COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT URGENT – NOTICE OF UTILITY WORKS

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Wentworth Shire Council (WSC) wishes to advise work crews will be completing underground utility works to filtered and raw water mains in Wentworth. This is part of an overall process to complete the new sewer rising main pipeline project for the WSC Wentworth Sewerage Rationalisation Project.

What:Modifications to Filtered and Raw water mains pipelines, Darling Street, Wentworth
When:Wednesday 20th January 2021
Works Hours:9:00 pm to 7:00 am maximum shut off of 10 hours (possible shorter timeframes)
Where:Construction activities will be located on Darling Street, and Neville Street, Wentworth
Work Description:Modifications works to filtered and raw water reticulation mains to allow for other upgrades to the stormwater and sewer rising main pipeline systems.
Water Impacts:Water mains will be turned off for a period, (to certain areas of West Wentworth), meaning residents may see a reduced level of water, or possible no flows. These works are necessary and will impact residents. WSC wishes to advise that if possible residents to plan around these outage times and try to not use water within these times.
Traffic Impacts:Traffic conditions will remain reduced to minimum traffic widths, traffic will be maintained in both directions by traffic management measures. Parking will be affected throughout work activity area. Pedestrians please obey directional signage, orange bollards and barriers, in and around construction zone.

Please see map below for areas of possible affected residents. West Wentworth only

Red – Definitely affected residents

Orange – Probably affected residents

Pink – Possible affected residents

If you have any questions relating to these works please contact Ashton Cowling, Project Officer of the Roads and Engineering Department, 03 50275027

NSW/SOUTH AUSTRALIA BORDER UPDATE

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As of 14 January 2021, the following restrictions now apply to travel between New South Wales and South Australia.
The following areas of New South Wales are now declared Prohibited locations: Greater Sydney Region, Wollongong Local Government Area and Central Coast Local Government Area.
Travellers are not permitted to travel to South Australia from the above areas unless they are an essential traveller or an exempt person.
Travellers may travel to South Australia from all areas of New South Wales outside of the above areas, but must submit to a COVID-19 test on day 1, 5 and 12.

For further information visit www.police.sa.gov.au/online-services/cross-border-travel-application

NSW/VIC BORDER UPDATE

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Entry into Victoria from New South Wales is restricted and only those with a permit or those with an exception or an exemption, can enter Victoria.
New South Wales/Victorian border communities will continue to have exceptions. Those living in border communities (including Wentworth and Balranald) will be able to access the ‘border bubble’– using their driver’s license to prove their residential address. If you live in one of the border communities you do not need to apply for a permit.


For further information visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/information-cross-border-communities

BLUE GREEN ALGAE RED ALERT FOR THE LOWER MURRAY RIVER

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Tuesday, January 12, 2021

The red alert level warning (high alert) previously issued for the lower Murray River (Red Cliffs to Mildura) remains current.  A new Red Alert has now been declared for a 50 km reach of river immediately downstream, that is, from Mildura to Wentworth. This declaration of a red alert follows testing undertaken by Water NSW and local water authorities. Levels of blue green algae in other sections of the river continue to fluctuate.

A red alert level warning indicates that people should not undertake recreational activities where they may be coming into direct contact with the water such as swimming, as well as domestic uses including showering and washing. Contact with the water may also pose a threat to livestock, and pets. Livestock owners are reminded to continue to check stock water supplies for blue green algae and to remove stock from foreshores where surface scum is visible or blue green algae are suspected.

Warning signs are positioned at key recreational areas and will remain in place while high levels of blue green algae are present.

Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water. The water may appear dirty, green or discoloured and may also have a strong musty or earthy odour.

People who believe they may have been affected by blue-green algae are advised to seek medical advice.

It is not possible to predict how long the algae will remain at high levels. Regular monitoring will continue, and the alert will be lifted as soon as the high levels of algae dissipate.

Updates about blue-green algae blooms and red level warning areas can be obtained by visiting – http://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae

General inquires – Elizabeth Symes – 0439 199 077

Media Contact – Tony Webber – 0428 613 478

WaterNSW ADVSES TRAVELLERS TO MONITOR BLUE-GREEN ALGAE ALERTS

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As the summer holidays approach, Water NSW is reminding travellers to monitor blue-green algae alerts and current river conditions so they can make informed decisions regarding their travel plans.

WaterNSW recommends people travelling over the summer holidays, especially to areas around the River Murray, regularly check its website for updates on blue-green algae.

Blue-green algae blooms can cause waters to be unsafe to humans and animals. Red alert levels represent ‘bloom’ conditions and the water should not be used for drinking or other domestic purposes (cooking, showering etc.) or for recreation. People should not eat fish, mussels or crayfish from red  level warning areas.

After recently issuing a red alert (high alert) for blue-green algae at Mildura/Buronga on the NSW and Victorian border we are asking people to regularly check the WaterNSW website for blue-green algae alerts due to the predicted warming weather and reducing flows. There could be incidences of potentially harmful algae in the coming months.

“We want to ensure people are making informed decisions when they enter waterways this summer, and a large part of that is making sure they’re not coming into contact with potentially dangerous blue-green algae,” said WaterNSW Executive Manager of water and catchment protection, Fiona Smith.

“We consistently monitor river conditions looking for signs of blue-green algae, and if our testing returns levels that present a risk to water users, we issue an alert on our website.”

“December sampling has shown an increase in algae, particularly in the mid-to-lower sections of the Murray.”

Updates about blue-green algae blooms and red level warning areas can be obtained by calling or visiting – http://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae, or calling  1800  999 457.

Blue-green algae usually appear as green paint-like scums on the water, near the edges, or as greenish clumps throughout the water. It makes the water appear dirty, green or discoloured and generally has a strong musty or earthy odour.

Blue-green algae occur naturally and can reproduce quickly in favourable conditions where there is still or slow-flowing water, abundant sunlight and sufficient levels of nutrients. Therefore, we recommend caution, as in some cases algal  blooms may be present but not yet reported.

A guide to the identification of algae can be found on the WaterNSW website: https://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae/identifying-algal-blooms

Media Contact – Tony Webber– 0428  613  478

General inquiries –Liz Symes – 0439  199 077