Record crowd for Raiders NRL clash at McDonalds Park
GREEN FEVER: A thrilling day for Raiders fans at Wagga Wagga’s McDonalds Park after their team scored a Golden Point win over the Dolphins in last weekend’s NRL Premiership clash.
A record number of fans converged on Wagga Wagga’s McDonalds Park on the weekend to watch the NRL Premiership round 9 blockbuster between the Canberra Raiders and the Dolphins.
The clash on Saturday 29 April did not disappoint, going into extra time after the score was locked at 30 – 30 at full-time: a Golden Point field goal giving the Green Machine a 31 – 30 win over the Dolphins.
The official attendance was 10,445, breaking the record set at the Raiders’ first NRL game in Wagga Wagga in 2019, where 10,079 people watched the Green Machine defeat the Penrith Panthers.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga
Councillor Dallas Tout was pleased to see so many people of all ages cheering on the teams last weekend.
“It was a thrilling game and I think everyone who came to McDonalds Park, from near and far, had a great day, even if their team wasn’t the winner on the day,” Cr Tout said.
Road rehabilitation works roll on across the city
Wagga Wagga City Council has thanked residents and motorists for their patience during the first phase of stabilisation and rehabilitation works on Macleay Street in Turvey Park.
The pavement recycling and initial surface seal on the section of Macleay Street between Urana Street to Erin Street was completed on Wednesday (pictured above).
The second phase, which will involve the application of the final asphalt seal, will be carried out over four nights starting on Monday 22 May, weather permitting.
Manager Transport & Traffic Jamie Harwood said these night works are part of a program of pavement renewal and improvement works scheduled to be carried out across the city over the next two months.
“The asphalting program includes sections of Nagle Street, Copland Street, Watson Boulevard, Macleay Street and The Esplanade, as well as a number of roundabouts in the city,” Mr Harwood said.
“Many of these roads have become a patchwork quilt of pothole repairs. Rehabilitation is the best option to extend the pavement’s lifecycle and improve safety for road users.”
“Our city has been fortunate to have the Raiders play here four times in the past five years, and hopefully there will be more to come in the future.”
In 2018, the Raiders and Council originally entered a partnership for Wagga Wagga to host two NRL Premiership games over 2019 and 2020, with the option for a third in 2021.
After the 2020 game was postponed due to COVID-19, the Raiders returned in 2021 and then extended the partnership for 2022 and again for 2023.
“Council will be holding further discussions with the Raiders executive in the coming months with the view to securing elite level Rugby League content into the future,” Cr Tout said.
“The exact nature of the future Raiders presence in the city is currently unknown but discussions to date have been positive, with the Raiders indicating they are keen to continue the strong relationship with Council and the Riverina region.
“The hosting of these events brings millions of dollars of economic benefit
to the city and surrounding region. It’s estimated that the game on the weekend would have delivered close to $3 million in economic benefit, which is a boost to local businesses coming off the back of the COVID impacts of recent years.
“Wagga has a great track record of hosting and supporting sporting events and Council will continue to explore all options regarding bringing future events to the city.”
Manager Recreation & Economic Development Ben Creighton said Council appreciated the support of the NSW Government, after receiving $110,000 under the Regional Events Acceleration Fund.
“Funding plays an important role in bringing events like the NRL game to Wagga Wagga,” Mr Creighton said. “The event provided an opportunity to bring visitors to the region and created a positive economic impact for local businesses.”
The NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund supports the social and economic recovery of regional communities who have been affected by floods, droughts, bushfires.
The program started on Monday night, with the asphalting of two sections in Nagle Street in the city’s east, before moving to Copland Street to improve the seal between Tasman Road and Hartog Place.
On Friday night, the asphalt contractor resurfaced the central section of the Wagga Beach carpark.
Manager Recreation & Economic Development Ben Creighton said the carpark upgrade is one of the final pieces in the Riverside Stage 2 project.
