Resources for Regions funding for Wentworth Shire projects

Wentworth Shire Council has been granted more than $2 million under the New South Wales Resources for Regions program to deliver infrastructure improvements and programs across the Shire.

Six projects received funding under the program, announced by Duty Member of the Legislative Council Wes Fang on Thursday.

This included:

300,000 to install a new toilet block and rising sewer line at the newly created Buronga Riverfront Nature Play area.

$374,000 to build an all-weather surface shared-way from the Buronga Wetlands to the newly created Buronga Riverfront Nature Play area.

$300,000 to seal a car park and road around the northern oval at the George Gordon Sporting Complex in Dareton.

$400,000 to upgrade 2 reserves comprising of a new retaining wall, upgraded stairs and paths at James King Park Gol Gol and commencement of pathway formalisation on Junction Island Wentworth.

$385,129 towards the construction of a purpose built 40 x 50m Men’s Shed.

$292,300 to install a new toilet and amenities block at the Pooncarie camping grounds.

“I am excited to see these projects in Wentworth and surrounds come to fruition as they will have a real benefit to locals as well as visitors,” Mr Fang said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said Resources for Regions has been highly successful with Rounds One through to Seven delivering 149 projects worth $345 million to communities since 2012.

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Mourquong Water Main Extension project update

Council has received many requests from residents in Mourquong for the provision of filtered water.

After several proposals and feasibility studies, Council approved approximately 1.3km of a filtered water main to service 9 properties in Stage 1 of the project.

The project consists of an under road bore, under pressure tapping of the rising main, installation of pipe and property connections.

Council engaged the services of Urban H2O to undertake the work

The project is almost complete with testing and commissioning to be completed prior to Christmas.

Buronga Pump Track project update

Works commenced last week on the construction of a new sealed Pump Track at the Buronga Riverfront, west of the George Chaffey Bridge near the Discovery Caravan Park.

The track will be around 150m in length and will create an environment for the community to enjoy, whilst challenging their varying levels of skill through rollers and berms.

The project is funded under the Local Roads & Community Infrastructure Program and will be completed in December 2021.

Dareton Travellers Rest project update

Wentworth Shire Council and Dareton Community Action Team (CAT) have worked together to provide the town a new Traveller’ Rest, which is now nearing completion.

The project will provide a permanent memorial with names to commemorate those from the Dareton and Coomealla District who served their country in wartime.

With the town’s existing Anzac Memorial site unsuitable for the listing of names a new site in Tapio Park was chosen as an extension of the registered war memorial site.

Works were planned by Council in conjunction with the CAT and the Coomealla Memorial Sporting CLub.

The CAT proposed the construction of the Travellers Rest pergola, interpretive panels, new granite war memorial and associated pathways and have been successful in securing funds from the club as well as further government funding to complete the project.

Local historian and author Malcolm Williams provided the story and images to be used on the panels.

Works on stage one of the project will be completed by Christmas with placement of the new granite memorial expected to be completed in January 2022.

Wentworth Showgrounds Sewer Upgrade

With support from the Crown Reserve Improvement Fund’s Showgrounds Stimulus Program Council is undertaking works at the Wentworth Showgrounds to replace multiple septic systems with a combination of gravity and pressure sewage network to cater for the rise in usage of the facilities.

These works include:

  • Installation of a gravity sewer system;
  • Installation of a central Sewer Pump Station to connect to the existing rising main;
  • Decommissioning of old septic tank systems throughout the Showgrounds and connecting plumbing to the network.

Council engaged the services of MH2 Engineering & Architectural Services for the design with works undertaken by Waters Excavations PTY LTD.

Construction commenced on 16 November and is well underway with just over 100 metres of pipe and 5 Ezipits installed so far.

The project concludes in early February with the installation of the sewer pump station, electrical switchboard, testing and commissioning.

Staff profile – Manager Tourism and Promotion Lexi Stockman

Meet Lexi Stockman, Wentworth Shire Council’s Manager Tourism and Promotion.

After growing up in Loxton in South Australia’s Riverland for most of her life, Lexi moved to Mildura around eight years ago after completing her university degree in Adelaide.

Since then her career has mostly been spent at Mildura Central Shopping Centre as the Retail Marketing Manager from 2016 to 2021 followed by a short stint in Event Management.

Lexi said working for many years to create Mildura Central into an ideal destination for people to meet, shop and dine has given her the skills and expertise necessary to assist in evolving the Wentworth Shire into a top destination for locals and tourists.

“My aim within my new role of Manager Tourism and Promotion is to work with the local communities to create opportunities for tourism, focus on completing our upcoming major projects and ensuring they are successfully marketed to potential tourists to increase economic growth in the region,” she said.

“I’m very passionate about tourism and travel and I’m always looking out for new ideas to put into play as a point of difference for our region. “

Lexi believes Wentworth Shire can become an ideal destination in itself, catering for all walks of life from single travellers to families to retirees.

“This will be achieved by promoting and preserving our beautiful natural attractions, hosting various events and continuing to bring new and exciting projects to life,” Lexi said.

“I’m very excited to be on board and can’t wait to see what the future holds for tourism in the Shire within the next few years and beyond.”

Council continues to recruit personnel to fill the vacancies within the approved structure adopted by Council in February 2020.

Upgrades continue at Wentworth Aerodrome

Additional works on the Wentworth Aerodrome Upgrade commenced this week after approval from funding body Restart NSW to utilise the project’s savings to upgrade the facility’s secondary runway
These works include the construction, sealing and installation of AGL lighting to the remaining 600m length of runway 17/35 with the capacity for Code 2B aircraft.