Council News Issue #485 - 2 March 2024

Wagga Wagga City Council weekly newsletter

Saturday 2 March 2024 | Issue #485

Shining a light on endometriosis in Wagga Wagga’s city centre

Jim Elphick Tennis Centre construction set to commence

Construction is set to commence in the coming fortnight on the redevelopment of the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre at Bolton Park.

It follows the successful completion of its recent demolition phase of the old tennis courts, internal fences, and clubhouse.

The comprehensive revitalisation of the centre forms Stage 1 of Wagga Wagga City Council’s planned wider upgrades to the Bolton Park precinct.

Contract Project Manager Matt Griffin said that this phase is expected to be completed in 10 months, weather permitting.

“The updated facility will include eight new acrylic courts, built to the same specifications as Melbourne Park,” Mr Griffin said.

“A further four community-size acrylic

courts will be provided for training and competition purposes, while five sandfilled artificial grass courts will also be provided for community use.

“A new clubhouse, with pro-shop, kiosk, and function room, will also be built, with a focus on accessibility.”

The project is funded by the NSW Government, Wagga Wagga City Council and Tennis NSW.

Council’s Manager of Recreation & Economic Development Ben Creighton said the facility will play a key role in boosting Wagga Wagga’s reputation as a premier athletic centre with the capacity to attract tourists, competitors and officials from across the country.

“This redevelopment has provided a fantastic opportunity for us to partner with Tennis NSW and the NSW Government Office of Sport,” Mr Creighton said.

“It will help us cement our place as a destination of choice for firstclass sporting events and provide our community with exceptional facilities that support local health and wellbeing.”

During the construction phase, residents are advised to expect increased traffic and limited parking near the work site, including the Morgan Street carpark.

Members of the public are urged to

Could your project, event or great idea for the community do with a funding boost?

follow safety signs and be aware of construction activity.

An official sod turning for the venue is scheduled for March 2024, during which Council will welcome key stakeholders representing government, funding partners and the local sporting community, to celebrate this important project milestone.

For more information on the project, visit haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/ bolton-park-sports-hub

The trees located in the median strip along Fitzmaurice Street will take on a yellow glow each evening during the month of March as part of Wagga Wagga City Council’s support for the Endo Enlightened campaign.

At its meeting in February, Council endorsed arranging for the existing 38 ground lights installed in the 19 trees located in Fitzmaurice Street to be changed to yellow for the initiative, which runs from 1 – 31 March 2024.

The Endo Enlightened campaign encourages landmarks and businesses to dress themselves in a bright yellow light as a demonstration of hope and support to raise awareness of the disease which affects one in nine women, girls, and those assigned female at birth.

According to the Endometriosis Australia factsheet (2021), endometriosis is a “condition where tissue similar to the lining of endometrium, which normally lines the uterus, is found in abnormal sites around the body.

“Most often through, endometriosis is found in the pelvis. These deposits can cause a number of symptoms such as pelvic pain and infertility.”

In addition to the lighting up the trees, an endometriosis themed display of books and other resources has also been developed by the Wagga Wagga City Library.

Manager Library Services Christine Bolton is encouraging community members to stop in at the display during the month of March.

“We are pleased to support this initiative to highlight endometriosis through the Endo Enlightened campaign,” Ms Bolton said.

“We have identified related books and digital resources that will assist people to learn more about this condition.

“QR codes have been created to ensure that endometriosis information is easy to access and immediately available on any smart device.

“Endometriosis Australia has also provided us with information sheets and pamphlets, along with Endo Enlightened badges, which you can pick up at the display stand.”

The ground lights in Fitzmaurice Street will light up the trees between dusk and dawn.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: (from left) Library Programs Officer Leila Davandeh and Library Services Manager Christine Bolton put the finishing touches on the special endometriosis themed display in support of the Endo Enlightened Campaign in March.

Wagga Wagga City

Environment & Animals Arts & Culture

LAUNCH: the state and territory 2024 Australian of the Year Award recipients at the launch of the exhibition at the National Museum of Australia in December 2023.

THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING FEATURE BY WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL Council

MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS: Eligible menstrual products included in the rebate are reusable pads, menstrual cups and menstrual underwear.

Wagga Wagga City Council is encouraging residents, community groups and local businesses to apply for free state government, which will help our local community to achieve net zero emissions goals.

Homeowners receiving the Low-Income Household Rebate can choose to swap their rebate for the installation of a free three-kilowatt solar system, unlocking savings of up to $600 a year.

Council Net Zero Emissions Project Officer Hemendra Chaudhary says those who participate in the solar rebate swap will see savings in their energy bills that outweigh the Low-Income Household Rebate of $285 per year.

“Community members who decide to go for the rebate swap will forfeit their rebate for 10 years but will gain a lot more in savings from solar,” Mr Chaudhary said.

“This significant decision to transition to clean renewable energy will also help the community to achieve the net zero target by 2050. Currently, community energy usage accounts for 43% of the total community carbon emissions.”

There is also opportunity for small and medium businesses within NSW to apply for the second round of Energy Efficiency Grants, which provides up to $25,000 for the purchase of energy efficient equipment.

“The grant will allow businesses to upgrade their equipment to higher energy efficient technologies, also bringing huge savings in their energy bills,” Mr Chaudhary said.