“This will be a welcome improvement for residents and visitors to the city who use the Wagga Beach carpark when they stop in to enjoy all the amazing attractions and facilities at our Riverside precinct,” Mr Creighton said.
The program of night works will be carried out between 6pm and 6am to minimise traffic disruptions and the impact of service disruptions to properties.
Traffic control measures will be in place at each location to ensure the safety of road users and of the construction staff working on site.
Please aim to keep a distance of at least 50cm between your bins when you present them on the kerbside for servicing. This space is needed to allow the reaching arm to grab hold of your bin to lift and then empty it into the truck.Events & Tourism Works & Projects
Pedalling on! Work continues on the city’s Active Travel Plan
Wagga Wagga City Council's Active Travel Plan (ATP) continues to take shape with work being carried out on several links of the 56-kilometre shared path network across the city.
Construction has started on a new pedestrian refuge island on Kooringal Road, near the intersection with Fay Avenue.
Contractors started building the refuge island and installing handrails earlier this week. Once the concrete has set, the contractors will return to finish construction of the refuge.
Council’s Project Manager Henry Collie said this is the final of two refuge islands to be built as part of the Fay Avenue link of the ATP.
“This refuge creates a safer crossing of the busy Kooringal Road and connects the Fay Avenue link to the Kooringal link,” Mr Collie said.
“Once the final stage of this pedestrian refuge has been done, the Fay Avenue link of the ATP will be 100% complete."
Construction of the Heath Street section of the ATP is now complete.
The work included upgrading the existing path to a 2.5m wide concrete path between Fernleigh Road and Urana Street.
“For safety near crossroads, chicanes have been installed along the path,” Mr Collie said.
Meantime, contractors are expected to start work to seal cracks on some asphalt sections of the shared path network from 11 May.
This crack sealing work is an important maintenance task that will help to extend the life of these sections of path.
Council asks the public to take extra care when using the shared paths while this work is being undertaken, and to follow the instructions of traffic controllers.
Weather permitting, the work will finish on 12 May.
Wagga Wagga’s shared path network is designed to offer residents a safe transport alternative to access other parts of the city and to use for exercise.
The Active Travel Plan project is jointly funded by the NSW Government and Wagga Wagga City Council.
St. P. 0411 417 956
Wagga Wagga Mosaic Lamp Making Workshop
Family Community Safety Day hailed a success
Wagga Wagga City Council and the city’s first responders are in the process of planning a second Family Community Safety Day later this year, following the success of the inaugural event last weekend.
The family friendly event near the Riverside Playground area on Saturday 29 April was organised by Council in partnership with police from Wagga Wagga Local Area Command.
It involved representatives from a range of first responder organisations including NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, VRA Rescue NSW, the State Emergency Service (NSW), and Transport for NSW.
Council’s Social Planning Coordinator Sarah Lehman was thrilled with the community’s response, with residents from across the Local Government Area coming along to the Riverside precinct.
“We had some people and families who had travelled in from the suburbs and villages early and were lined up waiting at Riverside for the event to get underway,” Ms Lehman said.
“We estimate we had around 250plus people, from families with young children to seniors, along with people with different cultural backgrounds and abilities.
“The aim of the day was to break down any barriers to our residents providing Council and police with feedback about their community safety concerns, and I think that’s exactly what it achieved.” Ms Lehman said.
“We believe it is important for Council and the police to continue to provide these opportunities for our residents to connect with us in a positive, relaxed and safe environment.”
Planning is already underway to hold a second Community Family Safety Day in late November, involving first responder organisations and other government and non-government agencies.
For the record, Wagga Wagga Rescue Squad won the People’s Choice prize for their display.
To read the Community Safety Action Plan 2022- 2026, visit wagga.nsw.gov. au/csap2026
COUNTRY & PLACE: Artist Juanita McLauchlan draws upon her Gamilaraay identity, history and language in her exhibition gii mara-bula / Heart Hand-also Courtesy of Jack of Hearts Studio
New Winter Exhibition Program ready to launch
Four new environmentally challenging exhibitions and two exhibitions offering insights into life across the Riverina will feature in Wagga Wagga Art Gallery’s new Winter Exhibition Program. The program launch is being held at the Gallery at 4pm on Saturday 13 May.
