All posts relating to projects in Wentworth Shire

Wentworth Shire Council Civic Centre Courtyard construction to begin

/by
CPM Building Contractors Pty Ltd Senior Project Supervisor Deon Blaby, Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone and Wentworth Shire Council Project Officer Betty Withers and GSD Architects Architect Morgan O’Brien look over the plans for the Wentworth Shire Civic Centre Courtyard.

THE first stage of the Wentworth Shire Civic Centre Redevelopment will commence next week with the construction of the Courtyard.

The Courtyard will be situated at the rear of the building, formerly the Wentworth Services Club, fronting the Darling River.

It is the opening phase of the full redevelopment of the Civic Centre, which will centralise key Council services within the one location as well as providing a standout focal point for the community and visitors alike.

On completion the courtyard will encompass structural, hardscape and softscape landscaping and sculptural elements in an attempt to create a unique, secure, and inviting space that engages the curiosity and interests of patrons, excites young minds, and promotes the Shire’s rich cultural and environmental heritage.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone said the start of work at the Civic Centre will be a significant milestone as Council looks to progress one of its major projects.

“The overall Civic Centre Redevelopment will give the Shire something to be especially proud of, and visitors a central point that will engage them and educate them about our region,” Mayor Elstone said.

“I can’t wait to see this stage of the development take shape.”

GSD Architects were engaged to undertake project management for the building redevelopment while CPM Building Contractors Pty Ltd were recently successful in their tender submission to undertake construction activities.

Council obtained funding from Phase 2 of the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Extension to assist with construction of the courtyard.

Construction of the courtyard is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year.

Junction Island re-opens

/by
Picture: Mallee Media

One of Wentworth’s biggest tourism attractions, Junction Island, is again opened to the public.

A fire on the island in April 2021 forced its closure until it could be declared safe.

Following an arborist’s inspection, which identified several safety hazards preventing the early re-opening of the Island, and remedial works by Wentworth Shire Council’s Parks and Gardens team the popular Murray Darling Junction spot can now be accessed by locals and visitors.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone said it was great to see Junction Island be accessible once again.

“Junction Island forms a large part of the identity of Wentworth, both the town and the wider Shire, and having it closed really robbed us of one of the jewels in our crown,” Cr Elstone said.

“I am glad to see it re-opened and I encourage locals and visitors alike to take a trek across and re-acquaint themselves with the Island and its surrounds.”

In further good news for Junction Island planning is well under way for the replacement of the existing bridge to the Island. The new bridge will also be able to accommodate light service vehicles which may be required on the island for minor maintenance.

Wentworth Long Day Care works commence

/by
Wentworth Preschool Committee members Annita Hawkins, Breeon Cole and Tegan Douglas, with teacher/director Ebony Campbell, Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone and WSC Manager Engineering Services Bernard Rigby, inspect the site of the Wentworth Long Day Care redevelopment.

A major revamp of the Wentworth Preschool will see the existing Preschool transformed into a Long Day Care Centre and Preschool.

The redevelopment has occurred following more than five years of hard work by a hardworking band of committee members who have actively campaigned and fundraised for a Long Day Care Centre (LDCC) in Wentworth.

Preschool committee member Annita Hawkins said after years of fundraising it was great to see the project progressing.

“This has all come about after being successful with our grant applications 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 Community,” she said.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone congratulated the committee on their fundraising efforts and lauded the LDCC’s expected impact on Wentworth.

“Not only will the centre provide additional employment in Wentworth, but it will provide a service that the Wentworth Township has been missing,” Cr Elstone said.

“Parents currently working in Wentworth, need to take their children to the nearest centres at either at Buronga, Merbein or Mildura, this will solve that issue.”

CPM Building Contractors are undertaking the extension works, which will accommodate a new entrance and foyer, office, two daycare rooms, staff room and amenities.

The extension will make it possible to offer childcare as well as early education for up to 57 children. The works have been programmed to enable the existing Preschool to operate throughout the full construction.

This will prevent any further disruption to children, parents and staff. Works are scheduled for completion by the 30 June.

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.

Mourquong Water Main Extension project update

/by

Council has received many requests from residents in Mourquong for the provision of filtered water.

