Willow Bend Caravan Park to close for upgrade

Willow Bend Caravan Parkis now closed for upgrade works to start on 1 February 2022.

Wentworth Shire Council decided at 26 May’s Extraordinary Meeting to close the park for upgrade works to proceed following consultation with the Caravan Park Managers.

This was in preference to the previously anticipated two-stage approach in order to streamline the construction phase and cause less disruption to the caravan park business.

With the recent announcement of grant funding from the Drought Community Extension Fund and Crown Reserve Improvement Fund Council can now facilitate the required upgrade in a single stage approach.

Wentworth Shire Council is expecting plans and specifications for the upgrade to be completed by 30 June 2021.

At the May Ordinary Council Meeting Council resolved to endorse the detailed site plans of the project works to enable the project to advance to the tender stage.

To date Council has successfully delivered preliminary works including a feature survey of the site, fencing, the demolition of the old residence and the replacement of the residence and office.

Also undertaken has been the relocation of the old camp kitchen, its replacement, and an electrical upgrade to support the future expansion as well as filling of the site for protection up to a 1 in 20 year flood event.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Susan Nichols looked forward to the upgrade’s completion.

“In this COVID-19 affected era we have seen how important regional tourism will be now that international travel isn’t a viable option,” Cr Nichols said.

“By closing down the Willow Bend Caravan Park and completing the upgrade in one stage we can get the park back to full capacity sooner and welcome more visitors to stay in our Shire.”

Pastoral Poddy launches to great fanfare in the Western Region

Whether you’re behind the wheel, working in the shed or relaxing at home, do yourself a favour and start listening to the Pastoral Poddy — a podcast for landholders, community members and industry on all things pertinent to the rangelands of Western NSW.

That’s the message from Western Local Land Services, who have worked with local landholders, ag advisors and industry representatives to deliver a professional and insightful podcast series on a range of animal health topics with a Western NSW focus.

The first five Pastoral Poddy episodes cover:

• Pregnancy scanning

• Pre-lambing nutrition

• Ewe reproduction strategies

• Weaner management

• Farming goats

Team Leader of Agriculture, Gemma Turnbull was pleased to see the Pastoral Poddy drop to rave reviews.

“It’s been an interesting process speaking with so many knowledgeable people who have only been too happy to share their insights and experiences,” Ms Turnbull said.

“Everyone involved is really pleased with the final product and we hope everyone enjoys listening to the episodes as much as we enjoyed developing them.

“We have launched the first five episodes and are currently working on the next five which will be available later this year. To ensure you don’t miss out on any future content please subscribe to the Pastoral Poddy and tell a mate about it.”

The Pastoral Poddy is free to listen to on all major podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify – simply search for ‘Pastoral Poddy’ on your usual podcast provider.

To access and listen to the episodes, or get further information, visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/pastoral-poddy, or contact a member of Western Local Land Services Agricultural team on 1300 795 299.

Essential maintenance for Abbotsford Bridge

Transport for NSW is carrying out essential maintenance work to upgrade the mechanical lift span and deck of Abbotsford Bridge over the Murray River at Curlwaa from Tuesday 15 June.

This planned work will improve safety and reduce the need for unplanned maintenance on the bridge in the future.

Abbotsford Bridge will be closed to traffic on the following dates:

  • Night closures from Tuesday 15 June to Friday 9 July, Sunday to Thursday nights, between 9pm to 6am.
  • Full bridge closures 24 hours a day for six weeks from Monday 12 July to Friday 20 August, weather permitting.
  • Night closures from Monday 23 August to Friday 24 September, Sunday to Thursday nights, between 9pm to 6am.

Transport for NSW have taken a closer review of the program and believe they can reduce the full closure of Abbotsford Bridge by a couple of weeks to limit impacts on the community and road users.

The second stage will now involve a six-week full closure of the bridge to traffic.

These closures are required because the existing timber deck on the lift span needs to be replaced.

During this work, the bridge has to be completely closed to traffic to dismantle the existing deck and install a new deck and surface.

The full closure from mid-July will ensure the bridge will be open in time for harvest season.

The lift span will be out of operation for the duration of this project from Tuesday 15 June.

Small maritime vessels may be able to travel under the bridge, however larger vessels should postpone their journey.

Detours will be in place during closures with motorists advised to cross the Murray River via George Chaffey Bridge at Mildura, adding up to 40 minutes to some journeys.

The work will involve the use of machinery which may generate some noise. Transport for NSW will make every effort to minimise noise impacts.

Outside of closures, reduced speed limits of 20 km/h will be in place on Abbotsford Bridge for the safety of motorists and workers.

Roads users are advised to follow all speed limits and the direction of traffic controllers and signs.

For the latest traffic updates, you can call 132 701, visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW App.

If you have any questions, please contact Transport for NSW Bridge Works Manager, Nicholas McMullen, on 1300 679 842 or nicholas.r.mcmullen@transport.nsw.gov.au

For more information on Transport for NSW projects, visit roads-maritime.transport.nsw.gov.au.

