All posts relating to projects in Wentworth Shire

SecureEnergy Milestone – First camp and laydown underway

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SecureEnergy has hit the ground running commencing one of the first milestones of the EnergyConnect Project with the construction of the first camp and laydown area in Buronga, NSW.

The camp and laydown area is nearly 30 hectares in size and when complete in early November will house up to 400 employees.

The site is currently being prepared to house 200 modules, with office space for 70 desks and a laydown yard that will hold site deliveries, general yard operations, a main office and a range of heavy vehicles.

The main office compound and camp buildings are already starting to roll in, with camp provider APC commencing deliveries from South Australia. 

This camp is one of six camps and seven laydown areas that will accommodate over 1,450 staff for the 700km build.

Local communities from the SA border to Buronga can expect to see construction activities ramp up as SecureEnergy gets on with building Project EnergyConnect – Australia’s largest transmission line.

New Wentworth Health Service site announced

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220713_Wentworth_Community-Info-Session-flyer_FINALDownload

The NSW Government has announced the existing Wentworth Hospital site will be transformed as part of the $30 million Wentworth Health Service redevelopment to enhance health services and facilities for residents of the state’s south-western region.

Minster for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said in addition to announcing the preferred location overlooking the Darling River, the redevelopment’s master plan has been unveiled today.

“The Wentworth community is one step closer to gaining its new health service that will ensure we can deliver better health services for the Wentworth community now and into the future,” Mrs Taylor said.’

“This location, at the existing hospital site, will provide all inpatient bedrooms with a direct view of the beautiful Darling River, offering a therapeutic environment for patients as they receive treatment and care, as well as their families.

“This location is significant to our local Aboriginal community, allowing connection to Country, while also supporting the wellbeing of all patients, staff and visitors to the health service.”

The preferred location was confirmed following a comprehensive review of more than 10 potential sites by Health Infrastructure and the Far West Local Health District, and in consultation with hospital staff, local council and the community.

Duty MLC for Murray Wes Fang said a range of criteria was considered in determining the hospital site including zoning, size, and location.

“The current hospital is located on a large site that will enable a completely new facility to be constructed, while ensuring the existing hospital remains operational as works are completed,” Mr Fang said.

“The site also offers opportunities for future expansion and options to retain the existing staff accommodation buildings, as well as on-site parking for patients, visitors and staff.

“Positioned on the Silver City Highway, it will provide key access for residents in Curlwaa, Dareton, Coomealla and beyond and also reduce the need for patients to travel to Victoria to access health services.”

The community of Wentworth are being invited to share their feedback and ask questions at a series of stakeholder and community information sessions with the project team.

All community are invited to attend the information sessions as follows:

Thursday 21 July 2022
4:00pm – 5:30pm

Friday 22 July 2022
9:00am – 10:30am

Location: Memorial Room, Wentworth Visitors Information Centre, Darling Street, Wentworth.

The NSW government committed $30 million to redevelop the Wentworth Health Service in June 2021. The full range of services to be delivered as part of the Wentworth Health Service redevelopment will be identified as part of the community consultation process.

The construction schedule will be determined after further planning is undertaken.

The Wentworth Health Service redevelopment is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2025-26, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.

Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 hospitals and health facilities across NSW, with more than 130 currently underway – of those, more than 90 are in rural and regional areas.

Update on Wentworth Health Service redevelopment

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Wentworth locals have the opportunity to find out about the redevelopment of Wentworth Health Service at a pop-up information stand on Wednesday 8 June from 9.30am – 12.00pm outside of Ritchies IGA in Darling Street.

The Health Infrastructure project team will be on hand to chat about what’s involved in delivering a new hospital in Wentworth, which is in the early planning stages.

The NSW government has committed $30 million to redevelop the Wentworth Health Service.

For more information about the Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment visit bit.ly/3lHyxmQ

EnergyConnect project to deliver economic benefit to Wentworth Shire

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Transgrid CEO Brett Redman, Elecnor CEO/Managing Director Joseph de Pedro, Clough Vice President NSW Paul Farris, Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone and Barkindji Maraura Elders Environment Team Senior Ranger Malcolm King turn the soil at the EnergyConnect project launch.

Wentworth Shire Council is excited for the continued economic boost to be brought about by Transgrid’s $1.8 billion EnergyConnect project, launched at Buronga on Tuesday.

More than 9000 kilometres of conductor cabling, enough to span from Sydney to Perth three times, will be used to deliver Australia’s largest electricity grid project which will enable the sharing of energy between New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria for the first time.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Tim Elstone lauded the project’s overall benefits for the Wentworth Shire region.

“We have seen Transgrid and SecureEnergy Joint Venture (who is undertaking the project’s construction) engage local businesses and communities for the project with a great number of contracts and tenders still to be awarded,” Mayor Elstone said.

“These opportunities, whether they have been for health screening, providing infrastructure or services or even accommodation, have been a great boost for the local economy at a time when things have been tough amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated impact.

“Transgrid has also provided more than $35,000 worth of grants to community and not for profit organisations in the Wentworth Shire since 2019 through its Community Partnerships Program which we are grateful for, helping these organisations to continue to function.”

Transgrid CEO Brett Redman joined local representatives in launching the project at Buronga, which included the use of digging sticks created by Barkindji Maraura Elders Environment Team Senior Ranger Malcolm King.

“EnergyConnect is a once in a generation transmission project that will help to revolutionise the National Electricity Market and we are really pleased to be getting underway with this critical infrastructure,” Mr Redman said.

“The project will be a key component of the future grid, which will enable the integration of renewable generation and support the decarbonisation of the nation’s economy.”

EnergyConnect is a 900km interconnector which will enable the sharing of energy between New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria for the first time.

Transgrid is building the 700km NSW section from the South Australian border to Wagga Wagga and South Australia’s ElectraNet has started building the remaining 200km from the border to Robertstown, SA

The construction of the eastern alignment, (Buronga to Wagga Wagga) is due to commence in 2023, with project delivery expected by 2024.

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.

Junction Island re-opens

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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

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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.

Mourquong Water Main Extension project update

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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

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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

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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.