Wingecarribee Shire Council will reopen its Moss Vale Library this Tuesday 17 March 2015.
The reopening follows a forced closure as a result of storm damage sustained mid-last week.
Library staff spent the weekend drying and recovering books and furnishings.
Doors will open as per normal trading hours from 10.00am.
For a full list of opening times of all library services including Council’s mobile library ROADS vehicle, visit www.library.wsc.nsw.gov.au.
Council apologises for any inconvenience.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in conjunction with Wingecarribee Shire Council will be accepting unwanted household chemicals as part of its annual Chemical CleanOut program on Saturday 11 April at Council’s Moss Vale Depot.
Residents can drop off their unwanted household chemicals – FREE of charge – at Council’s Moss Vale Works Depot, Moss Vale from 9.00am to 3.00pm.
Chemicals that can be dropped off include residential quantities (20kg or 20 litre maximum container) of:
Last year, more than 22 tonnes of chemicals were surrendered on the collection day.
Council’s Moss Vale Depot can be entered via Parkes Road, Moss Vale.
For more information call the Environment Line on phone 131 555 or visit www.cleanout.com.au.
Chemical CleanOut 2015 is being hosted by Council through the support of the Environment Levy.
Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Councillor Duncan Gair is urging residents across the Shire to attend one of this weekend’s ANZAC Day services.
“This Saturday marks the 100th anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the shores of Gallipoli in 1915,” he said.
“To commemorate the occasion and pay respect to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, services will be held at numerous locations across the Shire.”
Scheduled services include:
For a comprehensive list of details and locations visit Council’s website at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au.
“I encourage everyone to attend a service this ANZAC Day and take a moment to reflect upon the sacrifices our troops undertook a century ago in honour of our country,” the Mayor added.
It’s official!
Wingecarribee Shire Council and the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) 2015 Household Chemical CleanOut campaign has been the most successful yet.
Held on 11 April, more than 30,000 kilos of chemicals were surrendered during the day-long amnesty.
“This figure represents a massive 45 per cent increase on the amount of chemicals that were handed in last year,” said Kimberly Elliot, Council’s Sustainability Projects Officer in charge of the scheme.
“But even more encouraging is the feedback we received that just over half of all of this year’s customers were first-timers,” she said.
“This is really encouraging news and confirms that people are taking advantage of the scheme.”
In total 680 people visited Council’s Moss Vale Works Depot on the day to environmentally dispose of all manner of chemicals including oils, paints, pesticides and poisons free of charge.
The Household Chemical CleanOut campaign is an annual program run by the NSW EPA and supported through Council’s Environment Levy.
“We remind residents that they don’t have to wait until next year’s Chemical CleanOut to dispose of some of these materials,” Ms Elliot added.
“Council’s Resource Recovery Centre accepts oils, paints and batteries all year round!”
Other items accepted free of charge if first sorted include paper, cardboard, e-waste, scrap metal, glass, polystyrene foam, plastic bottles and aluminum and steel cans.
For a full list of items that can be disposed of at the Resource Recovery Centre visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/resource-recovery-centre.
The Resource Recovery Centre is located at 177 Berrima Road, Moss Vale and is open 7am to 3.45pm seven days a week.
The 2016 Household Chemical CleanOut campaign will be held in April next year. Details will be finalised closer to the event.
Wingecarribee Shire Mayor, Councillor Duncan Gair has this week announced that Berrima Road is set to receive a multi-million dollar upgrade as part of a successful grant secured through the Federal Government.
A total of $4.6 million has been allocated via the first round of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development’s National Stronger Regions Funds (NSRF). Funds will go towards realigning Berrima Road (MR 372) and replace the existing rail level crossing with a rail overbridge.
Councillor Gair praised the announcement which was fully endorsed by all councillors at Wednesday evening’s ordinary Council Meeting.
“This is fantastic result for our Shire,” he said. “Berrima Road is the only B-double, high-mass road that links Moss Vale with the Hume Highway.”
“This means that the road is both very important and strategic and I congratulate Council’s Assets and Strategic Planning staff on securing this vital funding.”
“It provides the Shire with a direct link with commerce and transport commuting between Melbourne to Sydney and beyond,” he said. “Anything that provides safer and more efficient access to this trade route is a great win for our region.”
