New food safety requirements apply soon

/by

New food safety requirements apply soon

New food safety requirements apply to school canteens, childcare centres, supermarkets, coffee vendors selling food and boarding schools next month.

The national standard mandating staff training and risk management procedures was enforceable to most food businesses from 8 December 2023, however, some business types in NSW received a 12-month extension and now have just weeks left to prepare.

The rules only apply to businesses that sell or serve ready to eat unpackaged food that needs to be kept hot or cold to stay safe – packaged food, and products like confectionary and cakes, are generally not captured.

Most outlets need to arrange formal Food Safety Supervisor training for at least one person in the business and ensure all food handlers have general food safety skills and knowledge.

Higher-risk businesses must also be able to show they are managing key food safety risks.
Mr Ken Ross, General Manager of Wentworth Shire Council said the standard aimed to further prevent people becoming sick from eating unsafe food.

“Residents, visitors and workers in Wentworth Shire demand a high level of food safety at the places they eat at every day,” Mr Ross said.

“We know the vast majority of our local food businesses take food safety seriously. These new measures further strengthen practices and processes to ensure our consumers can continue to enjoy their food knowing it’s safe to eat.”

Mr Ross said council would take an educative approach with local businesses as they transitioned to the new requirements.

For more information, visit the NSW Food Authority website foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/safetytools

Murray River Named One of National Geographic’s Best of the World for 2025!

/by

🌍 The Murray River – Best of the World 🌍

It’s official – the Murray River has been named as one of the Best Destinations in the world!

According to National Geographic, the Murray River has profiled among 25 Top Destinations in the prestigious ‘Best of the World’ List for 2025. The annual list was unveiled today to help travellers plan ahead for their next holiday.

Wentworth Shire is incredibly grateful to be part of the Visit the Murray region and the Murray Regional Tourism team. Wentworth and Surrounds are only one region located along the mighty Murray River, but together, we have created a destination that has now been recognised globally.

The full list of the BEST OF THE WORLD 2025 is available online now at NatGeo.com/BestOfTheWorldMurray River offers something for everyone. Explore its beauty and experience one of the world’s best destinations.

For more information, contact the Wentworth Visitor Centre at (03) 5027 5080.

 Councils along the Murray River include:

  • New South Wales (NSW):
    • Albury City Council, Federation Council, Berrigan Shire Council, Murray River Council, Edward River Council, Wentworth Shire Council
  • Victoria (VIC):
    • Towong Shire, City of Wodonga, Indigo Shire, Moira Shire, Campaspe Shire, Gannawarra Shire, Swan Hill Rural City Council, Mildura Rural City Council
  • South Australia (SA):
    • District Council of Karoonda East Murray, Mid Murray Council, Rural City of Murray Bridge, Coorong District Council, Renmark Paringa Council, Berri Barmera Council, Loxton Waikerie Council

2023 Mayoral Election Results

/by

Wentworth Shire Council has formally elected Councillor Daniel Linklater as Mayor and Councillor Susan Nichols as Deputy Mayor during the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday 20 September.

The former Mayor of Wentworth Shire, Councillor Tim Elstone was congratulated by Mayor Linklater on his time in the role.

“Tim is a consummate community man and for the last 7 years has served as either Deputy or Mayor. Councillor Elstone has led us through the recent flood experience, which I don’t believe like anyone else could in this room. It was a 7 day a week commitment and the community thanks you for that. I also thank you for your encouragement to me and your mentoring, I look forward to continuing to work with you.”

“I would like to thank the chamber for your support, it is really humbling to be elected by this community and an honour to be supported by my peers here. It is my intention to serve as collaboratively as possible.” Councillor Linklater said.

Former Mayor Elstone who held the role of Mayor from 10 January 2022, and Deputy Mayor since 2016, commended his fellow Councillors for their involvement and participation during his term with Council.

Councillor Jane MacAllister stood against fellow Councillor Daniel Linklater for the Mayoral role and against Councillor Susan Nichols for nomination of Deputy Mayor.

Council will next meet on Wednesday 18 October from 7:00pm at the Wentworth Shire Council Chambers.

To view the Councillors of Wentworth Shire Council, visit: https://www.wentworth.nsw.gov.au/…/about…/councillors/

Planet Ark’s Schools Tree Day – 28 July 2023

/by

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/

LEAK DETECTION WORK BEGINS IN WENTWORTH

/by

The NSW Government’s innovative $12.5 million Regional Leakage Reduction Program keeps kicking goals, with more councils joining up and seeing incredible water savings. 

The Department of Planning and Environment’s Manager of Water Efficiency Programs Jethro Laidlaw said work on Phase 2 of the Active Leak Detection Project is getting underway at Wentworth Shire Council to pinpoint exactly where pipes, meters and valves need to be patched up.    

“This program has already located a mind-boggling 4.7 billion litres of water leaking from network infrastructure across the state each year which rams home the message that even though we’ve had plenty of rain in recent times, we can’t relax when it comes to looking after our most precious resource,” Mr Laidlaw said. 

