Council News #446 - 20 May 2023

Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter

Three cheers for our volunteers; ‘the change makers’

Saturday 20 May 2023 |

Issue #446

Wagga Wagga City Council this week said “thank you” to the many volunteers whose valuable contributions are essential to the provision of much-needed services and programs across the local government area.

Council hosted a special morning tea for its volunteers at the Civic Centre on Monday 15 May 2023 as part of National Volunteer Week.

The theme for National Volunteer Week 2023 is ‘The Change Makers’ recognising the vital support the millions of volunteers across Australia provide to their communities.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Cr Dallas Tout said it was critical to celebrate, thank and recognise those volunteers who give up their time to help the community.

“The morning tea was an opportunity to bring together Council’s volunteers and show them our appreciation for all that they do, giving of themselves through their time, energy and commitment,” Cr Tout said.

“Volunteers are a vital part of the fabric of Council’s day-to-day operations across a wide variety of organisational areas, events and initiatives all year round.

“The contribution they make through the wide range of skills and experience they bring to these positions are highly valued by our staff and of great benefit to the whole community.

“They enable us to reach out to more people across the Local Government Area, from helping to provide community services, to serving on committees and cultural development projects.”

“THANK YOU”: Hayden Watts, who has been a volunteer at the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter since last year, with Wagga Wagga Mayor Cr Dallas Tout at Council’s National Volunteer Week morning tea.

festival, running from 1 July – 16 July, offers a full program with something to enjoy day and night.

“Festival of W, now in its second year, is about embracing and showcasing our city and region during the winter months, and this year’s program certainly delivers on this,” Ms Parker said.

A major visual and sound experience lighting up land and water locations in the heart of Wagga Wagga’s cultural precinct will be the main attraction of this year’s Festival of W event.

Featuring thousands of lights, the immersive visual experience will be “light no other” seen in Wagga Wagga or regional NSW before and is being curated by renowned Australian light art and visual design artists Mandylights.

The destination winter event will also feature a pop-up dining hub, entertainment and installations by local and national artists, the return of the popular outdoor ice rink and more.

Destination & Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker said this year’s 16-day

“We’re so excited for audiences to witness the major drawcard light and sound experience, which has been inspired by our city’s natural environments, Wiradjuri culture and community stories.

“The immersive land and on-water light show will play from dusk to late each evening of the festival.

“Also coming to the festival this year is House of FoW – a cosy pop-up food and drink space showcasing local food offerings, fire buckets, live music, seating and heaters.

“We have a free, one-night-only special live music event on Saturday 8 July, with a line-up including Australian artists Sycco, Hatchie, Tom Snowdon, Muesli the band and Wagga Wagga-based DJ Vino and Vinyl.”

The Festival of W program has been curated over the past 12 months, including

listening to feedback from festival-goers last year.

Elements of the festival will also celebrate 2023 NAIDOC Week, which will occur during the 16-day festival. Wiradjuri and First Nations programming has been included throughout the festival and will be experienced through art, performance, and food.

Festival of W is a Council led and managed event and this year has been supported by funding through the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund and Community Events Program.

For further details about the festival, head to visitwagga.com/fow

Council has approved 23 volunteers this year to date and takes applicants of all abilities.

People & Culture Officer Fiona Graham said the diverse range of positions and roles offers people a unique and rewarding chance to get involved in some amazing programs and events.

“Volunteering is a great opportunity to contribute to the local community, make new friends, develop new skills and to have fun!” Ms Graham said.

“We have some local residents who give up their time on a regular basis to help out at a few of our facilities, like the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter, our Library and Language Café, the Museum and Art Gallery, and our Zoo & Aviary, just to name a few.

“We also have volunteers at Councilled events such as Fusion Multicultural Festival, tree planting days, helping make them a success.”

ANNOUNCEMENT: Wagga Wagga City Council Events Officer Emma Corbett and Destination & Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker are excited to announce the line-up for this year’s Festival of W.

Other categories of volunteers include Major & Minor Projects and community groups, which cover areas such as construction of buildings, sporting field lighting, and community halls.

For more information on areas where you can volunteer and how to apply, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/volunteering

Glass containers go in the yellow lid bin. Separate the lids from jars or bottles and place all

the yellow lid bin for recycling.

Plan ahead: more road works set to get underway

Wagga Wagga City Council is encouraging motorists and other road users to plan their travel and allow time for delays, with more rehabilitation works set to start on a section of Bourke Street next week.

The works will be carried out on the stretch of Bourke Street between Fernleigh Road and Urana Street between 6am and 6pm from 22 May29 May, weather permitting.