The estimated cost of the full project which will also replace the existing T-junction intersection at Berrima Road and Taylor Avenue with a B-triple capacity roundabout is estimated to cost $9.2 million. The remainder of funds will come from Developer Contributions undertaking works within the precinct.
This injection of funds for capital works infrastructure is the latest development in the $82 million Moss Vale Enterprise Corridor scheme.
“The Southern Highlands is already well known for its natural beauty and tourist attractions,” Councillor Gair said.
“But for our Shire to grow and prosper in the years ahead we need to diversify and establish opportunities in other sectors including business and commerce markets.
“With its links to the Hume Highway and Main Southern Rail Corridor including access to Port Kembla via the Moss Vale to Unanderra rail line, the Moss Vale Enterprise Zone is without doubt one of our Shire’s most important pieces of infrastructure,” he said.
“With these monies we’re confident of attracting further investment to the Enterprise Zone as big business becomes more aware of how attractive and accessible our Shire is.
“This announcement is testimony of the Federal Government’s confidence in our Shire,” the Mayor added. “We’re grateful of the Federal Member for Hume’s support with this project and we will continue to lobby his office for future grants.”
Artist Thomas Bucich self-titled work ‘WE REMEMBER THEM’ has been chosen as the successful design to adorn the Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre.
The artwork was chosen following a public Expression of Interest program funded through the Federal Government’s ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Program and supported via Council’s Arts and Culture Committee.
Council’s Cultural Development Officer, Jenny Kena explained the significance of the project.
“The brief was to create a permanent mural honouring the men and women of our Shire who served a century ago in the Great War,” Ms Kena said. “And we think Thomas’ work does an amazing job capturing this spirit.”
Mr Bucich, who has a studio in the Southern Highlands, said the memorial is a sculptural collage of elements that metaphorically represent the lives of the men and women who served, the area they lived in; while relating to the community who actively use the building.
“I’m so excited and honoured to win this competition and can’t wait to get started,” he said.
“The overall narrative of the work represents the human experience of war.
“The over-scaled symbolic elements stand as metaphors to the human condition of all those who served as soldiers, volunteers and the community that stood behind them,” Mr Bucich said.
The three physical elements of the work are reclaimed timber railroad sleepers, large enamel poppies and the words WE REMEMBER THEM carved in sandstone.
The mural will be located on the interior northern wall of the Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre and on completion will measure almost 20 metres in width by 2.5 metres in height.
The artwork was chosen by an Assessment Panel which included members of Council’s Arts and Culture Committee, community representatives, staff of Council and members of the Moss Vale RSL Sub Branch and the Berrima Museum.
“Importantly, the judges felt Thomas’ design would be easily understood by the young children who use the Centre who may not be aware of the pool’s original intent,” Ms Kena added.
“We can’t wait to see the finished project!”
Work on the giant art project will commence in the coming weeks and is expected to be unveiled in time for November’s Remembrance Day commemorations.
Artist Thomas Bucich hails from New York where he was classically trained at New York’s Arts Students League and Parsons School of Design. He moved to Australia in 1990 where he began his Art and Design practice in Sydney. Today Thomas divides his time between his Northern Beaches and Southern Highlands studios where he works on a range of mediums including cast bronze, stainless steel, carved stone, paper and canvas.
Moss Vale Landcare is in the running for the 2015 NSW Landcare Community Group Award after being nominated by Wingecarribee Shire Council in recognition of its 15 years of volunteer effort and achievement.
The Landcare Awards are a key means of promoting the Landcare ethos, which encompasses the work of Landcare, Bushcare, Rivercare, Coastcare, Dunecare and ‘friends of’ groups working to protect and rehabilitate our bushland, streams, and foreshores, maintain and enhance biodiversity values and the sustainability and productivity of agricultural systems.
Working closely with local community groups, the volunteers have successfully revegetated over 2km of creek frontage along Whites Creek, removing infestations of willow, hawthorn, privets and many other environmental weeds and replacing them with native plants.
The group has also worked hard to educate the community about the impact of environmental weeds, particularly willows, and have successfully held numerous planting events with local school and TAFE students, Scouts, neighbouring landholders and golf club members.
