EXERCISE ONLY – Exercise ‘Ballet’

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Emergency services in Wentworth Shire tested their skills on Wednesday 16 August at Wentworth Aerodrome while undertaking ‘Exercise Ballet’. The multi-agency emergency management exercise was conducted by Wentworth Shire LEMC with the aim of testing the capability, cooperation, coordination and communication between rescue agencies within the footprint of the Wentworth Shire LGA.

In accordance with the Wentworth Aerodrome Emergency Plan, emergency services were put to the test in response to a simulated airport emergency and rescue incident. Participants of the simulation included; NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service and Sunraysia Collaboration with the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health.

The simulated emergency scenario involved an aircraft with two occupants that had failed to land safely on the tarmac at Wentworth Aerodrome. As a result of the impact, the occupants are trapped with a minor fuel spill surrounding the aircraft.

Role playing as the trapped occupants were nursing students Sam and Luci from Sunraysia Collaboration with the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health.

The objectives of the exercise were to; test the Wentworth Aerodrome Emergency Plan, to test the response of emergency services to an emergency at Wentworth Aerodrome, to test the call out procedures for an emergency at Wentworth Aerodrome and to test the interagency communication at a rescue.

General Manager of Wentworth Shire Council, Mr. Ken Ross observed the exercise as LEMO-Support Exercise Director and was pleased with the response and coordination amongst the emergency services teams.

Planet Ark’s Schools Tree Day – 28 July 2023

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Location: Wentworth Ski Reserve

Local students from Pomona and Wentworth Public Schools were encouraged to get out of the classroom and into nature for Planet Ark’s National Tree Day organised by Vanessa Anderson, Regional Landcare Coordinator – Schools (Wentworth based) for Western Landcare NSW.

Students planted 140 native trees and shrubs on Friday 28 July 2023, with a student from Pomona Public School saying “We are planting trees to create oxygen for the environment and want to make things beautiful again.”

The 140 native plants, consisting of Kangaroo Paw, Grevilleas, native grasses, bushes and ground covers were sourced from the growAbility Nursery in Mildura. Councillor Brian Beaumont for Wentworth Shire Council was also in attendance, getting his hands dirty to plant some trees in the flood impacted Wentworth Ski Reserve.

Vanessa Anderson said she is proud to be part of the community, engaging with children in schools and teaching about the importance of the connection with the environment.

She encourages the community to volunteer some time for the National Tree Day Planting on Sunday 6 August from 10:00am – 2:00pm, Cnr Silver City Highway & Pomona Road, Wentworth. Lunch available at the Pomona Hall, supported by Pomona Public School P&C. Bring along your hat, water bottle, gardening gloves and make your effort count!

Since 1996, over 26,000,000 trees have been planted with more than 3,000 preschools, kindergartens, primary and high school students participating nationwide on Schools Tree Day.

To learn more, visit https://treeday.planetark.org/

Council Connects – July 2023

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Council Connects is ready to view.

Council Connects is produced monthly following the Ordinary Meeting of Council.

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Want to keep up to date with projects and events in Wentworth Shire? Head to wentworth.nsw.gov.au/enews to join Council’s subscriber list.

For further information, contact Wentworth Shire Council on (03) 5027 5027 or email council@wentworth.nsw.gov.au

Work Experience at Wentworth Shire Council

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For the past week, Wentworth Shire Council has hosted Year 12 student Lachlan (aged 18) from Mildura Senior College. With a strong interest in Engineering, the team has shown Lachlan the day to day tasks as an Engineer.

Following the week of experience, Council asked Lachlan the following;

  1. What have you enjoyed during your time with Wentworth Shire Council?
    At the Wentworth Shire Council I have enjoyed being able to spend my week with the Engineering team and have them answer all of my various questions. It has truly been an invaluable experience and has taught me a lot about Civil Engineering as a career and working in a Government setting.
  2. Would Engineering be a career that you would like to pursue?
    After my week here it has solidified my personal thought that I would definitely like to pursue a possible career in the Engineering field.
  3. Is there anything else that you would have liked to experience during your time at Council?
    Nothing that I don’t think wasn’t slightly touched on.

Interested in Work Experience with Wentworth Shire Council?

Contact Glen Norris, Manager Human Resources for further information on (03) 5027 5027.

‘Saluting the Service of Wentworth’s People’ – Book Launch

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The Book Launch of ‘Saluting the Service of Wentworth’s People’ has been a roaring success with a large attendance in the Wentworth Shire Library.

Speaking on behalf of the Wentworth Historical Society, Tony Bruce-Mullins spoke of the lengthy journey of two and a half years to the launch of the publication today (Wednesday 28 June).

David McMillan, Secretary of the Wentworth and District RSL, officially launched the book with guests enjoying an assortment of sandwiches and sweets afterwards, supplied by Clarkes Newsagency.

The book, encouraged by the late Rosemary Bruce-Mullins, records and acknowledges the service and lives of military personnel from the Wentworth NSW region. The book covers the service of personnel for all relevant conflicts from the Boer War through to Vietnam and currently serving personnel. Made possible by the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs ‘Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program’ and the extensive efforts of Wentworth Historical Society, the book will be a truly valuable resource to researchers and military historians for years to come.

Hard cover books are available to purchase for $50 or can be posted Australia wide for $25. An eBook will also available for $30. Contact the Wentworth Shire Library on (03) 5027 5060 for further information.

