Archive for month: February, 2026
NRAR steps up efforts to prevent water law breaches in the lower Murray
Wentworth Shire Council is sharing an important update from the NSW Government’s Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) regarding water compliance for local irrigators and growers. As permanent plantings continue to expand in the lower Murray, NRAR is implementing an early-intervention approach to help licence holders manage challenges during dry periods.
Summary of the Update To prevent non-compliance when water availability tightens and prices increase, NRAR will be actively monitoring the region using satellite technology. The regulator is taking a low-tolerance approach to water-take offences but is providing fair warning, with plans to contact more than 300 licence holders with high-water-needs crops. Local growers are urged to review their water management obligations, prepare for adverse conditions, and ensure their accounts, orders, and meters are compliant.
Read the full NRAR media release (November 2025) below or visit https://qrco.de/permanent-plantings for more details.
Read the full media release below:
RAMJO appoints specialist consultant for 2026 Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review submission
RAMJO appoints specialist consultant for 2026 Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review submission
Wentworth Shire Council is a proud member of the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO). As part of our ongoing commitment to advocating for our region’s water security and future, we are sharing RAMJO’s latest update regarding the 2026 Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review.
Summary of the Media Release
RAMJO has appointed Claire Miller Consulting to provide expert research, analysis, and drafting support as the organisation prepares its formal response to the 2026 Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review. This appointment aims to ensure RAMJO delivers a rigorous, evidence-based submission that reflects the priorities and socio-economic realities of Riverina and Murray communities. Working between February and April 2026, the consultant will assist member councils with policy issue mapping, stakeholder identification, and comprehensive socio-economic and environmental analysis.
Read the full media release below for more details.
Nominate Today – 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards
Wentworth Shire Council is proud to support the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, hosted by The Centre for Volunteering – one of the largest annual celebrations of volunteering in Australia.
These Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals and teams across New South Wales.
There are 7 categories for the Awards. These include:
| Young Volunteer of the Year | 24 years and under |
| Adult Volunteer of the Year | 25 to 64 years |
| Senior Volunteer of the Year | 65 years and over |
| Volunteer Team of the Year | Two individuals or over |
| Emergency Volunteer of the Year | An individual or teams volunteering in emergency prevention, preparation, response, or recovery efforts. |
| Volunteer Leader of the Year | A designated volunteer manager, a team of volunteer managers or a registered not-for-profit organisation |
| Not-for-Profit Voluntary Governance Award | An unpaid board of directors or individual board member, who exemplifies excellence in governance |
The nomination form allows for two types of recognition for the volunteers of NSW.
Nomination for Recognition
This is the simplest way to acknowledge volunteers. These nominations will not be judged; however, the nominee will be invited to their local regional ceremony (if their personal email address is provided, not the organisation’s or nominator’s email address). The nominee will be presented with a certificate to acknowledge their contribution to the community. This nomination requires you to complete four parts of the nomination form only.
Nomination for Judging
These nominees will be judged for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards in their appropriate category. This nomination requires nominators to complete six parts (parts 1 to 6), all of which must be completed to be accepted by the judging committee. To be included in Judging, the nominee’s personal email address MUST be provided (ie. not the organisation’s or nominator’s email address). If this is not provided, the nomination will be moved into the Recognition section of the Awards.
📅 Nominations close Friday 29 May 2026.
🔗 Nominate now:
https://volunteering.formstack.com/forms/vnswa26_nom_form
For full award details, nomination tips, and eligibility guidelines, visit:
🌐 https://www.volunteering.com.au/awards/about-the-awards/
📧 If your organisation is submitting more than 20 nominations, contact the Awards Team for a Bulk Nomination spreadsheet: award@volunteering.com.au
Registrations Open for Junction Junk 2026
Registrations Open for Junction Junk 2026
Event Details:
- Date: Easter Sunday, 5 April 2026
- Time: From 8:00am
Wentworth Shire Council invites residents and visitors to participate in the upcoming Junction Junk sale. Whether you are looking to declutter your property or find unique local items, this community event offers a fantastic opportunity to get involved this Easter weekend.
Information for Sellers
It is time to clean out your cupboards and sheds. Residents wishing to host a garage sale are encouraged to register their site to be included on the official event map.
To register a Junction Junk site, or for further information, please contact the Wentworth Visitor Information Centre on (03) 5027 5080 by 5pm, Friday 27 March 2026.
To ensure a successful day, Council recommends stallholders consider the following tips:
- Price items appropriately and make signage clear.
- Clean and organise all items for sale.
- Ask your neighbours to register a site to create a larger neighbourhood draw.
- Ensure your sale is easy to navigate and use tables where possible.
- Open on time and ensure you have sufficient change for buyers.
- Be prepared for bad weather.
Information for Buyers
Those looking to explore the sales can collect an official site map on the day. Maps will be available from 8:00am at Ruby’s Cargo Arts & Crafts, located at the corner of Sandwych and Adams Street, Wentworth.
Thank you to our event supporters for their ongoing contribution to the Wentworth community:
- Ruby’s Cargo
- Community Bank Wentworth & District (Bendigo Bank)
Project Update: Dawn Avenue Open Space Upgrade Completed – Feedback Requested
Project Update: Dawn Avenue Open Space Upgrade Completed – Feedback Requested
Wentworth Shire Council is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Dawn Avenue Open Space and Public Shared Way in Gol Gol.
This project was delivered with the support of the NSW Government’s Resources for Regions (Round 9) programme. Since 2012, this initiative has provided vital infrastructure to regional communities, and the Dawn Avenue project represents a significant investment in the social and economic prosperity of the Gol Gol area.
Project Outcomes
The upgrade has transformed the area into a functional, natural landscape, featuring:
- A professionally landscaped drainage basin.
- New grassed areas for community recreation.
- A public shared way designed for safe, inclusive access.
Your Feedback is Required
To fulfil our government reporting obligations and evaluate the success of this project, Council is seeking immediate feedback from residents. Your input is essential in helping us understand how the space is utilised and will inform future strategic land planning and subdivision developments in the region.
Due to strict project completion and reporting deadlines, Council apologises for the short consultation period and greatly appreciates your assistance in meeting these requirements.
Submissions Close: Friday 27 February 2026, at 4:00 pm.
Complete the Survey: https://engage.wentworth.nsw.gov.au/open-space-upgrade-dawn-ave-gol-gol
