Athletics Centre upgrade delivers state-of-the-art facility for Wagga Wagga
The newly upgraded Bill Jacob Athletics Centre at Jubilee Park was officially unveiled today (14 March 2025), marking a major milestone for Riverina athletics.
The multi-million-dollar redevelopment has transformed the centre – named in honour of the late Bill Jacob as a lasting tribute to his dedication to local athletics – into a premier hub for inclusive athletic training and competition: one capable of hosting events at regional, state, and national levels.
Independent Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr MP officially opened the site on behalf of NSW Minister for Sport, The Hon Stephen Kamper MP.
Dr McGirr was joined by other guests including Councillor Lindsay Tanner, representing Wagga Wagga City Council, Bob Hay, representing the local athletics community, and members of Bill Jacob’s immediate family, including his wife Robin and daughters Sarah Young and Ruth Murray.
Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Mary Atkinson delivered the Welcome to Country, while proud Wiradyuri man Luke Wighton performed a Smoking Ceremony.
Dr McGirr was full of praise for the
newly upgraded site, which now features a 400m all-weather synthetic track, enhanced field event areas, improved warm-up spaces, and better wheelchair accessibility.
“This incredible new facility will promote inclusion, support a wide range of sports, and draw athletes and visitors to our region,” Dr McGirr said.
“Wagga Wagga is known as ‘the city of good sports’ for good reason, and this major redevelopment will be a great catalyst for sporting and community growth in our city.”
Councillor Lindsay Tanner highlighted the excitement of having a venue of this standard available to young athletes.
“The efforts that have gone into upgrading this centre are a testament to the commitment of our city to fostering sporting excellence and ensuring that local athletes and young competitors have the facilities they deserve,” Cr Tanner said.
The venue has already hosted its first events, welcoming junior and adult athletes training and competing at club level. Representing local athletics clubs at the opening, Bob Hay noted that it’s a community looking forward to the many ways athletics in the Riverina will benefit
from the site at a grassroots level.
“Hopefully the new track and facilities will open up opportunities for our local kids to train and compete on the same level as the kids from metropolitan areas,” Mr Hay said.
Manager City Growth & Regional Assets Ben Creighton also highlighted how the new enhancements will firmly establish Wagga Wagga as a dynamic destination for first-class athletics training and competition.
“This is a premier venue that will contribute greatly towards the city’s future as a competitive location for attracting high-profile sporting tourism opportunities to the region.”
Looking ahead, Council has also begun taking bookings for 2025 school carnivals and athletics events.
New rules on what goes in green lid bins
Changes have been made to what residents can and cannot place in the green lid bins, also known as FOGO – food organics and garden organics bins.
Previously, items such as paper towel, cardboard, bamboo utensils, timber offcuts and tea bags were permitted in the green lid bins, however, changes implemented by the EPA NSW (Environmental Protection Authority) mean these items must now go in either the red or yellow lid bins.
Food and garden waste are now the only items permitted in the green lid bins.
Gregadoo Waste Management Centre Facilities Manager Andrea Baldwin says Council understands the changes may be confusing, but they are necessary to create quality compost from the organic waste material.
“Items such as carboard, paper, timber offcuts and teabags were previously able to go in the green lid bins, but due to the EPA’s findings these items were contaminating the compost made from the green lid bin waste, they must now go in the other bins,” Ms Baldwin said.
“We understand this change may initially be confusing for residents who have developed habits based on what they were told when the green lid bin system was introduced, but we must adapt these habits to ensure the compost that is created from the green lid bin waste is organic.
“The changes are effective now, which means residents are asked to start sorting their household waste accordingly.”
A reminder that compostable liners supplied by Council are the only bags permitted in the green lid bins.
A new roll is delivered to every household in the Local Government Area each year. If you need more liners, or need a new kitchen caddy, visit the Customer Service desk at the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre.
For more information visit our website wagga.nsw.gov.au/waste
THE CAT’S MEOW: Senior Library Programs Office Catherine Greenslade introduces one of the Library’s new robotic cats to an enraptured Storytime audience.
comfort coming to Library
Wagga Wagga City Library has become home to five extraordinarily cute robotic cats.
The cats are perfect companions for visitors to the library who want that something extra in their reading time.
Senior Library Programs Office
Catherine Greenslade said the robotic cats react to voices, and purr when held and stroked.
“They even come with their own hair combs,” Ms Greenslade said.
“They’re available for two-hour loans in the library for anyone who wants some friendly interaction during a visit.
“And if you’re allergic to real cats, we promise these ones won’t make you sneeze.”
Ms Greenslade said robot pets first found therapeutic use as a dementia aid – where they helped revive memories and spark communication – and were beneficial for children with autism.
“Libraries have since started adopting them to increase public engagement.
“They might also help children learning to read. Reading aloud to animals has been shown to increase a child’s literacy confidence.”
The Library is inviting the community to help name the new cats.
There is a list of literary cat names for people to choose from, including Firestar (Warrior Cats), Buttercup (The Hunger Games), Greebo (Terry Pratchett), Scarface Claw (Hairy McClairy), Mog (Meg and Mog), and many more.
