Wollongong City Council: Media Releases

AustraliainAsianCentury

System Account — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:03:32 GMT

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The Australian Institute of International Affairs, in partnership with the University of Wollongong and the Wollongong City Council, invites members of the public to attend its inaugural Town Hall meeting on international affairs in Wollongong.

The talk will be held on Thursday 24 May at the Wollongong Town Hall, Multi-Function Room, corner of Crown and Kembla Streets, Wollongong.

The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) is an independent, non-profit organisation that promotes interest in and understanding of international affairs in Australia. It organises more than 200 events per year across the country and produces highly regarded publications. The AIIA was ranked in the top 10 think tanks in Asia in the 2011 Global Go To Think Tank Index.

Join expert speakers to discuss the forthcoming White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century. This is a chance to be involved in the national debate about transformations in the Asian region and learn about the White Paper process from experts in the field. The event will give the audience the opportunity to engage directly in an important national debate.

The meeting will feature John McCarthy, one of the most accomplished Australian diplomats of his generation. His résumé includes ambassadorships in Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand, the United States, Indonesia, Japan and India, notably functioning as the face of Australia in India during the recent turbulence in relations. He has also served in Damascus, Baghdad and Vientiane. He is currently Australia’s Special Representative to Sri Lanka and a special representative for Australia’s Security Council Bid. He has been National President of AIIA since 2010.

Colin Chapman is a writer, broadcaster, television producer and geopolitical analyst. Colin has held a number of senior positions – including five years at the London Sunday Times, six years at BBC TV News and 17 years in the Financial Times management. He has worked as deputy editor of The Australian and as an executive producer at the ABC. In 2002 Mr Chapman joined Stratfor, an American geopolitical analysis group, as vice-president Asia-Pacific. He also appears regularly as an international affairs commentator on CNBC Asia.
This event is free. To reserve a place visit www.aiia.asn.au or phone (02) 6282 2133.

Release Date: 16/05/2012

VolunteeringExpo

System Account — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:00:48 GMT

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Wollongong City Council’s Volunteering Expo is on again, and this year at least 28 community organisations will be involved.

The expo, coordinated by Council’s Volunteering Illawarra service, is at the Wollongong Town Hall on 17 May from 9.30am-3.30pm.

Stallholders include representatives from Council’s Community Transport and Social Support, St Vincent de Paul and the Arthritis Foundation. This year, the expo will also feature performances from three Illawarra-based volunteering groups, and eight presentations from different organisations.

“This expo is a great opportunity for people who are thinking of volunteering to find something that suits them,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said.

“With a range of organisations in one space, people can find organisations that fit in with their interests, lifestyle and their skill set. And that’s the great thing about volunteering – there are so many different options.’’

The expo’s theme for 2012 is ‘Everyone Counts’. It’s just one of the events being held across the region to mark National Volunteers Week which runs from 14-18 May.

Council, on 16 May, held a private screening of Spud, a movie starring John Cleese, at the Gala Cinema in Warrawong. The session was organised as a thank you for more than 200 volunteers who support programs as diverse as Council’s Community Transport, Social Support & Respite Services, Wollongong City Gallery and the Wollongong Botanic Garden.

For more information you can visit Council’s website or call Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 4227 7111.

Release Date: 16/05/2012

communityupdate

System Account — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:19:43 GMT

Description: Latest Council news, events and community consultation activities

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Community Newsletters

Council produces three Community Newsletters per year that get posted out to every rate payer in the Local Government Area (LGA). To view a copy of the February 2012 newsletter, a PDF version is supplied below.

Community Newsletter February 2012

Community Updates Advertiser

Find below the archived list of all Community Updates from 2009. You'll find useful information on development applications and consents. Public notices about any rezonings, the latest vacant positions, events and activities across Council divisions and general announcements from each division of Council.

The list below has the most recent at the top.

youngmensforum

System Account — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:21:26 GMT

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Wollongong Youth Services are asking young men what they want at the Young Men’s Forum on Wednesday 16 May.

The forum at Wollongong Youth Centre is a follow up to the successful Young Women’s Forum in March.

“That was such a positive event – both for the young women involved and for our staff who were able to hear about the teenagers’ personal ambitions, and their thoughts on the city,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said.

“I went along to that forum and was impressed at the comments from the young people. I’m looking forward to hearing what the Gong blokes have to say.’’

The young men who will participate in the forum are Year 10 students from Illawarra Sports High, Smith’s Hill High School and the WEA Alesco.

They’ll discuss a broad range of topics including community perception, experiences as young people, barriers and issues to using local services. The afternoon will also look at the draft Wollongong 2022 Community Strategic Plan.

Cr Bradbery will be joined by Councillors Leigh Colacino, Bede Crasnich and Ann Martin at the forum between 1-2pm where they’ll listen to presentations from the young men about what’s important to them for the future of Wollongong.

