Wentworth Shire Council excited to host Basin delegation

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Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Susan Nichols says the Council is looking forward to hosting the Murray Darling Association’s 77th National Conference and AGM.

Representatives from more than 100 councils across the Basin will meet at the junction of the Murray and the Darling rivers in May to discuss the importance of connectivity to the future health and prosperity of all Murray-Darling Basin communities.

“We look forward to hosting our esteemed colleagues from our fellow Basin councils,” Cr Nichols said.

“The Wentworth Shire Council area encompasses a vibrant region and I’m sure our visitors will enjoy their stay and a chance to take in all we have to offer.”

Cr Nichols said the visitors would provide a major boost for the Wentworth region.

“Naturally these representatives will be spending money at our shops, enjoying meals at our restaurants, and staying in our motels and caravan parks while they are here,” she said.

“All of this provides a great economic benefit to the businesses in the Wentworth region.”

Themed Connectivity: Connecting Councils and Catchments, the conference will be held on 16 – 19 May 2021 in Wentworth with conference presenters including experts from industry, government and community organisations, who are all playing a critical role in shaping the future of Australia.

The MDA’s 77th National Conference & AGM offers delegates the opportunity to be part of the solution – to join the conversation, inform future policy and engage with the innovators, scientists, educators and leaders of our time.

Local Government elections coming

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NSW Local Government elections are coming up on Saturday 4 September.

Voting in Local Government Elections is mandatory.

For more information on the elections, including how to become a candidate, visit https://elections.nsw.gov.au/lge21 or call 1300 135 736

Service New South Wales Mobile Service Centre coming to Buronga

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Service New South Wales’ Mobile Service Centre will be at Buronga on Saturday 20 March from 9:30am-12:30pm in the car park of Australia Post.

Mobile Service Centres are custom-fitted buses with dedicated Service NSW staff on board to provide convenient access to services at rural and regional locations.

Customers can complete the same transactions and services available at most Service Centres with the buses visiting set locations on a routine basis.

Mobile Service Centres are also be used to support key events and community engagement activities across the state, including disaster relief and delivery of the Regional Seniors Travel Cards.

Blue-Green Algae warnings remain for lower Darling and Murray rivers

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A Red Alert for Blue Green Algae remains current for the lower Darling River downstream from Menindee Lakes to Burtundy.

Dense surface scums tend to be spatially variable and estimated to be 300 to 500 m in length and comprised predominantly of Microcystis.

Weekly monitoring is occurring along the lower Darling River and algal monitoring has also been instigated at Menindee Lakes.

A Red Alert also remains current for the lower Murray River (Colignan to Merbein).

Due to the re-emergency of surface scums at Wentworth Weir and elevated cell counts this week the high alert warning was extended and now includes the downstream section of the river from Merbein to Wentworth Weir.

Cell growth rates are likely to be moderated over the coming week due to improved hydrological conditions.

The daily mean river discharge at Colignan is 10,999 ML/Day and represents a 30% increase in streamflow over the past 10 days.

Visit https://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algae for additional information.

Wentworth Shire Council to host Murray Darling Association National Conference and AGM

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Representatives from more than 100 councils across the Basin will meet at the junction of the Murray and the Darling rivers this May to discuss the importance of connectivity to the future health and prosperity of all Murray-Darling Basin communities.

Hosted by the Wentworth Shire Council, the Murray Darling Association’s 77th National Conference & AGM is an unmissable event attracting leaders and decision makers from across the Murray-Darling Basin.

Themed Connectivity: Connecting Councils and Catchments, the conference will be held on 16 – 19 May 2021 in Wentworth, NSW, with conference presenters including experts from industry, government and community organisations, who are all playing a critical role in shaping the future of Australia.

“Following successive crises in 2020, we believe that local government and the communities of the Murray Darling Basin are well placed to adapt and forge ahead in 2021 – and beyond. Basin councils have, after all, spent years building connections across catchments and communities,” said MDA National President Cr David Thurley OAM.

