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Responsible pet ownership starts at home

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Wingecarribee Shire Council is reminding pet owners of their responsibilities following a recent dog attack in Moss Vale.

“All dog attacks should be reported to Council,” said Council’s Business Support Officer Ranger Services Alicia Kaylock. “Of course, if a person has been injured and requires immediate help always dial ‘000’ first”.

If you are involved in or witness a dog attack try and take note of the following information:

  • date, time and location
  • description of the dog – breed, colour, size, gender, identifying features
  • details of any other witnesses, and if possible get photographic evidence.

Nearly 25,000 dogs are registered across the Shire and during the 2016/17 period Council Rangers responded to 49 reports of dog attack incidents.

“The vast majority of the Shire’s dog owners do the right thing but unfortunately there are still a few owners who disregard their responsibilities and in the process put others at risk.”

“Responsible pet ownership starts at home,” Ms Kaylock said.  “Close doors and gates and make sure fences are well secured in order to stop your dog from roaming the streets.”

“Dog owners have a very clear responsibility to ensure their animal does not threaten or attack other people or pets.”

Ms Kaylock said the Companion Animals Act 1998 provides authorised officers, Council or Police, the power to seize a dog that has attacked and is at risk of continuing to cause an immediate threat to public safety.

Owners face penalties of up to $11,000 if their dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases another person or animal (other than vermin) whether or not injury is caused.

In extreme cases, the courts can order that a dog be put down.

All dog attacks should be reported to Council on phone on 02 4868 0888 (24/7).


Aquatic Centre wins big at local business awards

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Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre (MVAC) has won a 2017 Southern Highlands Local Business Award in the category Fitness Services.

Winners were announced last week during a ceremony at Mittagong RSL.

Centre Manager Gareth Horner explained that the awards recognise the vital role businesses play in the lives of their local community.

“To be a finalist amongst so many great businesses was a real honour,” said Mr Horner.

Finalists are selected based on the number of nominations they receive from the public. Once finalists were selected they were judged based on information provided by the business and an anonymous visit by a judge.

“We’re delighted to have won,” said Mr Horner. “Being nominated by our local community is particularly satisfying.”

The win is just another feather in the cap of the award-winning team who were recently awarded NSW Facility of the Year by Belgravia Leisure.

“We strive for excellence in everything we do at the Moss Vale Centre,” said Mr Horner. “Our team members pride themselves on the small things such as knowing our members names, coffee orders and favourite classes.”

The Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre is managed by Belgravia Leisure and is located at 8 Kirkham Street in Moss Vale.

The Centre offers state-of-the-art facilities including a 25 metre lap pool, program pool, toddlers splash pool, health club and in-house cafe.

For further information visit www.mvaquatic.com.au or phone 02 4868 1967.

Council continues support for local artists

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Wingecarribee Shire Council is set to host a full-day workshop for artists looking to bring their projects to life.

A Project Planning and Activation workshop will be held on Tuesday 10 October 2017 from 10am to 4pm in Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre.

This workshop follows the highly successful Resourcing your Art workshop presented by Council in May this year and will once again be facilitated by experienced arts leader and social innovator, Debby Maziarz.

In 1996 Ms Maziarz founded the Westside Circus, Melbourne’s leading not-for-profit organisation for young people participating in circuses. Since then she has been committed to raising the profile of artists and advancing the practices, systems, processes and structures in which artists participate.

This fun and interactive workshop will focus on idea generation, project planning and activation.

Visual artists, performance artists, musicians, writers and others are invited to attend.

Tickets include morning tea and lunch and are $25 for local artists and $35 for artists outside the Shire.

Bookings can be made online at www.trybooking.com/RZZS.

For more information contact Jenny Kena on phone 4868 0855 or email jenny.kena@wsc.nsw.gov.au.

Image:  Vessels of Change, © Heidi McGeoch

Helping learner drivers become safer drivers

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Wingecarribee Shire Council will be hosting two free learner driver workshops in a bid to help learner drivers prepare for solo driving.

The Learner Driver Parent Workshop will be held on the evening of Tuesday 24 October in Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre from 6pm.

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.

“And as rules and regulations change, not everyone is confident about teaching our youngest road users the skills, knowledge and correct training methods to progress through the NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme.”

The workshop will provide practical advice on supervision, completing the Log Book and provide an overview of changes coming to the Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS).

