Tune in to a free webinar on staying warm while saving money!
VALUABLE TIPS: Environmental Education Officer Christina Reid and Net Zero Emissions Project Officer Hemendra
are encouraging residents to book their spot for the upcoming ‘Winter Comfort’ webinar.
CRUCIAL WORKS: Council’s Project Supervisor Brian Whiteley and Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch President Rod Cooper are keen to see remediation works start on the Honour Roll and Eternal Flame Memorial at the Victory Memorial Gardens.
Funding to remediate Honour Roll and Eternal Flame Memorial
Council has welcomed a funding grant from the Federal Government for the remediation of the Wagga Wagga Honour Roll and Eternal Flame Memorial at the Victory Memorial Gardens.
At its Ordinary Meeting on Monday 28 April, Council approved entering into a funding agreement with Department of Veterans’ Affairs for $147,425 of grant funding under the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.
Manager City Growth & Regional Assets Ben Creighton says the grant will enable Council to undertake the crucial remediation works on this significant memorial in the community.
“Late last year, discussions between Council staff, the mayor, and the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch identified there was a need for remediation work on the Honour Roll walls and the Eternal Flame and the pond it sits in, Mr Creighton said.
“Inspections found the existing structure was being impacted by moisture seeping into the wall, causing blistering to the paint and render.”
Do you have a community project that could use a
11:59pm.
The works will include replacing the existing render on the Honour Roll walls and moving an existing garden bed and adjacent sprinklers on the north side of the Memorial to allow for better drainage.
Pavers inside the Memorial will be removed to allow for the installation of sub-soil drainage before new concrete pavement is placed, while the pond will undergo waterproofing and retiling, and the energy lines to the Eternal Flame will be renewed.
“During the project, the Honour Roll and Eternal Flame Memorial will be closed to the public,” Mr Creighton said.
“The works are expected to take several months to complete, subject to the weather over winter and what we find when we start pulling up the pavers and working on the pond.
“We would like to have it all completed within six months, so the Memorial is ready to reopen in time for Remembrance Day on 11 November.”
It is proposed the works will commence shortly, weather permitting.
Council is encouraging residents to book their spot to be part of a free webinar to get some valuable tips and tools for staying warm while saving on their energy bills this winter.
The ‘Energy Efficiency: Winter Comfort for Homeowners and Renters’ webinar is being held on the evening of Tuesday 6 May.
It is the first in a series of free webinars scheduled for May and June as part of Council’s collaboration with Renew, a not-for-profit organisation committed to providing expert advice on solutions for an environmentally sustainable home and lifestyle.
Council’s Net Zero Emissions Project Officer Hemendra Chaudhary says participants in the Sustainable Living Expert Webinar Series will be able to hear from and interact with well-known subject experts directly.
“This first webinar is the perfect opportunity for residents, whether they own their own home or are renting, to find out ways to make their homes more comfortable in winter without breaking the bank and also reducing emissions,”
Mr Chaudhary said.
“It covers some practical tips that all of us can use around the home over the colder months; you don’t have to make big changes, just do some little things and you can save a lot of money.
“This could be doing small things like setting the temperature on your heater’s thermostat to a lower level, and instead, wearing more layers of clothing or snuggling under a blanket on the sofa instead.
“Between 18 and 21 degrees is the optimum temperature range to get the minimum bill; every degree above that range will add to your bill.
“There will also be some tips on how you can air-proof your home to make it more energy efficient and comfortable, reducing those annoying cold air drafts, which can keep you chilled even as your heater is pumping out the hot air.”
The ‘Winter Comfort’ webinar runs from 7pm to 8.30pm on 6 May.
It will be followed by ‘An Introduction to Solar and Adding Home Battery Storage’, 21 May, ‘All Electric Home’ on 5 June and the ‘Electric Vehicles’ webinar on 21 June 2025.
For more information and free registration: wagga.nsw.gov.au/renew. webinars
Chaudhary
Tender awarded for major Lake Albert renewal works
Council has awarded the tender for the Lake Albert Water Sports and Events Precinct Foreshore Remediation Design and Construction.
At its Ordinary Meeting on 28 April 2025, Council endorsed awarding the tender to Rare Environmental Pty Ltd for a lump sum price of $ $1,126,032.43, excluding GST.
Stage one of works will deliver 2.78 kilometres of embankment stabilisation and stormwater outlet rehabilitation around the lake, using a combination
of rock and sand stabilisation bags alongside the replacement of stormwater pipes and headwalls.