“Connectivity of communities is essential to our people. In the same way, a healthy river system must have connectivity of flows. There is no future on a dry system,” said Cr Thurley.

This year’s conference will also include a unique tour of the Menindee Lakes, often referred to as the Kakadu of the south, which experienced devastating fish kills between December 2018 and January 2019. The Lakes are an important connected wetland system, and a must-see for all across the Basin.

The MDA’s 77th National Conference & AGM offers delegates the opportunity to be part of the solution – to join the conversation, inform future policy and engage with the innovators, scientists, educators and leaders of our time.

Join us in Wentworth, where the mighty rivers connect; where local, technical and political leaders will come together to tackle the big issues of the Basin and forge a future of connected councils and catchments.

Registrations are now open. To register for the conference, please go to www.mda.asn.au

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: REGIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT

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WSC-Photography-EOIDownload

Wentworth Shire Council strives to build and enhance positivity and prosperity within the local community through promotion of the region.
Our goal is to increase the profile of the Wentworth region as an incredible holiday and business events destination; attract visitors, sporting, cultural and arts events; and improve access, accommodation, dining and tourism related experiences.
We are inviting experienced and suitably qualified individuals or parties to submit expressions of interest for photographic services.
The project scope is to deliver a new, innovative and engaging collection of imagery that will showcase the Wentworth region’s unique tourism experiences and attractions.
These images will be used in visitor guides, online media channels, brochures, flags, banners merchandise and other promotional activities for Council.
The focus is to provide material in a wide variety of formats that document significant places and events located within our shire. We are specifically looking for pictures with a human element that carry the vibrancy and diversity of the Wentworth Region.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Image Quality: High-resolution images will need to be supplied in digital formats appropriate for use in a variety of mediums.
Image Specifications: The aim of this process is to develop a photographic portfolio documenting our significant places and events while simultaneously creating a visual storytelling experience. We are specifically looking for pictures with a human element that carry the Wentworth region’s landscape, people, cultures, customs, and history.
Image Ownership: All photographic materials, such as original digital files, photos, or slides, shall be the exclusive property of the Wentworth Shire Council. The Wentworth Shire Council shall own the copyright in all images created and may use the work for samples, contests, exhibition, advertising and self-promotion. Usage of imagery outside the bounds of this agreement will require consent from WSC.
Photograph Release: All photographic materials containing people will need to come with a permission to use images release form duly signed and dated by the subject or their legal guardian.
Expressions of Interest (EOI): Expressions of Interest close on Thursday 4 March 2021. The successful applicant will be advised following the evaluation process and a formal consultant agreement with Wentworth Shire Council will be executed. The project must be completed by 25 June 2021.
Budget: A maximum budget of $10,000 (ex GST) is available for this project.
Insurance: Photographers must have all necessary insurances, including public liability, professional indemnity and compliance with workers’ compensation obligations.


EOI’s should include:
• The consultant’s availability to commence work on the project
• Prior experience in working on similar projects
• Examples of previous work
• Details of total fee to deliver the require outcome (including travel)
• Copy of Certificate of Currency (Public Liability Insurance)

Expressions of interest will be received up until 5pm, 4 March 2021 via email, post or in person to the Wentworth Shire Council office.
Mail, delivery or email is to be addressed to:
Mr Ken Ross
General Manager
Wentworth Shire Council
26-28 Adelaide Street
PO Box 81
WENTWORTH NSW 2648
Email: council@wentworth.nsw.gov.au
P 03 5027 5027
For further information regarding the EOI please contact Council’s Communications Officer Angus Dearlove on 03 5027 5027.

COUNCIL CONNECTS NEWSLETTER

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February-2021-Council-Connects-Newsletter-Download
November-2020-Council-Connects-NewsletterDownload
October-2020-Council-Connects-NewsletterDownload
September-2020-Council-Connects-NewsletterDownload
August-2020-Council-Connects-newsletterDownload
July-2020-Council-Connects-NewsletterDownload

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/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