From Monday 20 November 2017 learner drivers of all ages will have to pass an online Hazard Perception Test before sitting their on-road driving assessment.

“With three new digital log book apps to record driving experience and submit log book hours, this is the perfect opportunity for parents and supervisors to get up to speed” added Ms Lausz.

Learner drivers are also encouraged to attend.

The popular Learner Log Book Run will be held on Sunday 5 November starting at 10am.

Departing from Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre the run, which aims to introduce learners to new driving conditions, includes a free lunch and a meet and greet by Police Officers from the Southern Tablelands Highway Patrol.

Learner drivers must be accompanied by their supervisors and have at least 25 hours recorded in their Learner Log Book to participate.

Bookings are essential.

For further information contact Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Road Safety Officer on phone 4868 0809 or visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/events/gls-learner-driver-workshop .

Wingecarribee Shire Council’s free GLS Workshops are supported by Roads and Maritime Services.

Mayor launches Christmas Giving Tree

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With the countdown on until Christmas, 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 Ken Halstead.

“For many 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 we ask is to not wrap the gifts,” the Mayor said.

All items donated will be passed on to the local branch of the Salvation Army where 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 Halstead added.  “As the old adage goes; it’s the thought that counts.”

Gifts can be left by the tree up until and including Friday 15 December 2017.

The Giving Tree is located in the foyer of Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Customer Service Centre, located in Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale.

 

Council to raise Chelsea Gardens and Coomungie concerns with Premier

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Wingecarribee Shire Council will write to the Premier of NSW, the Hon Gladys Berejiklian expressing concerns about the rezoning of the Chelsea Gardens and Coomungie properties to enable residential development.

Concerns were raised following a decision by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to rezone the properties located on the south-east outskirts of Moss Vale from rural to residential land.

Amendment 43 to the Wingecarribee Local Environment Plan 2010 (WLEP) was confirmed by the Department on Friday 27 October 2017.

The amendment also includes an area on Yarrawa Road which has been rezoned to B1 Neighbourhood Centre as well as pockets of recreation-zoned land across the site.

The approved rezoning allows for variable lot sizes of 450m2, 600m2 and 2000m2.

The decision to write to the Premier was put forward by Councillor Larry Whipper at Wednesday evening’s Ordinary Meeting of Council (8 November 2017) and subsequently passed by a majority of his fellow councillors.

Councillors will detail concerns in the letter about the processes employed by the Department of Planning and Environment which they argue contradicts Council’s established position in relation to the rezoning of the two aforementioned properties.

Other issues to be raised in the letter will include concerns of the strain such a significant development would place on existing infrastructure within and surrounding the Moss Vale township.

Similar concerns were voiced by a delegation from Council, which included Mayor Halstead, who met with advisers to the Minister for Planning as recently as September this year on the matter.  At the time the Minister declined to discuss the rezoning matter with Council representatives.

Part 6 of WLEP 2010 now requires that a Development Control Plan for the site be prepared which will address such matters as the provision of water and sewer infrastructure, roads and traffic management and environmental considerations.

Council secures State funding for SRLX

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Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Councillor Ken Halstead has commended the NSW State Government for the announcement of grant funding to be used at the Southern Regional Livestock Exchange (SRLX).

A total of $263,918 will be made available for the installation of an effluent reuse program to be used at the Council-owned cattle saleyard facility.

The announcement was made last week by the Member for Goulburn, The Hon. Pru Goward MP, as one of the 67 projects across regional NSW approved for funding as part of the third round of the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads program.

Ms Goward said this investment in the SRLX would support the economic growth of the Shire.

“The Shire’s agricultural industry relies heavily on facilities remaining a high standard so that commodities are able to move to market efficiently,” Ms Goward said.

“Not two months ago I raised a Notice of Motion at Council suggesting we prioritise upgrading the Saleyards as a matter of urgency,” the Mayor said.  “I explained that it was imperative that we upgrade its facilities to ensure it remains one of the largest and productive saleyards in the State.”

In the last financial year, the SRLX turned over 51,000 head of cattle with annual sales of $58 million.

The grant funding will be used to install a solids-liquid manure press and macerator pump, expand the existing effluent catchment pit, upgrade the filtration system for water recycling and carry out some upgrades to the power supply.