After several proposals and feasibility studies, Council approved approximately 1.3km of a filtered water main to service 9 properties in Stage 1 of the project.

The project consists of an under road bore, under pressure tapping of the rising main, installation of pipe and property connections.

Council engaged the services of Urban H2O to undertake the work

The project is almost complete with testing and commissioning to be completed prior to Christmas.

Buronga Pump Track project update

/by

Works commenced last week on the construction of a new sealed Pump Track at the Buronga Riverfront, west of the George Chaffey Bridge near the Discovery Caravan Park.

The track will be around 150m in length and will create an environment for the community to enjoy, whilst challenging their varying levels of skill through rollers and berms.

The project is funded under the Local Roads & Community Infrastructure Program and will be completed in December 2021.

Dareton Travellers Rest project update

/by

Wentworth Shire Council and Dareton Community Action Team (CAT) have worked together to provide the town a new Traveller’ Rest, which is now nearing completion.

The project will provide a permanent memorial with names to commemorate those from the Dareton and Coomealla District who served their country in wartime.

With the town’s existing Anzac Memorial site unsuitable for the listing of names a new site in Tapio Park was chosen as an extension of the registered war memorial site.

Works were planned by Council in conjunction with the CAT and the Coomealla Memorial Sporting CLub.

The CAT proposed the construction of the Travellers Rest pergola, interpretive panels, new granite war memorial and associated pathways and have been successful in securing funds from the club as well as further government funding to complete the project.

Local historian and author Malcolm Williams provided the story and images to be used on the panels.

Works on stage one of the project will be completed by Christmas with placement of the new granite memorial expected to be completed in January 2022.

Wentworth Showgrounds Sewer Upgrade

/by

With support from the Crown Reserve Improvement Fund’s Showgrounds Stimulus Program Council is undertaking works at the Wentworth Showgrounds to replace multiple septic systems with a combination of gravity and pressure sewage network to cater for the rise in usage of the facilities.

These works include:

  • Installation of a gravity sewer system;
  • Installation of a central Sewer Pump Station to connect to the existing rising main;
  • Decommissioning of old septic tank systems throughout the Showgrounds and connecting plumbing to the network.

Council engaged the services of MH2 Engineering & Architectural Services for the design with works undertaken by Waters Excavations PTY LTD.

Construction commenced on 16 November and is well underway with just over 100 metres of pipe and 5 Ezipits installed so far.

The project concludes in early February with the installation of the sewer pump station, electrical switchboard, testing and commissioning.

Upgrades continue at Wentworth Aerodrome

/by

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.

default
default
default
default
default

Wentworth Aerodrome upgrade update

/by

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.

Major Wentworth Hospital funding in NSW Budget

/by

Wentworth Shire Council is excited by the $30 million of funding granted to the Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment announced in Tuesday’s NSW State Budget.

The hospital redevelopment will receive $0.5 million in 2021-22 for the commencement of the $30 million project for which Wentworth Shire Council has advocated in collaboration with the Far West Local Health District.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Susan Nichols said the funding was a huge milestone for Wentworth.

 “Wentworth has been crying out for an upgrade to the hospital for years and this funding goes a long way towards making that happen,” Cr Nichols said.

“It has long been fought for by both the existing Council and former Mayor Melisa Hederics and it is wonderful to see the effort paying off.

“This and the other projects funded in the budget will ensure the sustainability and viability of the Wentworth Shire for years to come.”

Wentworth Shire Council area NSW budget highlights:

  • $0.5 million in 2021-22 (as part of a $30.0 million project) for the commencement of the Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment.
  • $250,000 in 2021-22 for the refurbishment of the Dareton Health Facility.
  • Commence construction of the Buronga HealthOne facility, as part of the $100 million HealthOne Strategy.
  • $0.5 million in 2021-22 (as part of $0.9 million State funding) for the relocation project of the Wentworth Visitor Information Centre.
  • $4.5 million in 2021-22 for the sealing of the Pooncarie Road in far west NSW, delivering safer, faster and more reliable journeys and boosting tourism and freight productivity (State and Federal Funded).
  • $3.3 million in 2021-22 (as part of a $8.4 million Restart package) for Wentworth Aerodrome Upgrade.