Release Date: 15/05/2012

CouncilseeksTourismBoardmember

System Account — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:39:07 GMT

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Wollongong City Council is seeking an independent representative with experience in marketing and communications to sit on the Tourism Wollongong Board

Tourism Wollongong is the key provider of tourism attraction, events and marketing for Wollongong and the region. Council is recruiting the position following the recent resignation of a Board member. The position will be until November 2013.

Appointments to the board are skills based. The position is open to applicants with experience in the areas of marketing and communications. These skills will complement the Board’s current expertise in accommodation, attraction and events. The appointee will be responsible for building links with key industry partners and education & research institutions.

Members of the community that can demonstrate expertise and experience in the above areas are invited to submit an application.

More detailed assessment criteria is available on Council’s website.

For further information contact Council’s Customer Service on (02) 4227 7111.

Release Date: 11/05/2012

CouncilatFredFinchthisSaturday

System Account — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:36:42 GMT

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Do you want to know about the draft Wollongong 2022 draft Community Strategic Plan, Fred Finch Park upgrades, or the Neighbourhood Forum 7? Or, would do you like to find out about some of the local services you can access?

Come along to Fred Finch Park Berkeley this Saturday [12 May] between 10am and 12 noon, and there’ll be Council staff and an engagement officer on hand to talk through a number of Council projects and initiatives.

Plus, some of the Ward 3 Councillors will also be there to hear your opinions about what’s important to the local community members.

The community kiosk will be set up at the top end of the park, near the netball courts.

As well as information on the draft Community Strategic Plan, and Fred Finch Park upgrades, there will be information available on other Council-facilitated projects in Berkeley. This includes the Community Safety Plan and the trail bike community education project, which Council is running in conjunction with the NSW Police.

For more information you can visit Council’s website or call Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 4227 7111.

Release Date: 11/05/2012

batherspavilionandbluemileupdate

System Account — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:42:03 GMT

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Work on the North Beach Bathers Pavilion and its surrounds is starting to come together.

Inside the building tiling is 75 per cent complete, electricians have been putting in the lighting, and glass louvres on the eastern side of the building have been installed.

The new public amenities are nearing completion with only minor finishes left to complete.

This follows extensive work cleaning, repairing and re-pointing the building’s brickwork, which dates back to 1938. This was part of Council’s focus on protecting the Bathers Pavilion’s heritage value and was in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Heritage Council. Specialist contractors were used to carry out this work.

An archaeologist was also on site during any earthworks to ensure items uncovered were documented and protected. One of the most significant finds during works was evidence of the old Puckey’s salt works, and an archaeological report is being prepared on these findings. A number of old coal tram parts were also discovered.

It’s hoped, that provided the wet days of January, February and March don’t return, the doors on the North Beach Bathers Pavilion will be open in July.

However, the North Beach Bathers Pavilion is just one part of a wider project. The second component to this project is the continuing upgrades to the Blue Mile.

This includes replacing the failing seawall that ran alongside, and in front of, the Pavilion, as well as the retaining wall behind the building. There are new stairs and viewing platform for pedestrian access from Cliff Road.
Construction of the new, wide promenade in front of the landmark building, and the pathway/cycleway from the cutting at the southern end of North Beach to the northern end of the Pavilion, is complete.

Together the extensive work to the Bathers Pavilion and the Blue Mile have cost $13.9 million, with the construction of the seawall, foundations, Pavilion, promenade and pathway costing $7.5 million alone.

By carrying out this work – and in particular construction of the seawall, and restoration to the Pavilion – Council is looking to protect this building for the future.

History
The Bathers Pavilion was built in 1938 and has significant heritage value, as a place to dress before and after ocean bathing. It was designed to accommodate 2,000 people, and opened on 12 November 1938 in front of several hundred spectators by then Minister for Works and Local Government, E.S Spooner.

Release Date: 9/05/2012

Bananasboostgardens

System Account — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:37:02 GMT

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Bananas aren’t just good for you – they’re also good for your garden.

So next time you chop up a banana on your morning cereal, toss the peel onto your compost heap. The skin’s high potassium content will give your compost – and your garden – a much needed mineral boost.

And if you’ve got some thistles, pop them in the compost as well. They’re high in nitrogen which helps keep your garden green.
It’s tips like these Wollongong City Council’s waste education team will share in the Crown Street Mall on Friday 11 May to mark International Composting Awareness Week Australia.

The week, which runs from 7 to 12 May, focuses on promoting compost as an environmentally-friendly way to dispose of organic kitchen waste. By putting food scraps and garden waste in a compost bin or heap there’s less organic matter sent to landfill. This in turn generates less carbon pollution. Plus, the nutrient-rich compost can also be used in gardens to improve the soil.

