Garbage gets $360,000 saloon ride

THE purchase and fitting-out of a new $360,000 high-tech environmentally-friendly recycling garbage truck will ensure that waste pick-up will be more efficient, says Cowra Shire Council.

The top-of-the-range truck features a new environmental fuel system, dual controls, a satellite navigation system and a self-diagnosing computer.

Right (l-r): Cowra Shire waste operations manager Craig Lynch, infrastructure and operations manager George Ridley and Mayor of Cowra, Bill West, check out the new high-tech garbage truck.

“It’s remotely diagnostic – if there’s a problem, a team of experts is notified in Sydney who then report back to the driver what the problem is and how to fix it,” says council’s waste operations manager Craig Lynch.

“Dennis Eagle” is fitted with an Australian-designed “Superior Pack”, making it the most hi-tech garbage truck in the region, he says.

“It’s a $360,000 purpose-built vehicle (and) it’s the first of this configuration in western NSW,” says Mr Lynch.

Other features of the truck include full-disk brakes; 20-per cent larger capacity; safer, lower entry; and better fuel efficiency

The Cowra Tidy Towns Committee will sell advertisements for the side of the new truck to raise funds for its activities.

Potential advertisers are asked to call Chris Cannard on (02) 6340 2088 or 0428 636 663.

A new council-sponsored recycling promotion will run in conjunction with the purchase of the new truck, highlighting the amount of material placed in bins that can be recycled.

Almost a quarter of all material put into waste bins is recyclable, according to the state’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

Two 240-litre wheelie bins are being fitted-out with special EPA stickers (pictured left)that feature the quantity of rubbish that can be recycled.

The promotion shows that, on average, Australians throw away 40 per cent of food waste in their bins, 23 per cent of material that can be recycled, and 11 per cent green waste.

Much of the green material can be recycled, either in compost bins or by placing it in the recycling bins picked up fortnightly as part of Cowra Council’s roadside service, says the council.

The promotion also calls for residents to place reasonable distances between their bins when placing them on the roadside.

“Residents are reminded that they should place their recycling and their general rubbish bins at least half-a-metre apart,” says council general manager Paul Devery.

“This is to allow ample distance for the hydraulic lifts to be able to get around each bin without damaging them.

“Bins should also be placed outside properties no later than 5am on pick-up day,” Mr Devery says.

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.

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.”