Council News Issue #488 - 23 March 2024

Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter

Dunns Road reopened to public after successful upgrade

Youth Week is back with another full program!

Wagga Wagga City Council is proud to announce the program for Youth Week 2024: a week-long celebration held in April that is organised with young people, for young people aged 12 to 25 years.

This year, Council looks forward to offering a packed program that has been designed for everyone to enjoy. Whether you want to brush up on the basics with Money Boot Camp, test your gaming and imagination skills with Dungeons & Dragons, 'shake it off' to some new Taylor Swift tracks, or show your talent at the Busking Comp, the choice is yours!

Council’s Youth and Community Development Officer Mel Fattore says this annual event is one of the most exciting in the Wagga Wagga community.

DUNN AND DONE: The Dunns

Dunns Road has officially reopened to traffic after the successful completion of the Dunns Road Upgrade project.

The project's key components included sealing of a 3.3km section of the road, upgrade of the Olympic Highway and Dunns Road intersection, and construction of a roundabout at the Holbrook Road and Dunns Road intersection.

These upgrades aimed to collectively address both growing traffic demands and safety issues as Dunns Road has become a popular shortcut for travellers heading into the city from the south.

Wagga Wagga City Council Director Strategy and Projects Phil McMurray noted that the completed upgrade marks a major improvement in safety, accessibility and efficiency for residents and travellers in the Wagga Wagga area.

“The Dunns Road upgrade was undertaken due to the need to make the road safer given its increasing popularity as a direct route from the Olympic Highway to the southern suburbs of Wagga Wagga, the airport,

and major sporting and recreational facilities,” Mr McMurray said.

“Additionally, the roundabout at the Holbrook Road and Dunns Road intersection – along with the reduced speed limit to 60 kilometres per hour on the Dunns Road, Lloyd Road and Holbrook Road approaches – facilitates enhanced traffic flow in an area now safely capable of handling up to 1,000 vehicles per day.

“Council understands the closure of Dunns Road has been inconvenient for the public, and several setbacks have caused delays, so we thank the community for their patience while the upgrade was undertaken.”

Project Supervisor Nathan Elliott said he is pleased with the outcome of the upgrade.

“It’s great to have reached completion of the Dunns Road upgrade and to be able to reopen the road to the public,” Mr Elliott said.

“There were many challenges faced in delivering the project, such as the need to work with several external stakeholders, land acquisition, and drainage issues, all of which needed to be addressed to complete the project to

a high standard.

“The completed Dunns Road upgrade signifies an important step forward in enhancing road safety and infrastructure in Wagga Wagga, ensuring smoother and safer journeys for all road users." The project was funded by the Australian Government ($5.8 million) and Wagga Wagga City Council ($2.5 million).

A formal ceremony marking the project’s completion is scheduled for April 2024.

“Not only does Youth Week directly represent our local young people and their interests, it also provides them with opportunities to learn for free, access social events to meet and connect with others, and experience fun in their own way,” Ms Fattore said.

“In 2024, we really wanted to create fun, pop-culturally relevant events and workshops that both excited young people in our community and aligned with their needs.”

Community partners Riverina Community College, PCYC, Kurrajong Recycling, Mission Australia and Anglicare Financial Counselling are returning to provide practical workshops that will help local young people move through life as more informed and resourceful individuals.

Accessibility and inclusion are a key focus, with quiet rooms available at events including Dungeons & Dragons, and the Taylor Swift Album Release Party.

Venues have also been hand-selected for their accessible parking, wheelchair accessible bathrooms and functionality.

"Our friendly Community Development Team will be present during all events,” Ms Fattore said.

“Check out our unique program, take note of all our posters around town and be sure to join in the fun. This is an awesome opportunity to see what young people in our community can do!”

To view and book events visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/youth-week

Road project has achieved its final milestone, with all sections of the upgrade – including a new roundabout where it meets Holbrook Road (below), and a freshly sealed intersection at its juncture with the Olympic Highway – now reopen to the public.

SWEEPING: Council's street-sweepers can attend to leaves fallen on the streets, however leaves and sticks that have fallen in your yard should go in your FOGO bin.

