Smiles all around as students celebrate School Tree Day
DIGGING IN: Kapooka Public School was among the local schools to receive seedlings from Council to plant on Schools Tree Day, much to the excitement of students (back row from left): Tyler, Toby, (front row from left) Pippa, Arielle, William and Lilly.
by Council.
Students Arielle, Lilly, and Toby are particularly fond of being outside.
“I like plants because they make my heart grow, and they look so beautiful. I like growing plants so you can breathe clean air,” said Arielle.
Lilly expressed she loves being outside because she likes seeing animals happy.
Works set to start on upgrading Old Narrandera Road
Council is advising motorists and residents to allow extra time when travelling through Wagga Wagga’s northern suburbs, with works set to get underway early next month on upgrading a section of Old Narrandera Road and Pine Gully Road.
The work is scheduled to start on Tuesday 8 August 2023 on the Council funded $1.7m project, which aims to improve traffic flow and safety.
Council Senior Project Manager Robert Mithilan says the upgrade will help cater to the growing needs of the Wagga Wagga area and enhance these roads to meet both present and future traffic demands.
“The project will expand the number of lanes for a section of Old Narrandera Road, from just west of the Olympic Highway intersection to the Pine Gully Road intersection, from two to four lanes, with two lanes in each direction,” Mr Mithilan said.
HELPING HAND: Council has donated 2000 seedlings to local schools and preschools to plant on Schools Tree Day.
Environmental Education Officer Christina Reid this week heading out to Kapooka Public School to give students some tips on planting the seedlings.
Students brought gardening gloves and a smile to school this week for Schools Tree Day on Friday 28 July, which was held ahead of a community planting event to celebrate National Tree Day on Sunday 30 July.
Wagga Wagga City Council collaborated with local schools to celebrate this occasion by donating seedlings to 25 local schools and preschools to be planted by the students.
The students at Kapooka Public School enjoyed a day out in nature this week to plant the seedlings given to them
“I am very excited for the planting day. It’s important to plant more trees so animals won’t go extinct as quickly.”
Despite the forecast of rain, Toby was also excited for the Friday fun planned at Kapooka Public School, as being outside is one of his favourite places to be.
“I love being outside having fun with my friends. When I am outside, I can relax and look at the trees. My favourite animal is a koala.”
Each school got to choose local native seedlings that suit the school environment, often tall trees to produce shade, bushes, or plants that provide large ground cover.
Principal Lyn Eacott said the response from students to get involved in this celebration is always incredibly positive.
“They get so excited. We are a small school, and we try and make sure there is one seedling for each student to plant, but they love it so much they always want to plant more than one,” Ms Eacott said.
Suffering from some seasonal sniffles?
More than 3000 seedlings will be planted for both Schools Tree Day and National Tree Day, with every seedling planted counting towards the total ‘One Tree for Me’ Council initiative, a campaign that aims to get 65,000 seedlings planted in Wagga Wagga and surrounds over six years.
Currently the count is over 24,900.
Environmental Education Officer Christina Reid said 2000 seedlings have been donated to local schools and preschools.
“It’s a wonderful way for students to learn about the environment while gaining land care skills,” Ms Reid said.
“It is important for our young people to recognise impacts on the environment and how everyone can play their part.”
“Initiatives like this show that small actions can make a big difference.”
The seedlings Council has offered to schools have been chosen to boost the local ecosystem, with endangered animal species in mind.
“The plants we select are chosen to support our local environment and the species that live here, increasing habitat for our local wildlife,” Ms Reid said.
Another 1200 seedlings will be brought along to the community planting event on Sunday 30 July at Charles Sturt University Farm, located off Cambourne Lane, Gobbagombalin.
Tissues can go in the green lid bin, as well as paper towel and soiled paper / cardboard.
“These extra lanes, together with new dedicated right and left turning lanes for vehicles, will assist in supporting more efficient traffic flow in the area.
“New signage, concrete medians, and guardrails will further improve safety along the upgraded section of these roads.”
There will be some changes to traffic conditions during this upgrade, with a temporary speed limit reduction, intermittent road closures with detours, along with lane closures in place at different stages of the project.
“The program of works means that traffic disruptions including road and lane closures will change every two to five days,” Mr Mithilan said.
“We recommend road users plan their trips and allow extra travel time as there will be delays and detours in place during the various phases of the works.
“We know these works will be disruptive and appreciate and thank the community for their patience.”
Motorists can keep up to date with traffic disruptions by:
• checking the latest project update at wagga.nsw.gov.au/projects/oldnarrandera-road-upgrade
• subscribing to receive email updates on the project webpage
• visiting livetraffic.com
Council and contractors expect the upgrade to be complete by midOctober 2023, weather depending.