Wingecarribee Shire Council works closely with Moss Vale Landcare, allocating funds from its Environment Levy for weed removal and site maintenance, and facilitates the group’s regular working bees along Whites Creek. With the support of the volunteers, Council held the 2011, 2013 and 2014 National Tree Day planting events on Whites Creek in the vicinity of Cosgrove Park.
Moss Vale Landcare and Council have been successful in securing a number of grants for the rehabilitation of Whites Creek from bodies such as Sydney Catchment Authority and South East Local Land Services.
The state and territory Landcare Awards are organised by Landcare Australia in conjunction with the state/territory organising body, which in NSW is the Department of Primary Industries. The awards recognise Landcare as one of the leading volunteer forces in Australia.
Winners of the NSW Landcare Community Group Award will be announced at a ceremony in Orange during September, and will go forward as finalists to the 2016 National Landcare Awards.
Further information about the award nomination and Moss Vale Landcare can be found on Council’s website: www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/bushcare
Council’s Resource Recovery Centre is set to save big on electricity costs with the commissioning this week of a 100 panel solar power system.
The electricity generated by the 25 kilowatt roof-mounted solar system will be used to power the majority of the day time energy needs of the Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) with some electricity expected to be fed back into the power grid when the facility is closed.
The RRC solar power system brings Council’s total solar capacity to over 100 kilowatts of solar PV.
“In just four years we’ve added solar panel systems to our cattle saleyards, the refurbished Southern Highlands Welcome Centre, Bowral Library, the Mittagong Rural Fire Service Building and now our Resource Recovery Centre,” said Council’s Environment and Health Systems Coordinator in charge of the project, Therese Smart.
“In total we’re now generating approximately 455 kilowatts in renewable energy from our solar installations every day.
“That’s the equivalent of $30,000 a year in power savings or the same amount of energy required to run 23 average Australian homes per year!” Ms Smart said.
Ms Smart explained the choice of installation sites.
“We deliberately looked at Council facilities that operate predominantly during the daytime,” she said. “This ensures we make the most of the solar energy that’s generated.”
“We then also had to consider which sites had the available roof space that could accommodate such large-scale solar installations.”
Council anticipates that its current solar power capture projects will recoup all costs within six years.
Wingecarribee Shire Council is seeking feedback from residents on its draft Master Plan for the Moss Vale Cemetery which is now on public exhibition.
The draft landscape master plan looks at a number of ways of beautifying the historic cemetery.
“Moss Vale Cemetery dates back well over one hundred years with the site being first dedicated in 1897,” said Scott McAllan, Council’s Business Services Manager. “It provides the final resting place for many of the town’s early settlers.”
Located on Berrima Road on the outskirts of Moss Vale, the cemetery is situated on the verge of the town’s rural landscape.
“One of the suggestions of the landscape master plan is to take greater advantage of this rural setting and its views,” Mr McAllan said.
Other suggestions include creating a memorial pond, improving access and entry and erecting a chapel or shelter on site.
“There’s no doubt Moss Vale Cemetery could be improved and this master plan seeks to address some of its short-fallings,” Mr McAllan added.
“We’d subsequently like to hear the community’s thoughts on the suggestions within the master plan and perhaps also their ideas on how they think the cemetery could be improved.”
For further information, or to view a copy of the draft Cemetery Master Plan, visit www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au, the Moss Vale Civic Centre or Council’s Mittagong, Bowral and Moss Vale libraries.
Submissions and feedback close 9.00am Thursday 8 October 2015.
Submissions can be made:
Following the close of the exhibition period, all responses will be collated and included in a final report to be considered by Council.
For further information contact Council’s Cemeteries Administration Officer on phone (02) 4868 0887.
Wingecarribee Shire Council is seeking feedback from residents on its draft Positive Ageing Strategy and Action Plan which are now on public exhibition.
Council’s Ageing and Disability Officer, Nicola Robson explained the purpose of the ten year draft Strategy and Action Plan.
“As our population gets older, it’s important that we accommodate and meet their needs,” Ms Robson said.
“These documents help us identify the impact of our local ageing population and also identify future challenges and opportunities.
“It’s an issue not isolated to the Southern Highlands but something that councils across the country are coming to terms with.”
The Action Plan in particular identifies four key Positive Ageing Focus areas.
These include:
The draft Strategy and Action Plan have been developed using information gathered from a number of community consultation activities including a community survey.
