Take care driving in foggy conditions
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) advises drivers in foggy conditions to significantly reduce speed, switch on low-beam headlights or fog lights, and increase the gap to the vehicle in front.
High-beam lights should never be used as they reflect off moisture and reduce visibility further.
Review these essential TfNSW safety practices for navigating safely through thick fog:
- Turn on Your Lights: Use your low-beam headlights so other drivers can see you. If visibility is seriously reduced (under 100 metres), turn on your vehicle’s fog lights. Make sure to turn them off when conditions improve to avoid dazzling other drivers – it is also illegal to use fog lights when not foggy.
- Slow Down: Reduce your speed to ensure you can stop safely within the distance you can actually see.
- Increase Following Distance: Leave a larger gap between you and the vehicle ahead to allow for sudden stops. Standard safe distances should be doubled in adverse weather.
- Avoid Sudden Movements: Brake gently and early to prevent skidding or causing a multi-vehicle collision.
- Keep Windshields Clear: Use your wipers and vehicle defrosters to keep your view of the road as clear as possible.
- Pull Over if Necessary: If visibility becomes dangerously low, pull over safely, turn on your hazard lights, and wait for conditions to improve.
Rural Road Safety Month – Animals on Country Roads
Look out, animals about!
When driving in rural or regional areas, slow down,follow warning signs and stay alert – particularly around dusk or dawn.
More info https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/animals
New Front End Recycling Facility now open at Buronga Landfill
New Front End Recycling Facility now open at Buronga Landfill
Wentworth Shire Council is pleased to announce the opening of the Front End Recycling Facility at the Buronga Landfill.
This facility is designed to improve resource recovery and offer cost savings for residents. By utilising the Front End Recycling Facility, you can drop off eligible free-to-deposit items before your vehicle is weighed, reducing your overall waste disposal costs.
Items accepted at the Front End Recycling Facility prior to the weighbridge:
- Cardboard
- Co-mingle recycling
- Scrap metal
- Waste oil
- Drum Muster containers
- Community Recycling Centre items
- Round Again reusable items
Community Recycling Centre
Provided by the Environment Protection Authority, the Community Recycling Centre is located within the facility for the safe disposal of problem household waste. Accepted items include fluorescent bulbs, water and oil-based paints, household and car batteries, fire extinguishers, gas bottles, aerosol cans, and non-motor oils.
Round Again Reusables
The facility accepts items for the Round Again programme. Items must be in clean and working order so they can be sold at Round Again.
Accepted items include:
- Furniture, including outdoor settings, that is not broken, stained or torn.
- Vintage items and collectables.
- Sporting goods such as fishing rods, tackle boxes, cricket bats, tennis racquets, golf clubs and balls, soccer and footballs.
- Camping items and BBQs.
- Household items and bric-a-brac including pots, pans, dinner sets, cutlery, glasses, cups, and utensils.
- Paintings and pictures.
- Building materials including timber, steel, second-hand doors, security and screen doors, bricks, pavers, tiles, plumbing fixtures and fittings, and shade cloth.
- White paint, which Council reuses to paint surveyor pegs.
- CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, records and cassettes.
- Mobility aids including walkers, crutches, toilet seats, and commode chairs.
- Garden items and tools, including cordless, rechargeable and petrol mowers, whipper snippers, plants, and empty pots.
- Children’s and adult bikes.
- Electrical wire and tools.
- E-waste.
- Televisions, excluding very old Cathode Ray Televisions.
- DVD, Blu-ray and CD players.
- Computers and PC monitors 24 inches and larger.
- Stereos and speakers.
- Xbox and PlayStation consoles and games.
Items that are not accepted include children’s car seats, baby cots, mattresses, clothing, life jackets, bike and motorbike helmets, printers, and car and household batteries. Please note that batteries must be directed to the Community Recycling Centre.
Council thanks the community for their cooperation in sorting waste and supporting local recycling initiatives.
Free Digital Newspapers Now Available at Wentworth Shire Libraries
Free Digital Newspapers Now Available at Wentworth Shire Libraries
Wentworth Shire Council is excited to announce that library members now have free, instant access to a wide range of digital newspapers through the BorrowBox app!
In addition to our popular collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks, your library membership now features an ePress section. This new addition offers digital editions of bestselling eNewspapers from around the world , including The Sydney Morning Herald , The Age , The Saturday Paper, and many more. Whether you are after the latest headlines, weekend reads, or international news, it is all just a tap away.
How to access eNewspapers on BorrowBox:
- Download the app: Find the free BorrowBox app in the App Store or Google Play.
- Log in: Enter your Wentworth Shire Library card number and PIN.
- Open ePress: Tap on the ePress section in the app to explore the collection.
- Browse and borrow: Download your favourites to read anytime, anywhere!
All you need is your library membership to get started. Not a member yet? You can start the membership process by visiting any of our library branches.
Start exploring your all-in-one digital library today: https://wentworth.borrowbox.com/
No smartphone or tablet? No problem!
Wentworth Library has a dedicated computer set up specifically for anyone to access the ePress BorrowBox library. Simply visit the library to read for free on this computer.
Project Update: Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO) Opening Delayed
Project Update: Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO) Opening Delayed
The opening of the Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO) has been rescheduled to Friday 24 April 2026 following severe weather across the Wentworth and Mildura region.
Initially set to open for the 2026 Easter long weekend, the site has been heavily impacted by record rainfall in late February and early March. A deluge of approximately 250mm has resulted in boggy conditions and ground surface damage adjacent to the Perry Sandhills.
While the weather has impacted the construction programme, Bruce Munro’s Studio and supporting team are continuing to progress the installation of the 80 columns of light and complex fibre optic systems.
Key Information for Visitors
- New Opening Date: Friday 24 April 2026.
- Ticket Holders: Current ticket holders affected by the delay have been contacted.
- Enquiries: All ticketing changes and refund enquiries are being processed by the Mildura Visitor Information Centre on (03) 5018 8380.
- Easter Period: The Trail of Lights in Mildura remains open over the Easter period as a complementary experience.
Wentworth Shire Council and Mildura Rural City Council appreciate your patience as we work to ensure the long-term integrity of this world-class attraction. Read the full media release below.
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.
Important Changes to Overseas Licence Conversions
Transport for NSW and Austroads have introduced new arrangements for transitioning overseas driver and motorcycle rider licences to Australian licences.
What has changed?
As of 1 February 2026, the arrangements for converting licences from certain countries have changed.
- List A (Recognised Countries): If you hold a valid car or rider licence from a “Recognised Country” (such as the UK, USA, New Zealand, or Canada), you generally do not need to pass a knowledge or driving test to convert your licence, provided your licence is current or expired within the last 5 years.
- List B (Formerly Experienced Driver Recognition): Drivers from jurisdictions on “List B” must now pass the Rider/Driver Knowledge Test and the Rider/Driving Test to obtain a NSW driver licence. The previous exemptions for experienced drivers from these countries have ceased.
Timelines for moving to NSW
- Permanent Residents: You must get a NSW driver licence within 3 months of living in NSW to continue driving or riding.
- Temporary Visitors: You must get a temporary NSW driver licence within 6 months of living in NSW to continue driving or riding.
Check your eligibility
Because the list of recognised countries and testing requirements has changed, we urge all overseas licence holders to check their specific status on the Service NSW website.
[Button/Link: Check Licence Eligibility at Service NSW]