National Rural Health Commissioner tours Wentworth Shire

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Wentworth Shire Council General Manager Ken Ross, Far West Local Health District General Manager District and Remote Health Services Denise McCallum, National Rural Health Commissioner Ruth Stewart, Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone, Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner Faye McMillan, Collaborative Care Program lead Kate Carlisle, Collaborative Care Program Project Manager Kevin O’Neill and Rural Doctors Network Regional Manager – Western NSW Mark Muchiri in Wentworth earlier this week.

The National Rural Health Commissioner Ruth Stewart and her Deputy – Allied Health and Indigenous Health Faye McMillan toured the Wentworth Shire earlier this week, touring key health services.

Prof. Stewart’s visit included a tour of the Wentworth Health Service, Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation and the Buronga HealthOne development and included an update on the Collaborative Care Program.

The Collaborative Care Program is a community-led approach to primary health care of which Wentworth Shire Council is a partner along with the Far West Local Health District, Western NSW Primary Health Network, NSW Rural Doctors Network and other local stakeholders.

The aim of the program is to improve community access to primary health care services and to ensure these services are sustainable.

Primary health care encompasses general practice, nursing, and allied health.

The Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner provides policy advice to the Federal Minister responsible for Rural Health

“To have Prof. Stewart back in the Wentworth Shire provides a great benefit in helping the Collaborative Care Program stakeholders and local health services in general have their voices heard by the Federal Government,” Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone said.

“It is always great to have someone of that standing back in our region and working with us for the benefit of health services in Wentworth Shire.”

Highlights of the National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Ruth Stewart’s tour of health services in the Wentworth Shire.

Wentworth Shire Council Civic Centre Courtyard construction to begin

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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.

National Parks and Wildlife Service training at Wentworth Aerodrome

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Wentworth’s upgraded Aerodrome hosted critical NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) training this week.

NPWS personnel utilised the Aerodrome to conduct helicopter winch training, which forms a key part of wildfire suppression operations.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone said the Aerodrome upgrade, delivered almost completely in-house by Council’s works teams, has allowed Wentworth Shire Council to provide an all-weather, 24-hour facility for agencies such as NPWS to use.

 “The Aerodrome upgrade represents a significant investment in our community and we are pleased to see it operating to this level,” Mayor Elstone said.

NPWS Area Manager Jo Gorman said the training session was important.

“NPWS uses helicopters in many aspects of our work, including vital fire suppression and hazard reduction activities, pest management, wildlife surveys, observation and construction projects.

“Helicopter winch training sessions like this one are held across the state to ensure staff are safe, skilled and ready.

“Having the training at Wentworth has ensured local staff can learn these vital skills close to home, which means less travel time and more time for carrying out other important conservation work.”

Other agencies to make use of the facility since its upgrade have included The Royal Flying Doctors Service, Australian Medical Assistance Teams and the Lower Western Zone Rural Fire Service.

RZ Resources Copi Project

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220329_RZ-Resources_Community-FacsheetDownload

RZ Resources is an emerging Australian critical minerals producer.

It is a 100% Australian owned mining company focused on mineral sand resources — including critical minerals and rare earths — in the Murray Basin in New South Wales.

The Copi Project is located in the globally recognised Murray Basin mineral sands district.

It is 35km from the Silver City Highway and 60km from established mineral sands mines.

As demand for high quality mineral sands continues to increase, RZ Resources will deliver the Copi Project, generating 200 jobs when the mine is operational.

This will generate both direct and indirect employment in the local community.

See the above fact sheet for more information or visit https://rzresources.com/

Wentworth Long Day Care works commence

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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.

January 2022 Council Connects

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January-2022-Council-ConnectsDownload

Attached is the January 2022 edition of the Council Connects newsletter.

Council Connects comes out monthly following Ordinary Meetings of Council.

Regional job creation fund turbocharges businesses

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Businesses can now apply for Round Two of the NSW Government’s $140 million Regional Job Creation Fund, which is set to create at least 2000 new jobs in regional NSW over a three-year period.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole today announced applications were open for a share of $40 million available in Round Two.

“The $100 million Round One of the Regional Job Creation Fund provided funding to help businesses expand, attract investment, and relocate to regional NSW, supporting more than 100 regional projects and creating nearly 5,000 new jobs in key engine industries,” Mr Toole said.

“Round Two will continue to build on this support, and enable economic recovery across our agriculture, manufacturing, energy, tourism and resource industries, ensuring they continue to thrive now and into the future.”

Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier and for Regional Jobs Gurmesh Singh said the fund would help businesses expand production and provide incentives to move operations to the bush.

“Regional NSW is the engine room of the state and providing support to companies to expand their operations helps to stimulate regional economies, boost livelihoods and provide local employment,” Mr Singh said.

“This fund allows businesses to fast-track their growth plans, expand their operations and creates a solid base for job creation now and into the future.”

Grants will range from $100,000 to $5 million to help fund projects such as replacing plant equipment, upgrading technology and developing iconic tourism experiences.

Applications are open now until 9am Monday, 14 March 2022.

For information about eligibility criteria and program guidelines, go to: nsw.gov.au/RJCF.