Works & Projects
Road closure scheduled for Lord Baden Powell Drive
Wagga Wagga City Council advises motorists and residents about an upcoming road closure on Lord Baden Powell Drive between Macleay Street and Captain Cook Drive to allow for the next stage of the current upgrade project.
The road will be closed to all through traffic from Wednesday 9 August for up to 12 weeks, with detours in place during the closure.
Local traffic, including visitors to the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site, will maintain access under traffic control.
Access to streets off Lord Baden Powell Drive on the Kooringal side of Willans Hill will not be affected.
Council Director Strategy & Projects Phil McMurray said the decision to close the road was made after careful consideration and consultation with the contractor.
“Safety, planning and the speed of construction were all taken into account,” Mr McMurray said.
“We understand the value of this road to local residents and the wider community, and we are committed to reopening it as soon as possible.
Works & Projects
Lights up! McPherson Oval’s new LED lights installed
Four new 30-meter light poles with LED floodlights were installed at McPherson Oval in North Wagga Wagga this week.
Local residents may have noticed some large cranes at McPherson Oval during the last two weeks; these cranes were brought in to maneuver the new light poles into position.
Work to replace the outdated lights over the sportsground commenced in May with the excavation of trenches, installation of cabling and footings.
Over the past two weeks Council has worked with local contractors to install the 30-meter poles.
Road closures
FREDERICK ST (BETWEEN WILLIAM ST AND HENRY ST)
Date: Monday 31 July to Friday 4 August 2023
Duration: 7am to 4pm
Reason: Reseal preparation
Detour: Access to residents maintained PINE GULLY RD (BETWEEN OLD NARRANDERA RD AND MUTTAMA PDE) AND OLD NARRANDERA RD (BETWEEN OLYMPIC HWAY AND PINE GULLY RD)
Wagga Wagga City Council Project Coordinator – Parks & Recreation Phill Blake said planning has taken into consideration future potential flooding.
“The control gear and circuit breakers for the lights have been positioned above the 1 in 100 year flood level to ensure they are safe in the event of a flood,” Mr Blake said.
“Wet weather delayed the project during June and July, however with the recent clearer weather the cranes were able to come in to install the final poles and lights this week.
“Now that the poles have been installed the LED lights will need to be aimed to ensure there is less spillage of lighting onto adjoining properties.”
It is expected the new LED floodlights will be ready to use by early September and the old lights will be decommissioned and removed, weather permitting.
The cost of the new lighting at McPherson Oval is $406,116, with most of the funding being covered by a grant of $365,171 from the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Council has pitched in the remaining $40,945 to make the project possible.
For more information about the McPherson Oval lighting upgrade go to wagga.nsw.gov.au/projects
Saturdays 8am to 5pm
Reason: Road upgrade Detour: Pine Gully Rd to Wagga Wagga – via Estella Rd and Boorooma St; Old Narrandera Rd to Wagga Wagga – via Pine Gully Rd, Estella Rd and Boorooma St; North of Coolamon Rd Roundabout to Old Narrandera Rd – via Coolamon Rd, Farrer Rd, Boorooma St, Estella Rd and Pine Gully Rd
LORD BADEN POWELL DRIVE
Date: Wednesday 9 August to Friday 13 October 2023
Duration: Every day, 24 hours a day
Sweetheart Sally
This week’s Pet of the Week is Sally, a 5-year-old short hair calico cat. Sally (impound no. 361) is desexed and up to date with her vaccinations. Her adoption fee is $51.00 which includes lifetime registration, microchip, de-worming, FIV test and ID tag.
Vacancies
Development Administration Officer - Twenty-eight (28) Hours per week
$1,938.26 gpf + super
Closing: Sunday, 30 July 2023
Building Surveyor or Cadet Building Surveyor - Two Positions Available $3,304.68 gpf + super (Building Surveyor), $2,896.12 gpf + super (Cadet Building Surveyor)
Closing: Sunday, 30 July 2023
Date: Thursday 10 August to Wednesday 12 October 2023
Duration: Weekdays 7am to 6pm,
“We have planned the works carefully to minimise the closure time and inconvenience to the community.”
The upgrade works include reconstructing this section of road and installing pedestrian refuge crossings to link the Botanic Gardens and the Museum of the Riverina.
Once completed, the project will improve pedestrian and vehicle safety around the museum and Botanic Gardens precinct.
“Council recommends planning your trips ahead and allowing extra travel time,” Mr McMurray said.
“We apologise for the inconvenience the closure will cause and appreciate the patience of residents and road users.”
Council will keep motorists update about detours, closures and access via livetraffic.com
The project is funded by the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, NSW Government and Wagga Wagga City Council.
For more information, visit wagga. nsw.gov.au/lbpdupgrade
Sustainable Wagga Wagga