Transport for NSW thanks the community for its patience while work is carried out.

If you need help understanding this information, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to call us on 1300 679 842.

If you want to stay informed about work on Abbotsford Bridge you can subscribe to our email updates.

To register your details please email the project team on SouthProjects@transport.nsw.gov.au

COVID-19 – entry conditions into NSW

In the wake of the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne, conditions of entry into New South Wales have changed.

If you have been in, or guests are coming from, Greater Melbourne on or after 6am on 12 May 2021 you must complete a NSW entry declaration form.

Complete a NSW entry declaration form if you:

  • are entering NSW on or after 6am on 12 May 2021, and
  • have been in Greater Melbourne in the previous 14 days.

You must complete the form:

  • Either within the 24-hour period before you enter NSW or on entry
  • Whether you cross the border by any means including air, road or rail, or
  • Each time you enter NSW, but not more than one per calendar day.

Western Local Land Services Local Strategic Plans – Have Your Say

Every five years, all 11 Local Land Services regions revise their Local Strategic Plans to ensure the we are best meeting the needs of landholders across NSW.

Together with staff and key stakeholders, Western Local Land Services has now drafted a one-page Local Strategic Plan and a Strategic Action Plan for our region and is seeking your ongoing feedback.

The plans have been developed locally by our staff and key stakeholders, but ongoing community and stakeholder input is critical to the development of these priorities and programs at both the regional and state level.

There are several ways for you and/or your organisation to provide feedback via the Have Your Say platform, where you can make quick comment via a survey, or submit a formal written contribution through the submissions portal.

These plans are on public exhibition until Sunday, 6 June 2021.

The local priorities identified in these plans are important to primary industries, landholders and the community – including natural resources, emergencies and natural disaster, biosecurity incursions and pest management.

To find out more and have your say, visit https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/lls-plans

Board appointments sought for Bottle Bend Reserve Land Manager

The Minister for Water, Property and Housing is seeking nominations for board appointments to the Bottle Bend Reserve Land Manager.

Appointments are for up to 5 years and are voluntary.

It is expected that members of the board live within or close to the reserve. Application for membership can be made via the following link: https://portal.crownland.nsw.gov.au

Closing date for applications is 25 June 2021

For further information about reserve management in New South Wales go to https://reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au


Essential maintenance works for Mildura Weir

Essential maintenance works will be conducted at the Mildura Weir from 12 July, which will involve lowering the river level in the weir pool and closing Lock 11 for about three weeks, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and Goulburn-Murray Water announced on 24 May.

MDBA Executive Director River Management, Andrew Reynolds said Lock 11 was one of the busiest on the Murray River, so timing of the works was agreed after taking on board feedback from tourism operators, irrigators, and the Mildura Rural City Council.

“The Murray River is vital to the region’s economy and recreation, so we have scheduled the works to begin after the school holidays but before the irrigation season to try to minimise the inconvenience to the community as much as we can,” Mr Reynolds said.

“It is critical that river infrastructure is kept in the best possible condition to protect workers and visitors and to support all the communities and industries that depend upon the reliable operation of the River Murray.”

Goulburn-Murray Water’s Storage Operations North Manager David Irvine said the works are expected to take three weeks to complete, including six days to lower the weir pool and six days to refill it.

“We will be commissioning a new winch dedicated to the site and replacing three of the 24 trestles that control the water levels at the weir. The last time refurbished trestles were installed at the Mildura weir was when the weir was reinstated after flood flows in 2016,” he said.

“When work is done on a weir it usually means more water is released downstream to reduce the height of the river immediately upstream in the weir pool. We expect the upstream river level to drop by around 3.5 metres in July, exposing the riverbank, but this will depend on the flow rates in the Murray at the time.”

“Boats and other river vessels will not be able to pass through the lock after 4.30pm Tuesday 13 July. Access by foot to the Lock Island recreation area will be closed during the works.”

Boat operators, river pumpers and other river users are encouraged to take the lowering of the weir pool and lock closure into account when planning their activities on the river.

Weirs are structures across the river that hold back water to create a pool that can extend several kilometres upstream. They enable greater control of the flow in the river and provide a more

predictable supply of water to local townships and industries.

The Mildura Weir and Lock 11 are operated and maintained by Goulburn-Murray Water on behalf of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority.

Rural Aid Australia offering financial assistance

Rural Aid is offering Primary Producers a one off $1000 payment to assist with expenses towards bill payment.

Applicants must be a primary producer and have a current ABN and also already be registered with Rural Aid by completing a farmer registration form.

The application can be completed online via www.ruralaid.org.au under the Farmers/Rural Communities tab ‘Farmers Register here’ or call 1300 327 624.

Complete and accurate applications submitted online will be processed as quick as possible.

Wentworth Shire Council to hold Extraordinary Meeting

Wentworth Shire Council will hold an Extraordinary Council Meeting at 10am on 26 May 2021 at the Wentworth Council Chambers.

The meeting was scheduled after Council’s May Ordinary Meeting to discuss key Wentworth projects.

Council’s next Ordinary Meeting is on June 30.