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.

NEW CITIZENS & AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD WINNERS FOR 2023

/by

Wentworth Shire Council has welcomed three new citizens to Australia and announced the Australia Day Award winners at their Ceremony held at the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club in Dareton on 25 January 2023.

The Australia Day 2023 Awards had very worthy nominees, each of whom have made outstanding contributions to the community through volunteering, sports, culture and the environment. Nominees for the Citizen of the Year award included Ross Hall, Clair Bates, Gwen Wilkinson and Jan White.

The Wentworth Shire Council 2023 Citizen of the year is Gwen Wilkinson. Gwen is a Life Member of the Gol Gol Rural Fire Service, a wildlife carer for almost 35 years with Sunraysia Wildlife Carers Group and an extremely active member at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens since 2012.

Other award winners on the night included Daniel Hawkins, Young Citizen of the Year, Bec Marshall Sportsperson of the Year, Kalesita Burton Young Sportsperson of the Year.

Mayor Tim Elstone also conferred citizenship on Miss Anna Kuus, Mrs Brooke Mobilio and Ms Ludivina Macalla.

Mayor of Wentworth Shire, Cr Tim Elstone said “On behalf of the Wentworth Shire community, I warmly welcome our new citizens to the Wentworth Shire and to Australia. I also congratulate the 2023 award winners and of course, all of the deserving nominees. I would also like to acknowledge those who took the time to submit such worthy nominations. In addition, I would like to thank our Australia Day Ambassador, Dr. Clio Cresswell and Senator Perin Davey for being part of our celebrations. It was a pleasure to have them attend.

Citizen of the Year Gwen Wilkinson - pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Citizen of the Year Gwen Wilkinson – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
2023 Australia Day Award Winners – – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone, Senator Perin Davey & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
2023 Citizen of the Year Nominees – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Sportsperson of the Year – Rebecca (Bec) Marshal – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Young Citizen of the Year – Daniel Hawkins – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Young Sportsperson of the Year – Kalesita Burton – – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Citizen of the Year Nominee – Jan White – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
Senator Perin Davey & Cr Daniel Linklater Deputy Mayor for Wentworth Shire Council
Citizen of the Year – Ross Hall – pictured with Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell
New Australian Citizens – pictured with Australia Day Ambassador Dr Clio Cresswell, Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone & Senator Perin Davey

Wentworth Shire to welcome new citizens

/by

Three Wentworth Shire residents will become its newest citizens during a special citizenship ceremony at Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club in Dareton this Australia Day Eve, Wednesday 25 January 2023 from 6:00pm.

Wentworth Shire Mayor, Cr Tim Elstone said: “Our new will join thousands of other Australians who are celebrating their citizenship. They will contribute their skills and cultural diversity to our local community, and enrich it through their hard work and participation in public life.”

Mayor Elstone will preside over the ceremony, which will also include the Australia Day Awards Ceremony and a Welcome to Country by Arthur Kirby from Barkindji Maraura Elders Environment Team (BMEET).

Other events to celebrate Australia Day on Thursday 26 January 2023 will include:

Breakfast in the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens

A breakfast cooked by the Buronga Gol Gol Lions Club in the picturesque Australian Inland Botanic Gardens commencing from 8:00am.

Pooncarie – Breakfast in Pioneers Memorial Park

The Pooncarie and District Development Association will hold a breakfast in Pioneers Memorial Park, Pooncarie commencing from 8:00am.

Dareton Community Brunch in the Park

The Dareton Coomealla Namatjira Community Action Group will hold a brunch in Tapio Park, Dareton commencing from 10:00am.

“I encourage everyone to not only enjoy Australia Day festivities, but to take time and reflect on what it means to be an Australian citizen. Think about how you can become more involved with your local community, to help make it a better place every day,” said Mayor Elstone.

For more information about Australia Day activities in Wentworth Shire, visit the Experience Wentworth website at: www.experiencewentworth.com.au

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

Ready to Winedown at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens?

/by

FREE TO ATTEND // FOR ALL AGES

Get ready to Winedown at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens (AIBG), Buronga. Pack your picnic rug and bring your friends to enjoy a platter and listen to some of Australia’s top artists.

Featuring Mallrat, Allday, Alice Ivy & Loose Bricks, you can enjoy some of the region’s best wine offerings with pop-up cellar doors and a beer garden.

Enjoy a platter of delicious gourmet foods from local catering companies and food vans.

Although the event is no longer located at Wentworth, buses will still be running from Wentworth, Dareton, Buronga and Gol Gol to support our local businesses before and after the event.

Buses will also be running to and from Mildura for those living across the border. All bus tickets will be a small fee of $10 plus booking fee for a return trip.

