INSIDE: REFUGEE STORIES EXHIBITION, PET OF THE WEEK + MORE
Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
Issue No: 199
Weekly information from us to you
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 16 JUNE 2018
Robo-mow
It might look like a giant toy, but Council’s new remote-controlled lawn mower is hailed as an innovative piece of equipment. The Spider is a recent addition to Council’s fleet of maintenance equipment used to mow roadside verges, stormwater easements and levee banks. Parks Operations Supervisor David Stapleton said the Spider is very useful because it safely cuts grass and vegetation in areas that are inaccessible for conventional mowers or tractors. “So far it’s been put to use on levee banks, steep areas at Bomen and along the roadside entrances to Gregadoo Waste Management Centre.” “The Spider is safe for operators because it’s driven by a remote-control unit which allows operators to stand well clear of the mower and avoid any risk of injury. “This is particularly beneficial when mowing around obstacles and sloped areas of difficult terrain – the spider can handle inclination of up to 55 degrees. “The other benefit is the Spider can tackle a variety of foliage ranging from fine grass such as kikuyu to heavy, thick brush and reduce it to a fine mulch. “Not only is more efficient, there’s no doubt the Spider has improved the safety of Council’s parks, stormwater and sewer teams,” he said. NEW TECHNOLOGY: Andrew Jones puts the new remote-controlled lawn mower through its paces at the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre.
Help make Wagga more inclusive The next stage of a plan to make Wagga Wagga a more inclusive city will be mapped out with community members at an engagement forum this week. Social Planning Coordinator Lisa Saffery said Wagga Wagga City Council is committed to making the community more inclusive and delivering goals identified in the Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP 2017-2021) which meet the needs and aspirations of the community. “In the first 12-months of DIAP we have successfully completed disability inclusion projects which have had a
w o l l foUS ON
positive impact on the liveability of the city, and importantly were identified by the community,” she said. “This forum is an important opportunity for community members to hear what’s been achieved through the DIAP in the first 12 months, give their feedback, and explore and discuss the actions planned for 2018/19. “We value the community’s input and contribution to improve equity and accessibility for all members of the community. “The establishment of the Wagga Access Reference Group, with members including the NSW Council for Intellectual Disability and Intereach, along with business sector and general community members, is a big step forward in bringing the voices of people with a broad range of disabilities to the table,” she said.
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A number of projects identified in the plan have already been completed with more underway now. “Some members of the Access Reference Group and numerous agencies were integral in determining the preferred locations of the 12 additional on-street accessible car parking spaces throughout the CBD, and construction is now underway,” Ms Saffery continued. “We’re proud that work is underway on the construction of Livii’s Place – an inclusive playspace accessible for all children and their families and Marveloo – a much needed mobile adult changing facility; both located in the Bolton Park precinct. Earlier this year the Wagga Wagga Local Achievement Awards included an additional category to recognise Diversity and Inclusion and this award was received by Peggy Adamson.”
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SOME OF WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED:
• Installation of automatic doors at Museum of the Riverina and Wagga Wagga Art Gallery • Addition of 50 removable seats at the Civic Theatre that will provide choice of seating arrangements and support group bookings along with an accessible lift to the stage and toilet facilities • New ramp at Ngurra Youth Hub in Ashmont • Art exhibition by artists living with mental health conditions at the Museum of the Riverina • Improvements to change rooms and mobile stairs installed in the program pool at the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre
Get involved
• Disability Inclusion Engagement forum, Monday 18 June 2pm-4pm, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery (wheelchair accessible entrance via Morrow Street) • Online: wagga.nsw.gov.au/inclusion