Council News #413 - 17 September 2022

INSIDE: COUNCIL NEWS CHANGES, A SPECIAL TREE PLANTING + MORE

Council News

THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING FEATURE BY WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL

Weekly newsletter from Wagga Wagga City Council

First Printed Saturday 17 September 2022 | Issue #413

NEW FACES AT OUR ZOO Visitors to the Wagga Zoo & Aviary will be able to meet four new additions to the zoo family these school holidays; two baby wombats and two dingo puppies.

The new arrivals have been settling into their enclosures and enjoying round-the-clock care from the zoo team.

Continued inside

PUPPY LOVE: Zoo Curator Wendy McNamara and Zoo Keeper Brooke Caines with 12-week-old dingo puppies Zeke and Diego in their brand-new display enclosure.

FUSION BOTANICAL to bring eclectic line-up of live music Brushtail possums, squirrel gliders and boobook owls won't be the only late-night visitors to the city’s Botanic Gardens in October, with local bipeds of the humankind invited into the gardens for live music after dark.

Headlining FUSION BOTANICAL, the city’s multicultural festival, are Milan Ring (Sydney), Approachable Members of Your Local Community (Melbourne), Ajak Kwai (Melbourne), and a thumping DJ set from Klue

(Sydney).

These unique Australian artists will bring an eclectic mix of sounds and styles to the Botanic Gardens stage on Saturday 15 October, kicking off at 4pm.

Wagga Wagga City Council’s Director Community Janice Summerhayes said FUSION has grown to be one of the city’s biggest outdoor events, with thousands of residents and visitors from across the region and beyond soaking in the sights, sounds and scents.

“We’ve curated an exciting and eclectic line-up featuring some of the country’s most creative and talented artists,” Ms Summerhayes said.

“Along with our headliners, there will be a mix of other entertainment including a DJ, roving performers, a live sand sculpture reveal, giant lawn games and our amazing community performers.

“You will want to arrive hungry at FUSION BOTANICAL, with more than 25 authentic and contemporary street food and drink vendors congregating in the much-loved World Food Village.

“The full details will be announced in the coming weeks.”

Try authentic street food, soak up the atmosphere and watch diverse live music performances at FUSION BOTANICAL in the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay Street, on Wiradjuri Country, from 4pm to 9.30pm on Saturday 15 October.

To discover more about this year’s festival, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/ fusion or follow Fusion Multicultural Festival on Facebook.

FUSION BOTANICAL is presented and funded by Wagga Wagga City Council and supported by the NSW Government, and cultural partner the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga.

COMPLEX SOUNDS: Melbourne Tabla Ensemble, featuring tabla players Sam Evans, Rithvik Chand and Sachin Iyer, will showcase the virtuosic table drumming of North India at FUSIONS BOTANICAL.

Saturday 24 September Just Add Kids

10am-3pm • Botanic Gardens Wagga Wagga For kids aged 2-12 • Free entry visitwagga.com/springjam

Council News - A Wagga Wagga City Council publication

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Tree planting commemorates Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee

A plaque has been unveiled and trees planted in Ashmont to commemorate the dedicated service of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the Commonwealth over the past 70 years.

Wagga Wagga City Council was successful in receiving grant funding from the Australian Government’s Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program to plant 27 mature trees within two Council parks in Ashmont – Jack Misson Oval and Crisp Street Park.

The objective of the program is to commemorate Her Late Majesty’s Jubilee through community tree planting events across Australia.

Acting Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Jenny McKinnon and Wiradjuri and First Nations Elder Aunty Mary Atkinson joined students from Ashmont Public School for the plaque unveiling and tree planting ceremony at Jack Misson Oval on Friday 16 September 2022.

Aunty Mary Atkinson presented the Welcome to Country before one minute’s silence was observed in honour of Her Late Majesty Queen

Elizabeth II. “The Queen’s reign spanned 70 years, leaving a significant legacy across the Commonwealth that will continue into the future,” Cr McKinnon said.

“Planting trees is a simple gesture, but one that can also have a lasting legacy, in honouring Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. “These trees will provide our community with a shady and inviting place to gather together, as well as increasing habitat for local wildlife for decades to come."

To acknowledge Her Late Majesty’s 70 years of service, a group of Years 5 and 6 students from Ashmont Public School shared their hopes and dreams for the future.

Each student took turns in reading their submissions and dropping their piece of paper into the hole dug for the tree planting.

This project is jointly funded through Wagga Wagga City Council and the Australian Government’s Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program.