Head to www.experiencewentworth.com.au to purchase bus tickets and for more information.

Funded by the Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program

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

/by

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

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT URGENT – NOTICE OF UTILITY WORKS

/by

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

WENTWORTH WELCOMES NEW MAYOR

/by

Wentworth Shire Council has elected a new Mayor, Councillor Susan Nichols following the recent resignation of former Mayor, Melisa Hederics who stepped down from her role after holding the title for the past four years.

At the Extraordinary Meeting of Council held today, two nominations were received, with Councillor Nichols securing the top job over Councillor Elstone following a tied vote resulting in a draw from a hat. Councillor Elstone had been acting in the Mayoral role for the past two weeks and will continue as Deputy Mayor.

In her acceptance speech, Mayor Nichols said she was looking forward to serving as Mayor and thanked her fellow colleagues for entrusting her with the responsibility of leading Council. Mayor Nichols said “I would like to thank the previous Mayor, staff and fellow Councillors. I acknowledge that we have a strong committed workforce and I look forward to delivering our grant projects on time and within budget.

“Wentworth Shire is really on the move thanks to significant external funding and Council will roll-out a multitude of infrastructure projects over the next twelve to eighteen months including the repurposing of the former Wentworth RSL Club to house Council offices, visitor, interpretive, conference and library spaces, upgrade of the Wentworth aerodrome and sealing of the Menindee road.

These are exciting times for communities across our local government area and I encourage residents and business operators to take a proactive role in the development and growth of our Shire. This is my fifth term with Council and I look forward to continuing to serve the community in this new role,” Mayor Councillor Nichols added.

Mayor Nichols will Chair her first Ordinary Meeting of Wentworth Shire Council on Wednesday 18 November 2020 at the Midway Centre Buronga commencing at 10am. You can also view the live public sessions of each Council meeting on Facebook or after the meetings via Council’s website.

VALUE OF BUILDING APPROVALS IN WENTWORTH SHIRE JUMP 65.8% IN 2019/20

/by

Wentworth Shire is experiencing considerable economic growth with the latest statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) confirming the trend.

“Wentworth Shire continues to buck the trends experienced across the rest of NSW in terms of building approvals,” said Ken Ross, General Manager.  “When you compare the value of the building approvals granted in the 2018/19 financial year with the 2019/20 financial year, you can see that Wentworth Shire experienced an increase of 65.8% in the value of building approvals.”

“This compares to the NSW average of an 8% decrease” he said.

This coupled with a total increase of output from industry of over $56M (5.6%) highlight the fact that Wentworth Shire is a sought-after destination for people to invest in. 

With a thriving region, supported by a robust economic base, distinctive open spaces and strong local governance and leadership, Wentworth Shire is a desirable Shire to visit, live, work and invest.

Library

A $500,000 Library Infrastructure Grant win for Wentworth

/by

Wentworth Shire Libraries is the successful recipient of a Library Infrastructure Grant of $500,000, which will assist in the relocation of Wentworth library as part of the Wentworth Shire Civic Centre redevelopment project.

There has been no renovations undertaken on the Wentworth library since it opened in 1995. “Unfortunately our current library no longer suits our needs. We have outgrown it and we are overjoyed with the successful grant application,” commented Library Team Leader Emma Holgate. “This success is the result of a strong team effort” she said.

With public spaces vital to communities, libraries are not just places to borrow books; they are safe community hubs for everyone. People gather to meet, learn and simply just be, and Wentworth Shire is committed to continually improving library services that benefit the local community.

“The most important job we have is ensuring that the community are able to come here and be exactly that; a community” said Emma.

Emma and her team envision great initiatives for the future of the Wentworth Library saying, “We are thrilled to be working towards a beautiful space that can be used by everyone. With a completion date expected late- 2021, our new library is going to overlook the Darling Barka River and will be spacious, vibrant and welcoming. We encourage the community to share their love of public spaces with us and thank everyone for their ongoing support”

Wentworth Shire Libraries provide many activities for the community, including free technology classes for seniors, craft activities for adults and school holiday programs for children. Whilst COVID-19 has proven to be a blow for gatherings, such as book clubs and story time, the libraries have now reopened and looking to the future when programs can be re-introduced.

Currently Emma Holgate is focused on supporting locals return to the library “We have been really concerned about our patrons that have experienced extreme isolation at this time, we are so happy to be opening our doors again,” she said. For those wanting to stay at home, the library will still be offering free home delivery, to locals in the Wentworth Shire.

To find out more about library resources contact Wentworth Shire Libraries on 5027 5027 or visit the library Facebook page @LibrariesWentworthSC Successful recipients and grant requirements can be found here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/public-library-services/subsidies-and-grants/public-library-grants