August 23, 2022

A contract has been awarded for construction of Stage 2 of the new Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary.

The successful tenderer, David Payne Constructions, is expected to finalise designs before beginning construction later this year.

Gunnedah Shire Council voted at its July meeting to renew its commitment to the koala sanctuary despite a funding shortfall caused by skyrocketing supply and labour costs following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council agreed to seek additional grant funding to cover the shortfall or, should that not be successful, to utilise loan funding to ensure this important project goes ahead.

“Times have changed since we were awarded $6.48 million towards the establishment of the Koala Sanctuary and Education Centre through the NSW Government’s Regional Communities Development Fund in June 2018,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“We were right on the brink of a pandemic that has had ramifications across the world in every industry, and construction has been hit hard by escalating costs.

“I’m pleased to say that Gunnedah Shire Council remains committed to this truly exciting project and are making it sure it proceeds.

“The Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary will be a world-class koala park including an educational centre and a learning auditorium, a dedicated centre for sick and injured koalas and native animals for treatment and rehabilitation and will support koala conservation, providing access for the study of native species.

“It will also showcase Gunnedah as the Koala Capital of the World and help ensure koalas remain a part of our lives into the future.

“We are thrilled to be proceeding with the Koala Sanctuary and congratulate David Payne Constructions on being awarded the tender. We look forward to working with them to make this a reality.”

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson welcomed the news that ground would soon be broken on one of the most exciting projects in the Gunnedah Shire.

“This latest development in the Gunnedah Koala Park project is a welcome next step on a project that will significantly grow the region’s economy,” Mr Anderson said.

“You can’t carry the title of Koala Capital of the World without the facilities to match and Gunnedah’s world-class Koala Park will reflect the region’s commitment to preserving our most iconic native species.”

Gunnedah Shire Council is in active discussions with potential operators for the park.

The Koala Sanctuary will include a wildlife centre and hospital building which will house the main entry, shop and café, an education auditorium and animal enclosures. It will be built in a bushland setting with Oxley Highway frontage and entry through Hunts Road.

Stage 1 of the project has included site identification, design, development approval and expressions of interest for construction.

Council have already planted more than 5000 eucalyptus fodder trees that will be used as a food source and perching for the care facility. The development application for the sanctuary was approved by the NSW Government in late 2021 and works will commence on site within the next few months.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson at the Koala Sanctuary site last year.

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

August 18, 2022

Thousands of locals and AgQuip visitors filled Gunnedah’s CBD for the return of NightQuip on Tuesday.

The heart of Gunnedah was alive with music, markets and merriment for the community night markets on the first night of AgQuip, which has returned to Gunnedah after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NightQuip – a Council-run event - was first held in 2019 and was back bigger and better than ever this year, thanks to funding from the Reconnecting Regional NSW - Community Events Program.

The event aimed to reconnect the community after years of COVID-19 cancellations and lockdowns and draw neighbours, friends and families to the heart of Gunnedah for a festival of fun.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey was part of the action at NightQuip and said it was fantastic to see the main street thriving in Gunnedah’s busiest week of the year.

“AgQuip is the biggest event on the Gunnedah calendar and NightQuip is a marvellous way of reconnecting our community while also celebrating Australia’s biggest premier agricultural field days,” he said.

“NightQuip was an opportunity for locals to come together and catch up with friends and family and also gave visitors a chance to see what our town has to offer.

“There was an incredible atmosphere at the night markets and it was wonderful to see so many families enjoying an evening out under the fairy lights.

“I’d like to thank the stallholders and local businesses for supporting this important community event and making NightQuip a success.

“I’d also like to thank the remarkable staff at Council who made this vibrant event a reality. 

“Over the coming weeks, we will be surveying stallholders and businesses to gain their valuable feedback on how we can make NightQuip even better in 2023.”

Caption: NightQuip returned to the Gunnedah CBD with a bang on Tuesday after a two-year hiatus.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

August 11, 2022

Gunnedah is gearing up for the return of AgQuip – Australia’s largest premier agricultural field days.