Where do I leave the leaves?

During the autumn months, Wagga Wagga’s tree-lined streets are adorned with falling leaves, proving to be a challenge for those who like to keep their yards tidy.

Many residents depend on Council’s street-sweepers to clean up the leaves, however this is not always possible, especially in the suburbs with large deciduous trees (i.e: inner suburbs with maple trees).

Director infrastructure Services Warren Faulkner said there are some things residents should and should-not do during the autumn months.

“Sweeping leaves out onto the street and piling them up should be avoided as doing this creates more problems for the street-sweepers,” Mr Faulkner said.

“Piled-up leaves and sticks create blockages for the street-sweepers, causing delays and stoppages for maintenance.

“Therefore, it is best for leaves on the street to be left scattered, and any leaves and sticks that fall in your yard should go into your FOGO bin (Food Organics and Garden Organics) with the

green lid, which is collected weekly.”

Fallen leaves are also a great natural garden mulch and help to maintain soil temperature, so a small amount of leaves are beneficial for garden beds.

Council has a street-sweeping roster in place. The frequency of which it can get to streets depends on seasonal workload.

“We are investigating hiring an additional sweeper for two months from 15 April this year to assist with sweeping to pick-up the fallen leaves,” Warren Faulkner said.

“There are environmental benefits in doing this rather than being washed into the stormwater drainage system.”

Early morning starts are required for the street-sweeper to avoid traffic.

Where possible it is best to park cars off the street overnight to ensure leaves can be swept efficiently.

Please only contact Council to request the street-sweeper service for spillages that are a danger to the community (i.e: broken glass). Dangerous spillages will always take priority.

Service requests can be made online at wagga.nsw.gov.au/services

Have your say Wagga Wagga

Share your ideas for the future of Wagga Wagga + surrounds

We are holding pop-up information stalls to collect community feedback on two important Council plans.

Upcoming pop-up information stalls:

Come out and share your ideas! The two campaigns currently available for public feedback, are the Wagga Wagga 2050 Community Strategic Plan and the Wagga Wagga CBD Masterplan

Monday 25 March

Southcity Shopping Centre | 2pm – 5pm

CBD Masterplan

Tuesday 26 March

Oura Community Hall | 6pm – 7.30pm

Community Strategic Plan

Wednesday 27 March

Turvey Tops Shopping Centre | 2pm – 5pm

Community Strategic Plan & CBD Masterplan

More pop-up sessions will be added between now and April. Stay updated on session times via Council’s Have Your Say website, and the City of Wagga Wagga socials.

Join the conversation: haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au

The lovable Tippy

Tippy is a female, blue Australian Cattle Dog that is 18 month old. After being dumped at the tip with her three puppies, she was brought to the shelter. Since arriving, she has shown her sweet and playful personality, she loves the water, toys, and the company of other dogs. Tippy would love a family that can provide her with a forever home.

The adoption cost for Tippy is $321 and includes lifetime registration, desexing, vaccination, heartworm test, flea and worming treatment and ID tag (Impound no D24/0118).

6971 4651 graswagga.com.au

$3,304.68

Sunday, 31 March

Great

Cnr

Great

SAT

Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. P. 6921 5391

Saturday Night Roller Discos!

SAT 23 MAR, 7PM – 9PM

Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. P. 0427 075 600

Great Southern Nights - Tigerlily

SAT 23 MAR, 10PM – 12AM

Tilly’s Wagga, 109 Baylis St. P. 5925 5305

Lazy Sundays at The Wild Vine

Secondary

•

•

Wagga Wagga Country Music Club

SUN 23 FEB, 1.30PM – 4.30PM

Road closures

CRAFT STREET

Roads: Craft Street (between Main St and Inglis St)

Date: Tuesday 2 April to Friday 12 April

2024 (weather permitting)

Duration: 7am to 4pm

Reason: Reseal preparation works

Detour: Access for residents maintained

ALL NOTICES NOW ONLINE AT: wagga.nsw.gov.au/publicnotices

Public Notices

ALL NOTICES NOW ONLINE AT: wagga.nsw.gov.au/ publicnotices

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