Dine & Discover program extended

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Service NSW is pleased to announce that the NSW Government’s Dine & Discover NSW scheme has been extended by one month until 31 July 2021.  

This is to give NSW residents aged 18 and over more time to use all their vouchers while dining out or trying a new activity this winter, including during the upcoming school holidays.   

Dine & Discover NSW has proven very popular and has played a valuable role in supporting businesses and reviving consumer confidence. 

It’s not too late for businesses to register and customers are encouraged to sign up and redeem their vouchers before they expire on 31 July. 

The vouchers can only be used at eligible businesses that have a COVID Safety Plan in place and are registered as COVID Safe.  

For more information visit nsw.gov.au.

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with Service NSW at dineanddiscovernsw@service.nsw.gov.au 

Green waste fees at Wentworth Shire transfer stations

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Wentworth Shire Council wishes to advise residents and ratepayers it will be charging an at the gate fee for the disposal of green/garden waste at its landfill facilities as of 1 July 2021.

In order to ease the burden on ratepayers Council is moving towards a user pays system to offset the cost to the ratepayer of processing green waste.

This will also result in a consistent approach to green waste across the border region.

Council is investigating options for a voucher system to be used by domestic ratepayers and residents to dispose of green waste.

Details of the relevant fees can be found below or in the attached document.

Broken Hill to host a Getting Women Elected forum

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Broken Hill City Council will be hosting a free Australian Local Government’s Women’s Association forum on Friday 11 June 2021 at 4:00pm.

These forums are currently being held for member councils across NSW for potential women candidates.

The forum is run by ALGWA Executive members, with input from female councillors from the host council.

The commencement of the forum includes a welcome speech by the host council Mayor, followed by the first half of the presentation by ALGWA.

Half-way through there will be a short break, before the final part of the presentation.

A Q&A will follow at the conclusion of the presentation.

ALGWA requires all attendees to fill in a feedback form.

The content will cover the current climate across NSW in local government, particularly a snapshot of female representation and the steps involved in running as a candidate for local government.

It will also involve discussion of the lives experiences of councillors in the ALGWA executive from all walks of life.

Potential attendees can register for the in-person or online forum at https://www.brokenhill.nsw.gov.au/Community/Events-Calendar/Getting-Women-Elected-Forum.

Sesame Street Circus in Wentworth

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The enormously popular Sesame Street Circus Spectacular is ready to wow audiences, of all ages, in Wentworth!

With new COVID 19 protocols in place, and in close coordination with government agency guidelines, live performances will commence in Wentworth at the showgrounds on 11 June.

This 90-minute Circus spectacular features incredible performers from Argentina, Switzerland, Brazil, Morocco, Spain, Africa and Australia, plus all your favorite Sesame Street characters under the big top, including Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Bert and Ernie and Super Grover.

In an extraordinary circus performance, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Super Grover and the Sesame Street characters all work to find their own personal and unique talent at the circus and join daredevils and a host of other incredible performers in this must-see show.

Every element within the show was newly developed for the tour, which was written and produced locally and includes the original Sesame Street voices that were recorded in New York especially for this production.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing this incredible circus production to Australian families in 2021 and can’t wait for the beloved Sesame Street characters to bring some much-needed smiles to little ones’ faces,” says Keith Brown, Managing Director of Showtime Attractions.

“Not just for little ones, this circus spectacular will leave everyone spellbound. We have a line up of the most incredible circus stars from around the world that will amaze you with their creativity and artistry. And of course, the Sesame Street characters are sure to entertain, no matter what your age!”

The shows dates are:

Wentworth, : Friday 11th June – Sunday 20th June, 2021. Wentworth Showgrounds, Pavilion Rd, Wentworth.

Ticketholders for the Mildura shows affected by the COVID-19 lockdown should contact Ticketmaster or call Sesame Street Circus Spectacular on 0413 880 044 or 0439 450 013 to arrange a transfer of their tickets to a new date or to receive a refund if they are unable to travel.

All current and future tour dates can be found at: https://www.sesamestreetcircus.com.au/dates.

Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster at: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/artist/837678 Tickets can also be purchased with the circus direct: 0413 880 044

Telephone clinics for Aboriginal Legal Aid

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Unfortunately due to the current COVID conditions in Victoria, the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities (Legal Aid NSW) is going to hold telephone advice clinics instead of in-person visits at Dareton & Wentworth next week.

