It’s been a big year for news across the Riverina. From rats to big cats, light rail to the late Larry, there was plenty of news to keep you reading. Take a walk back through 2024 and have a look at 14 of our most popular news stories.
14. Young Coolamon researcher reveals presence of elusive Australian water rat in Yanco Creek system
by Oliver Jacques
Emmalie Sanders recommends a career in animal science. Photo: Supplied.
A Charles Sturt University student has done some groundbreaking research on a water animal that surprisingly is found near Wagga’s CBD.
Emmalie Sanders, a 26-year-old who grew up in Coolamon, researched the ecology of the aquatic animal to determine the effectiveness of various detection methods.
13. Leeton funeral confirmed for Larry as Riverina communities remember an iconic local
by Chris Roe
Larry was buried in Leeton. Photo: Chris Roe.
The late Laurence John Skewes (aka Larry) was laid to rest in Leeton Cemetery in August.
Following Larry’s passing at 71 in Wagga, there was a widespread response from the community with thousands taking to social media to remember the iconic and noisy figure who wandered our streets.
12. Incomes soar, theft up and more people leaving Griffith than moving here, report says
by Oliver Jacques
Griffith’s incomes are soaring but its population isn’t changing much. Photo: Visit Griffith.
A report released by Griffith City Council showed rising incomes, house prices and theft rates, while tourism was falling and the population remained stable.
The State of Our City Report 2022-24 showcases outcomes, service delivery, and social and economic trends over the council’s last term.
11. A peek at the proposed $95 million Temora Health Service redevelopment
by Chris Roe
An artist’s impression of the proposed redevelopment of the Temora Health Service facility. Photo: NSW Health.
Designs for the $95 million Temora Health Service redevelopment have been unveiled, with the community invited to have their say on the new state-of-the-art facility.
A series of artist impressions offered a peek at the proposed buildings along with the landscaping and an aerial view.
10. Wagga RSL Club announces a changing of the guard with the first female president
by Chris Roe
Jane Barnes is the first woman to be appointed president of Wagga’s RSL club. Photo: Wagga RSL.
The Wagga Wagga RSL Club has a new president and she is looking forward to continuing a long legacy of investing in the community.
Jane Barnes is the first woman to be appointed to the position.
9. Riverina high school student puts politicians on notice in the fight against plastic pollution
by Chris Roe
Kooringal High’s Lachlan Mitchell has launched a petition in his fight against plastic pollution. Photo: Chris Roe.
NSW generates 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year and Wagga teenager Lachlan Mitchell has decided to do something about it.
The 15-year-old from Kooringal High School in Wagga has launched a petition that he hopes will gain attention in NSW Parliament.
8. ‘Renewa-bull’: Proposed Riverina solar farm to be scaled back after 82 community objections
by Oliver Jacques
A proposed solar farm near Coleambally is set to be scaled back. Photo: Spark Renewables.
A proposal to build two million solar panels at a property between Coleambally and Jerilderie is set to be scaled back, after a public submissions process resulted in 82 community objections.
The company Spark Renewables says it will reduce the development footprint of its Dinawan Solar Farm from 2499 hectares (ha) to 1792 ha, a 28 per cent reduction. It says this will create “opportunities for further avoidance of environmental impacts”.
7. Could rail trails pave the way to a booming visitor economy in the Riverina and Snowy Valleys?
by Chris Roe
Leigh Swansborough wants to see more rail trails open to tourists in the Riverina. Photo: Supplied.
According to Wagga long-distance walker, Leigh Swansborough, the Riverina and Snowy Valleys could become a world-class tourist destination for walkers and cyclists.
Leigh trekked from Wagga and Tumbarumba along the disused rail corridor and said more investment in opening up the rail trails could reinvigorate struggling villages and put the region on the map.
6. Double-stacked trains on the way after Inland Rail gets green light on Albury to Illabo
by Chris Roe
Concrete sleepers are laid for the Inland Rail project. Photo: Inland Rail.
The NSW Government has given a thumbs up to the Albury to Illabo section of the 1600-kilometre Inland Rail mega-project that will link Brisbane and Melbourne and pass through the Riverina.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully has formally approved the Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) project and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) aims to begin work early next year.
5. Plans for supermarkets, pubs and cabins in Wagga’s north, but who will open the first cafe?
by Chris Roe
Coles has submitted a DA for a supermarket at Boorooma. Image: Coles.
After years of waiting things are moving quickly in Wagga’s northern suburbs with a string of new shops and development proposals. Here’s what’s on the way.
4. Is Australia ready for a new Wagga-based airline with integrity?
by Chris Roe
Wagga’s Farhan Rehman has an ambitious plan to launch a new airline with a social enterprise agenda. Photo: Supplied.
Wagga lawyer and entrepreneur Farhan Rehman has always aimed high in life and he’s hoping his next venture will literally take off.
Farhan has his sights set on launching Australia’s next airline from his hometown in the Riverina.
While Farhan has plenty on his plate as the managing partner at the Rehman Sheriff Group (RSG) and co-founder of Wagga food brand Habibi Chicken, he said an airline dedicated to serving regional Australia was a long-held ambition.
3. Big Cat loose on Willans Hill? There have been signs
by Chris Roe
Signs warning of a big cat on the loose have appeared around Wagga. Photo: Chris Roe.
Is there a panther on the loose on Willans Hill? Warning signs with a council logo have been erected alerting visitors to the dangers, but there’s more to the story, as Chris Roe explains.
2. Plumpton Road upgrade would pave the way for a housing boom in Wagga’s south
by Chris Roe
A concept image for the proposed Rowan Village south of Wagga. Photo: DevCore.
The development group behind major housing projects in Wagga’s Southern Growth Area has welcomed the news of a $70.8 million infrastructure investment in the city.
Wagga was the big winner in the latest round of the NSW Government’s Accelerated Infrastructure Fund with three projects set to fast-track the delivery of new homes.
Funding of $21.23 million will go towards sewer upgrades in the north while $49.57 million will be spent on upgrading Plumpton Road to Wagga’s south.
1. Supreme Court orders Griffith winemaker to pay $8.4 million in final judgement
by Oliver Jacques
Aaron Salvestrin launched Sans Pareil Estate when he was just 23-years-old. Photo: Facebook.
The NSW Supreme Court has ordered Griffith winemaker Aaron Salvestrin to pay back just over $8.4 million to creditors, after ruling he made “unreasonable director-related transactions” while running his company Sans Pareil Estate.
The Hanwood-based wine business, launched by a 23-year-old Mr Salvestrin in 2018, went into liquidation four years later due to alleged debts to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) of $32 million.
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