L-R: Elaine Grace, Peggy McKenzie, Tony Bruce-Mullins, Dianne Boyd (front), Sherry Lewis, Jenny McLeod and Wilma Follett of the Wentworth Historical Society.
‘Saluting the Service of Wentworth’s People’ hard cover books are available to purchase for $50 or can be posted Australia wide for $25. An eBook will also available for $30. Contact the Wentworth Shire Library on (03) 5027 5060 for further information.
Tony Bruce-Mullins speaking on behalf of the Wentworth Historical Society
‘Saluting the Service of Wentworth’s People’ hard cover books are available to purchase for $50 or can be posted Australia wide for $25. An eBook will also available for $30. Contact the Wentworth Shire Library on (03) 5027 5060 for further information.
David McMillan, Secretary of the Wentworth and District RSL officially launched the book.

Council eNews – June 2023

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Council eNews is a quarterly projects, events and general council eNews direct to your email inbox. This is on top of the monthly Council Connects which also appears in the NSW Standard.

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Want to keep up to date with projects and events in Wentworth Shire? Head to wentworth.nsw.gov.au/enews to join Council’s subscriber list.

For further information, contact Wentworth Shire Council on (03) 5027 5027 or email council@wentworth.nsw.gov.au

NSW Government’s Critical Communications Enhancement Program (CCEP)

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Work is progressing on the NSW Government’s Critical Communications Enhancement Program (CCEP).

Under the CCEP, NSW Telco Authority (NSWTA) is expanding and enhancing the Public Safety Network (PSN) for emergency services organisations.

This network provides critical, secure and reliable radio communications to frontline responders. PSN sites have been pivotal in protecting communities and supporting the emergency response to the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires and the widespread floods of 2021 and 2022 across NSW.

NSWTA has completed the detailed design at the following sites which have now moved to construction stage. Work at these sites will begin over the coming months.

  • Murrugi Station, 2423 Petro Mail Road, Arumpo NSW 2715 (Lot 1133 / DP762468)
  • Pooncarie, 24-26 Mallara Street, Pooncarie NSW 2648 (Lot 1 / DP 829641)
  • Nulla (previously Rufus), 1049 Nulla Road, Rufus NSW 2648 (Lot 4 / DP1255308) – RFS Council vested site
  • Scotia, 2313 Belvedere Road, Scotia NSW 2648 (Lot 99 /DP 760497).

NSWTA has awarded the contract for these works to Service Stream.

A representative from Service Stream will be in contact with community member/s in proximity to the site to advise of upcoming work.

Should you require further information about the CCEP, please refer them to the NSW Telco Authority website at www.nsw.gov.au/telco-authority, or contact directly by phone on 1800 794 862 or email ccepinfo@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.

LEAK DETECTION WORK BEGINS IN WENTWORTH

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The NSW Government’s innovative $12.5 million Regional Leakage Reduction Program keeps kicking goals, with more councils joining up and seeing incredible water savings. 

The Department of Planning and Environment’s Manager of Water Efficiency Programs Jethro Laidlaw said work on Phase 2 of the Active Leak Detection Project is getting underway at Wentworth Shire Council to pinpoint exactly where pipes, meters and valves need to be patched up.    

“This program has already located a mind-boggling 4.7 billion litres of water leaking from network infrastructure across the state each year which rams home the message that even though we’ve had plenty of rain in recent times, we can’t relax when it comes to looking after our most precious resource,” Mr Laidlaw said. 

“Our experts teams use cutting-edge technology such as high-powered listening devices to zero in, isolate and confirm the leak before calling in the Council cavalry to get it repaired. 

“The numbers speak for themselves. We’ve surveyed more than 6400kms of water mains and saved a staggering 2.3 billion litres of water in partnership with local councils which shows just how valuable this project is in terms of maximising water efficiency across regional NSW.” 

Nearly 200km of mains across Wentworth Shire Council will be covered in this latest work thanks to $32,500 from the NSW Government.  

Mayor of Wentworth Shire Council Tim Elstone said it’s a huge win for residents. 

“Fixing leaky pipes and damaged infrastructure preserves water and improves reliability for Wentworth Shire ratepayers, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in pumping and treatment costs,” Councilor Elstone said.

“As Mayor of Wentworth Shire and an advocate for water reliability, partnering with the state government to get this work done is a great opportunity to have our communities on the front foot when it comes to water efficiency.”

Phase 1 and 2 of the project has involved 34 local government areas and 25 Aboriginal communities, with dozens more councils in the pipeline. 

The Active Leak Detection Project is part of the NSW Government’s three-year, $12.5 million Regional Leakage Reduction Program. 

For more information, visit:   https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plans-and-programs/water-efficiency/regional-leakage-reduction-program

NSW Government’s Return and Earn Container Deposit Scheme

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SecureEnergy is doing its bit for the environment with its workforce participating in a popular recycling initiative.

SecureEnergy has been contracted by Transgrid to deliver part of EnergyConnect with the construction of 700km of new power lines from the SA border to the regional energy hub of Wagga Wagga.

At the Buronga camp near Wentworth, the team has recycled a whopping 29,000 eligible containers including cans, bottles and cartons as part of the NSW Government’s Return and Earn Container Deposit Scheme, preventing all those containers from ending up in landfill.

SecureEnergy Environment Manager, Catherine Curlewis said this is a fantastic result.

“The Environment team has worked hard at educating our workforce and making sure the recycling containers are accessible to everyone. As a result, we now want to give back to the local community,” said Ms Curlewis.

“We are looking at making a donation to a local based charity or not-for-profit organisation that focuses on re-vegetation using some of the funds received from the recycling program.”

Not-for-profit organisations are encouraged to contact SecureEnergy Environmental Manager Catherine Curlewis by email: ccurlewis@elecnor.es

#SecureEnergy #Transgrid #EnergyConnect #WentworthShireCouncil #recycling #returnandearn

For further information on the NSW Government Return & Earn Container deposit scheme, visit the link below.

Container Deposit Scheme
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