INSIDE: CAMPAIGN TO ACTIVATE THE CBD, ROOSTERS RESCUED + MORE
Council News CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
FIRST PRINTED SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2020
Issue No: 323
Weekly information from us to you
Gift of giving: Food Appeal is launched
PANTRY STAPLES NEEDED: While Food for Fines is a thing of the past, the caring team at Wagga Wagga City Library would still love you to donate food for those in need this holiday season. Council's Manager Library Services Claire Campbell checks over the donations already made to the appeal.
Residents are being encouraged to get into the spirit of giving and support Wagga Wagga City Library’s annual Christmas Food Appeal over the coming month. The appeal was launched on Tuesday 24 November and runs until Thursday 24 December, and this year, it looks a little bit different. Manager Library Services Claire Campbell said for the past 20-plus years, this program has been known as Food for Fines, giving people the chance to get rid of their library fines while helping the community. “From 1 July this year, the library stopped having fines for overdue returns but we’re still having our Christmas Food Appeal,” Ms Campbell said. “We would really like members of the community when they’re coming to the library to bring along some non-perishable food that we can give to the Salvation Army. “It’s not so much about Christmas food, it’s more about those staples you keep in the pantry that can be distributed across the year as people need it.” A drop off point for donations has been set up just inside the entrance to the library. Continued on page 2.
City gears up for sporting bonanza Wagga Wagga City Council and Canberra Raiders’ promise to bring a National Rugby League fixture back to the city next year was fulfilled this week with a premiership game scheduled at McDonald’s Park in May. The Raiders will play Newcastle Knights on Saturday 8 May, 2021 at 3pm, marking the return of elite sporting events to the city after the cancellation of this year’s NRL game in April due to the pandemic. Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga
Cr Greg Conkey OAM said the return of top level rugby league to the city would be a popular announcement for regional sporting fans who take every opportunity to support big sporting events in Wagga Wagga. The game is scheduled for the day after the running of the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup, potentially providing the city with a weekend sporting bonanza expected to draw thousands to the region. “This is a great step forward for the city, and indeed regional areas, to see the NRL back in Wagga Wagga next year,” Cr Conkey said. “Needless to say it’s been a tough year, and I welcome this announcement by the NRL and congratulate everyone involved to ensure the Raiders are scheduled to return to Wagga Wagga in 2021.
“We have a strong relationship with the Raiders, and bringing one of their games to Wagga Wagga is indeed a significant boost to the morale and the ongoing recovery of our city and surrounding towns after enduring the effects of the pandemic for most of this year.” Cr Conkey said Council staff will work closely with the NRL, the Raiders and NSW Health to ensure everything is done within Public Health Order guidelines in the leadup to and during the promotion. “Being COVID-safe is a part of daily life now … people understand that and we will need to be aware of that and follow the health guidelines in place at the time of the game,” Cr Conkey said. “What they will be at that time next year is an unknown, but so far we’ve seen everyone doing their bit to follow
Weekly waste tip
Free up some space in your yellow lid bin by placing pizza boxes in the green lid bin. Other paper products such as newspaper, shredded paper and catalogues can also go in the green lid bin.
the rules and the result of that is we’re now starting to see borders opening again and people getting back to some normality. “This all augurs well for the future and now the planning can start for what promises to be a much-celebrated sporting event returning to Wagga Wagga … so well done to everyone.” This year’s NRL fixture between the Raiders and Knights was scheduled for 18 April until a decision was made to cancel the game in line with State and Federal health guidelines. Extensive works have been completed at the Exhibition Centre and McDonald’s Park ground in recent years with the Raiders endorsing the ground as one of the premier regional venues in the state. Continued on page 2.