Wagga Wagga joins Halve Waste
WASTE WARRIORS: Waste Education Officer Sam Holt held an education session with children at the Shaw Street Children's Centre on Wednesday. The children learned which items go in which bins and showed that the future of waste management is in good hands.
Wagga Wagga City Council has officially joined the Halve Waste program, marking an exciting milestone for the region as we work together to reduce landfill and support a circular economy.
Wagga Wagga is now part of the Halve Waste community of 18 councils across the Riverina and Murray regions which are collaborating to drive better waste outcomes for residents and businesses alike.
Halve Waste began in 2010 as a regional campaign to help communities recycle more, send less to landfill, and make the most of local waste and recycling services.
Originally launched by six councils, the program has reached its first big target of cutting landfill waste by 50 per cent and is now focused on diverting 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.
Wagga Wagga’s inclusion in the program means tailored education and local initiatives will soon roll out across the city, supported by staff training and dedicated content to help residents make the most of recycling and waste services.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout welcomed the partnership and supports the education it will provide to residents.
“As a Council we are committed to
significantly reducing the amount of waste going to landfill, and part of this requires our residents to undertake correct waste sorting in the home and workplace,” Cr Tout said.
“Wagga Wagga City Council’s involvement in the Halve Waste program will assist in educating residents on how to correctly sort their waste into our three-bin system.
“It will also aim to educate about recycling and reusing products, about the correct disposal of hazardous materials, and why we as a community need to work together to reduce waste.”
By joining Halve Waste, Wagga Wagga is helping to:
• Strengthen efforts to meet NSW waste diversion targets
• Maximise the recovery of valuable resources from kerbside collections
• Reduce harmful methane emissions from landfill
• Deliver consistent waste education across neighbouring council areas
Halve Waste’s Program Coordinator Rebecca Randall said this partnership between Wagga Wagga City Council and Halve Waste reflects the strength of the Riverina when communities work together on shared environmental goals.
“Wagga Wagga’s involvement
represents a major step in building consistent, region-wide waste education and improving recycling outcomes for all,” Ms Randall said.
“The impact of Halve Waste keeps growing thanks to the commitment of councils like Wagga Wagga and its residents.
“Together, we’re creating more resourceful, sustainable communities –one bin at a time.”
To learn more about the Halve Waste program, and to access resources, visit halvewaste.com.au
Wagga Wagga welcomes it newest citizens
In one of its biggest ceremonies in more than two years, the Wagga Wagga community welcomed 51 new Australian citizens to the city this week during a moving Citizenship Ceremony at the Civic Theatre.
The conferees, who ranged in age from three years old to 65 years old, took the pledge of commitment and officially became citizens in front of a strong crowd of family, friends, and supporters on Wednesday 30 July 2025.
Countries of origin included Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Kenya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, The Philippines, Tibet, and Turkey.
It was the largest number of new citizens at a single ceremony in Wagga Wagga since Australia Day 2023 at the Victory Memorial Gardens, where 75 people from 23 different countries chose that day to become Australian citizens.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout said it was wonderful to have so many cultures represented from all over the world pledging loyalty to Australia.
“To our new citizens – what an occasion this is for you. Australia welcomes you today with open arms and I celebrate with you as a fellow citizen of this wonderful country. I trust that your time in Wagga Wagga, and the region, will be all you wish it to be,” Cr Tout said.
“Living in a city and region that is so welcoming, diverse and most importantly inclusive is what myself as Mayor, and all other members of our communities are so proud of.”
Wagga Wagga is a proud multicultural city, with 114 nationalities represented and 107 different languages spoken.
Council generally hosts between 10 and 12 Citizenship Ceremonies each year, including the Australia Day ceremony.
The next Citizenship Ceremony will be held on 19 August 2025.
HAPPY PLANTS: Vegetation Management Officer Charles Metcalfe and Environmental Coordinator Sam Pascall were there to help the planting native seedlings have new homes after the National Tree Day community planting event held on Sunday 27 July.
Native seedlings planted thanks to our Wagga Wagga community
Residents of Wagga Wagga and surrounds braved the wind and rain on Sunday 27 July to help plant native seedlings into the ground for National Tree Day.
The community planting event was run by Wagga Wagga City Council and supported by Thomas Bros Toyota, Wagga Model Aero Club and Wagga Wagga Urban Landcare.
Council’s Environmental Officer Catherine Conroy said despite the weather, she was pleased with the turnout.