The works to the electrical supply in particular will include an upgrade of the power lines crossing Berrima Road and improvements to the main power board of the SRLX.  These improvements will assist in accommodating the power demands of the new manure press and macerator.

“The Southern Highlands has a long association with the land and the SRLX is vitally important to our Shire,” the Mayor added.

“This grant funding is testimony in the State Government’s confidence in our Shire and shows that the Member for Goulburn continues to listen to our concerns.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the announcement and I thank the Member for her continued advocacy and support of our Shire.”

Moss Vale footpath repair program up and running

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Months before the latest Community Satisfaction Results were returned Council’s Landscaping team were already tackling one of our residents’ largest concerns.

“Council places a very high priority on providing safe, durable and attractive footpaths,” said Council’s Manager of Open Space, Recreation and Building Maintenance, Greg Bray.

“So too do our residents who consistently nominate the issue as a key service provision of Council.”

Armed with this information Council began a systematic program of footpath inspections and repairs which began mid-year in Moss Vale.

“We did a walk-through of the main pedestrian access of the town and highlighted all the footpath defects that required attention,” Mr Bray said.

“All of the identified areas were subsequently marked, logged and given a hazard and risk-rating.”

Based on this information Council has been progressing through the list of repairs.

“Some of the repairs are relatively minor and may only require the replacement of a handful of pavers or a pressure clean,” said Mr Bray.  “These are generally handled by our overnight CBD Team who carry out the repairs in the early hours of the morning.”

“Larger or more complex jobs are handled by our dedicated Landscaping Team,” Mr Bray added.  “One such example was the recently completed repairs undertaken outside of the Post Café and Bar on Argyle Street.”

Mr Bray also explained that not all repairs required the intervention of Council crews.

“Some of the jobs relate to service pits owned by utility providers,” he said.  “When this is found to be the case we escalate and coordinate the repairs with the relevant authority.”

Following the ongoing success of the Moss Vale program, Mr Bray said the repair teams would move onto other Shire towns.

“Repairing footpaths and pedestrian paving is a continuous long-term process and once all the Moss Vale jobs have been completed we’ll tackle Bowral’s pathways.”

All up more than 71 defects covering over 380 square metres were identified.

“It’s not a glamourous job but an important task nonetheless and a service Council and our community rightfully place a high importance on.”


Garbage bin collections over Christmas period

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Wingecarribee Shire Council wishes to advise that the Moss Vale Resource Recovery Centre will remain open over the holiday period only closing for the public holidays.

The Resource Recovery Centre’s Christmas operating days will be as follows:

  • Sunday 24 December                                               –           Open
  • Monday 25 December (Christmas Day)              Closed
  • Tuesday 26 December (Boxing Day)                    Closed
  • Wednesday 27 December                                       –           Open
  • Thursday 28 December                                          –           Open
  • Friday 29 December                                                        Open
  • Saturday 30 December                                          –           Open
  • Sunday 31 December                                              –           Open
  • Monday 1 January (New Year’s Day)                  Closed
  • Tuesday 2 January                                                 –           Open

Operating hours will be 7.30am to 4.30pm.

The Reviva Centre will be closed from 23 December through until the 1 January 2018 (inclusive).

Customers are reminded that the Resource Recovery Centre also accepts paper wrapping, cardboard and polystyrene packaging free of charge.

The Resource Recovery Centre is located at 177 Berrima Road, Moss Vale.

Council’s Manager of Business Services, Neil Townsend said drivers would be collecting kerbside bins as per normal collections days.

“Staff and contractors will still be collecting kerbside bins on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day,” he said.

“However, to allow our staff to also enjoy Christmas Day and the other public holidays, our drivers will be leaving a little bit earlier than normal,” Mr Townsend said.

“We’re therefore asking residents who would normally have their bins collected on these days to ensure their bins are out on their kerbs from 11.00pm the evening before.”

“Collecting the bins earlier also allows our heavy vehicles to be off the streets on what is traditionally the busiest morning of the year,” he added.

Council will also undertake weekly collections of yellow recycling waste bins from 25 December through until 19 January 2018 to help residents cope with the extra recyclable waste generated over the holiday period.

For further information visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au or phone 4868 0888.

To contact Council’s waste contractor JR Richards visit waste.wsc.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 133 969.

The staff of Council’s Resource Recovery Centre wish all residents a very Merry Christmas and a waste-free new year.

