New pavilion a winner for the Wentworth Showgrounds

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The new Wentworth Showgrounds Community Pavilion is ready to go for the return of the Wentworth Show in 2021.


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


The pavilion will be used by the Wentworth Show Society, the Wentworth Racing Club and the broader public.


Wentworth Shire Councillors, including Mayor Susan Nichols, toured the new pavilion on 22 February.


“It’s certainly very upmarket, it’s fit for purpose and I believe it’s one of the better buildings you are going to find in a small country area that can be used for a multitude of purposes,” Cr Nichols said.


“It’s huge, it’s just great.”


CPM Building Contractors undertook the construction throughout last year, and although delayed by COVID 19 restrictions Wentworth Show Society president Marcus Moore said they did an outstanding job.


“CPM Contractors have been terrific and have worked well with all stakeholders to deliver a quality end product,” he said.


“It’s been a relatively simple process for such a big project.”

Mr Moore said the new building opened up a lot of possibilities for the community.

“It’s a wonderful redevelopment of the area,” he said.

“Now we have a contemporary building that’s of far more use to us.”

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.

Funding for the project came via various sources including Council, Wentworth and District Community Bank, Relentless Resources, the Wentworth Racing Club and David and Liz Dawes.

This was on top of the Wentworth Show Society’s own funds combined with a $450,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund for the $1.1 million project.

“The pavilion has been designed to blend in with the surrounds and it will also be useful for the wider community,” Mr Moore said.

“It’s one of those things that has been needed … it’s just going to be good for the community.”

Dareton draft strategy captures community pride

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Wentworth Shire Council’s draft ‘Our Town, Our Future – Dareton Revitalised’ strategy aims to revitalize the township of Dareton and the wider Coomealla district and ensure its future is secure and well planned now and in the future.


The draft strategy will be placed on public exhibition from March 6 until April 9 after councillors endorsed its release at the February meeting of Council.
Research for the plan started in early 2020 and whilst COVID-19 prevented in-person consultation for the most part a community survey with close to 150 responses helped drive the draft strategy.


Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Susan Nichols said the community feedback highlighted just how much pride the people of Dareton take in their town.


“The Dareton community is one that is incredibly proud about the place they live and this strategy will ensure they can take ownership of its future,” Cr Nichols said.


“It is exciting to see in an age where small rural townships have historically been in decline that the Dareton community is really passionate about making sure it won’t be one of those townships.”


The draft strategy looks at existing development in and around Dareton, vacant buildings and their potential for reuse and large lot residential development.


It will look at zoning, including rectifying anomalies and rezoning unused primary production land for residential areas.


The ‘Our Town, Our Future – Dareton Revitalised’ draft strategy will be available on the Wentworth Shire Council website at https://www.wentworth.nsw.gov.au/council/publications-policies-forms/public-exhibitions-hearings/


Further consultation with business and community groups will commence shortly and copies of the draft strategy will also be on display at the Dareton Library.


“We want the community to drive the plan and I encourage everyone to take a look at the strategy and have your say on the future development of your community,” Cr Nichols said.
A pop up information session will also be held during the exhibition period.


“It really is an exciting time for Council and for the town and I look forward to the next step in ensuring the people of Dareton have something to call their own for years to come,” Cr Nichols said.

Wentworth Aerodrome Open to daytime traffic

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The Wentworth Aerodrome is now open for daytime traffic.


The main runway is operational, however the North-South runway is still closed for ongoing works.


There is ample parking space for aircraft and there is access to fuel.


Daytime traffic was able to use the main runway from Wednesday for the first time since April 2020 when work on the $9.12 million Wentworth Aerodrome redevelopment project commenced.


Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Susan Nichols said the redevelopment, which is the biggest project Council has ever undertaken, was nearing completion.


“It is exciting to see planes back in the air from Wentworth Aerodrome,” Cr Nichols said.


“This project really is a jewel in the crown for the Wentworth region and I can’t wait to see the finished product when we will have an all-weather facility able to be accessed 24 hours a day.”


Wentworth Shire Council advises there will be intermittent closures as the aerodrome redevelopment project continues, however work can largely continue while the main runway is in use.


Aviators will be notified by NOTAM of closures.

Library

A $500,000 Library Infrastructure Grant win for Wentworth

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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

Wentworth Aerodrome Upgrade

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Wentworth Shire Council was successful in securing Restart NSW Infrastructure funding in May 2019 for the upgrade of the Wentworth Aerodrome to provide an all-weather, 24 hour access facility with the capacity for Code 2B Aircraft.

The Aerodrome will be closed for upgrade works as of Monday 20 April 2020, with works scheduled to be completed in early 2021.

The upgrade includes the construction of a new sealed runway, taxiway and apron, aircraft parking areas and the installation of pilot activated lighting.

The 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 and other tourist attractions in the area.

Council advises all operators to ensure they make alternative arrangements for aircraft operations for the duration of the closure as there will be no access under any circumstances to the aerodrome during this time.

To keep up to date with developments and progress, make sure you visit the Aerodrome Upgrade page

Digital Library

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If you have trouble visiting our libraries in person, never fear, we have hundreds of titles to browse in our digital library. BorrowBox is an app that can be downloaded to any smartphone or tablet device, it contains eBooks and audiobooks for you to access for free.

eBooks are digital books that can be read on a screen. Font can be made larger or smaller by clicking the aA font button in the bottom left of your screen. Screen colour/background can also be changed. Audiobooks are recorded stories that can be played and listened to, this is particularly helpful for long car rides, or for those who are visually impaired.

1. Download the BorrowBox app to your device.

2. Log in. Our service is listed as Wentworth Shire Library. Your username will be your library membership number, found on the back of your library card. Your password is your six digit date of birth (this can be changed later).

3. Browse titles in the collection and find a book you would like to read/listen too.

4. Click “Borrow” to loan the book, if the book is already on loan a “Reserve” option will be available so you are next in line for the title.

5. Click on “Read now” to download the book.

6. Go to “My library” to see all titles you have downloaded/loaned. Select the book you would like to read. Enjoy!

7. If there is a book you would like to read but it is not listed on our digital library, please contact library@wentworth.nsw.gov.au and we will endeavour to purchase the title for you.

Wentworth Historical Society

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The Wentworth Historic Society is a volunteer organisation that dedicates time and knowledge toward the preservation of local history and family genealogy. Donations and new members welcome.

Our Historic society is an amazing organisation that operates from our Wentworth branch on Wednesday’s and Thursday’s. Lead by society president Jenny McLeod, the historic group preserves local history. If you require any resources from our valuable collection, or would like to make a research request we ask for a research fee of $20.

If you are looking for information about local history please make a request to historical@wentworth.nsw.gov.au or phone (03) 5027 5060. Payment details will be provided on request.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

  • Who/What are you looking for information on?
  • Please provide full names, and any other known names of places and/or people.
  • Be as precise as possible with dates. Especially dates of birth and death.
  • Have you already searched ALL online resources/databases? Can you provide links to any information already found?

Here is a list of online resources to get you started from home/in your library:
– Ancestry
– Trove
– NSW State Library
– NSW State Parliament

Please be as specific as possible in your research request. Vague requests will not be followed up.
i.e. “I am looking for information on Mary Smith born 21st March 1875, Wentworth, who spent time on Moorna Station” is a much stronger request than “Do you know of a woman called Mary born here sometime in the 1800s?”