THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING WAGGA WAGGA CITY publication COUNCIL Council FEATURE News - ABY Wagga Wagga City Council
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Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter
Saturday 23 December 2023 | Issue #477
Community
Community
LOOKING GOOD: Dunns Road will be ready to be re-opened to through traffic with the completion of the roundabout construction at the Holbrook Road intersection.
Dunns Road to re-open early 2024
Wagga Wagga will be abuzz with activities this summer ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS: Zookeeper Brooke Caines with Arnold the Olive Python meeting visitors to the Wagga Wagga Zoo and Aviary: Krishna Poudel, Sakrisha Poudel and Sakriya Poudel. With the school holidays now in full swing, there is plenty for locals and visitors to see and do in Wagga Wagga and surrounds over the summer. Our wonderful facilities are providing experiences and workshops to keep children and teens occupied during January. The Botanic Gardens Zoo and Aviary is open seven days a week during the school holidays and is free to enter. Zoo Curator Wendy McNamara said animal encounters every morning will allow visitors to get up close to some of the beloved animals. “Visitors can come along and interact with some of our very friendly residents, such as Arnold the Olive Python and Zeke the Dingo, daily from 10.30am,” Ms McNamara said. “This is followed by the feeding of kangaroos, emus, deer and camels, and at 12:30pm the miniature ponies are taken for a walk in the grounds of the Botanic Gardens.” Oasis Aquatic Centre will be hosting Inflatable Days - large inflatable play equipment available on the outdoor pool on weekends, and Outback Lifesavers will be back to teach young people valuable water safety and lifesaving skills over 5 days from 15 January. To beat the heat there are plenty of
indoor activities available at our local facilities, including the Wagga Wagga City Library, which will host events inhouse and at villages across the local government area Library Outreach Services Team Leader Wendy Harper said “local artist Elaine Camlin will be holding Concertina Art Book Workshops during the school holidays, one in Collingullie on Friday 5 January and one here at the library on Tuesday 16 January.” Additionally, the library will be running a Print and Go workshop at Galore; participants will design and print their own library totes but are welcome to bring a t-shirt of their own to print on. For holiday reading needs, the Agile Library will be on site. The holidays will include free all-ages bingo at Humula on Wednesday 10 and Tarcutta on Tuesday 23 January and a MarioKart tournament on Monday 29 January at the library. Wagga Wagga Art Gallery is hosting Art Camp for children and teens, including making dragon masks, superhero capes, badges, and the Museum of the Riverina – Botanic Gardens site also has a range of free activities available during the holidays, including hat making, origami, digital scavenger hunts and free icy-poles. There are also plenty of free outdoor activities available throughout Wagga
Wagga and surrounds. The Active Travel network features over 50 kilometres of shared pathways which is great for families to go walking and cycling, and there are 100 playgrounds available in the local government area, some with newly installed shade sails for extra sun protection for playground users and carers. Basketball courts are featured in parks around Wagga Wagga, such as Belling Park, Webb Park in Ashmont, Jack Skeers Park in Lake Albert and Henwood Park in Kooringal, and for those who love to be on wheels there are several skate parks and BMX tracks to be found around the region. A map of locations can be found at wagga.nsw.gov.au/parks-andrecreation/recreation As always, water activities are a favourite for most living in, and visiting Wagga Wagga, and the Murrumbidgee River is a popular location for swimming and the use of watercraft. Council would like to remind everyone to take care, be alert, and practise water around the River, inland waterways and swimming pools throughout the summer. For tips on water safety visit wagga. nsw.gov.au/riversafety To find out what’s on near you in Wagga Wagga and surrounds go to visitwagga. com
Dunns Road is expected to open to through traffic at the completion of the roundabout being installed at the Holbrook Road and Dunns Road intersection. Council has made the decision to keep Dunns Road closed during the construction of the roundabout due to detours that would see traffic passing through residential streets. Director Strategy & Projects Phil McMurray said the safety of residents is in mind. “We expect, when Dunns Road reopens, the traffic will more than double what it used to be,” Mr McMurray said. “If we opened it now, while the roundabout was still under construction, this traffic would be diverted away from the Dunns Road and Holbrook Road intersection, and pass through residential streets, with Currawang Drive and Mirbelia Drive ‘bearing the brunt’ of the traffic. “After having to place a hard-closure on Dunns Road in August due to motorists blatantly ignoring signage and driving through the construction site, we are not confident that all motorists will take care whilst driving through the detour streets. “For this reason, we decided to keep Dunns Road closed until the roundabout is complete.” Originally the Holbrook Road intersection was to be closed to traffic from Dunns Road (western side) and Lloyd Road (eastern side) from midNovember, however the contractor resolved to keep it open under traffic control during preparation works. It is now expected contractors will close the intersection to eastern and western traffic from mid-January when they return to work after the Christmas shut-down period. Motorists travelling on Holbrook Road will continue to be able to pass through the intersection under traffic control during the construction phase, with the roundabout to be constructed in halves. When construction of the roundabout at the Holbrook Road intersection concludes, Dunns Road will be re-opened to through traffic. For more information about the Dunns Road Upgrade visit the project page haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/ dunns-road-upgrade
Council Christmas trading hours Council administration will close for the Christmas holiday period. Check our website to see our opening hours over the festive season.
wagga.nsw.gov.au/openhours
Sign up now to secure a place in Outback Lifesavers 2024!
