All posts relating to projects in Wentworth Shire
Project Update Wentworth Caravan Park
Works at the Wentworth Caravan Park are nearing completion.
Negotiations with the future caravan park operators are progressing. Council and the future operator’s desire is to have the park fully constructed prior to opening.
Upon satisfactory handover standard being reached for the operators to take possession, a further update will be provided regarding the long-awaited reopening of the Caravan Park.
Wentworth Shire Council is pleased to announce the long-awaited re-opening of the Junction Island Bridge and footpath on Saturday 29 June 2024. This milestone arrives just in time for the Wentworth Junction Rally on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July, an iconic event Council has supported since its inception in 1992. The rally has not been held since 2017 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and floods, making the 2024 event a significant occasion for the community.
Wentworth Shire Council extends its gratitude to the Department of Regional NSW for funding this project. Additionally, Council acknowledges the unwavering support and dedication of the Great Murray Darling Junction Interpretative Facility Inc members, whose efforts have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life over the years.
The new bridge and footpath significantly improves the accessibility to Junction Island, allowing residents and visitors to explore this unique natural environment once again. Spanning over 1,100 metres, the footpath features informative signage that highlights the rich ecological and cultural significance of Junction Island. This development not only promotes outdoor recreation but also stands as a major drawcard for Wentworth tourism, encouraging people to reconnect with nature.
Councillor Daniel Linklater, Mayor of Wentworth Shire Council, stated, “The re-opening of the Junction Island Bridge and footpath is a great outcome for our community. This project not only restores access to one of our region’s most stunning natural treasures but also re-establishes a major tourist attraction that will invigorate our local economy. We are thrilled to welcome visitors back to experience the beauty and rich cultural heritage of Junction Island. This is a proud moment for Wentworth Shire, and we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy what this amazing landmark has to offer.”
Council invites everyone to join in celebrating this remarkable achievement and to experience the beauty and tranquillity of Junction Island firsthand.
Wentworth Shire Council recommenced earthworks on the final 26.5 kilometres of unsealed road between Pooncarie and Menindee in July 2023, following 8 months of flood related delays.
The $9.2 million project is jointly funded on a 50:50 basis with the Australian Government and NSW Government under the Growing Local Economies Fund with Office of Regional Development.
The upgrade allows road users to access the road in all weather conditions, removing over 600km of road detours when the road is impacted by wet weather-related road closures.
Bitumen sealing has now been completed, with guide posts, linemarking and signage underway.
The project is due for completion by the end of November.
The Wentworth Showgrounds Community Pavilion was officially opened by Deputy Premier Paul Toole on 31 January 2023.
The new building, completed in December 2020, replaces the old Barrett Pavilion which served the community for 114 years.
The pavilion will be used by the Wentworth Show Society, several community groups and the broader public.
“On behalf of all Wentworth Showground users, we are really thankful for the funding we have received. This building will be used by all groups and the broader public. It is a great asset not only to the Wentworth Show Society but the whole community” Wentworth Shire Mayor, Cr Tim Elstone said.
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.
“In 2016, a sub-committee of the Wentworth Show Society was formed and given the task of performing all the groundwork towards the fantastic building we are opening today. We thank those people for all their determination, diligence and hard work and look forward to the community enjoying the fruits of their labour for decades to come.”
“At the 2022 Wentworth Show, the Pavilion was used for the first time, after the Show Stewards had thought long and hard on how to fit the Pavilion out with equipment needed to display their sections. The Pavilion looked and worked incredibly well,” Wentworth Show Society President Sholto Douglas said.
Funding for the project came from various sources including a $450,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, Wentworth Show Society’s own funds, Wentworth Shire Council, Wentworth and District Community Bank – Bendigo Bank, RZ Resources (formerly Relentless Resources) and the Dawes family, bringing the total funds to $1.1 million for the project.
There were also donations from the local community to assist with the fit out of the building.
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.
Underground asset services are ready to be undertaken at the Willow Bend Caravan Park site in readiness for the much-anticipated project to move forward.
Following internal Council resources completing the earthwork for the park’s foundation a local contractor in Wall Constructions has been engaged to help progress the major infrastructure upgrade.
In conjunction with contractors, internal council resources will construct retaining walls and install concrete RV pads and footpaths throughout as well as road infrastructure.
Works are scheduled to commence in August to be completed in early 2023 in preparation for the Caravan Park to be operational at Easter that year.
Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone said the prospect of a completed Willow Bend Caravan Park was exciting for the entire Shire.
“Having an accommodation site of that size reopened and able to catch the many visitors who pass through is going to help boost the economy of our entire Shire,” he said.
“I look forward to the local contractors being able to deliver a spectacular Caravan Park in conjunction with Council’s Works teams that will continue to be a focal point for our tourism industry.”
Construction works are continuing at the site of the Wentworth Long Day Care Centre and Preschool in Murray Street, Wentworth.
The project is a major revamp of the existing Preschool which will further expand its services to meet the community’s needs, accommodating a new entrance and foyer, office, two daycare rooms, staff room and amenities.
Windows and plasterboard have been installed, with the brickwork nearing completion in preparation for rendering.
“To see the building finally coming together is a realisation of a significant amount of hard work across the local community,” Wentworth Preschool staff and the Wentworth Preschool and Long Day Care committees said in a joint statement.
“From those early committee members lobbying to get the idea for the centre going to the period now of transitioning to operations the combined effort of all involved has been significant. The benefit the centre will have not only for the younger children and their parents of Wentworth and District, but also the added structural support for the great team already operating the preschool is incredibly exciting”
Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone toured the facility last week to inspect the progress and was looking forward to its expected impact on the local community.
“When this centre is completed it will provide great benefit to parents who have had to take their children out of town for care while they work,” Mayor Elstone said.
The extension of the existing Wentworth Preschool site is anticipated to be finished in September and is being conducted by CPM Building Contractors, with funding from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund, Wentworth and District Bendigo Bank and major contributions from the Wentworth Shire Council, David and Liz Dawes, Bob Jolley and the Wentworth community.
The Preschool’s Facebook page has up to date information or please contact the Preschool on 5027 3067 for all Enrolment Expressions of Interests or by email to wentypre@bigpond.net.au.
SecureEnergy has hit the ground running commencing one of the first milestones of the EnergyConnect Project with the construction of the first camp and laydown area in Buronga, NSW.
The camp and laydown area is nearly 30 hectares in size and when complete in early November will house up to 400 employees.
The site is currently being prepared to house 200 modules, with office space for 70 desks and a laydown yard that will hold site deliveries, general yard operations, a main office and a range of heavy vehicles.
The main office compound and camp buildings are already starting to roll in, with camp provider APC commencing deliveries from South Australia.
This camp is one of six camps and seven laydown areas that will accommodate over 1,450 staff for the 700km build.
Local communities from the SA border to Buronga can expect to see construction activities ramp up as SecureEnergy gets on with building Project EnergyConnect – Australia’s largest transmission line.