the Riverina area. I am continuing to advocate with government on how it can honour its commitment for additional arts and entertainment spaces for Wagga Wagga.
SNOWY VALLEYS SCULPTURE TRAIL I was delighted to attend the official launches of the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, a series of artworks installed at a number of sites, including Adelong and Batlow. The trail has been created by the team behind the successful Sculpture by the Sea and backed by the Snowy Valleys community. I think it has the potential to become a world-class sculpture collection and tourist drawcard.
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Responsible regional growth
Location: Wagga Wagga, NSW
POMINGALARNA RESERVE OFFICIALLY OPEN
Safe and supported communities
Location: Wagga Wagga, NSW
WAGGA WAGGA BASE HOSPITAL
Wagga Wagga’s new $12 million multisport cycling complex at Pomingalarna Reserve was officially opened in April. This facility is fantastic! As we know, cycling is becoming a real part of this city. We now have the Active Travel Plan with dedicated cycle pathways, a great addition for our health. The complex on the city’s western outskirts caters for competitive and recreational cyclists, featuring a criterium track, BMX track, jump tracks and pump tracks, cycling education area, velodrome and supporting infrastructure. The Riverina now has a world-class venue for elite cycling events. The Pomingalarna site is of great significance to Wiradjuri women, and I would like to acknowledge the women of the Wiradjuri community for their work on this project.
It has been great to watch the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital redevelopment move closer towards completion. With the opening of the Health Services Hub, the next stage of works in the redevelopment is car parking. In September 2021, the Yathong Street car park was completed and now provides 81 staff spaces. Construction of the Docker Street car park continues; with the demolition of the old Lewis House building complete, the next phase is civil works. This car park is expected to be completed and open later this year, with an additional 150 spaces. Works have begun on the Edward Street multi-storey car park, which is expected to provide 350 spaces by the end of 2022.
Responsible regional growth
Location: Wagga Wagga, NSW
RURAL MEDICAL SCHOOL
Development approval granted for multi-million dollar Biomedical Sciences Centre, to be built here in Wagga Wagga. It is wonderful to see progress being made on this facility. I have been involved with the development of the rural medical school for 25 years in various capacities, and I’m currently involved as a member of the UNSW Rural Medical School Oversight Council. Thank you to the community members who have worked so hard for many years to make this a reality.
Pictured (L-R): Aunty Jackie Ingram, Aunty Mary Atkinson, The Hon. Wes Fang MLC, and Wagga Wagga City Council Deputy Mayor Clr Jenny McKinnon.
Pictured (L-R): Professor Gerard Carroll AM Cardiologist, Riverina Cardiology (BSC Oversight Committee), Professor Vlado Perkovic, Dean UNSW Medicine & Health, Member for Riverina the Hon. Michael McCormack MP, Professor Tara Mackenzie, Associate Dean & Head of Clinical Campuses, Rural – UNSW Medicine & Health, Anna Ryan (Year 1 medical student), Aayan Bashar (Year 1 medical student), and MLHD Chief Executive Jill Ludford.
Edition #8 June 2022
Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
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Responsible regional growth
Location: Wagga Wagga, NSW
LAKE ALBERT PIPELINE
Planning work for the Lake Albert pipeline project is continuing to be undertaken. I was pleased to be able to join Wagga Wagga Mayor, Councillor Dallas Tout, Councillor Mick Henderson and Wagga Wagga City Council General Manager Peter Thompson, in meeting recently with Minister for Lands and Water, Hospitality and Racing, Kevin Anderson, to discuss work on the Lake Albert pipeline project. Council has been working with Riverina Water to complete the design of the pipeline that will draw water from the Murrumbidgee River.
Pictured (L-R): Minister for Lands and Water, Hospitality and Racing the Hon. Kevin Anderson MP, Wagga Wagga City Council Cr Mick Henderson and Wagga Wagga City Council Mayor Cr Dallas Tour
Safe and supported communities
The Minister remains supportive of this project, which will drought-proof our lake, and arrangements for the Special Purpose Access water licence are being finalised.
Location: Lockhart, NSW
LOCKHART TOWNSHIP CELEBRATES 125 YEARS
Congratulations to the township of Lockhart on 125 years. It was great to be able to celebrate 125 years of the Lockhart township in April, at an event organised by the Lockhart Progress Association, with the Lockhart and District Historical Society. This strong community treasures its rich history as it looks into the future, and it was a pleasure to be there for the celebration as community members reflected on the history of the township. As the presentation from the Greens Gunyah Museum said, “From Adversity to Dreams Achieved!”. Pictured (L-R): Peter Smith, Paul Creek, Heather Trevaskis, Shirley Morgan, Lockhart Shire Mayor Cr Greg Verdon, Dorothy Creek and John Alexander.