The dates for these telephone clinics are:

•             Dareton – Wednesday 9 June from 10am to 2pm

•             Wentworth – Thursday 10 June from 10am to 2pm

The service will be available to discuss a range of legal matters including:

•             Stolen Generations Reparations

•             Fines, debts and loans

•             Problems with funeral insurance

•             Centrelink

•             Housing – rent, repairs and evictions

•             NDIS

•             Victims compensation

•             COVID-19 related issues

•             Other everyday legal issues.

Any Aboriginal community members are encouraged to refer to the service’s phone advice line should they need civil law advice.

This can be done by calling the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities on 1800 793 017 or 02 9219 5057, or by emailing us at clsac@legalaid.nsw.gov.au

Opportunity for businesses to supply for energy project

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Transgrid has financially committed to the construction of EnergyConnect, the new transmission link from Wagga Wagga in NSW to Robertstown in South Australia via Buronga, and is now calling for local businesses to help.

EnergyConnect will deliver significant benefits for NSW Electricity customers, the NSW economy and the National Electricity Market.

These benefits include:
• Savings for NSW customers of around $180 million a year, or up to $64 annually on an average household electricity bill
• Creating 1,500 jobs during construction
• Contributing a further $4 billion in economic activity for NSW
• A more secure electricity system at times of high demand and extreme weather events
• Downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices through greater supply, diversity and competition
• Facilitating investment in and connection of more renewable, zero carbon generation in NSW

What this means on the ground

TransGrid and construction partners SecureEnergy are committed to ensuring communities and businesses share in the opportunities created by the project, as well as maximising employment and training opportunities in regional NSW.

Connect with the project via ICN Gateway

Industry Capability Network will be assisting the project to identify local business’s with the capability to support the project and will be calling for expressions of interest via ICN Gateway.

Industry Capability Network Regional Manager, Geoff Reardon, is looking to identify businesses in the region interested in working with and/or supplying to the project.

The project will be looking to engage with many different types of business. Geoff will be heading to the region over the coming months.

If you would like speak with Geoff Reardon in relation to the project, please make contact via email greardon@icnnsw.org.au or give him a call on 0402 632 027.

New license application process for asbestos and demolition

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The NSW Government is making it easier and faster to apply for asbestos and demolition licences in NSW by digitising the application process.  

The new, easy-to-use digital application will save individuals and businesses time by reducing the number of steps and the amount of paperwork needed, and moving away from postal applications. 

Applicants will still need to book an appointment at a Service NSW Centre to prove their identity in person within 30 days of submitting the application. 

The new digital process only applies to new asbestos and demolition licence applications. For renewals, licence holders will need to follow the previous process.  

Which licences does this affect?  

Asbestos 

  • Class A friable asbestos. 
  • Class A friable asbestos fire doors and safes only.  
  • Class B non-friable asbestos.  

Demolition 

  • Demolition licence (DE1). 
  • Restricted demolition licence (DE2). 

How to apply 

To view the eligibility criteria, including relevant certification and proof of identity documentation, and to apply for a new asbestos removal licence, visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-demolition-licence

For demolition licence applications, visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-demolition-licence  

Willow Bend Caravan Park to close for upgrade

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Willow Bend Caravan Park will close from 31 January 2022 for upgrade works to start on 1 February 2022.

Wentworth Shire Council decided at 26 May’s Extraordinary Meeting to close the park for upgrade works to proceed following consultation with the Caravan Park Managers.

This was in preference to the previously anticipated two-stage approach in order to streamline the construction phase and cause less disruption to the caravan park business.

With the recent announcement of grant funding from the Drought Community Extension Fund and Crown Reserve Improvement Fund Council can now facilitate the required upgrade in a single stage approach.

Wentworth Shire Council is expecting plans and specifications for the upgrade to be completed by 30 June 2021.

At the May Ordinary Council Meeting Council resolved to endorse the detailed site plans of the project works to enable the project to advance to the tender stage.

To date Council has successfully delivered preliminary works including a feature survey of the site, fencing, the demolition of the old residence and the replacement of the residence and office.

