New license application process for asbestos and demolition
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
Murray Darling Association National Conference a success for Wentworth Shire
Wentworth Shire Council has hailed this week’s Murray Darling Association National Conference in Wentworth a resounding success.
Wentworth hosted the event, which ran from Sunday 16 May until Wednesday 19 May, at the Wentworth Civic Centre with more than 150 delegates and speakers attending to discuss important matters relating to the Murray-Darling Basin.
Council received thoroughly positive reviews from the Murray Darling Association, delegates at the conference and the wider community who took advantage of local displays and markets in the Civic Centre’s foyer on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“It was fantastic to see the Civic Centre a hive of activity this week for the conference, which was greatly supported and should provide a significant boost to our Shire’s economy,” Wentworth Shire Mayor Susan Nichols said.
“I would like to congratulate the Murray Darling Association, Wentworth Shire Council Staff and all other stakeholders on making this event as great as it was, as well as the Wentworth community for being so welcoming and willing to showcase everything our region has to offer.
“It was equally fantastic to be able to show the potential of the Civic Centre, whose own redevelopment is out for public exhibition, during the conference.”
This week’s event included afternoon tea on the PS Ruby on Sunday followed by a Civic Reception at the Old Wentworth Gaol, a study tour to the Menindee Lakes and Pooncarie on Monday and a gala dinner aboard the PV Mundoo on Tuesday night as well as the two days of the conference itself in the Civic Centre’s auditorium.
Prescribed burning at Tarawi Nature Reserve
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service staff will be continuing prescribed burning from this afternoon (Wednesday 5 May) until Friday 7 May at Tarawi Nature Reserve, Scotia NSW.
Smoke may be visible at times.
Buronga Nature Play Area works ongoing
Construction of a new Nature Play Area is underway at Buronga.
Nature-themed equipment in the play area includes rope play structures, scaling ropes and a fort and slide structure.
On top of the playground equipment construction will include picnic tables with a river view, public seating and benches, shade structures, a new car park area including bollard fencing, landscaping, vegetation, grassed area, irrigation, bins and timber elements.
Part of the project also encompasses the rationalisation of paths through the eastern and western sides of the George Chaffey Bridge.
Works on the project commenced in early 2021 with the general landscaping components to be finished by the end of May.
The shade structure and playground equipment will be completed by the end of July.
See below for progress photos from April 2021
Bendigo Bank Agency Open at Midway Centre
A Bendigo Bank Agency is now open at the Midway Centre in Buronga.
The agency, operated by the Community Bank Wentworth and District and staffed by Wentworth Shire Council’s Customer Service Team, offers core day-to-day banking facilities to existing and new customers of Bendigo Bank.
“We are super excited to be able to offer real time banking services in the Buronga and Gol Gol area and we look forward to re-investing local dollars back into the local community,” Wentworth Shire Council Team Leader Customer Service Annette Fraser said.
The agency’s hours are Monday to Friday 10:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
Puppet Show at Pooncarie a success
A little bit of the arts was brought to Pooncarie on Thursday 18 March when Jenny Ellis of Little Wing Puppets performed “A Little Bit of Blue” at Pooncarie Town Hall for students from Pooncarie Public School, Palinyewah, Pomona and the School Of The Air as well as some of their family members and staff.
The 46 gathered students, many of whom live remotely on stations or outback properties, were treated to an excellent show.
Pooncarie Public School’s Adele Fernandez was integral in coordinating the schools and barbeque luncheon afterward
The event was funded by a Restart Arts Grant awarded to West Darling Arts and facilitated by Wentworth Shire Libraries.
“To be able to come together and watch a live performance, especially in a small town like Pooncarie was really special,” Wentworth Shire Libraries’ Gabrielle Murphy said.
“The show was really engaging and the puppetry quite mesmerising to watch.
“To have the event come together after so many things being cancelled for so long was wonderful. It was just a really brilliant day.”
The show was also rolled out to Wentworth and Gol Gol public school students, with the latter show including students from Dareton Public School.
MURRAY REGION OVERLOOKED IN FEDERAL TOURISM SUPPORT PACKAGE
Murray Region tourism businesses have been overlooked in the recently announced Federal Government Tourism Support Package.
Murray Regional Tourism Chair Wendy Greiner was disappointed at the announcement Albury and Mildura’s airports would not be included in the $1.2 billion cut-price flights scheme.
Prior to COVID-19 and border closures the region would welcome annually 6.5 million visitors across our river communities supporting around 2,500 tourism businesses and providing over 18,000 jobs in the region.
Visitors spent nearly $2 billion in direct expenditure and enjoyed 10 million nights in the region.
“The Murray region’s tourism industry has been decimated by COVID-19 and the border closures unlike any other location in Australia,” Ms Greiner said.
“With two regional airports servicing the Murray region from key source markets we are extremely disappointed to have again been overlooked for vital support for our region.
“We implore the Federal government to review the current arrangements and urgently request Mildura and Albury are added to the list of eligible destinations in the support package. These short sighted and unfair subsidies as they currently stand will reduce visitation, net visitor spending and only lead to an alarming increase in job losses”.
Tourism operators in the Murray have endured the highest lockdown measures in Australia with over 41 weeks of interrupted trade in the past 12 months as a consequence of Coronavirus restrictions implemented by both the NSW and Victorian governments.
Wentworth Shire Council meets with Crown Land Commissioner
Wentworth Shire Council met with the NSW Crown Land Commissioner Professor Richard Bush and his Senior Project Officer Clint Willoughby on Tuesday to discuss Council’s submission on the Evaluation Of The Crown Land Management (CLM) Act 2016.
Professor Bush is currently reviewing the CLM Act, which incorporates the almost-complete first State Strategic Plan for Crown Land.
The Commissioner’s role is to provide independent advice to Crown Land users, stakeholders, the community and Government regarding the management of Crown land.
He has a responsibility to represent the interests of all Crown Land users independently and bring transparency and open communication to the management of these important assets to deliver economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits for the people of NSW.
“Our Crown Land estate is remarkable in terms of scale, diversity and utility,” Professor Bush said.
“In an independent role as Commissioner I have the privilege to talk with a wide range of people about Crown Land and it is clear, from my conversations, the estate is highly valued and people are passionate about the future of Crown Land.