 

Council calls for information on vandals

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Wingecarribee Shire Council is calling for information from residents who may have witnessed any persons damaging public facilities in Bowral’s Corbett Gardens and Moss Vale’s Leighton Gardens.

Council’s Supervisor of Parks and Open Spaces Guy Stearn said incidents of damage had become more commonplace in recent weeks.

“The Australia Day long weekend was one recent example where we had to call staff out to clean rubbish strewn about the interior of the Corbett Gardens toilet block,” he said.

“Sadly this isn’t an isolated act and incidents of deliberate damage to our public facilities are becoming more frequent.”

Other acts of vandalism requiring attention in the popular Bowral Park in recent weeks include repairs to broken pickets, replacement of broken lights and pavers and the removal of graffiti.

Moss Vale’s Leighton Gardens has also required repairs with thousands of dollars of damage wreaked on the park’s pop-up irrigation system.

“While it’s not uncommon to find some sort of damage to the gardens, it’s becoming increasingly frustrating for staff who are constantly being called back to clean up malicious damage,” Guy said.

“We’ve even had some of our staff approached and abused while cleaning up the mess.

“What these vandals don’t realise is that by diverting staff away to clean up and repair their damage, we’re not able to concentrate on upgrades or new community projects.”

“It takes the team away from other duties and ultimately costs the entire community to mend this senseless damage.

“I’d ask the persons responsible to think about the consequences of their actions and the cost to the community,” Guy added.

“Our Shire is renowned for having some of the prettiest parks in the region and we’d like it to stay that way.

“There’s absolutely no excuse for this type of behaviour.”

Anyone witnessing any suspicious activity within Leighton or Corbett Gardens, including the adjacent Senior Citizens building, are urged to contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or Wingecarribee Shire Council on 4868 0888.

ANZAC Day services across the Southern Highlands

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As the Nation prepares to pause and commemorate our servicemen and women, Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Councillor Ken Halstead is urging residents to attend one of this year’s ANZAC Day services.

“Next Wednesday marks the 103rd anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the shores of Gallipoli in 1915,” he said.

“The 25th of April also marks 100 years since the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux.”

“To commemorate these occasions and pay respect to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, services will be held at numerous locations across the Shire.”

Scheduled services include:

Berrima
Dawn service                         –           5.45am
Main service                          –           10.30am

Bowral
March & dawn service          –           5.45am & 6.00am
March & main service           –           10.35am & 11.00am

Bundanoon
Dawn service                         –           6.00am
March & main service          –           10.30am & 11.00am

Burrawang
Wreath laying & service       –           11.00am

Robertson/Kangaloon
Wreath laying                        –           10.15am

Colo Vale
Service                                    –           8.00am

Exeter
Service                                    –           9.00am

Hill Top
Dawn service                         –           6.00am

Mittagong
March & dawn service          –           5.15am & 5.30am
March & main service           –           10.30am & 10.45am

Moss Vale
March & service                    –           10.30am & 11.00am

Sutton Forest
March & service                    –           7.50am & 8.00am

For a full list of details and locations visit Council’s website at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/council/anzac-day.

“I encourage everyone to attend a service this ANZAC Day and take a moment to reflect upon the sacrifices our troops undertook across multiple conflicts in honour of our country,” the Mayor said.

Council to celebrate Compost Awareness Week

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Wingecarribee Shire Council is set to celebrate International Composting Awareness Week with free activities to promote the benefits of composting.

International Composting Awareness Week is an annual event, this year held between 6 and 12 May 2018.

Council’s Waste Education Officer Libby Guest explained that activities aim to raise the profile of composting and the important role it plays in diverting organic waste from landfill.

“Last year’s bin audit revealed that close to half our rubbish is made up of food and garden waste that can be recycled,” she said.

During the month of May, Council is offering a number of activities to help reduce the amount of food waste being thrown away and educate residents on organic diversion initiatives.

Discover what happens to your green waste once it has been collected from the kerbside at a Green Waste Processing Tour at Moss Vale’s Resource Recovery Centre. Tours will be held at 10am or 2pm on Monday 7 May or Friday 11 May 2018.

On Wednesday 9 May students from Southern Highlands Early Childhood Learning will participate in a composting workshop and set up a composting system for the Centre.