“Compost is often referred to as ‘gardeners gold’ and it is a valuable material that helps create a nutrient-rich and healthy garden,’’ Council’s Director Planning and Environment Andrew Carfield said. “And it makes sense to recycle unwanted food scraps and garden waste by composting. Not only are we keeping this valuable resource out of landfill, but we’re using it to improve our natural environment.’’

Novice gardeners can get a rundown on setting up a compost or worm farm from Council’s waste education team in the Crown Street Mall on 11 May. There’ll also be information on bokashi composting. This Japanese-style composting is perfect for people with small or balcony gardens.

If you can’t make it to the mall, the Wollongong Botanic Garden’s Discovery Centre also runs numerous workshops including seasonal kitchen gardens on 26 May and composting on 30 May.

For more information you can visit Council’s website or call Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 4227 7111.

Release Date: 9/05/2012

NewEnvironmentReferencegroup

System Account — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:32:31 GMT

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Wollongong City Council has appointed its new Environment and Sustainability Reference Group, including representatives of Wollongong’s Aboriginal community, climate change and environment groups, the National Parks Association, and the Office of Environment and Heritage.

The 13-person reference group will be responsible for reviewing the Council’s Sustainability Policy, as well as developing environmental strategies to support the policy and provide advice on Council’s strategic projects and policies that may impact on the environment.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said the reference group will provide sound advice on the sustainability and long term environment impacts of projects and policies.

“When talking with people from all over the city, the environment is a major concern and this is reflected in the vision the community has provided for our draft Wollongong 2022 Community Strategic Plan,” Cr Bradbery said. “Now we have a new reference group and they will be important in providing advice to Council on strategic projects and Council policies related to, or that may impact on, Wollongong’s environment and the achievement of long-term sustainability. The group will bring with them a wealth of local knowledge and professional experience that will act as an ‘environmental’ rudder for Council.”

Members of the reference group include:

Councillor Jill Merrin [Chair]	Cr George Takacs	Cr Greg Petty
Mr Carmelo San Gil	Ms Katrina Skellern	Mr Brendan Cook
Ms Frances Paterson	Mr Jade Kennedy	Mr Lyle Davis
Mr Rowan Huxtable	Ms Helen Wilson	Mr Chris Presland
Mr Simon Wallace-Pannell

The immediate priority of the Reference Group is to review Council’s Sustainability Policy for consideration by Council.

Release Date: 3/05/2012

wollongong2022portkemblaprimaryschool

System Account — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:00:46 GMT

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Students from Port Kembla Primary School will tell Wollongong City Council what they think of the Wollongong 2022 Draft Report to the Children and Young People of Wollongong.

Council staff will visit the students on Thursday 3 May to get their thoughts on the document. The students participated in the initial community consultation in 2011.

“It’s important our Wollongong 2022 Draft Community Strategic Plan doesn’t just address adult concerns and issues,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said.

“The next generations need to have their say as well. After all, they’re the ones who will inherit this beautiful city. It’s important they’re connected to it, and have a say in its future. And it’s important to hear what they want for the future, what they believe the city needs to offer them now.

‘’We all want Wollongong to be a child-friendly city, and a place where the adults of the future can live in a sound and liveable environment.”

In preparing the Wollongong 2022 Draft Report to the Children and Young People we asked under 25s what they liked about living in Wollongong, what worried them most about living in the city, and what they’d do to change Wollongong.

Their responses were collated through surveys, conversations, stories and drawings.

“Now the Wollongong 2022 Draft Community Strategic Plan is on exhibition, we’re out talking to people right across the community and asking for their feedback through Neighbourhood Forums, online surveys and a community consultation session with all Councillors,’’ Mr Bradbery said.

“It’s important we tailor some of this feedback to include views from to the city’s young people. The students at Port Kembla Primary School, along with those at Towradgi Public School, St Michaels Catholic Parish Primary School and Mt St Thomas Public School, will be asked to voice their opinions.

“All of this feedback will be compiled and reviewed. It all contributes to the community’s vision of Wollongong as a place where the environment is valued and where we’re taking steps to build an educated, creative and connected community.’’

Release Date: 3/05/2012

InvitetoinformationsessionondraftWollongong2022CommunityPlan

System Account — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:29:34 GMT

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Wollongong City Council is inviting community members to register for the Community Information Session on 7 May to discuss the draft Wollongong 2022 Community Strategic Plan.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said this is a unique opportunity to speak with Councillors and Senior Staff from Council on the draft Wollongong 2022 plan.

“We want people to bring their ideas and discuss the strategic plan for the city and the strategic direction proposed in our draft Wollongong 2022 plan,” Cr Bradbery said.

“The information session is an informal meeting where you can discuss the financial strategy, capital program and services, our long term objectives and our six community goals for the city.”

The information session will be held at the Council’s Administration Centre, Burelli Street, Wollongong on Monday 7 May from 6pm. To register for the information session, please contact Council’s Engagement Team on (02) 4227 7305.

Release Date: 2/05/2012