“Our experts teams use cutting-edge technology such as high-powered listening devices to zero in, isolate and confirm the leak before calling in the Council cavalry to get it repaired. 

“The numbers speak for themselves. We’ve surveyed more than 6400kms of water mains and saved a staggering 2.3 billion litres of water in partnership with local councils which shows just how valuable this project is in terms of maximising water efficiency across regional NSW.” 

Nearly 200km of mains across Wentworth Shire Council will be covered in this latest work thanks to $32,500 from the NSW Government.  

Mayor of Wentworth Shire Council Tim Elstone said it’s a huge win for residents. 

“Fixing leaky pipes and damaged infrastructure preserves water and improves reliability for Wentworth Shire ratepayers, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in pumping and treatment costs,” Councilor Elstone said.

“As Mayor of Wentworth Shire and an advocate for water reliability, partnering with the state government to get this work done is a great opportunity to have our communities on the front foot when it comes to water efficiency.”

Phase 1 and 2 of the project has involved 34 local government areas and 25 Aboriginal communities, with dozens more councils in the pipeline. 

The Active Leak Detection Project is part of the NSW Government’s three-year, $12.5 million Regional Leakage Reduction Program. 

For more information, visit:   https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plans-and-programs/water-efficiency/regional-leakage-reduction-program

Wentworth Showgrounds Community Pavilion Officially Opened by Deputy Premier Paul Toole

/by

The Wentworth Showgrounds Community Pavilion was officially opened by Deputy Premier Paul Toole on 31 January 2023.

The new building, completed in December 2020, replaces the old Barrett Pavilion which served the community for 114 years.

The pavilion will be used by the Wentworth Show Society, several community groups and the broader public.

“On behalf of all Wentworth Showground users, we are really thankful for the funding we have received. This building will be used by all groups and the broader public. It is a great asset not only to the Wentworth Show Society but the whole community” Wentworth Shire Mayor, Cr Tim Elstone said.

Features of the new pavilion include ample meeting and display space, a large kitchen, disabled toilets and plenty of outdoor cover in the event of rain.

“In 2016, a sub-committee of the Wentworth Show Society was formed and given the task of performing all the groundwork towards the fantastic building we are opening today. We thank those people for all their determination, diligence and hard work and look forward to the community enjoying the fruits of their labour for decades to come.”

“At the 2022 Wentworth Show, the Pavilion was used for the first time, after the Show Stewards had thought long and hard on how to fit the Pavilion out with equipment needed to display their sections. The Pavilion looked and worked incredibly well,” Wentworth Show Society President Sholto Douglas said.

Funding for the project came from various sources including a $450,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, Wentworth Show Society’s own funds, Wentworth Shire Council, Wentworth and District Community Bank – Bendigo Bank, RZ Resources (formerly Relentless Resources) and the Dawes family, bringing the total funds to $1.1 million for the project.

There were also donations from the local community to assist with the fit out of the building.

L-R: Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone, Deputy Premier Paul Toole, Mayor of Edward River Shire Council Cr Peta Betts and Wentworth Show Society President Sholto Douglas.

Wentworth Aerodrome officially opened by Deputy Premier Paul Toole

/by

Wentworth Aerodrome has been officially opened by Deputy Premier Paul Toole on 31 January 2023.

Wentworth Shire Council was successful in securing $8.42 million of funding from Restart NSW (Regional Growth: Economic Activation Fund – Growing Local Economies Program) in 2019 to provide an all-weather, 24 hour access facility with the capacity for Code 2B Aircraft (15-21 seat planes).

With a $700,000 contribution from Wentworth Shire Council, this brings the combined total for the project to $9.12 million.

The upgrade project included the construction of a new sealed runway, taxiway and apron, aircraft parking areas and the installation of pilot activated lighting. The Civil Construction components of the project were carried out by Wentworth Shire Council staff and project managed by Council. This enabled considerable budget savings.

Additional works on the Wentworth Aerodrome Upgrade commenced in September 2021 following approval from funding body Restart NSW to utilise the project’s savings to upgrade the facility’s secondary runway.

These works included the construction, sealing and installation of AGL lighting to the remaining 600m length of runway 17/35 with the capacity for Code 2B aircraft.

The Wentworth Aerodrome Upgrade Project was completed in January 2022, with operators making full use of the facilities ever since. All works have been completed in accordance with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) national standards.

This upgrade will support the rural and remote emergency and air freight networks, cater for larger charter aircraft used by the mining and government sectors, as well as cater to air charter tours for international and domestic visitors. This will enable better access to Mungo National Park, the iconic Murray & Darling River Junction and other tourist attractions in the area.

In addition, Deputy Premier Paul Toole announced at the official opening of the Wentworth Aerodrome that $176,108 of funding from the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Five has been secured to upgrade the airport hangars.

“This will allow the aerodrome to run power to all aircraft hangers, as well as install an automated gate to the tarmac, boosting security for users and increasing the appeal for local aviation businesses. The funding will also allow for the purchase and installation of area navigation equipment, bringing the aerodrome into the 21st century and making take-off and landing safer for pilots.” Mr Toole said.