COMMEMORATING TOGETHER: Acting Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Jenny McKinnon and Aunty Mary Atkinson joined students from Ashmont Public School at the tree planting ceremony.

weekly

MOWING REPORT 19 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2022

For the week commencing Monday 19 September 2022, we’ll be mowing in the following locations: • Ashmont • Equex area • Lake Albert foreshore • Oura

• North Wagga Wagga • Springvale • Tarcutta parks • Tatton

SIGN OF RESPECT: The flags at our Civic Centre remain at half-mast in the lead up to the National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Changed trading hours for special national public holiday Sustainable Wagga Wagga

Silvalite Reserve

Spotlight night

Put your vision to the test and see if you can spot a creature or two in our annual spotlight night guided walk.

Please wear sturdy, enclosed footwear and warm clothing.

Friday 23 September 7pm – 8.30pm Silvalite Reserve car park, Red Hill Road

Free event (numbers are limited) Register via Humanitix at wagga.nsw.gov.au/enviroevents For more information: Christina Reid on 1300 292 442 wagga.nsw.gov.au/enviroevents

There will be changes to some of Wagga Wagga City Council’s business operations next week as the country observes a National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The special public holiday will be held on Thursday 22 September 2022, with a National Memorial Service to take place at 11am in the Great Hall of Australian Parliament House in Canberra. It will begin with one minute’s silence.

Acting General Manager Janice Summerhayes said several Council services and facilities will be closed for the Day of Mourning but will reopen for business as usual on Friday 23 September.

“This will include the Customer Service counter at the Civic Centre and the Visitor Information Centre as well as the Library, Art Gallery, Civic Theatre, and Museum of the Riverina,” Ms Summerhayes said.

“While the Gregadoo Waste Management

Centre will also be closed, there are no changes to our kerbside waste collection services, so remember to put your bins out on Wednesday night if Thursday is your usual collection day.

“You will still be able to head down for a dip at the Oasis Aquatic Centre, although its programs will be limited to Learn to Swim classes, and our Botanic Gardens Zoo & Aviary will also be open to the public.”

Operations at the Livestock Marketing Centre in Bomen will also observe the National Day of Mourning, with no sheep and lamb sale to be held on Thursday 22 September.

As a mark of respect, flags will continue to be flown at half-mast at Council facilities until further notice.

For more information about our trading hours, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/openhours

Changes to how we do Council News Wagga Wagga City Council’s Council News is shortly to become a two-page feature, with Council focusing more attention on digital, social media and in-person communication channels.

The change, beginning with the Saturday 1 October 2022 edition, is a result of Council’s analysis of the changing way community members are seeking information.

Council's Chief Operating Officer Scott Gray said more residents are turning to digital channels to consume content and news.

“We need to ensure we’re

communicating with people where they already are, which is increasingly online and on social media,” Mr Gray said.

“That’s why we’ve been encouraging residents to subscribe to our online newsletter, which is a great way of getting all your Council news direct to your inbox each week.

“We are also committed to engaging with more residents face-to-face, through various methods such as community consultation sessions around specific developments and projects. We’ll also be meeting residents in the suburbs where they live, for example

Been doing a yard clean up?

DON’T put large pieces of wood and stump, rocks, bricks or glass in the green lid bin. Instead, drop it off at the tip or put it in the red lid bin, noting the weight limit.

To learn more visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/householdwaste

by collaborating with our Agile Library team who are out and about every day in our community.”

Mr Gray said an increased focus on digital communication would enable Council to issue articles and updates quickly, reaching a wider and more diverse audience.

Council will maintain the twopage Saturday insert to ensure residents without access to the internet are kept up to date with Council news.

You can subscribe to Council News online at wagga.nsw. gov.au/subscribe

Council News - A Wagga Wagga City Council publication

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Baby wombats and dingo puppies: our zoo welcomes new animals The two little wombat orphans were donated to the zoo in August by a wildlife rescue organisation.

Zoo Curator Wendy McNamara said the donation was prompted, in part, by a declining number of safe release sites for rescued wombats.

“Wombats in the wild are struggling, with many burrows destroyed by floods, and wombat populations affected by mange,” Ms McNamara said.

“So we’re very happy to be able to take care of these two precious animals and give them a safe home.”

Gus is approximately 10 months old and weighs around 4 kilos and Madeline is around 7 months old, weighing 2.5 kilos.

The two have quickly become best friends.

“They play-fight a bit, but they’re very bonded,” Ms McNamara said.

