Cost-shifting to Local Government
Council will write to the Premier, the NSW Treasurer and the NSW Minister for Local Government requesting they urgently address the extent and impact of cost-shifting onto local government through a combination of regulatory reform and appropriate funding.
Local Government NSW’s recent independent report on cost-shifting revealed that $1.5 billion of expense was imposed on councils by various State and Federal Government policies in the 2023/2024 financial year.
This is an increase of approximately $140 million (10 per cent) since the last report for the 2021/2022 financial year, when the total cost shift was estimated at $1.36 billion. On average, this also now represents an inflated cost of $497.40 for each ratepayer, an increase of $36.72 from 2021/2022.
Council introduced a Special Rate Variation in the 2025/2026 financial year as a result of ongoing cost-shifting, increasing costs to deliver services and maintain community assets, and reduced financial assistance.
To view the 2025 LGNSW Cost Shifting Report – How State Costs Consume Council Rates, click here: https://lgnsw.org.au/Public/Public/Advocacy/Cost-shifting.aspx
Draft Investments Policy on public exhibition
Council’s draft Investments Policy is on public exhibition for 28 days. Council staff completed a comprehensive review of the current Investment Policy and the changes proposed to the policy provide increased assurance and lower overall risk for Council's investments.
The draft Investment Policy is on public exhibition for 28 days at Council’s office at 63 Elgin Street and online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Submissions should be received no later than 5pm on Thursday, 25 September, 2025.
Draft Strategic Asset Management Plan, supporting Asset Management Plans on public exhibition
Council’s draft Strategic Asset Management Plan and supporting Asset Management Plans (IT Equipment, Other Assets, Plant & Fleet, Sewerage, Waste and Water) are on public exhibition for 28 days.
The Strategic Asset Management Plan is a high-level plan to implement the Asset Management Policy and outlines how assets will be managed. It relies on lower-level plans for execution.
Individual Asset Management Plans are lower-level plans to execute the Strategic Asset Management Plan for a class of assets, including estimated profiles of expenditure to replace assets as they reach end-of-life over at least the next 10 years. These plans are required under the Integrated Planning & Reporting Framework and fall under the Asset Management Strategy contained in the Resourcing Strategy.
The draft Strategic Asset Management Plan and supporting Asset Management Plans are on public exhibition for 28 days at Council’s office at 63 Elgin Street and online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Submissions should be received no later than 5pm on Thursday, 25 September, 2025.
Arts Gunnedah – terms of renewal of agreement
The following resolution regarding the terms for renewal of Council’s agreement with Arts Gunnedah for the ongoing use of the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre at The Cultural Precinct is on public exhibition for 28 days:
1. That Council endorses terms for a renewal of an agreement with Arts Gunnedah that includes:
- Building provision - use of the front gallery and waiver of fees for monthly meetings on the same basis as the previous agreement costed at $12,655.26 for 2025/26.
- Waiver of fees for front gallery rental for after-hours social activities and workshops four times per year.
- Waiver of fees for the studio on Wednesdays (four hours per week x 40 weeks during school terms costed at $1,862.40 for 2025/26) and on further Wednesdays when not used for school holidays or other programs, to a maximum of $2,421.12 for 2025/26 over 52 weeks.
- Recognise that the proposed financial assistance will result in an additional ongoing reduction in income for The Civic Precinct of an estimated $2,155.56 - $2,714.28 in the first year, with the waiver totalling up to $15,369.64 in 2025/26 and that the funding source is General Fund unrestricted cash.
- That the above proposed financial assistance be placed on public exhibition in accordance with Section 356 of the NSW Local Government Act 1993.
- That, if no submissions are received during the public exhibition period, the proposed financial assistance be approved.
The resolution is on public exhibition for 28 days at Council’s office at 63 Elgin Street and online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Submissions should be received no later than 5pm on Friday, 26 September, 2025.
Northern Inland Academy of Sport
Council is proposing to enter into a written agreement to re-establish an Associate Partner relationship with Northern Inland Academy of Sport with the allocation of $2,000 (plus GST) annually from the Community and Social Planning budget, for a two-year period from 1 October, 2025 to 30 September, 2027.
The resolution is on public exhibition for 28 days at Council’s office at 63 Elgin Street and online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Submissions should be received no later than 5pm on Thursday, 25 September, 2025.
Wandobah Reserve Offset Tree Planting
Councillors have approved the allocation of $35,000 from the 2025/2026 Building and Strategic Projects capital budget (LEP Land Use Strategy) to support the Wandobah Reserve Offset Area Tree Planting project.
As a condition of the Black Jack Creek riparian corridor and channel reconstruction works, 500 koala habitat trees had to be planted in the offset area. In May 2025, 450 trees were planted, and a further 100 trees were later planted to allow for any loss of trees during the compliance reporting period.
The budget allocation will support the ongoing establishment phase and associated maintenance (i.e. watering, mowing, weeding) of the trees.
Gunnedah stalwart to be honoured with road name
A new road at 243-261 Stock Road will be named “Wotton Close” in honour of a Gunnedah stalwart. The name refers to the late Roger Corfield Anson Wotton who was a Lieutenant in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force 1940-45, Country Party member from 1968-71 and 1973-1991, and captain of Gunnedah Cricket team in the 1950s, playing at country level.
Mr Wotton was also NSW Cricket Association Vice President for 30 years, Councillor and Vice President of the Royal Agricultural Society from 1961, and Ringmaster at the Sydney Royal Easter Show during the 1980s.
The name was endorsed by Councillors following a public exhibition period.
Koala Management Plan
Council has endorsed a Koala Plan of Management associated with Development Application No. 2024/076, which is seeking consent for the operation of a Extractive Industry (Quarry) at Lot 77 and Lot 78 DP 755486, 1258 The Dip Road Curlewis.
The submitted development site Koala Plan of Management is considered to be consistent with the legislation requirements as set under State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021. The proposed management strategies and performance criteria are satisfactory, with regard to the impacts of the proposed development and all monitoring and mitigation measures.
Rural Roads Working Group Nominations
Eleven community members will represent the four quadrants of Gunnedah Shire in a newly formed working group.
The Rural Roads Working Group is an advisory body of Council established to be responsive to our community’s needs. The effectiveness of the Working Group depends upon community support.
The following members have been endorsed: Greg Ward (Rangari), Daniel Knapman (Kelvin), Keith Perrett (Blue Vale), Dugald Geddes (Orange Grove), Grant McIlveen (Boggabri), Scott McCalman (Ghoolendaadi), Richard Hudson (Tambar Springs), Helen Strang (Tambar Springs), John Hamparsum (Breeza), Andrew Pursehouse (Breeza), and Graham Norman (Carroll).
Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group
Cr Cameron Moore has been endorsed as a new member of the Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group.
The group brings together local schools, volunteer and cultural groups, businesses and interested parties to foster existing and targeted Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships both nationally and internationally.
Youth Working Group
Councillors have endorsed the allocation of a one-off sum of $10,000 to directly facilitate the operations and initiatives of the Youth Working Group in the 2025/2026 budget.
The working group will provide a forum for discussion of youth issues and provide advice and recommendations on youth matters. It will also be a forum for young people to develop skills in areas including leadership, communication, advocacy, governance and administration, and will partner with other organisations and community members to assist in the delivery of youth programs and initiatives.
There are 20 members in the new Youth Working Group and more will be added as suitable nominations are received.
ENDS
For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au