From Sunday 1 October 2023, the NSW Rural Fire Service Lower Western District Bush Fire Danger Period will commence and Fire Permits will be required to burn. Fire Permits are free and can be easily obtained by contacting the Fire Control Centre on (03) 5027 4422. For further information, visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website.
Wentworth Shire Council will meet with submission makers whom have submitted concerns for the ADFA Group proposal, involving the use of Wentworth Aerodrome for circuit training of cadet pilots. The discussion between associated parties will be held on a date that is yet to be set.
Following recent public conjecture regarding the proposal, Wentworth Shire Council will further discuss with submission makers individually, giving the opportunity to present their positions on the matter.
This process will evaluate all sides of the proposal, to determine:
Please note that the pre-mentioned proposal from ADFA Group will not be presented to Council at the Ordinary Council Meeting at 7:00pm, Wednesday 20 September 2023.
Council will meet for a formal Council resolution regarding the matter at a later date, once each submission has been presented for Council consideration.
Wentworth Shire Council is in receipt of a Commercial in Confidence document from the Aerodynamic Flight Academy Group (ADFA), requesting consideration of a proposal for limited usage for a 3 month trial period of Wentworth Aerodrome for flight training purposes.
The ADFA Group is a conglomeration of four flight training schools, being Pearson Aviation, Air Queensland, Clamback and Hennessey, and the Aerodynamic Flight Academy (also known as ADFA). All these schools operate together under one entity, the ADFA Group, under the authority of CASA Air Operators Certificates, and approvals to conduct Part 141 and 142 Flight Training.
Following recent public conjecture regarding the matter, Wentworth Shire Council and ADFA Group have agreed to share certain details of the proposition to Wentworth Shire residents.
The ADFA Group proposes to establish a user agreement with Council for the purpose of pilot training at Wentworth Aerodrome.
Under this proposal, two aircraft would conduct circuit training from Wentworth Aerodrome over an estimated 200 days of the year. The proposed training is nominated to be conducted on weekdays only.
Accompanying the request is a draft Fly Neighbourly Policy with aspects of hours of operation, air traffic safety and noise considerations would complement the agreement if implemented.
Should adequate detail be available, the matter will be presented to Council at the Ordinary Council Meeting at 7:00pm, Wednesday 20 September 2023 in Council Chambers, Wentworth.
Emergency services in Wentworth Shire tested their skills on Wednesday 16 August at Wentworth Aerodrome while undertaking ‘Exercise Ballet’. The multi-agency emergency management exercise was conducted by Wentworth Shire LEMC with the aim of testing the capability, cooperation, coordination and communication between rescue agencies within the footprint of the Wentworth Shire LGA.
In accordance with the Wentworth Aerodrome Emergency Plan, emergency services were put to the test in response to a simulated airport emergency and rescue incident. Participants of the simulation included; NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service and Sunraysia Collaboration with the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health.
The simulated emergency scenario involved an aircraft with two occupants that had failed to land safely on the tarmac at Wentworth Aerodrome. As a result of the impact, the occupants are trapped with a minor fuel spill surrounding the aircraft.
Role playing as the trapped occupants were nursing students Sam and Luci from Sunraysia Collaboration with the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health.
The objectives of the exercise were to; test the Wentworth Aerodrome Emergency Plan, to test the response of emergency services to an emergency at Wentworth Aerodrome, to test the call out procedures for an emergency at Wentworth Aerodrome and to test the interagency communication at a rescue.
General Manager of Wentworth Shire Council, Mr. Ken Ross observed the exercise as LEMO-Support Exercise Director and was pleased with the response and coordination amongst the emergency services teams.
Location: Wentworth Ski Reserve
Local students from Pomona and Wentworth Public Schools were encouraged to get out of the classroom and into nature for Planet Ark’s National Tree Day organised by Vanessa Anderson, Regional Landcare Coordinator – Schools (Wentworth based) for Western Landcare NSW.
Students planted 140 native trees and shrubs on Friday 28 July 2023, with a student from Pomona Public School saying “We are planting trees to create oxygen for the environment and want to make things beautiful again.”
The 140 native plants, consisting of Kangaroo Paw, Grevilleas, native grasses, bushes and ground covers were sourced from the growAbility Nursery in Mildura. Councillor Brian Beaumont for Wentworth Shire Council was also in attendance, getting his hands dirty to plant some trees in the flood impacted Wentworth Ski Reserve.
Vanessa Anderson said she is proud to be part of the community, engaging with children in schools and teaching about the importance of the connection with the environment.
She encourages the community to volunteer some time for the National Tree Day Planting on Sunday 6 August from 10:00am – 2:00pm, Cnr Silver City Highway & Pomona Road, Wentworth. Lunch available at the Pomona Hall, supported by Pomona Public School P&C. Bring along your hat, water bottle, gardening gloves and make your effort count!
Since 1996, over 26,000,000 trees have been planted with more than 3,000 preschools, kindergartens, primary and high school students participating nationwide on Schools Tree Day.
To learn more, visit https://treeday.planetark.org/
Council Connects is produced monthly following the Ordinary Meeting of Council.
Want to keep up to date with projects and events in Wentworth Shire? Head to wentworth.nsw.gov.au/enews to join Council’s subscriber list.
For further information, contact Wentworth Shire Council on (03) 5027 5027 or email council@wentworth.nsw.gov.au
Arthur Street, Francis Street & Darling Lane, Wentworth
The existing Arthur Street closure from Adam Street to Darling Street has been extended a further two weeks.
Additionally, Francis Street will be closed to all traffic from Adam Street to Darling Street for a one week period.
Darling Lane will be accessible to Local Traffic only.
The closure is to enable the sewer construction at the Wentworth Primary School oval. The works are expected to be completed 5:00pm, Friday 4 August.
Council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.
Should you wish to discuss the above road closure, please contact Scott Barnes, Manager Engineering Services on (03) 5027 5027.