Launch of Engage Wentworth & Surrounds Community Engagement Platform

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Wentworth Shire Council has introduced a major initiative to strengthen public participation and promote transparency with the launch of its new online community engagement platform, Engage Wentworth & Surrounds.

Powered by the Social Pinpoint technology widely used across Australia, this dedicated digital hub will become the central place for residents to share ideas, provide feedback on Council projects, and remain informed about local planning and key strategic directions. The initiative reinforces the Civic Leadership objectives identified in the Wentworth Shire Community Strategic Plan 2026–2036, particularly the community’s call for better communication and engagement, and broader consultation.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Daniel Linklater, said “The platform will play a vital role in building trust and strengthening decision-making across the Shire. Our Community Strategic Plan is clear: our success relies on strong, ethical and inclusive civic leadership. Engage Wentworth & Surrounds is the tool that makes this possible. It ensures every resident, wherever they live across the Shire can genuinely participate in decisions that affect their lives.”

The Engage Wentworth & Surrounds platform supports the delivery of Council’s long-term planning documents, including the Community Strategic Plan 2026–2036 by strengthening leadership that is open, transparent and inclusive; the Economic Development Strategy 2025–2035 by supporting sustainable and well-planned growth that is respectful of stakeholders; the Community Engagement Strategy by providing inclusive, innovative and accessible methods of communication that reach all groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities in remote areas; and the Resourcing Strategy by enabling informed decision-making and responsible resource allocation, consistent with the principles of the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework.

Accessible at engage.wentworth.nsw.gov.au, the platform offers a range of opportunities for residents to get involved, including interactive mapping tools for location-specific comments and project feedback, surveys and polls for structured consultation across a broad range of topics, and discussion forums that encourage community ideas and collaboration on strategic planning matters.

The platform allows users to follow projects relevant to where they live or subjects they care most about, helping them stay informed throughout the decision-making process.

Council is committed to ensuring that community input meaningfully influences outcomes wherever possible. All residents, businesses and stakeholders are encouraged to register at engage.wentworth.nsw.gov.au and take part in shaping the future of Wentworth Shire.

Footpath Upgrade Works – Sturt Highway, Gol Gol

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Footpath Upgrade Update – Sturt Highway, Gol Gol

Please be advised of a temporary closure as part of the shared footpath upgrade works along the Sturt Highway between Drings Hill and the Midway Centre.

The footpath will be closed to all pedestrians on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 November to allow final asphalt works to be completed.

Council apologises for any inconvenience this short-term closure may cause and thanks the community for its patience and understanding.

We look forward to completing this important project soon for the benefit of both residents and visitors.

#WentworthShireCouncil #GolGol #FootpathUpgrade #CommunityUpdate

Something new is coming…

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Something new is coming…

Wentworth Shire Council is preparing to launch an exciting new way for our community to connect, share ideas and have a greater say in local decision-making.

In the coming days, Council will unveil engage. Wentworth & Surrounds — a dedicated online community engagement platform designed to make it easier for residents, businesses and stakeholders across the Shire to stay informed, provide feedback and help shape the future of our region.

👀 Coming soon
Share ideas | Provide feedback | Stay informed

Slow down around horses

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The annual ‘Horses in traffic’ initiative is underway from October to November to highlight the importance of taking care when driving around horses in traffic.

Horses can be unpredictable and easily spooked. This initiative reminds motorists to slow down, leave plenty of room and never use the car horn or rev the engine if passing a horse in traffic.

Over the 10-year period from 2015 to 2024p* there were:

  • 8 casualty crashes involving a ridden horse, resulting in 10 casualties.
  • 43 casualty crashes involving a riderless horse struck by a road vehicle, resulting in 47 casualties.

*The data for 2024 is preliminary and subject to change.

Horse riders also have a responsibility to take care on the road and are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings, ride on roads where motorists have a good line of sight, wear high visibility clothing and a helmet that meets Australian Standards, and if possible, ride during daylight hours.

Learn more: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/animals#Horses_in_traffic_

Daylight Saving Time Begins

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Daylight Saving Time begins tomorrow, Sunday 5 October. At 2am, clocks will move forward one hour to 3am.

This is also a timely reminder to test your household smoke alarms and replace batteries if required.

EnergyConnect Construction – Trentham Cliffs to Sturt Highway

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EnergyConnect Construction – Trentham Cliffs to Sturt Highway

Elecnor Australia, on behalf of Transgrid, is installing overhead earth wire as part of the EnergyConnect project, connecting NSW, SA and Victoria grids.

Dates & times: Saturday 11 October–Tuesday 21 October 2025, 7am–6pm weekdays, 8am–1pm Saturdays. Some works outside these hours until December 2025.

What to expect: temporary stops for boats, increased construction vehicles and temporary traffic changes on the Sturt Highway, plus some light, noise and vibration from machinery.

For further details, view the construction notification.

#EnergyConnect #WentworthShire #CommunityNotice

250929 – Line 4 Murray River CrossingDownload

Major Boost to Firefighting Capability

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Major Boost to Firefighting Capability

Wentworth Shire Council is proud to have partnered with the NSW Rural Fire Service Lower Western District on the official opening of the enhanced RFS Wentworth Airbase Lower Western Zone, at the Wentworth Aerodrome yesterday. This modern, two-storey facility marks a significant step forward for regional fire safety.