The ACM Rural Events field days are a highlight in the Shire’s calendar, drawing 100,000 visitors from across Australia to see the latest in innovations, browse 1000 exhibits and enjoy three days in beautiful Gunnedah.

 “The event is celebrating its 49^th anniversary and has battled its way back after two years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“I’d like to congratulate Rural Events on getting AgQuip under way once again amid difficult circumstances, and I encourage the Gunnedah community to head out and take a look around. After a two-year hiatus, the crowds are sure to be big.

“I’ll be out there, as will our Council team members, at site K-L/25, and I look forward to watching the crowds flood in again.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for locals to see the latest and greatest in innovation, technology and agricultural advances.

“It’s also a chance to catch up with old friends, grab a steak sandwich, and browse 1000 exhibits.”

Councillor Chaffey said AgQuip was also the ideal platform for Gunnedah’s retail and hospitality industries.

“I look forward to seeing our main street buzzing with activity as visitors eat in our cafes and restaurants and enjoy the country hospitality of our many hotels and motels,” he said. 

“Another reason I’m excited about AgQuip is the return of Council’s NightQuip event on Tuesday, August 16. NightQuip is a vibrant evening festival that will fill Gunnedah’s main street with music, market stalls, food and late-night shopping from 5.30-8.30pm.

“It’s a great opportunity to get some of the AgQuip atmosphere into town to see all that the Shire has on offer.”

NightQuip is just one of the events planned during the week. Other events include:

• Monday, August 15, 11am-5pm: Gunnedah Jockey Club AgQuip Race Day
• Tuesday, August 16, 5:30pm-10pm: National Billy Boiling Competition at The Railway Hotel
• Wednesday, August 17, 5:30pm-10pm: AgQuip Xtreme Broncs at Gunnedah Showground

For more information about events in the Gunnedah Shire, visitgunnedah.com.au  

AgQuip will be open from 8.30am-4.30pm on Tuesday, August 16 and Wednesday, August 17. On Thursday, the gates will be open from 8.30am-4pm.

“Don’t forget to pre-purchase your tickets on the AgQuip website and keep in mind that there will be traffic disruptions throughout the week,” Cr Chaffey said.

For more information about AgQuip, visit www.acmruralevents.com.au

Caption: AgQuip draws up to 100,000 visitors to Gunnedah for Rural Events’ premier agricultural field days.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

August 9, 2022

Preparations are in top gear for NightQuip, Gunnedah’s community night markets, on Tuesday, August 16.

There will be plenty for the whole family to enjoy when the vibrant evening festival on Conadilly Street returns with a bang, thanks to funding from the Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program.

NightQuip – a Gunnedah Shire Council event - is on the first night of AgQuip and will light up Gunnedah’s main street with music, market stalls, food and late-night shopping.

“In its first year – 2019 – NightQuip attracted about 3,000 attendees from across the state, and we’re looking forward to seeing even more locals and visitors at the markets this year,” Council’s Acting Cultural Precinct Team Leader Madeline Buhagiar said.

“It’s really exciting to be involved in such a great community event and bring the festival atmosphere to the heart of our CBD.”

From 5.30pm to 8.30pm, Conadilly Street will be lined with almost 40 market stalls showcasing local artisanal crafts, plants, clothing, toys and games, candles, handmade jewellery and a smorgasbord of food. Conadilly Street will be buzzing with late-night trade and special offers from local shops.

 “Grab a snag at the Gunnedah West Rotary Club barbecue, indulge your sweet tooth with fairy floss, or take in the aromas of Asian and Italian cuisine,” Ms Buhagiar said.

“There are heaps of activities to keep kids busy, including tea cup rides, triple-play sports zone, face painting, and jumping castles.

“It will be a great atmosphere and crowds will be entertained by popular local band Streamline, and talented members of the Gunnedah Conservatorium.

“Locals living in the Shire’s villages won’t miss out – they can jump on a free return bus service to become part of the festival fun.”

Council’s Economic Development Officer Richard Patriquin said NightQuip was a great opportunity to support Gunnedah Shire’s local businesses, while also reconnecting the community after years of COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns.

“Gunnedah’s businesses are owned and operated by locals who live and work alongside us, and we’re excited to once again collaborate with them to bring this fantastic event back to the CBD,” he said.

To find out more information about NightQuip, contact Council on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au.

Caption: NightQuip is an opportunity for locals to reconnect with friends and family in the heart of Gunnedah.

August 8, 2022

A Gunnedah Shire Library initiative has received a special acknowledgement at the Local Government Week Awards.

Librarian Christiane Birkett and Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey accepted the Special Acknowledgement award in Sydney last week for Innovation in Special Events in the RH Dougherty Awards category.

Multicultural March was a month-long event highlighting and celebrating multiculturalism within the Gunnedah Shire through library events. 

Councillor Chaffey congratulated Mrs Birkett and her team at the library for their hard work and ingenuity.

“Our library is a fantastic facility for the whole community and I commend Christiane and her team who put in so much work to provide a wide variety of initiatives and programs for all ages and interests,” Cr Chaffey said.

“I also thank the Multicultural Women’s Association for their invaluable contribution to the Library’s Multicultural March initiative.”

In Multicultural March, the library was transformed into a colourful multicultural space adorned with the flags of various countries and book displays featuring numerous countries and multicultural authors.  Mannequins were also dressed in vibrant clothing of different countries.

Library staff collaborated with the Multicultural Women’s Association (MWA) whose members read children’s stories and shared their culture in their own languages and in English during Book Buddies sessions (storytelling for children 0-4 years).

Over the course of the month, six languages - Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Malay, Maori and Korean – featured in the Book Buddies program, which attracted record numbers, including children from local pre-schools.

“It’s really exciting for our library staff to receive this award and I’d like to thank my team for their creativity, fresh ideas and enthusiasm for our many programs,” Mrs Birkett said.

“I’d also like to thank the Multicultural Women’s Association for their wonderful contributions to our initiative.”

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Gunnedah Shire Librarian Christiane Birkett accept the Special Acknowledgement award at the Local Government Awards in Sydney. They are pictured with LGNSW President Cr Darriea Turley AM, and Local Government Minister the Hon Wendy Tuckerman MP. Photo: Local Government NSW

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

August 5, 2022

The Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery will host Gunnedah Shire’s biggest art exhibition from Friday, August 12.

The 51^st Art & Ceramics Exhibition includes the work of artists from the Gunnedah district, as well as the wider region and beyond.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Acting Cultural Precinct Team Leader Madeline Buhagiar said the annual exhibition filled the gallery walls with an exciting and diverse range of works.

“This exhibition is competitive and invites entries in some 14 categories from children’s art to watercolours, from ceramics to printmaking, to sculpture and graphics,” she said.

“It’s an explosion of colour and styles that showcases the talent of local and regional artists.”

Arts Gunnedah president Susan Wilson said the total prize money of $9,000 encouraged both established and emerging artists to take part in the annual exhibition.

“It’s exciting to see new work from other regions and it’s also a chance to pick up a masterpiece, a bargain, or a work of art that you just love,” she said.

“Gunnedah has a long history of making and appreciating art. We are particularly fortunate that Council supports both this exhibition and the Creative Arts Gallery. The quality of the facilities and our access to them helps foster creativity in our community.

“We are also very grateful to Gunnedah’s businesses for their sponsorship and enthusiasm. It’s their continued support that makes this a popular community event.

“Everyone is welcome to attend the opening of the exhibition at 6pm on Friday, August 12.”

Tickets for the opening are $20 for adults and $5 for under 18 years and include drinks, canapés and a raffle ticket. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

The exhibition will continue until Sunday, August 28.

Caption: The Art & Ceramics Exhibition is a highlight on Gunnedah Shire’s arts calendar.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

August 1, 2022

Today marks the start of Local Government Week and Gunnedah Shire Council are celebrating with a series of events at local facilities.

Local Government Week runs from August 1 to August 7, and is designed to showcase the wide variety of work councils do and the ways they support their local communities.

The Civic is bringing live children’s theatre, The Owl's Apprentice, to Gunnedah on Tuesday, August 2, at 11am and 1:30pm.

On Wednesday, the community are invited to meet with Councillors and staff representatives as they will be will be serving up a free breakfast from 7:30am-10:30am in the Smithurst Theatre courtyard.

Gunnedah Shire Library is hosting plenty of activities across the week, including Brain Training, Book Buddies, Knit & Natter, Colour & Chatter and BookEnds Literacy Assist.

On Sunday, The Civic Theatre is screening a $10 movie - Pil’s Adventure – an animation about a vagabond girl who disguises herself as a princess to save the rightful heir who is under an evil curse.

Mayor Councillor Jamie Chaffey said that it is great news that Local Government Week events could go ahead after a hiatus last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“I am proud of the critical work that our Council staff does in Gunnedah and our great villages,” Cl. Chaffey said.

“I would like to thank our staff who work tirelessly to support these places; this work has allowed our community to continue to grow and flourish.

“Council is certainly not just about roads, rates and rubbish; we have a number of significant capital works projects in the pipeline including the $14 million Saleyards Precinct Upgrade, the $8 million Water Treatment Plant and the $12 million Koala Sanctuary.

“The 2022‐23 financial year sees the continuation of the substantial and accelerated delivery of capital works totalling $13.8 million, ($47.2 million for 2021-22). The capital expenditure over the next 10 years, by comparison, is estimated at $100 million for the entire 10-year period.

“Our community can also look forward to even bigger and better events in the next year with increased funding for NightQuip, Harvest Festival, Weeks of Speed Community Street Parade, Christmas celebrations and more. Council have been involved in running events such as these to increase community connection and in turn allow our economy to benefit.

“I would like to thank again the staff, under the direction of the General Manager, for the great work that they have achieved in the past year. Your resilience has been incredible, facing not only COVID restrictions but also record floods.”

Local Government Week runs from Monday 1 August to Sunday 7 August. For further information, visit Council’s website.

To view the program, click here...

Caption: 2019 Local Government Week breakfast: this event returns on Wednesday 3^rd August from  7:30am-10:30am in the Smithurst Theatre courtyard.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

July 28, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council has welcomed Kelly Stidworthy to the role of Director Corporate Services.

The role includes the governance, information systems and communications and customer service business units of Council.

“We are delighted to have Kelly on board,” Council’s General Manager Eric Groth said.

“She comes with extensive experience in both local government and the public sector and brings with her a wealth of knowledge that will help Gunnedah Shire Council in the delivery of resources and services to our local community.

“If you see Kelly around, please give her a warm welcome to Gunnedah.”

Kelly, who has most recently worked in Armidale, said she looked forward to helping Gunnedah Shire Council grow and progress with the Gunnedah community.

“Gunnedah Shire is a thriving community with an exciting future,” she said.

“We have a good team of people in Council and we will work together to ensure we are providing the best and most innovative services possible.”

Kelly has tertiary qualifications in business and finance, and leadership and management.

Her professional experience includes time in a number of finance roles in the private and public sectors, and at a management and executive level in local government across a number of states and territories.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth with new Director Corporate Services Kelly Stidworthy.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

July 26, 2022

A Gunnedah Shire Library initiative has been shortlisted for the Local Government Week Awards.

The library’s Multicultural March initiative is vying for the title of Innovation in Special Events in the RH Dougherty Awards category alongside four other councils. Winners will be announced on Thursday, August 4.

Multicultural March was a month-long event highlighting and celebrating multiculturalism within the Gunnedah Shire through library events. 

The library was transformed into a colourful multicultural space adorned with the flags of various countries and book displays featuring numerous countries and multicultural authors.  Mannequins were also dressed in vibrant clothing of different countries.

Library staff collaborated with the Multicultural Women’s Association (MWA) whose members read children’s stories and shared their culture in their own languages and in English during Book Buddies sessions (storytelling for children 0-4 years).

Over the course of the month, Librarian Christiane Birkett said six languages - Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Malay, Maori and Korean – featured in the Book Buddies program, which attracted record numbers, including children from local pre-schools.

“All participants expressed a delight in the program and their joy in speaking of their own culture to others, and the wish to continue storytelling in this welcoming space,” Mrs Birkett said.

“We are thankful to the Multicultural Women’s Association members for sharing their own time, languages and cultures with us.

“More than 5500 people visited the library during Multicultural March and we feel it was a great success.”     

MWA Acting President Katerina Haenga said the members “thoroughly enjoyed” being part of the library’s activities.

"We believe that multicultural literature serves as a powerful tool in enabling children to gain better understanding of their own culture and the cultures of others; it was great to share our cultures within the community of Gunnedah,” she said.

“We congratulate Gunnedah Shire Library on the nomination of the RH Dougherty Award for innovation."

Caption: Multicultural Women’s Association’s Dibahni Marsh speaks in Spanish for a Book Buddies session as part of Multicultural March at the Gunnedah Shire Library.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

July 21, 2022

New faces for committees

At the July Gunnedah Shire Council meeting, a number of new faces were appointed to committees.

Council resolved to appoint Les Hullick as an independent member of the Audit Committee for the remaining term of Council, and approved the reappointment of Grahame Marchant as the chairperson of that committee.

Both Mr Hullick and Mr Marchant were appointed based on their background and suitability for the Audit Committee, which is a Gunnedah Shire Council committee.

Council also endorsed Jasmine Alloway of Gunnedah Workshop Enterprises as a community representative on the Gunnedah Shire Access Working Group that aims to identify and prioritise options for improvement to access in public areas of the Gunnedah Shire owned and managed by Council. The committee also provides input on access matters associated with Council infrastructure projects, promotes awareness of safe and accessible community amenities, and supports the progression and implementation of the Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

Raelee Bruce has been endorsed as the community representative for the Gunnedah Shire Community Safety Conference Working Group. This group has been established to deliver the Community Safety Conference in Gunnedah.

On the Gunnedah Housing Working Group, Ben Hennessy, John Harford, Rob Walters and Michael Broekman have been endorsed as community representatives. This new working group provides a unique opportunity for representatives to become actively involved in improving housing availability and affordability in the Shire.

Land sale recovers unpaid debts

The recent public auction of land in Gunnedah Shire with unpaid rates has led to the recovery of outstanding rates and charges.

Fifteen properties were sold on Friday, May 22 this year after every effort failed to recover rates and charges that had remained unpaid for more than five years.

The properties were in Tambar Springs, Breeza, Curlewis and Gunnedah.

The sale recovered a total of $151,892.48 in outstanding rates and charges.
As stipulated in the Local Government Act 1993, surplus funds from the auction of properties with outstanding debts are held with Council’s Trust Fund pending discharge to persons having interest in the properties. Where no claim is forthcoming, the balance of sale proceeds is remitted to the State Government in accordance with the Unclaimed Moneys Act.

Management of Feral and/or Infant Animals Policy on public exhibition

Gunnedah Shire Council has placed on public exhibition a Draft Policy for the Management of Feral and/or Infant Animals.

Section 64(2) of the Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW) provides for a Council to adopt a policy in relation to the management of feral or infant animals, specifically relating to the humane euthanasia of seized or surrendered feral and infant animals before the end of any statutory holding period set out in Section 64(1) of the Act.

The policy allows for humane euthanasia in situations where the animal has been severely injured, diseased or requires intensive care that cannot be provided at the time. All other avenues are explored and animals in these circumstances are assessed by an experienced staff member and a vet.

The draft policy is available for viewing here.

It will also be available for 28 days at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or in hardcopy at the Council Administration Building in Elgin Street, the Civic and Gunnedah Shire Library. Feedback can be submitted to council@infogunnedah.com.au with the subject line “Draft Policy for the Management of Feral and/or Infant Animals”.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740