“Thank you to all our amazing
Draft strategy for onsite wastewater management systems on public exhibition
Council has drafted an Onsite Wastewater Management Strategy, which breaks down how the different types of systems operate and provides guidelines on how these systems operate safely for the community and the environment.
At its Ordinary Meeting on 21 July, Council endorsed the draft Onsite Wastewater Management Strategy 20252029 to be placed on public exhibition for 35 days from 28 July – 31 August 2025. The strategy has been revised to meet updated Onsite Wastewater
community volunteers and Council staff who worked hard in the wet conditions and made the day a huge success,” Ms Conroy said.
“The ground was waterlogged from all the rain and the location had its own challenges, but with all the hands on deck, we were able to restore the old Dunns Road into a new home for native plants, which hopefully new wildlife will visit and enjoy.
“We had roughly 50 volunteers turn up, and with our combined efforts the new seedlings were planted. Our volunteers consisted of various members of the
Management Guidelines released by the NSW Office of Local Government in April 2025 and also includes a new Risk Management framework.
There are more than 2100 active onsite wastewater management systems on properties in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area (LGA).
Council is required by law to ensure these systems are operating effectively, which includes approval of installations, maintaining a register of systems, and monitoring their operational status.
Manager Regulatory City Compliance Services Robert Gauci said the draft strategy details these responsibilities, as well as providing guidance to homeowners, applicants, installers, wastewater consultants, service technicians, and developers on all aspects of onsite wastewater management systems.
“It will play a crucial role for all stakeholders and the community by managing and regulating the impact of onsite wastewater management systems, to minimise risk to public health and the environment,” Mr Gauci said.
“Under our current Onsite Sewage Management Plan, all properties under 20 hectares are already subject to inspections, which can range from once every 12 months for those systems deemed high risk, to up to every 15 years for those considered low risk.
“In line with the new legislative requirements from the NSW Office of Local Government, the draft Strategy includes the reinstatement of inspections for farmland properties over 20 hectares
community – kids, adults, returners and first-timers, as well as local community groups.
“It’s not easy to get out of bed on a winter Sunday morning, especially a rainy one. We’re incredibly grateful to our volunteers who gave their time to support our native plants and animals.
“A huge thanks also goes out to Thomas Bros Toyota for cooking the barbecue to warm the bellies of volunteers after a big morning of planting. It was the energy boost we all needed.”
The seedlings planted were specifically chosen to rehabilitate the old road corridor to build onto the existing roadside vegetation, extending (over time) a wildlife corridor across a heavily cleared landscape.
Volunteers were also able to take home a free native seedling to plant, as our backyards go a long way to assisting wildlife, like bees and birds, in their travels.
Once the seedlings become established, the new layer of woodland will support a range of native biodiversity.
“For those who missed out on this event or want to get involved in more environmental events, our next One Tree for Me seedling giveaways will be coming up in August and September.”
For more environmental events, follow Wagga Wagga City Council’s Environmental Team on Facebook: @ SustainableWaggaWagga and sign up to their newsletter, or visit: wagga.nsw. gov.au/enviroevents in size.
“The proposed changes also give landowners who have these onsite systems a choice of who carries out the inspections, such as whether it's Council officers, a licensed plumber or a service agent.
“However, it’s important to remember that all new installations or alterations still require prior approval and installation inspections by Council’s Environmental Health Officers.”
Generally, onsite wastewater management systems have an effective operational life of between 15-25 years after which time they may require significant maintenance or replacement to meet the basic performance standards.
The draft strategy takes a risk-based approach through proactive monitoring and compliance with legislative performance standards.
“Inspections of systems make sure that they are up to scratch and operating efficiently and correctly, to prevent implications for the environment and community if they're not operating correctly,” Mr Gauci said.
The draft Onsite Wastewater Management Strategy will be on exhibition until Sunday 31 August 2025.
After the public exhibition period, Council will then consider a report and adoption of the Onsite Wastewater Management Strategy and Risk Management framework.
For more information and to provide your feedback, visit haveyoursay. wagga.nsw.gov.au/owms
Happy-Go-Hailey is ready to capture your heart!
This 10-month-old American Staffy X is bursting with energy, love and curiosity!
The adoption fee for Hailey (ImpD25/0333) is $409 and includes microchipping, desexing and ID tag, and relevant vaccinations and testing.
wagga.nsw.gov.au/