GINGERBREAD FLOURGATE!
Last year’s Christmas newsletter contained Kerin’s recipe for gingerbread. Unfortunately, I left out 3 cups of flour from the ingredients.
Sorry for this mistake and thank you to Cynthia Lawler for the photo of your successful batch of gingerbread! And thank you to all of you who let me know of my oversight.
Photo supplied by Cynthia Lawler
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March 2022
Dr Joe McGirr MP
April 2022
INDEPENDENT MEMBER
ANZAC DAY
Snowy Valleys Citizenship Ceremony It was a pleasure to attend a citizenship ceremony at Snowy Valleys Council in March. Congratulations to Samantha Beggs (pictured) on becoming an Australian citizen!
This year I attended a very moving ANZAC Day dawn service at The Rock, and had the privilege to walk alongside our past and current servicemen and women and their families at the Wagga Wagga ANZAC Day March.
FOR WAGGA WAGGA COMMUNITY DIARY
Lest we forget.
April 2022 Events
Pictured: Launch of the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest. Congratulations to this year’s entrants (pictured).
Pictured: Community Princess and Miss Wagga at Wagga Citizenship Ceremony.
Pictured: Wagga Wagga Citizenship Ceremony.
May 2022
RFS Award Presentations In May, it was an honour to attend the National Emergency Medal & Long Service Medal Presentations for the Riverina Highlands and Riverina Zone Rural Fire Services in Batlow, Tumut and Tarcutta. Congratulations to the medal recipients. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate and thank these heroes.
Edition #8 June 2022
This newsletter is printed on Revive Laser and is 100% Recycled, and Certified Carbon Neutral by the Department of Environment under the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS). Made in Australia by an ISO 14001 certified mill. No chlorine bleaching occurs in the recycling process. Pictured: Medal Presentation for the Riverina Highlands RFS in Tumut.
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Dr Joe Dr Joe MP McGirr McGirr INDEPENDENT MP MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
COMMUNITY INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA COMMUNITY DIARY DIARY
Community Service Awards Community Service Awards
Congratulations John Neyland and Jason Frost on receiving Community Service Awards. It is always a pleasure to recognise individuals who go out Congratulations John Neyland and Jason Frost on receiving Community of their Awards. way to improve the alives of theto people around them. who go out Service It is always pleasure recognise individuals of their way to improve the lives of the people around them. If you would like to nominate someone for a Community Service Award, please contact my If you would like tooffice. nominate someone for a Community Service Award, please contact my office.
Pictured: Former Snowy Valleys Council Mayor James Hayes, Di Neyland and John Neyland (December 2021) Pictured: Former Snowy Valleys Council Mayor James Hayes, Di Neyland and John Neyland (December 2021)
Pictured: Jason Frost (March 2022) Pictured: Jason Frost (March 2022)
March 2022 March 2022
IWD Morning Tea and IWD Morning andYear Local WomanTea of the Local Woman of the Year
Thank you to everyone who attended the International Women’s Day morningwho tea attended I co-hosted the Wagga Thank you to everyone thewith International Women’sDay Health Centre. special thank our Women’s morning tea AI co-hosted withyou theto Wagga MC and Health speakers, VickieA Burkinshaw, Roberts, Women’s Centre. special thankJan you to our Aunty Cheryl Penrith, Deputy of Wagga Wagga City MC and speakers, Vickie Mayor Burkinshaw, Jan Roberts, Aunty Council JennyDeputy McKinnon andof former Mayor of Wagga Cheryl Penrith, Mayor Wagga Wagga City WaggaJenny City Council Greg Conkey. Council McKinnon and former Mayor of Wagga Wagga City Council Greg Conkey.
Congratulations to Leonie White, who I announced as the 2022 Local to Woman the Year. AnI announced ordained Anglican Congratulations LeonieofWhite, who as deacon, Leonie has worked pastoral care at Wagga the 2022 Local Woman of the in Year. An ordained Anglican WaggaLeonie Base Hospital for more than 20 years. Leonie deacon, has worked in pastoral care at Wagga provides much needed and support to Wagga Base Hospital for compassion more than 20 years. Leonie patientsmuch and staff, andcompassion I thank her for significant provides needed andher support to contributions to our patients and staff, andcommunity. I thank her for her significant contributions to our community.
Pictured: 2022 Local Woman of the Year, Leonie White. Pictured: 2022 Local Woman of the Year, Leonie White.
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Edition #8 June 2022
Edition #8 June 2022
Upcoming community engagement events Visit joemcgirr.com.au/your-say Sign up for the latest news from Dr Joe McGirr MP Visit joemcgirr.com.au/newsletter Edition #8 June 2022