Also undertaken has been the relocation of the old camp kitchen, its replacement, and an electrical upgrade to support the future expansion as well as filling of the site for protection up to a 1 in 20 year flood event.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Susan Nichols looked forward to the upgrade’s completion.

“In this COVID-19 affected era we have seen how important regional tourism will be now that international travel isn’t a viable option,” Cr Nichols said.

“By closing down the Willow Bend Caravan Park and completing the upgrade in one stage we can get the park back to full capacity sooner and welcome more visitors to stay in our Shire.”

Pastoral Poddy launches to great fanfare in the Western Region

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Whether you’re behind the wheel, working in the shed or relaxing at home, do yourself a favour and start listening to the Pastoral Poddy — a podcast for landholders, community members and industry on all things pertinent to the rangelands of Western NSW.

That’s the message from Western Local Land Services, who have worked with local landholders, ag advisors and industry representatives to deliver a professional and insightful podcast series on a range of animal health topics with a Western NSW focus.

The first five Pastoral Poddy episodes cover:

• Pregnancy scanning

• Pre-lambing nutrition

• Ewe reproduction strategies

• Weaner management

• Farming goats

Team Leader of Agriculture, Gemma Turnbull was pleased to see the Pastoral Poddy drop to rave reviews.

“It’s been an interesting process speaking with so many knowledgeable people who have only been too happy to share their insights and experiences,” Ms Turnbull said.

“Everyone involved is really pleased with the final product and we hope everyone enjoys listening to the episodes as much as we enjoyed developing them.

“We have launched the first five episodes and are currently working on the next five which will be available later this year. To ensure you don’t miss out on any future content please subscribe to the Pastoral Poddy and tell a mate about it.”

The Pastoral Poddy is free to listen to on all major podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify – simply search for ‘Pastoral Poddy’ on your usual podcast provider.

To access and listen to the episodes, or get further information, visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/pastoral-poddy, or contact a member of Western Local Land Services Agricultural team on 1300 795 299.

Essential maintenance for Abbotsford Bridge

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Transport for NSW is carrying out essential maintenance work to upgrade the mechanical lift span and deck of Abbotsford Bridge over the Murray River at Curlwaa from Tuesday 15 June.

This planned work will improve safety and reduce the need for unplanned maintenance on the bridge in the future.

Abbotsford Bridge will be closed to traffic on the following dates:

  • Night closures from Tuesday 15 June to Friday 9 July, Sunday to Thursday nights, between 9pm to 6am.
  • Full bridge closures 24 hours a day for six weeks from Monday 12 July to Friday 20 August, weather permitting.
  • Night closures from Monday 23 August to Friday 24 September, Sunday to Thursday nights, between 9pm to 6am.

Transport for NSW have taken a closer review of the program and believe they can reduce the full closure of Abbotsford Bridge by a couple of weeks to limit impacts on the community and road users.

The second stage will now involve a six-week full closure of the bridge to traffic.

These closures are required because the existing timber deck on the lift span needs to be replaced.

During this work, the bridge has to be completely closed to traffic to dismantle the existing deck and install a new deck and surface.

The full closure from mid-July will ensure the bridge will be open in time for harvest season.

The lift span will be out of operation for the duration of this project from Tuesday 15 June.

Small maritime vessels may be able to travel under the bridge, however larger vessels should postpone their journey.

Detours will be in place during closures with motorists advised to cross the Murray River via George Chaffey Bridge at Mildura, adding up to 40 minutes to some journeys.

The work will involve the use of machinery which may generate some noise. Transport for NSW will make every effort to minimise noise impacts.

Outside of closures, reduced speed limits of 20 km/h will be in place on Abbotsford Bridge for the safety of motorists and workers.

Roads users are advised to follow all speed limits and the direction of traffic controllers and signs.

For the latest traffic updates, you can call 132 701, visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW App.

If you have any questions, please contact Transport for NSW Bridge Works Manager, Nicholas McMullen, on 1300 679 842 or nicholas.r.mcmullen@transport.nsw.gov.au

For more information on Transport for NSW projects, visit roads-maritime.transport.nsw.gov.au.

Transport for NSW thanks the community for its patience while work is carried out.

If you need help understanding this information, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to call us on 1300 679 842.

If you want to stay informed about work on Abbotsford Bridge you can subscribe to our email updates.

To register your details please email the project team on SouthProjects@transport.nsw.gov.au