One week left to
submit applications
for 25/26 Annual Grants Program funding
Council is reminding community organisations, individuals and local businesses that have a project, event, or great idea, that there is still time to submit an application for Annual Grants Program funding.
Applications for the 2025/26 Annual Grants Program are open for one more week only, with a total of $232,000 available across 10 categories including: Arts, Culture & Creative Industries, Community Programs & Projects, Environment, Events, Local Heritage, Neighbourhood & Rural Villages, Recreational & Community Facilities, Rural Halls, Small Business, and Youth Programs & Projects.
Council’s Cultural Officer Lauren Reynolds points to the creative transformation of laneways near Galing Place as an example of what can be achieved by successful applicants.
Local resident Judy Lewis wanted to help create a space for the community to enjoy, and was granted funding through Council’s 2024/25 Annual
Grants program in the Arts, Culture and Creative Industries category for the creation of a public art mural.
Ms Reynolds says the laneway is now a vibrant space that the community can enjoy thanks to the work of Judy.
“Since the COVID pandemic, Judy has taken it upon herself to plant garden beds throughout the network of laneways behind her house,” Lauren said.
“She has achieved a lot with some help from her neighbours and made the laneways a more appealing and safer place for the community. The mural is the most recent addition to the laneway, helping add colour and vibrancy.”
Judy Lewis believed her love for gardening could be used to liven up the common walking area.
“Another community member helped me with the initial planting, and it just grew from there,” Judy said. “Once people knew what we were doing they started dropping boxes of plants off at the door.
“It’s taken many years for it to look the
way it does now, and I regularly walk through with a spade in hand because I’d much rather be working in the garden.
“I thought a mural on the fence would help brighten up the laneway section where there was no dirt for me to plant anything, and I’m really grateful to Council for providing the support and funding to make it a reality.
The mural was painted by Waggaraised international street artist Damien Mitchell, who said the mural has been a product of almost four years of conversations between Judy and himself.
The mural and garden area can be found throughout the Galing Place laneway and other laneways running off Incarnie Crescent and Leena Place.
Applications for the 2025/26 Annual Grants Program close Monday 5 May 2025 at 11:59pm
To learn more about the Annual Grants Program, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/ annualgrants To learn more visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/householdwaste
Events & Tourism
Get ready to run: a Running Festival is coming to Wagga Wagga!
Wagga Wagga City Council and Elite Energy Events are thrilled to announce the inaugural Run Wagga Wagga Running Festival, set to take place on 7 March 2026.
This exciting community event invites runners of all abilities to experience the scenic beauty of Wagga Wagga with race distances ranging from a 42.2km marathon, 21.1km half marathon, 10km, 5km, and 2km courses.
Run Wagga Wagga promises an unforgettable race day, designed to unite the community and showcase the best of the region.
The race will take participants along the picturesque Murrumbidgee River, offering a mostly flat, scenic route.
Runners will pass through lush parklands, charming local spots, and finish at the iconic Riverside Precinct, a vibrant family-friendly area that provides the perfect spot to relax and celebrate after the race.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout is happy to announce a three-year agreement with Elite Energy Events to host the Wagga Wagga Running Festival.
“We are excited to welcome participants from around the region and beyond to Wagga Wagga for this fantastic running festival,” Cr Tout said.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase the beauty of our city and the stunning Murrumbidgee River along the Wiradjuri Trail that features in the course.
“Local tourism and businesses are expected to receive a boost through an influx of visitors to the city.
“Residents are encouraged to get involved by entering into a race or cheering on participants during the day.”
CEO of Elite Energy Events Mark Emerton is excited about the event.
“We’re beyond excited to bring this running festival to Wagga Wagga.
This isn’t just a race—it’s a chance to showcase the beauty of the town, bring the community together, and inspire people of all fitness levels to join in for a fun day.”
Mark your calendars for 7 March 2026 and get ready to be part of the first-ever Run Wagga Wagga. Early registration will open soon—make sure to secure your spot for this great event.
For more information and to register visit: eliteenergy.com.au/event/runwagga/
PETAL ON THE METAL: The new mural near Galing Place by Damien Mitchell features many striking florals and native birds, amongst silhouettes of the people who regularly use the space. Pictured: Artist Damien Mitchell and Council’s Cultural Officer Lauren Reynolds.
reiterates
sorting
With
to
The announcement came in March that only food and garden waste can go in the green lid bins, eliminating items
Tolland Renewal Project update
Wagga Wagga City Council and Homes NSW have reached a significant milestone in the Tolland Renewal Project, with the signing of the section 29 agreement and the Planning Agreement for the project.