Residents can learn how to turn food scraps and organic garden waste into compost at a Composting Workshop and Tour of Moss Vale Community Garden from 1.30pm on Thursday, 10 May 2018.

“By turning food scraps and organic garden waste into compost you can improve soil quality, assist plant growth and save money that you would spend on fertilisers, soil conditioners and water,” said Libby.

Bookings are essential as places are limited.

For residents looking to kick-start their home composting practice, a limited number of compost bins will be on sale from the Resource Recovery Centre at the special price of $30 for the entire week.

The Resource Recovery Centre is located at 177 Berrima Road in Moss Vale.

For more information visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/waste-education or phone Council on 4868 0888.

Council committed to providing support to local artists

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Wingecarribee Shire Council in partnership with Arts Law is set to host a series of legal workshops designed to support the professional development of artists and arts organisations.

Workshops will be held over Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 June 2018 in Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre.

Council’s Cultural Development Officer Jenny Kena explained that the workshops will cover topics relevant to artists and arts organisations, especially those working in the visual arts.

“Whether you make art just for pleasure or you want to make money from your work, these workshops will help with a wide range of arts-related legal and business issues,” she said.

The workshops will be facilitated by Suzanne Derry, the Senior Solicitor at the Arts Law Centre of Australia and will explore common legal issues including copyright, contracts, social media, collaboration and cultural issues.

Participants can attend all or just the one session that interests them. Local residents who register can also nominate to attend a free one-on-one legal clinic.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for local artists to address any specific concerns they may have,” added Ms Kena.

Arts Law is a national community legal centre which provides a number of legal advice services to artists and arts organisations. For more information visit www.artslaw.com.au.

The Civic Centre is located at 68 Elizabeth Street in Moss Vale.

Bookings can be made online at www.trybooking.com/VYPF.

For more information contact Jenny Kena on phone 4868 0855 or email jenny.kena@wsc.nsw.gov.au.

Residents invited to plastic free lunch

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In celebration of Plastic Free July Wingecarribee Shire Council will be hosting a plastic free community lunch on Sunday 8 July 2018.

Council’s Environmental Project Officer Michael Rhydderch explained that Council is committed to working with individuals, organisations and businesses to reduce our overall consumption of single-use plastics.

“There are simple things we can all do to cut down on plastic,” he said. “This includes using reusable containers, saying no to straws and carrying reusable shopping bags.”

The free family-friendly event kicks off at 10 am with a tour of Moss Vale Community Garden where participants will learn how to create a thriving vegetable garden and how to re-purpose plastics in the garden.

Following the tour participants will explore how plastics are actually made and enjoy wood fired pizza or hearty vegan soup made with produce direct from the garden.

After lunch, we’ll unpack some of the most commonly asked questions that make it difficult for people to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics.

“The solutions we come up with will be promoted on Council’s website and social media to help others in the community reduce their reliance on single-use plastics” said Michael.

“To help start the conversation we’re encouraging participants to bring along any single-use plastics they’ve used during that week,” he said. “We’ll discuss ways to reduce, reuse or recycle these products.”

Volunteers at Moss Vale Community Garden are busy making a number of reusable items, such as beeswax wraps and mesh produce bags that will be available for purchase on the day.

Moss Vale Community Garden is located next to the tennis courts on Railway Street in Moss Vale.

Bookings are essential and can be made online at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/events/plasticfreelunch.

For more information contact Council on 4868 0888 or email michael.rhydderch@wsc.nsw.gov.au.

Plastic Free July is a global campaign with over two million participants from 150 countries. For more information visit www.plasticfreejuly.org.

Helping learner drivers become safer drivers

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Wingecarribee Shire Council is set to host two free road safety events designed to help learner drivers become safer drivers.

Council’s Road Safety Officer, Melanie Lausz, explained that parents and supervisors play a vital role in providing young drivers with the experience they need to be safe on our roads.

“As rules, regulations and technology change, teaching our youngest road users the skills, knowledge and correct training methods to progress through the NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme is crucial,” she said.

The Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS) Parent Workshop identifies key components of low-risk driving and highlights the importance of positive feedback. It also explores the role of parents in establishing parameters and support for provisional license holders, helping to create a positive environment for both the supervisor and learner driver.

“Parents and supervisors who have attended this workshop in the past have found that it boosted their confidence, helped them better plan driving sessions and allowed them to share their experiences with other parents and supervisors,” said Ms Lausz.

