Polystyrene compactor to boost recycling at Gregadoo Waste Management Centre
CRUSHED IT: GWMC Facilities Manager Andrea Baldwin is all smiles in light of NSW EPA’s announcement of funding to support the purchase and installation of a new polystyrene waste compactor at the Centre.
Council has secured $86,121 in NSW Government funding to purchase and install a new expanded polystyrene (EPS) compactor at the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre (GWMC).
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) confirmed last week (15 August 2025) that Wagga Wagga would receive the funding as part of Round 5 allocations from the $5.9 million Landfill Consolidation and Environmental Improvements Grants Program.
The program supports regional councils to review operations and deliver projects that increase resource recovery, help to extend landfill life and improve operational and environmental outcomes.
GWMC Facilities Manager Andrea Baldwin welcomed the funding announcement which will see the new machine replace the site’s existing smallscale melting unit.
“Upgrading to this new equipment will give us the capacity to manage much larger volumes of polystyrene from both local and regional sources,” Ms Baldwin said.
“It will allow for more efficient, measurable processing and provide significant environmental benefits by diverting polystyrene from landfill. We appreciate the NSW EPA’s support,
which will help Wagga Wagga take another step towards a circular economy.”
The new compactor is expected to be operational by November 2025.
Council’s Director Economy, Business and Workforce Fiona Piltz said it forms part of a greater suite of upgrades and improvements in the process of being delivered at the Waste Management Centre.
“This investment is one of several upgrades underway at Gregadoo, each of which is designed to help prepare the facility for the city’s future waste needs,” Ms Piltz said.
“The new compactor will not only stop more polystyrene ending up in landfill – it will also support the remanufacture of this material into new products such as skirting boards, kitchen cupboards and picture frames.
“Together with other planned upgrades, it’s helping us build a more efficient, future-ready waste facility for a growing Wagga Wagga.”
In the meantime, residents and businesses can continue to drop off polystyrene free of charge at the GWMC.
To make sure these materials can be recycled effectively, Council is asking the community to take a few simple steps
Do you have an onsite wastewater management system?
when preparing loads.
Packaging should be broken down, tape and labels should be removed as much as reasonably possible, and materials kept clean and dry.
Loads should be covered during transport, and customers are reminded to advise the weighbridge if they are carrying recyclables and follow instructions when directed to the transfer stations.
For the full list of recyclable items, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/waste
Council has drafted a new Onsite Wastewater Management Strategy to align with updated NSW legislation. It outlines how to keep your system safe for people, animals, and the environment. The draft strategy is open for public feedback until Sunday 31 August 2025 Visit haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/owms
BENEFICIARIES: Representatives of the 2025 ClubGRANTS Scheme recipients.
Local community groups and charities this week received a combined $167,436.30 in funding for projects and initiatives through the 2025 ClubGRANTS scheme at a presentation at the Wagga RSL Club.
The ClubGRANTS scheme is a state-wide initiative that provides the framework for registered clubs to directly fund local priority projects and services. Wagga Wagga City Council coordinates the local ClubGRANTS committee of representatives from Wagga RSL Club, Rules Club Wagga and the Department of Communities and Justice.
Director Community Janice Summerhayes said the funds are shared between 20 successful recipients.
“The funding provided through the ClubGRANTS scheme assists groups that may not have been able to secure financial assistance through other means,” Ms Summerhayes said.
“It helps to ensure that valued services and projects continue to be delivered throughout the community.”
Clubs that earn more than $1 million annually in gaming machine revenue provide funding for community projects and services, and, in turn, receive dollarfor-dollar gaming tax deductions.
The 2025 recipients are Ashmont Public School, The Shepherd Centre –For Deaf Children, Carevan Wagga Inc, Foodbank NSW & ACT, The Northcott Society, SHINE for Kids Co-Operative Ltd, Royal Life Saving NSW, Playgroup NSW – Ngurra Strong, Solve-TAD Limited – Freedom Wheels, Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), Stewart House, Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga Sunrise, Clontarf Foundation, NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), Boys to the Bush Ltd, Little Wings Limited, Riverina Veteran and Family Hub, Cancer Council – Relay for Life and Willans Hill School.