Registrations are now open for Outback Lifesavers 2024, with the popular program returning to Wagga Wagga in January for its fourth season. A partnership between Wagga Wagga City Council and Royal Life Saving NSW, the program focuses on giving young residents of Wagga Wagga and surrounds the opportunity to learn more about water safety and lifesaving skills. Outback Lifesavers ’24 will be run at Oasis Aquatic Centre from 15 – 19 January 2024, with one-hour sessions held each weekday morning for youth aged between U7–U12. Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre’s Program Supervisor Brad Ingram said while the program is being held at the Oasis rather than the Murrumbidgee River, the focus will be on education about water safety, particularly inland waterways. “Outback Lifesavers has been developed to provide children in regional and remote areas and communities near inland waterways with an active aquatic participation experience” Mr Ingram said. “It presents an opportunity for young lifesavers to develop their skills and understanding of safety around water, particularly inland waterways – plus it’s a whole lot of fun! “We want to give the participants the knowledge to identify any dangers when swimming and enjoying water activities with their friends and pass on that knowledge to keep a safer environment.” The program aims to provide increased understanding, and the need for respect of local aquatic environments, including pools, rivers, lakes and dams and their associated risks and hazards. The five sessions will run from 9am to 10am, from Monday 15 to Friday 19 January, and Active Kids vouchers are accepted. For more information about Outback Lifesavers, visit oasiswagga.com/ programs/outback-lifesavers To book your spot, contact Oasis reception on 02 6926 9390 or email oasis3@wagga.nsw.gov.au
WHAT’S
ON
THIS WEEK Inflatable Days – School Holidays at the Oasis SAT 23 DEC – SUN 7 JAN
Oasis Aquatic Centre, 50 Morgan St. P. 6926 9390
Santa Photos
SAT 23 – SUN 24 DEC
Wagga Wagga Marketplace, 87 Baylis St. P. 6931 7277
St. P. 0411 417 956
Christmas Drag Bingo with Erica a’Hesperus and Aunt Putunia SAT 23 DEC, 6.30PM – 9PM
The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. P. 6921 5391
Open Studio Gallery
SAT 23, SUN 24 , SAT 30 DEC, SAT 6 JAN, 10AM – 3PM
Art Society Studio, 11 Small St. P. 0413 786 209
Infusion Games Trivia and Karaoke THU 28 DEC, THU 4 & THU 11 JAN, 8.30PM
The Victoria Hotel, 55
Baylis St. P. 6921 5233 Demonstration Gardens – Vegetable Wagga Wagga Swap or Buy New Year’s Eve SAT 23, SAT 30 DEC & Celebrations SAT 6 JAN, 9AM – 12PM Cnr Shaw St & Albury
The return of Spud saw Wagga Wagga locals Greg and Sue Sleaman receive a special early Christmas present, after Council rangers found the dog earlier this month. “Spud had been reported missing to the shelter on 28 October, and his family was frantic,” Ms Hynes said. Spud had been microchipped, so when his family reported him missing to GRAS his microchip could be flagged as ‘missing’ and effectively frozen, stopping anyone else from claiming him as their own. “When Spud was found, he was taken back to the shelter and his family were quickly notified. When they got there, Spud knew ‘mum and dad’ immediately and gave them huge cuddles and licks. There were tears all around as the shelter staff and Spud’s owners celebrated the reunion,” Ms Hynes said. Council’s Animal Welfare Supervisor Julie McPhail says December has been a beautiful time for reunions. “Last week we also had Basil the cat come in after being missing for six weeks,” Ms McPhail said. “Basil was an adoption from GRAS a few years ago and was microchipped. The owners were contacted and happily came and collected him, and now he’s safe at home.” Microchipping is a vital tool that helps shelters, vets, and other animal workers to return pets to their owners when missing or stolen. Your pet can be microchipped and registered in a single visit to the Glenfield Road Animal Shelter. Find out more about pet adoption, registration, and fees at graswagga. com.au
Council
SUN 31 DEC,
@cityofwaggawagga
HAPPY REUNION: (From left) Council Ranger Scott Jenkins, Casual Animal Welfare Officer Ella Hunter, Animal Welfare Officer Courtney Krause, Ranger Ashley Fairbrother, the Sleaman family with Spud, Animal Welfare Supervisor Julie McPhail, and Ranger Jason Maybury.