Learner drivers are also encouraged to attend.

The two-hour workshop will commence at 6pm at Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre on Wednesday 17 July 2018.

The second workshop is the practical Log Book Run designed to expose learner drivers to new driving scenarios including police breath testing. Participants will discuss important tips for rural driving and have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with local Police Officers. Lunch will be provided.

“The Log Book Run is the perfect opportunity for learner drivers to cover some of the many topics included in the Learner Driver Log Book and clock up some valuable driving experience,” said Ms Lausz.

Learner drivers must be accompanied by their supervisors and have at least 25 hours recorded in their Learner Log Book to participate.

The workshop will commence at 10am at Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre on Sunday 5 August 2018.

Bookings for both events are essential.

Workshops will be held in the Theatrette at Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre located at 68 Elizabeth Street in Moss Vale.

For further information visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au or contact Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Road Safety Officer on phone 4868 0888.

Wingecarribee Shire Council’s free GLS Parent Workshops and Learner Log Book Runs are supported by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS).


Celebrating NAIDOC Week across the Shire

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Wingecarribee Shire Council and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community are inviting residents to join them as they celebrate this year’s NAIDOC Week activities.

Celebrations will start with the raising of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre at 10am on Monday 9 July.

Following the flag raising attendees will be invited into the Civic Centre for the official launch of the Aboriginal art exhibition, ‘Because of Her, we can!’

The morning will also feature a traditional smoking ceremony, Aboriginal poetry performances and morning tea.

Celebrations will continue across the road at the Country Women’s Association and Girl Guides halls and will include an exhibition of Aboriginal artefacts, bush tucker and medicine plant tastings, traditional games and a barbeque lunch.

Wingecarribee Shire Councillor Larry Whipper said NAIDOC Week was one of the most important annual events on Council’s calendar.

“NAIDOC Week provides the perfect opportunity for all of us to celebrate our rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and continue our journey towards reconciliation,” he said.

“This year’s theme is also incredibly powerful because it gives us all reason to pause and reflect on the role women play in our lives and the positive influence they bring to our community.”

Wingecarribee’s NAIDOC celebrations will continue through the week with a ‘Finding food in the forest’ tour at Fitzroy Falls on Tuesday 10 July and an Aboriginal art workshop at Kazcare in Bowral on Thursday 12 July.

Festivities conclude with a NAIDOC Family Fun Day at the Wingecarribee Aboriginal Community Cultural Centre on Saturday 14 July.

For more information on Wingecarribee Shire’s NAIDOC Week program of events visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/whats-on.

Demystifying energy at Moss Vale

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Wingecarribee Shire Council and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage are set to host a joint energy-saving workshop at Moss Vale on Wednesday 25 July.

Michael Rhydderch, Council’s Environmental Project Officer said the two-hour workshop would help residents better understand their power usage and explain how to cut energy costs.

“As the outside temperature drops residential power usage conversely increases,” he said.  “This workshop not only shows participants how they can lower their electricity bills but how to keep them down without sacrificing warmth or comfort.”

Topics that will be covered include future energy trends, solar and battery options, tips to reduce your energy bills and financing options.

“We’re also encouraging participants who come along to bring in their latest electricity bill for an independent assessment,” Michael said.

Demystifying Energy is a totally independent public workshop organised by Council and the Office of Environment and Heritage with no third party or private contractor involvement.

The Moss Vale workshop follows a similar seminar held earlier in the month at Hill Top.

The free public workshop will be held at the Moss Vale Country Women’s Association (CWA) hall from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Wednesday 25 July 2018.  The Moss Vale CWA is located at 66 Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale.

The workshop is free to attend however bookings are essential.

To book visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/events/demystifyenergycwa

For further information email michael.rhydderch@wsc.nsw.gov.au  or phone Council on 4868 0888.

 

Local charities plea for donations that count, not cost

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Wingecarribee Shire Council is working with local charities to tackle illegal dumping at stores and donation bins across the Shire.

Council’s Regional Illegal Dumping Project Officer, Sara Rich, explained that dumping large and unusable items on kerbsides and around charity bins cost our charities thousands of dollars each year.

“Local charities offer an important service to our community and unfortunately, they often pay the price when used as a lazy alternative to the responsible disposal of waste.”

