World Wetlands Day

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Tour of Gol Gol Wetlands

Wentworth Shire Councillors celebrated #WorldWetlandsDay on Thursday 2 February with a tour of the Gol Gol Primary School Environmental & Cultural Immersion Centre and Gol Gol Wetlands.

The Gol Gol Wetlands, consist of Gol Gol Lake and Gol Gol Swamp, connected via Gol Gol Creek off the Murray River.

Wentworth Shire Council commends all attendees of the day for coming together and discussing the importance of refilling local wetlands and the partnerships of Traditional Land Owners and Government to rejuvenate the land.

Among the attendees were representatives of the Barkindji Maraura Elders Environment Team (BMEET), WaterNSW, Gol Gol Community Reference Group, Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group, Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, NSW DPE, Western Landcare, Western Local Land Services, Murray Off-road Adventures, NSW Crown Lands, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and other local community groups.

Wentworth Showgrounds Community Pavilion Officially Opened by Deputy Premier Paul Toole

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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.

L-R: Mayor of Wentworth Shire Cr Tim Elstone, Deputy Premier Paul Toole, Mayor of Edward River Shire Council Cr Peta Betts and Wentworth Show Society President Sholto Douglas.

Wentworth Aerodrome officially opened by Deputy Premier Paul Toole

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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.

Fee relief for families with preschool aged children in long day care and community and mobile preschools

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The NSW Government is providing fee relief for families with preschool aged children in long day care and community and mobile preschools from January 2023.

Families can save up to $4,220 per child on community and mobile preschool fees and up to $2,110 per child on long day care fees (in addition to the Child Care Subsidy). The fee relief will be passed on to families as a reduction in fees.

For more information visit the Start Strong website, call 1800 619 113, or email ececd@det.nsw.edu.au

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Wentworth to Mildura Saturday bus service

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From Saturday 17 December, customers in Wentworth will be able to travel to Mildura and back every Saturday.

The trial service aims to provide a new weekend connection to Mildura, to attend medical or health appointments, for shopping, sport and recreational activities and visiting family and friends.

Customers will have easier access to Mildura Base Hospital, Bunnings, the sporting precinct and shopping via a more direct route.

Following the trial, reviews will be undertaken to determine the future of the services.

Note: Public holidays are excluded

View the service timetable:

https://bit.ly/3V2YGMc

Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment

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We’re looking for enthusiastic people to join an Arts Working Group to help drive the integration of art, culture and heritage into the new Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment to ensure it’s a place that is welcoming, promotes wellbeing and reflects the unique local community.

Download the Expression of Interest form to join the group and make a difference. Fill it out, save it and send it back to us! Applications close on Friday, 16 December 2022.

For more information please phone (02) 8838 8889 or email HI-Wentworth@health.nsw.gov.au

Download the Expression of Interest Form

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Download the Application Form

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Accessing Mental Health Services in NSW

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Many people may be feeling anxious, worried or afraid within flood-affected communities.

Looking after the mental health of ourselves, friends and family is an important part of staying well.

If you need support, there are a number of services you can access for free.

The below websites have a mixture of self-guided mental health resources and programs as well as one-on-one connection to professionals through webchat, online counselling and phone services.

For further information, please view the flyer below.

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Water Quality

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WATER QUALITY

Council continues to monitor water quality and advises it is currently compliant with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

New Wentworth Shire Council Branding

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Introducing the new Wentworth Shire Council Branding.

Our main objectives:

  • To improve communication with the local community.
  • To create a brand that’s inclusive, transparent, progressive and friendly.
  • To strengthen and build awareness of the Wentworth Shire Council outside the region.
  • The organic leaf shapes have been designed to symbolise growth and the unique landscapes in and around the Wentworth Shire.
  • The brand colouring was chosen to reflect the natural environment including land, water, flora and the open blue skies.
  • The “W” icon is inspired by the Junction of the Murray and Darling rivers, connecting the three shapes, which also represent movement, irrigation, and progress.
  • Another key design consideration was associating the council branding with the tourism branding. This was achieved by incorporating the “W” icon into both identities, combining the overall brand colour palette, and sharing the same typefaces.