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Wyangala upgrade works progressing despite rain THE Wyangala Dam safety upgrade works are progressing despite 119mm of rain falling on site in May and June. State Water project manager Kock Ooi says construction is 30 per cent complete, with 36,000 cubic metres of earth excavated to date for the new road and bridge. Right: The temporary Lachlan River traffic crossing under construction below the wall at Wyangala Dam. “Since John Holland was awarded the contract they have made progress on the excavation and temporary works for construction of the new bridge and road linking Trout Farm Rd and Darby’s Falls Rd,” says Mr Ooi. “They are also working on the spillway gate raising and locking system, which will be installed to enable the spillway gates to be raised and locked into place in the event of an extreme flood.” The next few months will involve installation of culverts and the widening of Trout Farm Rd as well as piling works to construct the new bridge. The Wyangala Dam Working Party received an update on progress at the site offices last Tuesday, June 11. Mayor of Cowra Bill West attended the meeting, saying afterwards he is pleased the commitment to keep the road across the dam wall open until the alternative access is available will be honoured. “State Water has assured me that the current access arrangements will be retained until the new bridge and road are operational,” says Cr West. “They also reinforced there will be no impact to the water level or regular water releases from the upgrade.” The rain has delayed the works by about a week, with construction still estimated to be complete by mid-2014. The upgrade is one of seven State Water is managing across regional New South Wales to enable the dams to comply with NSW Dams Safety Committee standards for passing extreme floods. [more]


Gillian is runner-up in TAFE’S Vocational Student of the Year COWRA TAFE College graduate, Gillian Diamond-Squires, has been named runner-up in the Western Institute’s Most Outstanding Graduating and Vocational Student of the Year awards. The presentation of awards took place in Bathurst last week. Ms Diamond-Squires lives near Cowra and was a graduate of Certificate IV Home and Community Care in 2012. She has also completed other courses through TAFE Western in previous years. Above right: Gillian Diamond-Squires (centre) with TAFE Western’s Advisory Council member Audrey Hardman (right) and TAFE Western director Kate Baxter (left). Ms Diamond-Squire’s teacher commended her for tenacity and positive attitude. Ms Diamond-Squires has two young boys, cares for her husband who suffers from a disability and also runs a children’s entertainment business on the weekends. The awards in six categories – Vocational Student, Apprentice, Aboriginal Trainee, Trainee, Young Learner and TVET Student – were announced at the ceremony, the 21st presentation ceremony. TAFE Western’s Outstanding Graduating Student Awards are the most prestigious offered by the institute. Teachers nominate graduating students and category winners are chosen by TAFE Western’s Institute director Kate Baxter and a member of the institute’s Advisory Council. Category winners are then interviewed to choose the Most Outstanding Graduating Student for TAFE Western in 2013. “Each of the winners has a different but impressive story,” says Ms Baxter. “There are combinations of motivation and dedication, adversity, community contribution, excellence and leadership. “The common theme for them all is that TAFE Western has played a vital part in their journeys . . . by helping them take the first step in their careers or further education, by assisting them to gain the confidence they need to overcome their circumstances or by advancing their skills and qualifications to secure the next stage in their career. “Given the size of the institute and total numbers of student enrolments – more than 40,000 in 2012 – it is a significant achievement for each of these students who have been named as an outstanding graduating student,” Ms Baxter says. Ms Diamond-Squires says she’s proud to receive the award. “My TAFE teachers were so supportive and helpful,” she says. “TAFE Western has played a major part in my achievements within employment and personally.” [more]


Acid dump threatens town sewage system Above: The Cowra Sewage Treatment Plant. HUNDREDS of litres of acid have been dumped into Cowra’s sewage treatment system, posing a major threat to its operation. Cowra Shire Council general manager, Paul Devery, says the highly toxic acid affected the chemical balance of the treatment process after it was dumped into the system about 5am yesterday (Thursday). “The dumped acidic solution has been treated with neutralising agents so we might save the tank, but if an overflow had entered the second tank, Cowra’s treatment plant could have been shut down,” says Mr Devery. “Council is now tracking the source of this dump and – if we find those responsible – penalty provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 may be utilised.” The council was first notified of the dumping of the highly acidic solution when a sudden spike in flows saw a 100 per cent increase in acidity to the plant during the early morning hours. “These flows are monitored electronically at all times and council is also able to determine from which mains the acidic solution is likely to have originated,” says Mr Devery. The council’s wastewater plant involves treatment tanks in which bacterial colonies help break-down sewage before further treatment. It is therefore illegal and highly damaging for non-sewage waste to be flushed through the system, says Mr Devery. “Unauthorised dumping of commercial waste into this system is illegal and will be prosecuted by Cowra Council whenever we can identify the offenders,” he says. [more]


The lowdown on what’s going down in town this weekend CLICK the PLAY icon ►on the video panel above to hear Cowra Visitor Centre officer, Annabel Gay, chat with CCN Editor, Garry Starr, about what you need to know of what’s on in the area over the next week. Hear details of a variety of activities on in Cowra over the next week. They iclude an art exhibition that is closing on Sunday, a night of Brazilian music with dinner, a casserole night, a karaoke night celebrating the 1980s and a market. Annabel and Garry will give you a description of upcoming events, their location, times and any costs they may involve. If you need further information on what’s discussed you can call the Visitor Centre on (02) 6342 4333 or visit www.cowratourism.com.au. You can also find out how to have your event promoted via this weekly video. [more]



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