The naming competition starts on Monday 10 March and finishes on Monday 24 March.
“Just ask next time you visit the library how you can vote for your favourite name.”
You can find the list of potential names and cast your vote here: facebook. com/waggalibrary
The names of the cats will be announced on Wednesday 26 March.
The robotic cats will be available for people to loan inhouse from Monday 10 March.
MAKING CHANGES: Council’s Zoo team is making improvements to a farmyard to help our local animal friends feel more at home.
New homes in the works for zoo residents
If you’ve recently visited the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens Zoo & Aviary, you might be wondering why some of our favourite locals are not where they usually are.
The popular farmyard featuring our loved pigs, rabbits, chickens and ponies is undergoing renovations, with plans to make life better and more comfortable for our animal friends.
Wagga Wagga City Council’s Team Leader Parks Operations Jonathan Nicoll said the works are necessary to ensure comfort for the animals.
“The space is no longer suitable for the animals, so we have relocated them to other enclosures at the zoo temporarily while we renovate the yard,” Mr Nicoll said.
“We’re currently undertaking a full removal of the existing enclosures and then will rebuild the farmyard with better enclosures.
“Once we completely remove all enclosures, we can then look at the size of the space and work out exact enclosure sizes but also fix the drainage and erosion problems and paths, so it is easier to walk through.
“The pigs, for example, had outgrown their previous home, so they are now sharing with the camels for a short time where they can roam and roll in the mud more freely.”
The works are being completed by Council’s Botanic Gardens team and are expected to be complete by the end of year.
“We encourage our community to visit our animals while these works are being carried out.”
Council Funding for Major Events: Now Open!
Event organisers looking to develop new experiences or build on their event offering in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area are encouraged to apply for Wagga Wagga City Council's 2025/26 Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship funding program.
Applications are now open for events held between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
Funding is available across three event categories:
• Incubator Events – $3000 - $10,000
• Developing Events – $3000$20,000
• Flagship Events – $10,000 - $20,000
With a $100,000 funding pool available, Council is committed to supporting innovative, creative, and high-quality events to build a vibrant annual events calendar for our community and visitors.
Events Officer Emma Corbett says Council recognises the value of events in driving tourism, creating social connection, celebrating our place & culture, and enlivening our city.
“The program provides financial support to develop new events or festival experiences.
“Funding encourages the growth and development of existing or maturing events,” Ms Corbett said.
“Council’s Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship funding program ensures our city continues to present a vibrant and diverse annual events calendar, which provides important economic and cultural benefits to our city.
“Successful applicants in previous rounds included Gears and Beers, Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras and Christmas with the Con.”
There are four assessment rounds throughout the financial year, with this first round closing on Sunday 18 May 2025.
Funding rounds are advertised throughout the year or until funds are exhausted.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Events team prior to applying by emailing events@wagga.nsw.gov.au or phoning 1300 292 422.
For more information on the program visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/ eventsponsorship
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The adoption cost for Bobo (ImpD24/0559) is $344, which includes microchipping, lifetime registration, vaccination, heartworm test, flea and worming treatment, ID tag and desexing.
Vacancies
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15 MAR, 11.30AM – 12.30PM Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow St. Musical Bingo at Tilly’s SAT 15 MAR, 3PM – 5PM Tilly’s Wagga, 109 Baylis St. Saturday Night Roller Discos! SAT 15 MAR, 7PM – 9PM Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. Joe Avati – When I Was Your Age SAT 15 MAR,
8PM – 9.30PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. Waggaroos Learn to Orienteer Training Session SUN 16 MAR, 9AM – 10PM Willans Hill Willans Hill Miniature Railway SUN 16 MAR, 10AM – 2.30PM Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. Lazy Sundays at The Wild Vine – Adrian Joseph SUN 16 MAR, 12PM – 3PM The Wild Vine, 1313 Oura Rd. Country Music Club
SUN 16 MAR, 12.30PM – 4.30PM Wagga RSL Club, Cnr Kincaid & Dobbs St. The Wharf Revue TUE 18 & WED 19 MAR, 7.30PM – 9PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. Introduction to Bonsai WED 19 MAR, 6.30PM – 9PM The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. Wheelchair AFL WED 19 MAR, 4.30PM – 6.30PM Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. Riverina Producers Market THU 20 MAR, 1PM – 6.30PM Hammond Hall, Wagga Wagga Showground, 27 Bourke St. Vases & Vino at Pottery and Pints THU 20 MAR, 7PM – 9PM North Shore Studios, 57 William St. Frenchy – Embrace The Chaos Regional Tour THU 20 MAR, 7.30PM – 10PM Tilly’s Wagga, 109 Baylis St. Infusion Games Trivia and Karaoke THU 20 MAR, 8.30PM Victoria Hotel, 55 Baylis St. RCM Festival of
Bands FRI 21 MAR, 5.30PM – 7.30PM Riverina Conservatorium of Music, 1 Simmons St. Booranga Writers’ Author Talk with Sean Mackel and Suzanne Stich FRI 21 MAR, 6.30PM – 9.30PM The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. Scan or head to visitwagga.com for more events in Wagga Wagga + Surrounds.