The upgraded airbase features:

  • Two 45,000-litre water tanks
  • Modern radio communications
  • An aircraft loading pump
  • Office and workshop facilities

General Manager Ken Ross said, “this development represents a significant step forward in our commitment to community safety and fire response capability.”

The airbase is a vital asset not only for NSW, but also for Victorian and South Australian emergency services, strengthening the tri-state firefighting network.

The event also saw the handover of five new and enhanced tankers to the Dareton, Ellerslie, Gol Gol, Polia, Pomona and Wentworth FCC brigades—a combined investment of over $1 million—ensuring our local volunteers have the best equipment to protect the community.

Council also commends Team Leader – Civil Projects, Trevor Wilcock, on his outstanding coordination of the project. Superintendent Steve Walker AFSM, District Manager for Lower Western, presented Trevor with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his valued input throughout the Wentworth Airbase Enhancement Project.

Councillors Sue Nichols, Brian Beaumont, and Michael Weeding were in attendance to witness the opening and vehicle handover.

Council thanks the NSW RFS Brigades and Donation Fund for their support and acknowledges the dedication of all RFS members serving the region.

#WentworthShire #NSWRFS #CommunitySafety #FirePreparedness #LowerWesternDistrict #EmergencyServices

Have your say: Help shape the future of transport in the Far West

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Have your say: Help shape the future of transport in the Far West

Transport in the Far West is entering an important new phase. Transport for New South Wales is developing a Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) for the Far West, to be finalised in early 2026.

Before drafting the Plan, feedback is being sought from communities across the region. Whether it is daily travel, access to essential services, freight movements or connectivity to neighbouring towns — community experience is vital.

Why input matters

  • Ensures the Plan reflects real needs, challenges and opportunities in the region
  • Helps guide where infrastructure and transport services should be prioritised
  • Provides the region with a voice in shaping future transport investments

How to contribute

  1. Visit the Have Your Say – Far West portal to drop a pin on the interactive map, comment on issues, or make a formal submission.
  2. To be involved in engagement activities (such as local workshops or briefings), email: engage.sritps@transport.nsw.gov.au.
  3. Subscribe on the portal to receive updates as the Plan progresses.

Key dates and process

  • Currently: Open for submissions and community input
  • Next phases: Reviewing submissions, drafting the Plan, public exhibition, and reporting back on what was heard

Residents, businesses, community groups and service providers across Wentworth Shire and the wider Far West are encouraged to contribute. This is an important opportunity to help ensure transport networks support connectivity, economic growth and community wellbeing.

Have Your Say – Far West Transport Plan

Wentworth Shire celebrates six new Australian Citizens

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Wentworth Shire has welcomed six new Australian Citizens as part of Australian Citizenship Day celebrations, with a formal ceremony held on Wednesday 17 September 2025 in the Wentworth Conference Room overlooking the Darling River.

The new Citizens are Ms Megan Jackson (United Kingdom), Ms Antonia Antonova (Bulgaria), Mr Hsi-Jung Chen (Taiwan), Mr Abraham Cronje (South Africa), Mrs Mercedita Kemp (Philippines), and Mrs Thi Thuy Diem Sheehan (Vietnam).

To mark the occasion, each conferee was presented with a native Australian plant from Wentworth Shire Council and a 2025 Australian Citizenship Commemorative Coin.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Daniel Linklater said, “Australian Citizenship Day is an opportunity for all Australians, whether by birth or by choice, to reflect on and celebrate what’s great about being Australian. To welcome these six individuals as Australian Citizens in Wentworth Shire is a great honour. On behalf of Council and our community, we wish them every success in their future endeavours.”

Australian Citizenship Day provides an occasion for individuals, schools and community organisations to reflect on the contributions of all citizens, new and old, to their local communities.

For more information about Australian Citizenship Day, Australian citizenship (including eligibility criteria and application process), and our shared values, visit www.citizenship.gov.au.

New $1.2 Million Compactor Prepares Buronga Landfill for Future Expansion

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New $1.2 Million Compactor Prepares Buronga Landfill for Future Expansion

Wentworth Shire Council has invested $1.2 million in a new state-of-the-art landfill compactor for the Buronga Landfill, ensuring the facility is well positioned to meet the demands of its planned long-term expansion.

The new machine, a Bomag BC 773 RB-5, has been purpose-built for landfill operations. Equipped with advanced engineering and GPS-enabled technology, the compactor will increase waste management efficiency, extend the life of landfill cells and provide accurate reporting to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

Key features of the Bomag BC 773 RB-5 include:

  • An articulated and oscillating design to maintain four-wheel ground contact for maximum compaction.
  • Offset polygonal steel wheels with 55 cast-iron teeth each, delivering optimal crushing and compacting.
  • Scrapers and wire cutters to prevent waste build-up and entanglements.
  • A Cummins X-15 turbo diesel engine with hydrostatic drive, offering proven performance, fuel efficiency and reduced wear.
  • Operator safety features including rollover protection (ROPS) and a positive-pressure cabin.
  • Trimble GPS system to monitor compaction rates and landfill cell design, supporting accurate EPA reporting and compliance with filling plans.

Council’s investment in the Bomag compactor ensures the Buronga Landfill is equipped with the right technology to manage future demand, minimise operating costs and deliver long-term environmental and financial benefits for the community.