“Gus is my cuddle-bug and Madeline just wants to take on the world.”

In addition to eating lots of grass, hay and pellets, the little wombats are bottle-fed a special formula for native Australian animals four times a day, which will continue until they’re around 10 kilos each.

Ms McNamara said Gus and Madeline will be spending supervised time in their enclosure over the school holidays between 10am-12pm daily in fine weather.

“Being babies, they still need their time out with lots of rest and sleep.”

The zoo also recently acquired two dingo puppies from the Australian Dingo Foundation, thanks to funding provided by the Wagga Wagga Friends of the Botanic Gardens.

Ms McNamara said the zoo team had chosen the 12-week-old dingoes in order to expand their collection of Australian native animals.

“We didn’t have any carnivores, and it’s a great

opportunity to educate people on Australia’s wild dogs,” Ms McNamara said.

Zeke and Diego, both males, have settled in well and are enjoying exploring their brand-new enclosure, eating a mix of high-quality puppy food and bones, and working with an animal trainer.

“They're incredibly smart animals, and we’re spending a lot of time working on their socialisation and obedience training to ensure they’re friendly, well-adjusted and nonaggressive,” Ms McNamara said.

“They’re getting lots of exercise and stimulation, and we’ll be out walking them around the zoo and the gardens. If you see one of the zoo keepers walking Zeke or Diego, just ask if you can approach, as they’re not like a domestic dog.”

The dingoes’ new daytime enclosure was 12 months in the making, and fully constructed and landscaped by the zoo team.

The enclosure features a pond and two dens that are joined by a tunnel beneath a central mound. The mound is covered in large rocks which allows the dingoes to follow their natural inclination and climb up to observe their surroundings.

To ensure everyone’s safety, the enclosure has specially designed fences, built to NSW Department of Primary Industries’ specifications, and dig mesh, which stops the animals from digging out of their enclosure.

Zoo visitors are strongly encouraged to stay behind the chain link fencing on both sides of the enclosure. Zoo keepers will relocate the dingoes each evening to their secure nighttime enclosure.

Visitors to the Wagga Zoo & Aviary will be able to meet both the new wombats and dingoes during the school holidays.

For more information and opening hours, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/zoo

BEST FRIENDS: Madeline and Gus, the zoo’s newly arrived baby wombats, have bonded quickly with each other and their zoo mummies Wendy and Brooke.

Vacancies Compliance Officer

Remuneration: $2,771.44 gpf + super Enquiries: Kevin Hosie on 02 6926 9506 Closing date: Monday 26 September 2022

Senior Team Member Sewer and Stormwater

Remuneration: $2,318.42 gpf + super Enquiries: James Tapfield on 0427 713 359 or Wayne Jones on 0424 751 605 Closing date: Monday 26 September 2022

Vacuum and Jet Plant Operator

Remuneration: $2,211.18 gpf + super Enquiries: James Tapfield on 0427 713 359 or Wayne Jones on 0424 751 605 Closing date: Monday 26 September 2022

Labourer

Five (5) Permanent Positions Available Remuneration: $1,957.26 gpf + super Enquiries: Robert Mithilan on 02 6971 4617 or 0429 157 065 Closing date: Monday 26 September 2022 Wagga Wagga City Council is an EEO employer

To view these opportunities and apply, visit:

wagga.nsw.gov.au/jobs

TIP DUCK: Be ready to be entertained and informed when Ibsen, the world’s first rubbish-collecting ibis, spreads his message about keeping the world tidy.

FUSION BOTANICAL to bring eclectic line-up of live music Milan Ring A singer, rapper, guitarist and producer, Milan Ring meticulously curates every aspect of the creative process, seamlessly blending live percussion with electronic drums, while moving from synths to raw guitar takes.

Approachable Members of Your Local Community Comprising of dual vocalists, drums, keys and bass, this indie-pop band cut from Melbourne stone has existed in various forms, from its high school origins through to its newly minted final form.

Ajak Kwai Ajak Kwai is a name well-known to the airwaves, stage, and broader Australian music community for her powerful performances and strong messages that call for inclusion and celebration of diversity.

Klue (DJ set) Taking Afrohouse and Afrobeat to audiences at Glastonbury Festival, Field Day, Subsonic, Rainbow Serpent plus more, Klue is known for raising the spirits of the dancefloor with blaring horn sections, pan-African rhythms and BIG bass.