Prior to the launch, local and internationally exhibiting artists will take part in an artist talk and panel discussion, which is open to the public.
Hayden Fowler’s survey exhibition
UnEarthly explores the intersections between human and animal natures, and revitalisation of the natural world.
Hayden Fowler will discuss his work as part of an artist talk at 11am on 13 May.
Nicola Dickson's Only a Remnant explores biodiversity loss in the Riverina, centring upon the Box Gum Grassy Woodlands that once covered much of South-Eastern Australia.
Living on Wiradjuri Country, artist Juanita McLauchlan draws upon her Gamilaraay identity, history and language to explore family connections through ambitious new works in gii mara-bula / Heart Hand-also
An artist panel discussing art making on and about country, place and identity, will be held at 2.30pm featuring Nicola Dickson and Juanita McLauchlan along with Australian curator Julie Ewington and local academic and artist Dr Chris Orchard.
In the exhibition River in my mind, in my work, artist Nathalie HartogGautier utilises river landscapes to explore colonised environments and ecological devastation.
Local painter Tracey Jones was selected as part of the Gallery’s 2023 Regional Artist Development Program. The result of her four-week residency is revealed in 60 Miles as the Crow Flies, which explores quintessential rural streetscapes across the Riverina.
Also on display is HERE: NOW the outcome of a photographic project by young local artists who have created photobooks as part of a development program with F.Stop Workshop.
For more information, visit waggaartgallery.com.au
10AM - 12PM
Meet Kujo!
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This two-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier x (ImpD23/0090) is a sweet but energetic boy looking for a place to call home.
Kujo’s adoption fee is just $310, which includes lifetime registration, microchip, first vaccination, desexing, flea & worming treatment, a heartworm test, and ID tag.
Vacancies
Wagga EID Festival
SAT 6 MAY, 11AM - 3PM
Wagga Wagga Music Bowl, MacLeay St. P. 0408 460 239
Demonstration Gardens – Vegetable Swap or Buy
SAT 6 MAY, 9AM - 12PM
Demonstration Gardens, Cnr Shaw St & Albury
SAT 6 MAY - SUN 7 MAY, VARIOUS SESSIONS Mary Kidson Hall, 118 MacLeay St. P. 0459 902 606
Fabulous Fakes | Open Studio Gallery SAT 6 MAY, 10AM - 3PM Art Studio, 11 Small St. P. 0413 786 209
Style Me Up Workshops with Aunty Cheryl Penrith
SAT 6 MAY, 11AM - 12.30PM
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow St. P. 6926 9660
Autumn Afternoon Tea in the Art Gallery Shop
SAT 6 MAY, 2PM - 4PM
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow St. P. 6926 9660
‘Back to the 80’s’ Musical by Kildare Catholic College
SAT 6 MAY, 2PM & 7PM, THU 11 MAY & FRI 12 MAY, 7PM
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. P. 6926 9688
Downside Bush Dance
SAT 6 MAY, 7.30PM - 12AM Downside Hall, Downside-Shepherds Siding Rd.
P. 0427 042 686
Dylan Beast –Live Music SUN 7 MAY, 3.30PM
Birdhouse, 246 Baylis St. P. 6921 6902
Willans Hill Miniature Railway Rides
SUN 7 MAY, 10AM - 2.30PM
Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, MacLeay St.
P. 0412 439 455
Social Painting MON 8 MAY,
Council can offer support by subsidising waste disposal fees for your annual or project-specific use.
De Lew Designs Australia, 80 Butterbush Rd. P. 0429 485 082
Art Classes with Leigh Hewitt
MON 8 MAY, 6PM - 8PM
The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. P. 6921 5391
Lunchtime Concert No.3: The Modern Viola
THU