Abbotsford Bridge Night works to start

Motorists are advised night closures on Abbotsford Bridge at Curlwaa will commence on Monday 20 September.

Night closures will start Monday 20 September for five weeks, weather permitting, to reattach and rebalance the lift span, retuning the bridge to normal operation. During this work, Abbotsford Bridge will be closed to traffic from Sunday to Thursday nights between 9pm and 6am, weather permitting.

The bridge lift span will continue to be out of operation and will reopen to maritime vessels from Saturday 23 October, weather permitting. Vessels will still be able to access under the bridge trusses while work is carried out, however, larger vessels should consider postponing their journey.

During night closures, traffic will be detoured via George Chaffey Bridge in Mildura, adding an additional 40 minutes to journeys.

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

Wentworth Shire to come out of lockdown, NSW roadmap to COVID-19 freedom released

Wentworth Shire and other parts of regional NSW currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least 14 days will emerge from lockdown at 12:01am Saturday 11 September, but will continue to operate under restrictions to ensure the safety of regional communities.

For more information go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/lockdown-lifted-parts-of-regional-nsw

Meanwhile across NSW stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be lifted from the Monday after NSW passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target, under the roadmap to freedom.

The roadmap is subject to further fine-tuning and health advice if circumstances change drastically or if cases within a designated area remain too high.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said we are well on the way to hitting the 70 per cent double dose milestone which will allow the state to open up for those who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to get vaccinated – if you have not had both doses of the vaccine by the time we hit the 70 per cent milestone, you will not be able to take advantage of these freedoms,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government has worked with industry to design this roadmap, which is our biggest incentive to get vaccinated, to reach the 70 per cent target as soon as possible.

“Our roadmap outlines the freedoms that twice vaccinated people will enjoy once we reach 70 per cent double dose which means a meal with loved ones or a drink with friends is just around the corner,” Mr Barilaro said.

Only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the freedoms allowed under the Reopening NSW roadmap.
The freedoms for vaccinated adults will come into effect on the Monday after NSW hits the 70 per cent double dose target and include:

Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not
including children 12 and under).

Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.

Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.

Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule (unvaccinated people will continue to only be able to access critical retail).

Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.

Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.

Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.

Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.

Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.

Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.

Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.

Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.

Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, will be permitted.

Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.

Carpooling will be permitted.

Non-vaccinated young people aged under 16 will be able to access all outdoor settings but will only be able to visit indoor venues with members of their household.

Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so.

There will be revised guidance on isolation for close and casual contacts who are fully vaccinated, with details to be provided closer to the reopening date.

Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes
and at airports.

Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.

Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.

When NSW hits the 80 per cent double dose target, the government intends to open up further freedoms around international travel, community sport, major events and other areas.

For the latest information visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19

Upgrades continue at Wentworth Aerodrome

Additional works on the Wentworth Aerodrome Upgrade commenced this week after approval from funding body Restart NSW to utilise the project’s savings to upgrade the facility’s secondary runway
These works include the construction, sealing and installation of AGL lighting to the remaining 600m length of runway 17/35 with the capacity for Code 2B aircraft.

Wentworth Aerodrome upgrade update

Council wishes to advise that works are due to commence on Runway 17/35 as part of Stage 3 of the Wentworth Aerodrome Upgrade.

Runway 17/35 will be closed to all traffic as of 7:00am on Thursday 2 September 2021.

Construction works include construction, sealing and the installation of AGL lighting of the secondary runway 17/35 with the capacity for Code 1B aircrafts.

Completion of works is anticipated for January 2022 weather permitting and subject to supply of materials and/or COVID-19 related delays.

Runway 08/26 will remain open with periodic closures where required to accommodate the construction program.

Council will endeavour to keep closures to the minimum where possible.

All aerodrome users must check the Air Services website for the latest information on the operational status of the aerodrome prior to use.

NOTAM C38/21 is available now on the Air Services website for the closure.

For more information contact Trevor Willcock, Aerodrome Manager on 03 5027 5027.

Wentworth Shire Council Donations, Contributions and Grants recipients

Over $24,000.00 has been allocated during the first round of Councils 2021/22 Donations, Contributions and Grants Program.

Successful applicants approved at the August Wentworth Shire Ordinary Council Meeting were

• Wentworth District Rowing Club

• Pooncarie Field Day Group Inc

• Wentworth Military Collection

• Sunraysia Aeromodellers Inc

• Wentworth Rifle Club

• Pomona Public School P&C Association

• Pooncarie Racing Club Inc

The program was established to assist community groups through donations, rate reductions and exemptions, fee waivers, cash grants and in-kind support.

New mask guidelines for NSW

Remember, in NSW facemasks are now mandatory indoors and outside. Facemasks are not required during strenuous exercise but must be carried at all times.

VIDEO: How to apply for a Victorian Border Permit for NSW residents

Abbotsford Bridge to reopen Saturday, 21 August

Motorists are advised that Abbotsford Bridge at Curlwaa will reopen to traffic next weekend.

The bridge will reopen on Saturday 21 August, after being closed for six weeks to replace the lift span’s timber deck.

Night work on the bridge will then start on Monday 23 August for five weeks, weather permitting, with the bridge to be closed to traffic from Sunday to Thursday nights between 9pm and 6am.

During this time, the bridge lift span will continue to be out of operation. It will be back in operation from Saturday 25 September, weather permitting.

Small vessels will still be able to travel under the bridge. However, larger vessels should consider postponing their journey.

During night closures, traffic will be detoured via George Chaffey Bridge in Mildura, adding up to an extra 40 minutes to journeys.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and follow the directions of signs.

Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time.

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

Reminder: the Census is coming

Census night is on Tuesday 10 August 2021.

Paper forms should now have been delivered to households in some rural and regional areas.

By early August, households will receive instructions on how to take part.

This year you can complete your Census as soon as you receive your instructions, if you know who will be home on Census night. This is different to past years when you had to fill in your form on Census night.

Census staff will be working in remote communities. They can do face to face interviews with people living there between July and August 2021.

You can fill in your form online, on paper or with help from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Key dates

  • Late July 2021 – paper forms will be delivered to households in some rural and regional areas
  • By early August 2021 – Households receive instructions on how to take part
  • 10 August 2021 – Census night
  • After Census night – Households who have not responded will receive reminder letters and visits from Census staff
  • Late August 2021 – Field staff start visiting households that have not responded
  • June 2022 onwards – Release of 2021 Census data starts.