For further information, or to view a copy of the draft Positive Ageing Strategy (2016 – 2026) and Action Plan, visit www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au, the Moss Vale Civic Centre or Council’s Mittagong, Bowral and Moss Vale libraries.
Submissions and feedback close 4.30pm Friday 30 October 2015.
Submissions can be made:
Following the close of the exhibition period, all responses will be collated and included in a final report to be considered by Council.
For further information contact Council’s Ageing and Disability Officer on phone (02) 4868 0801.
Staff from Council will this weekend attend the Berrima Schoolyard Markets to discuss the possibility of implementing a Special Rate Variation.
The team members will be on hand at the popular markets as part of a month-long series of community engagement activities to discuss the Special Rate Variation proposal.
“We’re now entered our second week of hosting Information Kiosks across the Shire,” said Council’s General Manager, Ann Prendergast.
“So far we’ve visited the Bowral, Bundanoon and Robertson Markets, the Bowral Home and Garden Show, Highlands Market Place, Hill Top Community Centre and Corbett Plaza.”
The Information Kiosks have been established to allow residents an opportunity to discuss the possibility of implementing a Special Rate Variation to help maintain and improve the Shire’s roads, bridges, footpaths, parks and buildings.
On Wednesday 21 October Council will hold two additional special information sessions at its Moss Vale Civic Centre where members of Council’s executive team and professional staff will be available to answer questions from the public.
The Information Kiosks will continue next week culminating on Sunday 25 October at the Berrima School Yard markets.
“I encourage as many people as possible to attend an Information Kiosk or participate in one of our other engagement programs so they may learn more about the proposal,” Ms Prendergast added.
In addition to the Information Kiosks, residents can also comment by taking part in an online survey, participating in a forth coming random telephone survey or by filling out the Reply Paid survey postcard found in the ‘Investing in our future’ information booklet. These booklets have been delivered to households across the Shire and detail three options including costs, facts and a future timeline.
If residents have not yet received their information booklet they can find out more on Council’s online consultation hub at www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au.
“It’s vitally important that our residents provide us with their feedback and opinions because ultimately, their decision will influence the course of action that Council proposes,” the General Manager said.
Information Kiosks to discuss the Special Rate Variation proposal will be held on Wednesday 21 October from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm in the Council Civic Centre, Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale.
The men and women of the Southern Highlands who served in the Great War one hundred years ago will be remembered this Remembrance Day with the unveiling of a giant commemorative mural at the Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre.
Featuring reclaimed railway sleepers and sandstone sourced from Bundanoon, the 20 metre wide mural entitled, ‘We Remember Them’ is the work of artist Thomas Bucich.
Council’s Cultural Development Officer, Jenny Kena explained the significance of the project.
“The brief was to create a permanent mural honouring the sacrifice of the men and women of our Shire who served a century ago in World War 1,” Ms Kena said.
“Importantly, we wanted the mural to be understood and accessible to the young children who use the Centre who may not be aware of its significance and the site’s original intent.”
The artwork was chosen following a public Expression of Interest program funded through the Federal Government’s ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Program and supported via Council’s Arts and Culture Committee.
“Having the piece completed in the year of the 100th anniversary of the 1915 landing on the Gallipoli peninsula makes this occasion all the more special,” Ms Kena added.
The artwork will be officially unveiled by Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Councillor Larry Whipper at a special ceremony on Remembrance Day, Wednesday 11 November 2015.
As part of the unveiling, President of Moss Vale RSL Sub Branch, Mr Bob McLaren will also lead a Remembrance Day ceremony and dedication.
“It’s been a real honour for me to create this work and share it with the local community,” said Mr Bucich. “I hope how it looks and what it symbolises is appreciated by many people for years to come.”
Members of the public are welcome to attend the ceremony which will start from 10.15am, Wednesday 11 November at the Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre.
The Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre is located at 8 Kirkham Street, Moss Vale.
“We think Thomas did an absolutely beautiful job capturing the spirit of our Shire’s forbearers,” Ms Kena said.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with the finished work.”
For more information contact Council’s Cultural Development Officer, Jenny Kena on phone 4868 0855 or via email at: jenny.kena@wsc.nsw.gov.au
Council’s Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) is set to open for extended trading hours from Monday 7 December 2015.