Manager Transport & Traffic Jamie Harwood said traffic control measures will be in place, with traffic flow to be reduced to two lanes on the opposing side of the works site.

“Bourke Street is a key connector for local residents accessing schools and businesses in the area, as well as for residents and visitors travelling into the city centre,” Mr Harwood said.

“While we will still have one northbound and one south-bound lane open, we expect there will be significant delays due to the high volume of traffic which uses this road.

“We suggest motorists consider taking an alternative route if possible, via Glenfield Road or Mitchelmore Street.

“We understand this will cause some inconvenience, but these pavement rehabilitation works will deliver a smoother and safer surface for everyone who uses the road.”

Residents who live on Bourke Street in the work zone will have access to their properties.

Weather permitting, contractors are scheduled to asphalt overlay Macleay Street between Urana Street and Erin Street over four nights from 22 – 25 May, between 6pm and 6am.

These works are part of a program of pavement renewal and improvement works being carried out across the city and surrounds, including a section of Byrnes Road at Bomen and Lake Albert Road between Eastlake Drive and Kooringal Road.

You can stay up to date on road works taking place across the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area by visiting livetraffic.com

New basketball court a key addition to Lake Albert’s Jack Skeers Park

A new half-basketball court has been installed at Lake Albert’s Jack Skeers Park and is ready for use. Works and Playground Officer John Conlan says Wagga Wagga City Council has installed the basketball court in response to requests from the local community for more recreational facilities in the park.

“We had multiple requests from local residents for a basketball court at Jack Skeers Park, which is highly utilised by the local community,” Mr Conlan said.

“The upgrade is especially noticeable given the previous setup was a makeshift netball ring attached to the side of a goal post and the ground underneath was quite uneven and could be very muddy during wet weather.

“We heard these requests and have responded by installing the half basketball court which will be a much safer and more pleasant space to play on.”

Council recognises the importance of recreational spaces and the positive impact they have on the wellbeing of the community, hence the commitment to install the facility at Jack Skeers Park.

A concrete pad was installed last week, with a noise reduction backboard, basketball hoop and netball ring added this week.

The park currently has other recreational facilities such as a cricket pitch, rugby goal posts, and a playground.

The addition of the basketball court in Jack Skeers Park provides a clean and safe space for residents of all ages to get together, shoot some hoops, be active and engage in social activity.

LEDing the way! McPherson Oval lighting upgrade begins

Work commenced this week on the project to replace the lighting system at McPherson Oval in North Wagga Wagga.

The lighting upgrade is part of Council’s commitment to replace outdated lighting at its sportsgrounds.

McPherson Oval’s existing lighting will be replaced with a new 200 Lux LED system which will provide lighting levels needed for training and matches.

Project Coordinator (Parks & Recreation) Phill Blake said upgrading the old lighting to LED has several benefits for the teams that use the sportsground, and for the environment.

“The new LED lighting system will improve the quality of the light over the sportsground, and it does not produce UV emissions which means it will attract less insects,” Mr Blake said.

“They also use less energy and produce less carbon emissions.”

The project involves groundwork, decommissioning and removal of the old light poles, installation of the four new light poles with LED floodlights, and installation of a new PA speaker system.

Fall in love with Sebastian! Sebastian is a male Staghound who is about 18 months old (ImpD23/0219). He has a loving character and is happy to have cuddles. All he wants is to find his forever home where he can be someone’s best friend and lap dog. The adoption fee for Sebastian is $310, which includes microchipping, lifetime registration, vaccination, desexing, flea and worming treatment, heartworm test and ID tag.

Vacancies

- 2.30PM

Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St.

P. 0412 439 455

Art Classes with Leigh Hewitt

MON 22 MAY, 6PM - 8PM

The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. P. 6921 5391

Australian Army Band Kapooka sessions

WED 24 MAY, 12PM1PM AND 6PM - 7PM

Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.

P. 6926 9688

Lunchtime Concert No.5: Arachnids, Kids and Diversions

THU 25 MAY, 1PM - 2PM

St John’s Anglican Church, 6 Church St.

P. 6925 3522

Riverina

Road closures

GURWOOD ST (BETWEEN FITZMAURICE AND SIMMONS STREET) AND TRAIL ST (BETWEEN KINCAID AND JOHNSTON STREET) – NIGHT WORKS

Date: Friday night 26 May to Wednesday morning 31 May (including weekends)

Duration: 6pm - 6am

Reason: Road works

Detour: As per sign posted routes

Notices

PLAY BALL: A new half-basketball court with basketball hoop and netball ring was installed this week at Jack Skeers Park in Lake Albert.