The event was attended by Michael McCormack MP Federal Member for the Riverina, Deputy Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Georgie Davies, Councillor Lindsay Tanner and representatives of Wagga RSL Club and Rules Club Wagga.
To learn more visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/ clubgrants
CLEAN & COMPACT: The new polystyrene compactor will facilitate more efficient waste processing and help to provide significant environmental benefits.
Last free seedling giveaway for 2025!
Backyards in Wagga Wagga are filling up with beautiful native plants and animals after three successful One Tree for Me giveaways have been completed for this year, with the last giveaway for 2025 just around the corner.
Council’s Environment team is excited to be heading out to Estella this time to provide everyone around the city a chance to get their green thumbs on some free seedlings.
Council’s Environmental Education Officer Christina Reid says that due to the growth of our northern suburbs like Boorooma, Estella Rise, and Gobbagombalin, it’s especially significant that the last seedling giveaway will be held in Estella.
“There has been a lot of residential development in our northern growth
area in recent years; as these suburbs continue to expand, there will be lots of homes whose gardens are a blank canvas, perfect spaces for some of our seedlings!” Ms Reid said.
“We are keen to encourage these new residents to think about what they plant around their homes, but of course we hope people from all over Wagga Wagga will come to get some of the seedlings as well.
“Aside from getting a little selection of free native seedlings, our One Tree for Me giveaway is also a great opportunity to speak to our environment team to get some tips about your garden.”
The One Tree for Me campaign is in its fifth year and aims to get 65,000 seedlings planted in our local area over a six-year period.
It is specifically targeted at urban
A Storytime full of adventure during Book Week at the library!
Wagga Wagga City Library celebrated Children’s Book Week 2025 with a colourful and adventurous line-up of activities for the young and young at heart, as it took part in this national event that celebrates books for young people and the joy of reading.
This year marked the 80th anniversary of Children’s Book Week, and the theme for 2025 was ‘Book an Adventure’.
The dress-up Book Week Storytime sessions on Wednesday and Friday proved popular, with plenty of princesses, superheroes, dinosaurs and even a dalmatian making an appearance.
Outreach Services Team Leader Wendy Harper was pleased to see so many
youngsters dress up as their favourite characters, and enjoying the fun of Storytime with picture books, crafts, and activities.
“Book Week is a great way to get books into the hands of young readers, as well as an opportunity to highlight Australian authors for an Australian audience – young or old,” Ms Harper said.
“We did both this week, with Walkley Award-winning, Wagga Wagga bornand-raised crime and politics journalist, Adam Walters, launching his first children’s book during Storytime on Friday.
“Cocka Who??? is a fun and engaging book, illustrated by Adelaide artist Morgan Ingerson, which delivers a
Sessions with Dale Allison & Geoff Simpson SUN 24 AUG, 6PM – 8PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. Hey Diddle Fiddle MON 25 AUG, 6PM – 7PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way. Arcadia Winds FRI 29 AUG,
backyards to encourage people to transform their own gardens into thriving habitats for birds, insects and other native species.
“We are encouraging people to consider, not just putting in any native plants, but plants that are specifically native to the Wagga Wagga region,” Ms Reid said.
“Think of your backyard as a little bush corridor that helps native animals to travel safely between these larger areas of natural bushland. In this way, your own yard can become an important space to support local biodiversity.”
The session on Saturday 6 September at the Estella Shopping Centre will run from 10am to 2pm, or until all the seedlings have been given away.
For more details, visit wagga.nsw.gov. au/onetreeforme
the magnificent Maisy
beautiful female, 6 year old Mastiff x has a kind and
nature, and would thrive in an environment where she feels safe and loved that is looking for her forever home.
Maisy (ImpD25/0375) had already been desexed before arriving at the shelter, so her adoption cost is $148 and includes vaccination, heartworm test, flea and worming treatment, and ID tag.
AUG, 8:30PM The Victoria Hotel, 55 Baylis St. Scan or head to visitwagga.com for more events in Wagga Wagga + Surrounds.