The new hours will be from 7.30am to 4.30pm seven days a week.
The change in hours follows a customer survey undertaken on site at the facility which proposed three options.
“Our customers told us they’d like to see the hours extended in the afternoons,” said Council’s Manager of Business Services, Scott McAllan.
“Tradies in particularly prefer the later finish time so they can dispose of any rubbish collected over the course of the day’s work,” he said. “But it will also be more convenient for anyone wanting to drop off waste after work or following a weekend clean-up.”
The new permanent hours will come into effect from Monday 7 December 2015 in time for the Christmas peak period.
The Resource Recovery Centre is located at 177 Berrima Road, Moss Vale.
For more information visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au or contact the Resource Recovery Centre on phone 4868 0555.
With Christmas fast approaching, Wingecarribee Shire Council has today launched its annual Giving Tree at the Moss Vale Civic Centre.
“We’re asking for as many people as possible to donate to help the less fortunate,” said Wingecarribee Shire Mayor, Councillor Larry Whipper.
“For a lot of people, Christmas can be an especially tough time of the year.”
Non-perishable food items and gifts for children are the most sought after items.
“The only real restriction is that the gifts aren’t wrapped,” Councillor Whipper said. “As all the items will be donated to the local branch of the Salvation Army, they will first be sorted before being distributed in time for Christmas Day.”
“The size and monetary worth of the gift isn’t important,” Mayor Whipper added. “As the old adage goes, it’s the thought that counts.”
Gifts can be left by the tree up until Wednesday 16 December 2015.
The Giving Tree is located in the foyer of Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Customer Service Centre, located in Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale.
Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Councillor Larry Whipper will join Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger this Friday to hand over $25,000 to six Highlands-based community groups as part of the Southern Phone Grants Scheme.
“We received a fabulous response to the scheme this year,” the Mayor said. “There were numerous worthy applications and making the final decision proved extremely difficult.”
The six successful recipients will be presented with their cheques at Council this Friday 27 November 2015.
The monies are provided as part of the Southern Phone Grants Scheme whereby dividends are returned to shareholding Councils.
Formed in 2002 and initially funded by the Federal Government using money raised from the sale of Telstra, Southern Phone is an unlisted Public Company with only Local Councils holding shares.
Today 41 Local Councils hold a share in the company – including Wingecarribee Shire Council – and the company has grown to become the third largest provider of fixed line services (after Telstra and Optus) and the fourth largest mobile phone provider (after Telstra, Optus and Vodafone) in regional Australia.
“The history of Southern Phone is a fantastic success story,” Councillor Whipper said.
“It was established 13 years ago in a bid to provide more affordable telecommunications services to regional Australia,” he said. “And it’s now one of the largest players in the market.”
“But even more impressive is that since 2004, all profits have been returned to shareholding communities.”
“Basically, the more customers Southern Phone secure, the more funds they’re able to return to supporting communities like the Southern Highlands.
“And any dividends returned to Council are then used to help cover the cost of a range of community-based Council services,” the Mayor said.
This year is the second year in a row that $1 million dollars has been made available to shareholding Councils.
“Distributing $25,000 to our local community should give anyone in the market looking for a phone provider incentive to consider Southern Phone.”
Mayor Whipper will join Mr Hilzinger at a brief presentation ceremony on Friday 27 November from 10.30am in Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre Nattai Room.
At the same time as Council prepares to return for its first sitting of the year, a major item from last year remains high on the current agenda.
“At December’s final Council meeting, Councillors voted to not amend the Wingecarribee Local Environment Plan in respect to re-zoning of the Coomungie and Chelsea Gardens urban release area,” Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Councillor Larry Whipper said.
“We requested that the Minister for Planning not proceed with the proposal which would see up to 1500 new dwellings built on the outskirts of Moss Vale, and at the same time indicated that Council will submit a proposal to remove the properties known Chelsea Gardens and Coomungie from the Urban Releases Area map under the Council’s Local Environmental Plan for the Shire.
“At this stage we’re awaiting word from the Minister on our resolution.”
A previous attempt by Council to remove the site from the Urban Release Area map was refused by the Department in 2010.
The request to the Minister seeks to retain the current zoning of the site as RU2 Rural Landscape instead of amending it to R2 Low Density Residential which would allow lot sizes starting at 450 square metres in area.