Council’s Manager City Growth & Regional Assets Ben Creighton described the contract endorsement as an important step in Council’s long-term efforts to protect and enhance the Lake Albert precinct.
“It will allow us to fix the erosion and collapsing foreshore issues that we have at the lake,” Mr Creighton said.
“It's important that we do that now, because once the pipeline's in place, we're going to have higher water levels making construction on the foreshore more difficult.
“Following these improvements, we’ve also got works planned to renew the weir, after which the pipeline will be installed.
“The project's progressing nicely, with significant progress made on the design and the planning stages of the pipeline. We’re reasonably comfortable it will be constructed on schedule with completion by the end of next year, weather permitting.”
The pipeline, once installed, will work to improve water quality and aid in
its regional tour.
A Special Performance at Remembrance Retirement Village
Opera Queensland made a special guest appearance at Remembrance Retirement Village in Wagga Wagga this week, ahead of their show
Are You Lonesome Tonight, which appeared on the Civic Theatre main on-stage Tuesday evening.
The intimate performance enabled village residents to enjoy some of the show's highlights, ensuring they don't miss out despite being unable to attend public performances.
Celebrating country music and opera, the visit of Are You Lonesome Tonight to Wagga Wagga marks the next stop on
Opera Queensland’s ambitious regional tour, which so far has covered over 8000-kilometres across Queensland and visited more than 30 communities.
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
Manager Claire Harris said the special performance was a truly memorable event.
“We’re incredibly proud to have brought this opportunity to the residents of Remembrance Retirement Village, ensuring that opera is not just confined to a stage, but shared in meaningful ways with everyone, regardless of their circumstances.”
Director of Learning, Regional and Community at Opera Queensland
Laura Hansford said Opera Queensland is committed to bringing music to communities all over Australia.
“We believe that opera isn’t just for city theatres; it’s a vibrant and multi-faceted artform that belongs everywhere.
1 Peter St.
Lazy Sundays at The Wild Vine - Trysta Willoughby SUN 4 MAY, 12PM – 3PM The Wild Vine, 1313 Oura Rd. The Burt Bacharach Songbook WED 7 MAY, 7.30PM - 9.30PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.
RCM Free Lunchtime Concert No.2: Kurrajong Ensemble
maintaining consistent water levels.
The project overall aims to boost social, environmental, business, and tourism benefits for the Wagga Wagga community, while also improving both access to and safety around the lake.
While a commencement date is yet to be finalised, the foreshore remediation works are expected to start in the coming months.
“People will notice that there will be construction happening, as there will be a need to have a lot of pedestrian diversions in place in the areas where the construction contractor is working,”
Mr Creighton said.
“Council will provide further information to the community as we get closer to the start of construction.”
Funding for the project is provided through a partnership between the Australian Government, via the Growing Regions Program, and Wagga Wagga City Council, with each contributing $4.49 million. Riverina Water will also be a strategic partner in the construction, delivery, and ongoing management of the pipeline and associated infrastructure.
"Our artists love creating deep connections with the communities we visit through our workshops and performances. This is about more than just entertainment; it’s about opening doors to new cultural experiences and building communities connected by the power of telling stories through music."
Road closures
TOMPSON ST
Roads: Tompson St (between Peter & Best St)
Date: Friday 16 May to Tuesday 20 May 2025 (weather permitting) Duration: Night road closure. The road will be open during the day. Works from 6pm to 6am Monday to Thursday.
Reason: Road reconstruction with full-depth asphalt
ALL NOTICES NOW ONLINE AT: wagga.nsw.gov.au/ publicnotices
of Music, 1 Simmons St. Riverina Producers Market
THU 8 MAY, 1PM – 6.30PM Hammond Hall, Wagga Wagga Showground, 27 Bourke St. Wagga Wagga Orchid Society Gathering
An
Networking
An
2.30PM William Farrer Hotel,
THU 8 MAY, 1PM – 2PM Riverina Conservatorium
THU 8 MAY, 7PM – 8PM ARCC Hall, 131 Tarcutta St. Mugs or Planter Pots at Pottery and Pints THU 8 MAY, 7PM – 9PM North Shore Studios, 57 William St, North Wagga.
BANFF Mountain Film Festival FRI 9 MAY, 7PM – 9PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. Scan or head to visitwagga.com for more events in Wagga Wagga + Surrounds.
18 May 2025
Arts & Culture
GIFTING SONG: Residents of Remembrance Retirement Village were treated with a special performance of Are you Lonesome Tonight, Opera Queensland’s ambitious show that is mid-way through