Grant applications are open now until Monday 8 April 2024.

“These kinds of opportunities that we are seeing greatly assists the community in our local net zero journey by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency practices,” Mr Chaudhary said.

“Council is encouraging local community members, groups, and businesses to visit our community net zero page to read about more pathways that are available to engage in climate solutions.”

Learn more: wagga.nsw.gov.au/netzero

Taylor Swift Night SAT 2 MAR, 10PM Tilly’s Wagga, 109 Baylis St. P. 5925 5305

Wagga

Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. P.

Small St. E. secretary@wwas.net.au

Wagga Wagga Rotaract Club –BIG PICNIC

SAT 2 MAR, 12PM – 4PM

Riverside: Wagga Beach, Johnston St. E. waggawagga@rotaract. org.au

The Eras Party –

A moving display of personal items, including a motorbike helmet, a child’s pair of shoes, a toy unicorn and a compass, are among the objects chosen for the 2024 Australian of the Year exhibition at the Museum of the Riverina –Historic Council Chambers site.

The National Museum of Australia and the National Australia Day Council have launched this exhibition of belongings of the 2024 Australian of the Year state and territory recipients, including:

• ACT - Joanne Farrell, founder of Build Like a Girl and champion for women in the construction industry

• NSW - Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, melanoma treatment pioneers

• Northern Territory - Blair McFarland, founder Central Australian Youth LinkUp Service

• Queensland - Marco Renai, founder Men of Business, a charity for at-risk young men

• South Australia - Tim Jarvis AM, environmental scientist and adventurer

• Tasmania - Stephanie Trethewey, rural women’s advocate

• Victoria - Janine Mohamed, Indigenous health leader

• Western Australia - Mechelle Turvey, advocate for victims of crime Manager of the Museum of the Riverina Luke Grealy said the items reveal personal stories about the recipients’ lives, aspirations and experiences.

“We’re very excited to be able to host this fascinating exhibition celebrating the 2024 Australian of the Year recipients,” Mr Grealy said.

“Each object is personal to the recipient and is symbolic of their lives, stories, and inspirations that led them to being honoured as their state or territory’s Australian of the Year."

The 2024 Australian of the Year exhibition will be on display at the Museum of the Riverina – Historic Council Chambers from Saturday 2 March until Sunday 28 April 2024.

For more information visit museumriverina.com.au

Chamber

Reusable nappy and menstrual product

rebate to become ongoing offering

Wagga Wagga City Council’s reusable nappy and menstrual product rebate scheme is set to be an ongoing offering for the community from July 2024 onwards. At its ordinary meeting on Monday night, Council approved for the scheme to be ongoing after trials in 2022 and 2023 proved to be successful.

The rebate scheme offers to reimburse 50 per cent of the purchase price of reusable nappy and menstrual products, up to a maximum of $100 per child or person.

Executive Manager - Major Projects

Darryl Woods said the rebate benefits the community and the environment.

“The aim of the rebate is to encourage the community to choose reusable nappies and menstrual products to reduce their contribution to landfill,” Mr Woods said.

“Estimates suggest that for every 200 applicants for the rebate, it saves 20,000kg of landfill each year.

“Trials of the rebate scheme in 2022 and 2023 produced positive results, therefore Council has opted to make it ongoing from the new financial year.”

Eligible nappy products include modern cloth nappies, such as fitted nappies, all-in-one nappies, all-in-two nappies, pocket nappies, night nappies, swim nappies and terry towelling/prefold nappies, plus nappy inserts and liners.

Eligible menstrual products included in the rebate are reusable pads, menstrual cups and menstrual underwear.

The reusable nappy and menstrual product rebate will be available from 1 July 2024.

Customers will be able to lodge applications through Council’s website or in person at the Customer Service desk at the Civic Centre.

Delightful Delores

Delores is a two-year-old, female, tabby, domestic long-hair cat that is looking for her forever home. She has a sweet and affectionate personality and adores attention.

The adoption cost for Delores (ImpC24/0062) is $264 and includes: microchipping, lifetime registration, vaccination, desexing, flea and worming treatment, FIV test and ID tag.

R251000208

Vacancies

Senior Library Programs Officer

Remuneration: $2,526.26 gpf + super

Closing: Sunday, 10 March 2024

Events Officer (Part-Time)

Remuneration: $1,215.68 gpf + super

Closing: Sunday, 17 March 2024

Museum Assistant – Collections & Programs (Part-Time)

Remuneration: $668.89 gpf + super

Closing: Sunday, 24 March 2024

Enquiries: 1300 292 442 To learn more or apply, visit:

wagga.nsw.gov.au/ jobs

Have your say Wagga Wagga

Road closures

MARCONI ST

Road: Marconi St (between Lake Albert Rd and Kennedy Ave)

Date: Tuesday 27 February to Tuesday 5 March 2024 (weather permitting)

Duration: 7am to 4pm

Reason: Reseal preparation works

Detour: Access for residents maintained

KOORINGAL ROAD

Road: Kooringal Road (between Lake Albert Road and Plumpton Road)

Date: Thursday 7 March to Tuesday 12 March 2024 (weather permitting)

Duration: 7am to 6pm

Reason: Road Pavement Stabilisation

Detour: Access for residents maintained

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

1300 292 442