“The feedback from numerous petitions, exhibitions and public meetings was that the general Moss Vale community does not support this proposal in its current form,” the Mayor said.
“Councillors have listened to the community and we support their position,” the Mayor added. “It’s for this reason we ask that the Department of Planning remove the land from its Urban Release Area listing.”
Following the December resolution the NSW Department of Planning and Environment has sought additional information including revised estimates of local housing and demand which was submitted by Council in mid-January.
“We believe that there is sufficient supply of zoned land both within the town and village propers and in recently rezoned release areas to meet the demand for housing for at least the next 15 to 20 years.”
The justification arguments submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment included the recent release of 500 residential lots in and around the township of Moss Vale including releases at Farnborough and Darraby Estates and Broughton Street.
“Council will continue to support appropriate residential development and growth across the Shire,” the Mayor added. “But at this point in time we see no need for such an extensive development.”
“We also agree with the majority of our community that this proposal is simply too big and out of character for Moss Vale and the greater Southern Highlands and will place significant strain on existing infrastructure within and surrounding the Moss Vale township.”
A decision by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment on the Coomungie and Chelsea Gardens planning proposal is expected in the coming weeks.
Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre is set to save big on electricity costs with the recent replacement of the building’s old light fittings with energy saving LED fittings.
In total 600 old inefficient fluorescent light fittings were replaced with energy efficient 26 and 34 watt LED fittings across the January fit-out.
Council’s Environment and Health Systems Coordinator in charge of the project, Therese Smart said the project would pay for itself within four years.
“We’ve estimated that the new light fittings will reduce the Civic Centre’s annual electricity consumption by 149 megawatt hours,” she said. “That translates to a saving of around $26,000 a year!”
All savings achieved through reduced power bills will be diverted into Council’s Revolving Energy Fund REFund scheme which helps finance future energy reduction projects.
Ms Smart said the re-fit carried out by local installers would have long-lasting benefits.
“It’s estimated the new efficient LED’s won’t require any maintenance for at least the next five years,” she said.
“On top of that they also provide greater light quality and comfort for staff and guests to the building.”
The Civic Centre lighting upgrade attracted a $30,000 rebate from the NSW State Government’s Energy Savings Scheme. This scheme encourages businesses to achieve savings by replacing, improving or installing energy saving equipment.
“Another great part of the project was that we managed to recycle all components of the old light fixtures,” Ms Smart added. “This included all the metals, plastic diffusers and fluorescent globes as well as all the packaging from the new lights.”
“This was all carried out at Council’s Resource Recovery Centre and via other licensed recyclers.”
Council staff delivered the project using knowledge gained from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage’s (OEH) energy efficient lighting course. Post training support was provided by the OEH to assist with the implementation of the lighting upgrade.
The replacement of the light fittings follows an earlier lighting project completed at Council’s Bowral Library in 2014 which has seen an annual saving of $1900 a year in electricity costs since implementation.
Other energy related projects recently undertaken by Council include the installation of solar panels at Council’s Resource Recovery Centre, the refurbished Southern Highlands Welcome Centre, Bowral Library and the Mittagong Rural Fire Service Building.
For more information on OEH’s training courses visit the Office of Environment & Heritage at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/training.
Following six months of intensive environmental work on the Wingecarribee River, registered participants from the local Green Army Project are preparing to down tools as the rehabilitation project draws to a close.
“It’s fair to say the site of the restoration works is looking considerably healthier than at the start of the project,” said Wingecarribee Shire Mayor, Councillor Larry Whipper.
“The team has done a fabulous job in restoring and protecting the river’s health and ecosystem.”
The Green Army is a hands-on, practical, grassroots environmental action programme that supports local environmental and heritage conservation projects across Australia. Campbell Page is one of the Service Providers delivering the Green Army Programme on behalf of the Australian Government.
As part of the Upper Wingecarribee River Rehabilitation Project, Green Army participants from Campbell Page focused their efforts on rehabilitating 1.3 kilometres of the Wingecarribee River downstream of Moss Vale Road along the Bong Bong Common.
In protecting and enhancing the native riparian vegetation along both sides of the river the team planted 2000 native plants – mainly sedges and rushes – and targeted woody weed infestations of Willows and Hawthorn.
