29 August, 2025

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:

655. 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.
656. Waiver of fees for front gallery rental for after-hours social activities and workshops four times per year.
657. 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.
658. 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.
659. That the above proposed financial assistance be placed on public exhibition in accordance with Section 356 of the NSW Local Government Act 1993.
660. 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.

27 August 2025

The arrival of AgQuip and two bumper cattle sales has boosted Gunnedah Shire’s economy amidst flooding events.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Director Community and Development Andrew Johns said two record-breaking sales at Gunnedah Regional Saleyards, combined with AgQuip exhibitors and visitors staying in the Shire, have cushioned the local economy in an otherwise tough month.

“Gunnedah Stock and Station Agents Association yarded 3,569 cattle on 12 August and 4,345 cattle on 18 August, which are exceptionally high numbers for winter,” Mr Johns said.

“With good competition from buyers and a lot of work from producers, transport operators, Saleyards staff and agents, these two sales have generated more than $15 million in livestock sales. The flow-on effects for the beef supply chain are a welcome validation of the recent investment in the upgrade of the Gunnedah Regional Saleyards.”

The sales took place in the lead-up to ACM Rural Events’ AgQuip, which showcased more than 800 exhibitors this year, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to the Shire.

Some of the larger displays took two to three weeks to set up and pack down, requiring support from multiple local businesses, and ensuring accommodation providers had a full house.

For the first time, smaller home-based businesses from the regional area benefited from the launch of a new precinct, Local to the Plains, which featured local food, arts and crafts, and services.

“The economic benefits of exhibitors alone in the AgQuip week are expected to contribute millions directly to our local economy, along with both the economic and social benefits of hosting visitors for the premier event,” Mr Johns said.  

“This will be a fillip for our businesses as they recover from the two local flood events in August.”

Council recently released a local economic impact survey which aimed to assess costs incurred in preparation for flooding, and post-flood recovery.

“We know there was immediate effect on turn-over when staff and customers were unable to access sites, that the supply chain was impacted, and that some businesses suffered direct damage and costs,” Mr Johns said.

“The Economy and Growth team at Council is looking to work with businesses across the Shire and will use the survey results to seek more support for the business community.

“As we head into spring and harvest season, Gunnedah Shire is continuing to celebrate agriculture and the vital role it plays in our economy.”

Caption: Gunnedah Regional Saleyards hosted two record-breaking sales in the lead-up to AgQuip. This photo was taken at this week’s sale (26 August, 2025).

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

26 August 2025

Belgian artist Rene Magritte once said, "Art evokes the mystery without which the world would not exist”.

Gunnedah Shire will unlock its own mystery when the enigmatic artist ‘Haggy’ is unveiled at an upcoming exhibition at the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery on 5 September.

Born and raised in Gunnedah, Haggy is a self-taught artist who now lives on a farm near Barraba and creates in her studio on the property.

Haggy is self-taught and has been creating for as long as she can remember. Whether she’s knitting a scarf, or making something out of sticks in the bush, she is always bringing ideas to the light. She appreciates what’s around her and draws inspiration from her surroundings.

Haggy creates a mixture of works and has moved through different seasons in her artistic journey. She may start off with one idea then change direction in the middle of a work. She often finds herself doodling which sometimes sparks an idea, and often leads to experimentation.

For Haggy, art is eclectic, varied, flow, diverse and can be formed from acrylics, wool, charcoal, and clay. She loves both charcoal and colour (her signature shade is orange), and her passions include silk painting and creating art with her 21 grandchildren amidst running cattle.

Come along to the Gallery at 81 Chandos Street at 6pm on Friday, 5 September in something orange and discover the world of Haggy, and the woman behind it all.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

It's Local Government Week, so it's the ideal time to launch our new traineeships and apprenticeships!

Ever considered local government as a career path? Now's the time to find out what you can achieve at Council and kickstart your career in local government.

You can:

• be paid while you learn from experienced mentors;
• gain hands-on experience;
• experience a diverse range of tasks and projects;
• earn a nationally recognised qualification that’s valued in the job market; and
• make a positive difference in your community.

Click here to see the great positions on offer in your community: https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/council/council-information/careers-at-council