The section 29 agreement was approved at the 16 December 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting and allows Homes NSW to acquire some parcels of Council-owned land.
The Tolland Planning Agreement was
such as paper, cardboard, wooden and bamboo utensils, dust, fur, hair and teabags.
Since then, Council has received feedback from the community claiming the changes make it impossible to fit their waste into the current bin system, which evidence suggests is not the case.
Manager Gregadoo Waste Management Centre Andrea Baldwin says if residents are sorting their waste correctly, they should not be relying so heavily on their red lid bins.
“A lot of the feedback we have received from the community is that the red lid bins for general waste are too small and the once a fortnight collection is insufficient,” Ms Baldwin said.
“However, our data shows that the average red lid bin waste weighs 11.86 kilograms per fortnight, recycling weighs 8.42 kilograms per fortnight, and the green lid bin waste weighs 14.94 kilograms per week.
“Considering that each household is supplied with bins that hold 80 kilograms worth of volume, there is no evidence
approved at the 10 February 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting and enables the delivery of community spaces and infrastructure.
Director Regional Activation John Sidgwick said the approval of both agreements is a significant step forward for the Tolland Renewal Project.
“The signing of the section 29 agreement and the Tolland Planning Agreement allows Homes NSW to progress with certain elements of the masterplan, Mr Sidgwick said.
“This includes the upgrade of the mobile library facilities, toilet block and stage area in Chambers Park, upgrade of community facilities and improved pedestrian and bike access both within Tolland and connecting places like shopping centres and Jubilee Park.
“This infrastructure is important for the final design of the suburb as it enhances liveability, increases connectivity for residents, and encourages active lifestyles.”
Invitation to apply for funding from the
2025 Category 1 - Funding Applications
to support that a change in service is needed.”
In addition to this information, contamination rates suggest there is more that residents can be doing to ensure their allocated waste collection is being used correctly.
“Our results show that generally each red lid bin has 22 per cent recycling and 45 per cent food and garden waste, highlighting that if items were placed in the correct bins there would be ample space available in your red lid bin,”
Andrea Baldwin said.
The changes to the green lid bin waste have been implemented by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) due to their findings that the items like paper, cardboard and treated timber may contain chemicals that in large quantities can be harmful to humans and the environment.
For more information on the green lid bin changes visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/ waste
Refer to our A-Z Waste Guide: wagga. nsw.gov.au/a-zguide
Once the land is developed by Homes NSW as part of the Tolland Renewal Project, it will be handed back to Council as a community asset.
Council, Homes NSW, and the Argyle Consortium will continue to work together to deliver the Tolland Renewal Project through a staged approach which will see increased social, affordable, seniors, and private housing.
For more information about the Tolland Renewal Project visit haveyoursay. wagga.nsw.gov.au or the Homes NSW website dpie.nsw.gov.au/tollandestate
Road closures
Duration:
Reason:
Wagga Wagga City Council as the coordinator for ClubGRANTS is now inviting applications for funding towards your local community service needs and priorities. Priority funding categories:
• Mental Health
• Prevention and Support of Homelessness
• Domestic and Family Violence
• First Nations Programs
Secondary funding categories include women and family health, childcare services, aged and veteran support services, all abilities programs, disadvantaged young people, transport services for identified social needs, sustainable living and housing.
• Applications open 9am Saturday 1 February 2025
• Applications close 5pm Saturday 31 May 2025
Bourke St. Matthew Garvie THURS 1 MAY, 1PM – 2PM Riverina Conservatorium of Music, 1 Simmons St. Wagga Gold Cup
THURS 1 & FRI 2 MAY Murrumbidgee Turf Club, 142 Travers St. Nurse Georgie Carroll: Infectious
2 MAY, 8PM – 9:20PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.
Scan or head to visitwagga.com for more events in Wagga Wagga + Surrounds.
May 2025
Cadet Engineer Remuneration: $2,507.68 gross per fortnight + super Closing: Wednesday, 14 May 2025
wagga.nsw.gov.au/
Environment & Animals
Council