Free Safe Towing & Weighing Workshops: May 2026

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Free Safe Towing & Weighing Workshops: May 2026

Wentworth Shire Council is inviting residents to a series of free Safe Towing Workshops and professional weighing sessions this May. Supported by the NSW Government, this initiative helps ensure that those towing trailers, caravans, boats, or horse floats are operating safely and legally.

With towing enforcement currently high for travellers heading to Queensland, these sessions offer timely expert guidance to ensure your rig is compliant before your next journey.

Why Attend?

Incorrect loading and non-compliance can result in significant fines, demerit points, and the potential voiding of insurance cover. Participants will receive:

  • Professional Weighing: Services valued at $350, provided for free.
  • Expert Guidance: Practical knowledge on brake controllers, load equalisers, and safety chain configurations.
  • Maintenance Tips: Essential “must-dos” for vehicle configuration and load distribution.

Read the full media release below:

Media Release – Free Safe Towing & Weighing Workshops this MayDownload

Register Now

Registrations are essential and close at 10:00am on Friday, 1 May 2026. Places are limited, so early booking is highly encouraged.

REGISTER

Changed traffic conditions – George Chaffey Bridge maintenance

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Changed traffic conditions – George Chaffey Bridge maintenance

Transport for NSW advises motorists of changed traffic conditions for essential maintenance work on the NSW approach bridge to the George Chaffey Bridge.

Routine maintenance will be carried out to provide a safer road for motorists. To minimise impact on the community, work is being carried out at night between 8pm and 6am, between Monday 23 and Friday 27 March, weather permitting.

Traffic control will be in place and includes lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h. There will be temporary bridge closures with short delays at various times during each shift. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, follow the direction of signs and traffic control and allow an extra 20 minutes travel time.

For more information visit https://www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/267384 or download the Live Traffic NSW app.

To receive updates direct to your phone, search for ‘Sturt Highway – Buronga’ in your Live Traffic app, select the incident and click ‘Follow’.

Important Changes to Overseas Licence Conversions

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Transport for NSW and Austroads have introduced new arrangements for transitioning overseas driver and motorcycle rider licences to Australian licences.

What has changed?

As of 1 February 2026, the arrangements for converting licences from certain countries have changed.

  • List A (Recognised Countries): If you hold a valid car or rider licence from a “Recognised Country” (such as the UK, USA, New Zealand, or Canada), you generally do not need to pass a knowledge or driving test to convert your licence, provided your licence is current or expired within the last 5 years.
  • List B (Formerly Experienced Driver Recognition): Drivers from jurisdictions on “List B” must now pass the Rider/Driver Knowledge Test and the Rider/Driving Test to obtain a NSW driver licence. The previous exemptions for experienced drivers from these countries have ceased.

Timelines for moving to NSW

  • Permanent Residents: You must get a NSW driver licence within 3 months of living in NSW to continue driving or riding.
  • Temporary Visitors: You must get a temporary NSW driver licence within 6 months of living in NSW to continue driving or riding.

Check your eligibility

Because the list of recognised countries and testing requirements has changed, we urge all overseas licence holders to check their specific status on the Service NSW website.

[Button/Link: Check Licence Eligibility at Service NSW]

Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children

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Lights flash on buses to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children.

You must slow down to 40km/h when overtaking or passing a bus displaying flashing lights, unless a lower speed limit applies.

You can help keep children safe by:
🏫 Sticking to the speed limit and following the road rules in school zones
🚌 Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing, unless a lower speed limit applies
🚸 Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus routes
⤴️ Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic.

For more information visit: transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/be-bus-aware

Motorists are encouraged to take extra care on our regional roads during the busy summer harvest period.

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Motorists are encouraged to take extra care on our regional roads during the busy summer harvest period.

With more heavy vehicles and farm machinery travelling between properties and grain receival sites, drivers may encounter large, slow-moving vehicles more often than usual. The Be Truck Aware campaign, supported by Transport for NSW, GrainCorp, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and state farming networks, is a reminder for all road users to stay patient, stay alert and make safe decisions on the road.

Key safety reminders this harvest season:
• Be mindful of increased truck movements and larger blind spots
• Allow extra travel time and avoid risky overtaking
• Always wear your seatbelt
• Manage fatigue before starting your journey
• Slow down, look and listen at level crossings

Variable message signs are in place across the region to reinforce these important safety messages and to support safer travel for all road users.

For further details, visit the Transport for NSW website.

Slow down around horses

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The annual ‘Horses in traffic’ initiative is underway from October to November to highlight the importance of taking care when driving around horses in traffic.

Horses can be unpredictable and easily spooked. This initiative reminds motorists to slow down, leave plenty of room and never use the car horn or rev the engine if passing a horse in traffic.

Over the 10-year period from 2015 to 2024p* there were:

  • 8 casualty crashes involving a ridden horse, resulting in 10 casualties.
  • 43 casualty crashes involving a riderless horse struck by a road vehicle, resulting in 47 casualties.

*The data for 2024 is preliminary and subject to change.

Horse riders also have a responsibility to take care on the road and are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings, ride on roads where motorists have a good line of sight, wear high visibility clothing and a helmet that meets Australian Standards, and if possible, ride during daylight hours.

Learn more: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/animals#Horses_in_traffic_

Have your say: Help shape the future of transport in the Far West

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Have your say: Help shape the future of transport in the Far West

Transport in the Far West is entering an important new phase. Transport for New South Wales is developing a Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) for the Far West, to be finalised in early 2026.

Before drafting the Plan, feedback is being sought from communities across the region. Whether it is daily travel, access to essential services, freight movements or connectivity to neighbouring towns — community experience is vital.

Why input matters

  • Ensures the Plan reflects real needs, challenges and opportunities in the region
  • Helps guide where infrastructure and transport services should be prioritised
  • Provides the region with a voice in shaping future transport investments

How to contribute

  1. Visit the Have Your Say – Far West portal to drop a pin on the interactive map, comment on issues, or make a formal submission.
  2. To be involved in engagement activities (such as local workshops or briefings), email: engage.sritps@transport.nsw.gov.au.
  3. Subscribe on the portal to receive updates as the Plan progresses.

Key dates and process

  • Currently: Open for submissions and community input
  • Next phases: Reviewing submissions, drafting the Plan, public exhibition, and reporting back on what was heard

Residents, businesses, community groups and service providers across Wentworth Shire and the wider Far West are encouraged to contribute. This is an important opportunity to help ensure transport networks support connectivity, economic growth and community wellbeing.

Have Your Say – Far West Transport Plan

Road Safety in Wentworth Shire

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Thank you for your interest in this form.

Wentworth Shire Council would like to know your thoughts or concerns on road safety within the Shire.

Are there any road safety related events or training you wish to see? Any upgrades to infrastructure?

Have your say in the freeform box below.

Want to learn more about Road Safety?

If you wish to discuss any matters regarding Road Safety, please contact Barnaby Bates, Community Road Safety Officer on (03) 5027 5027 or barnaby.bates@wentworth.nsw.gov.au

Visit the Road Safety section on the Council website: Road Safety

Contact Details

Please include your contact details if you wish to receive a response or discuss further.

School Zones are back in operation

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Most school zones are in operation between 8am-9.30am and 2.30pm-4pm around schools Monday to Friday. Slow down and look out for children crossing. Please check signs for school zone hours.

Slow down for roadworkers

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Please slow down around road works, and look after people, like Ned, who are making our roads safer.