Melbourne Tabla Ensemble For more than a decade, Sam Evans has been bringing together some of Melbourne's finest musicians to showcase the virtuosic tabla drumming of North India. The ensemble regularly performs at music festivals, cultural events, universities, schools and celebrations.

Tip Duck: the world’s first rubbishcollecting ibis Meet Ibsen, the world’s first rubbish-collecting ibis. In a revolutionary new initiative, he has been trained to pick up rubbish and neatly deposit it in the nearest bin, but on launch day everything goes wrong, with hilarious (and messy) consequences.

pet

OF THE

WEEK

#adoptdontshop

With those long whiskers and captivating eyes, our Pet of the Week could easily grace the front cover of a cat magazine.

The appropriately named Cleo is a black and white domestic short hair and is about 12 months old.

She’s sweet and smoochy and is ready to light up your place with her beautiful presence.

You can adopt Cleo (Imp No.: C421) for $262, which includes de-sexing, vaccination, worming, FIV test, microchipping, lifetime registration and ID tag.

Look at all our available pets at graswagga.com.au or visit the shelter from Monday to Saturday, 1pm – 4.15pm.

R251000208

6971 4651 | graswagga.com.au

Council News - A Wagga Wagga City Council publication

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Better together: two Council teams partner to connect with the community The new Agile Library Service and Council’s Vegetation Management team combined efforts this week to engage with the Uranquinty community.

Residents were invited to visit the Agile Library at its regular pull-up site on Connorton Street, located between the Uranquinty Neighbourhood Centre and the Men's Shed.

Agile Library Officers ran a Storytime session for the children at the Uranquinty Preschool and assisted community members to get their new Wagga Wagga City Library membership cards and access collections.

Meanwhile, the Vegetation Management team gave great advice on weed control techniques and distributed free native plants to community members as part of the ‘One Tree for Me’ program.

Agile Library Officer Murray McBryde said the rollout of the Agile Library Service is progressing well.

“Being able to get out and provide the library service to residents living in more remote areas of our Local Government Area and see the smiles on people's faces has been particularly rewarding,” Mr McBryde said.

“People are starting to recognise the Agile Library vans while we are on the road which is great to see.

“While the service is about facilitating access to books and other library

services, it’s not just about reading.

It also creates opportunities for more social connection in both suburban and rural communities.”

Vegetation Management Officer Chris Holman said working with the Agile Library Service provided a great opportunity to engage with the community, to share knowledge, and open channels for conversation with landholders in Uranquinty.

“While our core business is managing weeds on Council land and roadsides and facilitating inspections of farms, nurseries and landscaping suppliers, an important aspect of our role is educating the community on weeds of concern,” Mr Holman said.

“Weeds are highly invasive in nature and are getting into our primary agricultural land, which impacts on harvest, cropping yields and even livestock. Farmers are losing valuable products, and this negatively affects the overall economy.

“The planting of natives can be a great solution as they are low maintenance, low water usage, improve our overall urban environment and provide competition for weed species.”

To find out more about the importance of managing weeds and the services Council provides, head to: wagga.nsw.gov.au/weeds For information on the Agile Library schedule, visit: waggalibrary.com.au/ agilelibrary

Leave your car at home this October.

Get outdoors with your family and friends, travel sustainably, and enjoy our city’s state-of-the-art walking and cycling trails.

Sign up for Biketober today at lovetoride.net

WHAT’S

ON WAGGA WAGGA + SURROUNDS

THIS WEEK: DEMONSTRATION GARDENS – VEGETABLE SWAP OR BUY Sat 17 Sep, 8am to 12pm 53 Shaw St. Ph: 0411 417 956 TARCUTTA MARKETS Sat 17 Sep, 8am to 1pm Tarcutta Soldiers Memorial Hall, Sydney St, Tarcutta.

Ph: 0477 472 154 ERIN EARTH GARDEN FAMILY FUN DAY Sat 17 Sep, 9.30am to 2pm The Erin Earth Garden, 1 Kildare St. Ph: 6925 7150

AG RACE DAY Sat 17 Sep, 12pm to 5.30pm Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Travers St. Ph: 6921 2151 BONSAI MEETINGS Sat 17 Sep, 1pm to 4.40pm ARCC Hall, Tarcutta St. Ph: 0410 026 268 SWAN LAKE Sat 17 Sep, 2pm to 4:30pm & 7.30pm to 9.30pm Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.