Shelter reunites much-loved pets with their families Christmas is a time that celebrates joy, and for the team at Glenfield Road Animal Shelter (GRAS) along with two special families, joy is coming in abundance as pets are reunited with their owners. Last week two pets, friendly dog ‘Spud’ and sweet feline ‘Basil’, were found after being reported missing for long periods of time. Luckily, both owners had microchipped their respective pets which assisted their return. Wagga Wagga City Council Regulatory Services Coordinator Claire Hynes says happy endings like these ones make working at GRAS even more rewarding. “We love being able to call up families with good news,” Ms Hynes said. “It is so wonderful to see pets being returned just in time for Christmas.”
graswagga.com.au
Vacancies Labourer Remuneration: $2,045.38 gpf + super Closing: Sunday, 7 January 2024
Plant Operator (Excavator)
Trainee Business Support Officer Remuneration: $1,552.20 gpf + super Closing: Sunday, 7 January 2024
Council are committed to becoming a thriving, innovative, connected and inclusive community, where culture and creativity engage and involve the whole community.
gpf = gross salary per fornight Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer
Enquiries: 1300 292 442 To learn more or apply, visit:
We are seeking experienced artists to design and install three seperate public art projects for:
A temporary, sitespecific artwork at the Wollundry Lagoon.
6971 4651
Remuneration: $2,310.74 gpf + super Closing: Sunday, 7 January 2024
Public Art Expressions of Interest
LGNSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference
Light up your Christmas by adding Clark W Griswold to your family! This chipper and charming three-yearold white domestic short hair is a very chatty boy who loves attention and has a very sweet and relaxed nature. Clark W Griswold (ImpC23/0469) is available to adopt for a fee of $224, which includes lifetime registration, desexing, vaccination, flea and worming treatment, FIV test and an ID tag.
R251000208
Community
wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs
Ashmont
Currawarna
Collaborate with community members to beautify the suburb.
Collaborate with community members to produce interesting yet functional public furniture.
Help shape our future
Have your say Wagga Wagga
To view the guidelines and apply, visit
wagga.nsw.gov.au/publicarteoi 6.30PM – 10PM
Apex Park, Eastlake Dr. W. wagga.nsw.gov. au/nye
Muse-animals Collaborative Artwork
TUE 2 – SUN 28 JAN, VARIOUS TIMES
Muesum of the Riverina: Botanic Gardens site, Lord Baden Powell Dr. P. 6926 9654
Aussie Animal Origami
TUE 2 – SUN 28 JAN, VARIOUS TIMES
Museum of the Riverina: Botanic Gardens site, Lord Baden Powell Dr. P. 6926 9654
MoR Digital Scavenger Hunts
TUE 2 – SUN 28 JAN, VARIOUS TIMES
Lord Baden Powell Dr. P. 6926 9654
Riverina Producers Market THU 4 & THU 11 JAN, 1PM – 6.30PM
Wagga Wagga Showground, Bourke St. P. 0488 102 835
MoR Sunsafe Hat Making Workshops FRI 5 & FRI 12 JAN, 11AM – 12PM
Museum of the Riverina: Botanic Gardens site, Lord Baden Powell Dr. P. 6926 9654
Riverina Festival of Strings SAT 6 – SAT 13 JAN
Wagga Wagga Christian College, Kooringal Rd. P. 0428 695 577
Willans Hill Museum of the Riverina: Miniature Railway Rides Botanic Gardens site, SUN 7 JAN,
10AM – 2.30PM
Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. P. 0412 439 455
Sunshine Storytime in the Botanic Gardens MON 8 JAN, 10AM – 11AM
Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. P. 6926 9700
Workshop
WED 10 JAN, 2PM – 4PM
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow St. P. 6926 9660
Wagga Wagga Orchid Society Gathering THU 11 JAN
ARCC Hall, 131 Tarcutta St. P. 0427 219 430
Dragon Masks Workshop
Mythological Menagerie
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow St. P. 6926 9660
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow St. P. 6926 9660
TUE 9 JAN, 10AM – 12PM
Life of the Lagoon Workshop WED 10 JAN, 10AM – 1PM
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow St. P. 6926 9660
Harnessing the Sun
FRI 12 JAN, 10AM – 12PM
For event organising and promotion support, contact Council’s events team: events@wagga. nsw.gov.au or 1300 292 442. Mon – Fri. /waggaevents visitwagga.com
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haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au
Road closures EASTLAKE DR & LAKESIDE DR
Road: Eastlake Drive & Lakeside Drive Date: Sunday 31 December 2023 Duration: 6am – 10pm Reason: New Year's Eve Community Event Detour: As per signs
ALL NOTICES NOW ONLINE AT: wagga.nsw.gov.au/publicnotices
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1300 292 442 wagga.nsw.gov.au