“For the young men and women who made up the Green Army team the project provided a great opportunity to learn new skills, complete accredited training, and make a significant contribution to the local environment and community,” the Mayor added.
As the service provider, Campbell Page was responsible for team recruitment, training and day-to-day management of the community project.
In addition to the onsite re-vegetation works, the team also used their new found skills in propagating plants at the Wingecarribee Community Nursery.
The Federal Member for Throsby Mr Stephen Jones MP echoed the Mayor’s sentiments saying the project demonstrated what could be achieved when all levels of Government worked together to protect our natural assets.
“There’s no doubt that the Wingecarribee River is cleaner, greener and healthier thanks to the wonderful efforts of the Green Army,” the Mayor added.
“Our entire community should be rightly proud of their efforts.”
For more information on Campbell Page or joining a future Green Army project visit www.campbellpage.com.au/job-seekers/green-army.
Wingecarribee Shire Council in conjunction with Veolia Water Network Services has begun to clean and inspect over 20 kilometres of sewer main across Moss Vale and Bundanoon.
Works began on Monday 21 March 2016.
Council’s Assets Manager Selva Selvaratnam said that in addition to removing built up debris and blockage prevention, the project will help to identify defects within the wastewater system which may lead to increased stormwater and groundwater infiltration into sewer mains.
“Council continues to make a significant investment in wastewater infrastructure to ensure our system is reliable and protects the health of our community and the environment,” Mr Selvaratnam said.
As part of the project, the sewer mains will be jet cleaned and any debris will be taken to the Moss Vale Wastewater Treatment Plant for disposal and processing. A remotely operated video camera (CCTV) will then be used to record the overall condition of the pipe including any defects.
The cleaning and inspection program will target sewer mains servicing approximately 500 properties in the Moss Vale and Bundanoon areas. These areas were chosen following extensive hydraulic flow monitoring and modelling.
Residents in the vicinity of the scheduled cleaning process were notified by letter box drop prior to the commencement of works.
Traffic control will be on site where required and road users are also cautioned to follow the changed traffic conditions.
“We ask that any manholes within the property of customers earmarked for the cleaning are not obstructed and are easily accessible,” Mr Selvaratnam said.
“Property owners will continue to have access to water and wastewater services during the works,” he added.
The project is expected to be completed by end of June 2016.
For more information contact Council’s Assets branch on 4868 0816.
Teaching a young person to drive can be a daunting task, but a number of upcoming free Council workshops and hands-on driving events these school holidays may help parents of learner drivers prepare their teenagers for safer driving experiences.
Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Road Safety Officer, Melanie Lausz, said parents and supervisors of novice drivers have a crucial role to play in contributing to help make our roads safer.
“Introducing your learner to as much driving time as possible ‘in real driving situations’ is imperative to any young driver in improving their confidence, driving skills and knowledge,” Ms Lausz said. “But so too is varying the different conditions they may encounter and ensuring they’re equipped with as much on road experience in preparation for solo driving.”
“Council will subsequently be holding a free two-hour Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS) Parent Workshop on the evening of Tuesday 12 April and a Logbook Run on Sunday 17 April,” Ms Lausz said.
Free GLS Parent Workshop – Tuesday 12 April, 6pm in Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre
The GLS Workshop provides practical advice on supervision, completing the Log Book and licence conditions.
Participants also learn the importance of teaching ‘low risk driving’ techniques and the role of parents in establishing parameters and support for provisional licence holders. Learner drivers are also encouraged to attend.
Free Learner Log Book Run – Sunday 17 April, 10am Moss Vale
“The Learner Log Book Run is a great opportunity for learner drivers and their supervisor to cover some of the many topics included in the Learner Driver Log Book and clock up some valuable driving experience hours,” Ms Lausz said.
During the Log Book Run learner participants will also be given the opportunity to experience a Random Breath Test (RBT) conducted by the NSW Police. On completion of the 90 minute drive the Police will also be holding a question and answer session.
Learners are required to have a minimum of 25 hours in their log book to participate.
Lunch will be included in the Log Book Run and bookings for both events are essential.
For further information contact Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Road Safety Officer on phone 4868 0809.
Wingecarribee Shire Council’s free GLS Parent Workshops and Learner Log Book Runs are supported by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS).