Ph: 6926 9688 OPEN STUDIO GALLERY Sat 17 Sep, 10am to 3pm Art Studio, 11 Small St. Ph: 0413 786 209 CLASSICAL COLLABORATION CONCERT Sat 17 Sep, 6pm to 7.30pm St John’s Anglican Church, 6-12 Church St. Ph: 6925 3522 NRMA EV DRIVE DAYS Sat 17 – 18 Sep, 9am to 4pm Wagga Wagga Showground, Crn Bourke St + Urana St.

Contact us 1300 292 442 council@wagga.nsw.gov.au www.wagga.nsw.gov.au Civic Centre, cnr Baylis & Morrow sts PO Box 20, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

BETTER TOGETHER: (top) The new Agile Library Service and Council’s Vegetation Management team combined efforts this week to engage with the Uranquinty community.

NATIVES FOR ALL: (bottom) The planting of natives provides competition for weed species and is great for the overall urban environment.

Services Agile Library Services: • To reserve a book and have it delivered to your village or suburb through the Agile Library Service, visit the Agile Library van to make a reservation in person.

• For Library members, head to waggalibrary. com.au, login and select ‘Pick Up Location’.

Vegetation Management and Biosecurity: • If you spot a priority weed in a public space, particularly our reserves and bushland, you can lodge a report on Council’s website at wagga.nsw.gov.au/servicerequests or call 1300 292 442.

• To identify weeds in your backyard or land, download the NSW Department of Primary Industries app ‘NSW WeedWise’ via the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Public Notices

NOTICE OF SPECIAL EVENT ROAD CLOSURE

WILLANS HILL MINIATURE RAILWAY RIDES Sun 18 Sep, 10am to 2.30pm Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, Macleay St. Ph: 0412 439 455 ART CLASSES WITH LEIGH HEWITT Mon 19 Sep, 6pm to 8pm The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. Ph: 6921 5391

THURSDAY TRIVIA Thu 22 Sep, 7.30pm Thirsty Crow Brewery, 153 Fitzmaurice St. Ph: 6921 7470

GLOBAL ART HISTORIES – PUBLIC LECTURES BY DR SAM BOWKER Tue 20 Sep, 6pm to 7pm CSU Riverina Playhouse, 8 Cross St. Ph: 6926 9688

MRS WARREN’S PROFESSION Fri 23 Sep, 7.30pm to 10pm The Basement Theatre, Morrow St. Ph: 6921 2594

PRIMARY STUDENT ART CLASSES Wed 21 Sep, 4pm to 5.30pm The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. Ph: 6921 5391 RIVERINA PRODUCERS MARKET Thu 22 Sep, 1pm to 6.30pm Wagga Wagga Showgrounds, Bourke St. Ph: 0428 263 297

Follow us

SARAH LEETE ‘GIRL NEXT DOOR’ SINGLE LAUNCH Fri 23 Sep, 6.30pm to 9pm The Curious Rabbit, 44 Johnston St. Ph: 6921 5391

/waggaevents visitwagga.com For event organising and promotion support, contact Council’s events unit: events@wagga.nsw.gov.au or 1300 292 442 Mon - Fri.

RFT 2023-11 PROVISION OF SECURITY SERVICES

Suitably endorsed Tenders marked “RFT2023-11 Provision of Security Services” are invited and will be received by the undersigned until 2pm EADT Wednesday 5 October 2022.

This is a schedule of rates contract for the provision of Security Services for both specified sites and additional services to existing or new sites, as required. Tenders will be assessed on a number of criteria. A mandatory PreTender Briefing will be held at 10am on Tuesday 27 September 2022.

Enquiries and Site Meeting registration should be directed to Council’s Contracts Officer Melinda Conolly at conolly.melinda@wagga.nsw.gov.au.

A non-refundable fee of $175.00 will be charged for each hard copy of the specification or specifications at nil cost can be accessed at: wagga.nsw.gov. au/tenders

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Notice is hereby given under Roads Act 1993 Part 8 Division 4 of the temporary closing of: Road: Lake St and Eastlake Drive Duration: 8:30am – to 11:30am, Sunday 25th September 2022 Road: Lake Albert Road (from Lord Baden Powell Drive to Eastlake Drive) Duration: 9:30am – to 1pm, Sunday 25th September 2022 Reason: Wagga Lake Run and Ride Detour: As per signs

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

Notice is hereby given under Roads Act 1993 Part 8 Division 4 of the temporary closing of: Road: Tom Wood Drive Duration: 24/09/22 from 6am to 5pm Reason: Spring Jam Detour: As per signs

Peter Thompson, General Manager THIS IS A PAID ADVERTISING FEATURE

BY WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL