National Parks and Wildlife Service training at Wentworth Aerodrome

Wentworth’s upgraded Aerodrome hosted critical NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) training this week.

NPWS personnel utilised the Aerodrome to conduct helicopter winch training, which forms a key part of wildfire suppression operations.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone said the Aerodrome upgrade, delivered almost completely in-house by Council’s works teams, has allowed Wentworth Shire Council to provide an all-weather, 24-hour facility for agencies such as NPWS to use.

 “The Aerodrome upgrade represents a significant investment in our community and we are pleased to see it operating to this level,” Mayor Elstone said.

NPWS Area Manager Jo Gorman said the training session was important.

“NPWS uses helicopters in many aspects of our work, including vital fire suppression and hazard reduction activities, pest management, wildlife surveys, observation and construction projects.

“Helicopter winch training sessions like this one are held across the state to ensure staff are safe, skilled and ready.

“Having the training at Wentworth has ensured local staff can learn these vital skills close to home, which means less travel time and more time for carrying out other important conservation work.”

Other agencies to make use of the facility since its upgrade have included The Royal Flying Doctors Service, Australian Medical Assistance Teams and the Lower Western Zone Rural Fire Service.

Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers

Office of the Cross Border Commissioner invites residents to have their say on border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic

The past two years have been challenging for those in our cross-border communities.

COVID-19 border restrictions and multiple public health orders have had a significant impact on how people in our cross-border communities live and work. 

The Office of the NSW Cross Border Commissioner advocates for border communities and raises awareness policy, processes and decision making that can deliver better outcomes. 

This survey is one way that you can share your experience of government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic related to cross-border communities.  

The information that you shar will be collated with other responses to provide a picture of the experiences of cross-border communities from 2020 to 2022.

This will inform the work of the Cross Border Commissioner and provide advice to governments and improve future responses to emergencies. 

The survey focusses on three key areas related to the COVID-19 related border restrictions: access to essentials, such as health, education, goods and services, exemptions for travel, including critical/essential workers, relocation and compassionate reasons and cross-border community zones and ‘border bubbles’ and how they were managed 

You are invited to participate in the survey due to your lived experience as a person who lives and works in a cross-border community. The survey is specifically for people who lived and worked in cross-border communities from 2020-2022 and you are welcome to share the survey link with others. 

This survey will take around 5-10 minutes to complete and the survey closes 5pm AEST 29 April 2022. You can complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/ynQFxUqbSV

If you have any questions or require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of the Cross Border Commissioner at enquiries@cbc.nsw.gov.au

Country Art Support Program Grant

Applications for West Darling Arts’ Country Arts Support Program (CASP) Grants are open.   

Overview 

The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is an annual small grants program funded by Create NSW and managed by Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs). It has the following objectives: 

  • grow creative leadership and programming excellence in NSW 
  • strengthen NSW arts and cultural activity that drives community and social benefits 
  • showcase NSW as a leader for strategic arts and cultural governance and strong financial management. 

Project Types 

What will be funded? 

CASP grants may be used to support a range of arts and cultural activities. Examples of projects that may be funded include, but are not limited to:  

  • development of new works; 
  • workshops (funds should primarily support artist/tutor fees and/or materials); 
  • events (eg. Concerts, performances); 
  • community arts projects; 
  • purchase of equipment and/or materials related to your creative practice, for example: 
  • a professional musician/artist looking to upgrade an instrument or technical equipment; 
  • an organisation/group looking to upgrade or purchase equipment such as a kiln or printing press. 

Who can apply?  
You can apply in the following categories: 

  • Individual 
  • Collectives 
  • Incorporated Groups 
  • Local Governments 
  • Not-for-profit Organisation 

If you require assistance with the guidelines or completing the application form, please contact us between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday: 

Apply now 

To apply for funding, you will need to complete and submit the relevant application form through our secure online grants system, SmartyGrants

Timing 

Applications close: Monday 23 May, 2022 

Projects are to be completed between 1 July and 31 December 2022. 

Funding Available 

Funding of up to $500 (Individuals) and $5,000 (Groups/Collectives/Organisations*) is available to support the development of arts and cultural activities in Far West NSW. 

*Unincorporated groups or collectives will be required to have a Nominated Funds Supervisor/Auspice. 

Funding is not available for: 

Activities or projects that are not directly related to the Arts, or that do not demonstrate benefit to the Far West community. This includes: 

  • individuals who cannot demonstrate an established practice; 
  • fees toward education or courses; 
  • project staffing costs (for organisations); 
  • recovering the costs of items and/or materials already purchased; 
  • fundraising, awards or prize money. 

Eligibility 

CASP grants support creative activities in Far West NSW.  To be eligible for a West Darling Arts’ CASP grant, you need to meet the following criteria: 

  1. Be a resident or organisation located in Far West NSW, within one of the following municipalities: 
  • Broken Hill City Council 
  • Central Darling Shire 
  • Wentworth Shire 
  • Far West Unincorporated Region 
  1. Have an ABN, OR have a demonstrated relationship with a Nominated Funds Supervisor that can auspice grant funds. 
     
  2. Project Focus 
    Your project/activity must be a clearly defined arts and cultural project/activity. 

Who will assess my application? 

Applications will be assessed by a panel of local arts professionals, and representatives from West Darling Arts.  
How will my application be assessed? 

Applications will be assessed on their merit and positive impact on the creative development of the Far West community.  

Your application should show us how it meets the following criteria: 

  1. Merit 
    The artistic reason for your project, including: 
  • What is your project/activity about? 
  • Who is involved and why? 
  • How have you prepared for it? 
  • The reason for doing the project/activity. 
  • The professionalism and/or experience of the people involved.  
  1. Impact (Benefit) 
    Explain how the project/activity will benefit you and/or the community/ies involved in the project/activity. 
  2. Viability 
    Include your project plan, timeline and budget to show how you will effectively manage and use resources to do the project/activity.  

Supporting Material 

Your application will require letters of support or referees that demonstrate partnerships or an identified need for the project/activity within the chosen community/ies. 

When will I know the outcome of my application? 

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications approximately 3-4 weeks after they submit their application. 

What is a Nominated Funds Supervisor? 

A Nominated Funds Supervisor is an administrative body/third party that can receive and administer funds on your behalf if you or your group/collective do not have an ABN.   

You may be asked for a fee for this service and it is recommended that you include that fee in your project budget. 

Further Information 

For further information on how to apply, or to discuss the eligibility of your project/activity, please contact Cathy Farry between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday: 

  • Telephone: (08) 8087 9035 or 0487 903 507 

Email: rado@westdarlingarts.com.au

Wentworth Shire ANZAC Day Services

Wentworth

6:00am Dawn Service at Cenotaph

10:45am March (Adelaide St to Cenotaph, assemble at 10:45am)

11:00am Service at Cenotaph

Curlwaa

9:00am Service at Memorial Hall

Dareton

11:00am Service at Cenotaph, Tapio Park.

Following the service and dedication all participants are invited to a barbecue and refreshments at the Ramon Deed Veterans Retreat, Scout Road, Dareton.

Please bring a gold coin donation to the Retreat and byo chair if possible

Pooncarie

10:30am March (Pooncarie Hotel to Cenotaph, assemble at 10:30am)

11:00am Service at Cenotaph.Afterwards a BBQ lunch will be served in the Pooncarie Hotel Beer Garden.

$5.00 per person, children under 10 free.

Fort Courage Caravan Park

6:00am Dawn Service

NSW Regional Water Strategies Public Exhibition

The NSW Government has developed draft regional water strategies to help manage the water needs in the Murray and Murrumbidgee regions over the next 20 years.

The strategies are two of 12 being developed across the state.

From 11 April to 22 May the draft Murray and Murrumbidgee regional water strategies will be on public exhibition. 

The overarching objective of regional water strategies is to ensure beneficial outcomes for a wide range of water stakeholders.

The Government will be holding public information webinars and a series of face-to-face engagement sessions across the regions to inform and seek feedback on the draft Murray and Murrumbidgee strategies.

To find out more:

1. Go to the NSW DPIE website and learn more about the draft
Murray Regional Water Strategy and Murrumbidgee Regional Water Strategy

2. Register for a webinar session 
These webinars will provide an overview of draft Murray and Murrumbidgee regional water strategies including opportunities, challenges and options, plus a question and answer session.
Click to register:
Thursday 21 April: 12 to 1.30 pm
Tuesday 03 May:   12 to 1.30 pm

3. Attend a face-to-face public information session
These sessions will provide an overview of the draft Murray and Murrumbidgee regional water strategies and the draft long list of options. Information on how to make a submission and next steps for the strategies will also be provided.

There will be a session at Wentworth Grande Resort, 61-79 Darling Street, Wentworth on Tuesday 10 May.

We will be available between 9am and 3pm at each venue, following the agenda below.

Feel free to drop in during open discussion time or join one of the presentations. Note the department is also holding non-urban metering information sessions at some of these locations. You can register for the metering sessions here.

Regional water strategies agenda

  • 9 am – 10 am, open for drop in for discussions and questions
  • 10 am – 12 pm, general public presentation on the draft regional water strategies and Q&A
  • 12 pm – 1 pm, open for drop in for discussions and questions
  • 1 pm – 3 pm, Aboriginal community presentation on the draft regional water strategies, Cultural options and Q&A

COVID-19 safe practices will be in place. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms such as a temperature of 37.5 degrees or over, fever, dry cough, sore throat or respiratory issues please do not attend a face-to-face session.

Darling River closed to boat traffic for Easter Regatta

Please be advised the Darling River will be closed to boat traffic this Saturday & Sunday, 16 & 17 April 2022, for the Wentworth District Rowing Club Easter Regatta between 8:00am–5:00pm, therefore there will be no bridge lifts for the Wentworth Bridge on these days.

Bridge lift bookings over the Easter holidays can be booked as follows (as always a minimum of 4 hours notice must be given)

WENTWORTH BRIDGE

Friday 15 April 2022

9.30am

11.30am

2.30pm

5.00pm

Monday 18 April 2022

9.30am

11.30am

2.30pm

5.00pm

ABBOTSFORD BRIDGE CURLWAA

Friday – Saturday – Sunday – Monday  (15 – 18 April)

9.30am

11.30am

2.30pm

5.00pm

RZ Resources Copi Project

RZ Resources is an emerging Australian critical minerals producer.

It is a 100% Australian owned mining company focused on mineral sand resources — including critical minerals and rare earths — in the Murray Basin in New South Wales.

The Copi Project is located in the globally recognised Murray Basin mineral sands district.

It is 35km from the Silver City Highway and 60km from established mineral sands mines.

As demand for high quality mineral sands continues to increase, RZ Resources will deliver the Copi Project, generating 200 jobs when the mine is operational.

This will generate both direct and indirect employment in the local community.

See the above fact sheet for more information or visit https://rzresources.com/

SecureEnergy Construction Notification to Gol Gol and Buronga residents

SecureEnergy Joint Venture (SEJV) has been contracted by Transgrid to deliver part of EnergyConnect with the construction of 700km of new power lines from the SA border to the regional energy hub of Wagga Wagga.
Commencing mid-to late April, SEJV will undertake some minor road works to provide all weather access to water fill points which supply potable water to support construction works and the establishment and operation of a camp and laydown area adjacent to the Buronga Substation.

The construction of these works will enable water tankers to fill up at Arumpo Road, Buronga and Alcheringa Drive, Gol Gol.

Works are expected to be completed by late May to early June 2022, weather permitting.

Working hours will be 6:00am until 6:00pm, Monday through Saturday.