A recent survey conducted by Council revealed that dirty nappies, a used toilet and green waste were amongst some of the items inappropriately disposed of.

With the help of a grant from the NSW Environment Protection Authority, Council is set to embark on an awareness campaign aiming to reduce illegal dumping at charity stores.

New signage is being provided to local charities to encourage community donations that count, not cost.

St Vincent de Paul’s Retail Operations Manager, Rod Douglas, explained that last financial year the charity spent close to $83,000 in waste disposal across their Bowral, Mittagong and Moss Vale stores.

“Sadly when we receive donations that are poor quality, broken or cannot be accepted for safety reasons we must dispose of them,” said Mr Douglas.

“This places extra pressure on our volunteers and costs money that would otherwise be directed to our services and assisting people in the community,” he continued.

Mr Douglas said St Vincent de Paul was pleased to receive new and used items in excellent condition including clothes and books.

“We encourage people to give donations that they would also be happy to donate to a friend,” he said.

Dumping unwanted articles outside a charity store or bin is not only illegal but offenders may be subject to an on-the-spot fine of $2000 up to a maximum penalty of $250,000.

Rewards are offered for information leading to a prosecution or fine.

For more information visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/illegal-dumping.

Helping learner drivers become safer drivers

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Wingecarribee Shire Council is set to host two free road safety events designed to help learner drivers become safer drivers.

Council’s Road Safety Officer, Melanie Lausz, explained that parents and supervisors play a vital role in providing young drivers with the experience they need to be safe on our roads.

“As rules, regulations and technology change, teaching our youngest road users the skills, knowledge and correct training methods to progress through the NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme is crucial,” she said.

The Graduated Licensing Scheme Parent Workshop identifies key components of low-risk driving and highlights the importance of positive feedback. It also explores the role of parents in establishing parameters and support for provisional license holders, helping to create a positive environment for both the supervisor and learner driver.

“Parents and supervisors who have attended this workshop have found that it boosted their confidence, helped them better plan driving sessions and allowed them to share their experiences with other parents and supervisors,” said Ms Lausz.

Learner drivers are also encouraged to attend.

The two-hour workshop will commence at 6pm at Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre Theatrette on Tuesday 9 October 2018.

The second workshop is the practical Log Book Run designed to expose learner drivers to new driving scenarios. Participants will discuss important tips for rural driving and have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with local Police Officers.  Lunch will also be provided.

“The Log Book Run is the perfect opportunity for learner drivers to cover some of the many topics included in the Learner Driver Log Book and clock up some valuable driving experience,” said Ms Lausz.

Learner drivers must be accompanied by their supervisors and have at least 25 hours recorded in their Learner Log Book to participate.

The workshop will commence at 10am at Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre on Sunday 21 October 2018.

Bookings for both events are essential. Council’s Civic Centre is located at 68 Elizabeth Street in Moss Vale.

For further information visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au or contact Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Road Safety Officer on phone 4868 0888.

Wingecarribee Shire Council’s free GLS Parent Workshops and Learner Log Book Runs are supported by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS).

Council celebrates Grandparents Day

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Wingecarribee Shire Council is inviting residents to join them on Thursday 25 October as they celebrate Grandparents Day.

The celebrations will be held in Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre and is one of the highlights of Council’s Children’s Week festivities.

Council’s Coordinator of Community Development, Cath Brennan explained the importance of the event.

“We thought we’d host National Grandparents Day to celebrate the contributions grandparents and older people make to their families and communities,” she said.

“Grandparents Day reminds us all of the support parents and grandparents provide which we can sometimes take for granted.”

As part of the free celebrations Council will host a petting zoo, photo booth, magic show and a reading corner for children and grandparents.

Artwork provided by the children from Council’s Family Day Care Providers and Out of School Hours programs have also been displayed in the ground floor Civic Centre Foyer Gallery for the Children’s Week celebrations.

“We really do encourage everyone to join us for a fun day out as we celebrate Grandparents Day,” Ms Brennan added.

National Children’s Week will be celebrated with events across the country from 19 to 28 October 2018.  For more information visit www.childrensweek.org.au.

Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Grandparents Day celebrations will be held on Thursday 25 October 2018 from 10am to 1pm in the forecourt of Council’s Civic Centre.

Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre is located at 68 Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale.

For further information about Council’s free Grandparents Day activities phone Cath Brennan on      4868 0888.

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