It was the widespread concern of the declining numbers of koalas in the Gunnedah region that prompted North West Local Land Services to contract an independent ecologist to prepare a koala conservation plan. It focusses on what people and communities can do ‘on the ground’ to assist the survival of koalas in and around Gunnedah.

The plan includes a straight forward list of actions for Government departments and authorities, Landcare and community groups and the general public; and therefore these activities can be undertaken by all people who live and work around Gunnedah.

If you wish to be part of the efforts to protect koalas in the Gunnedah region in town or on private property, please contact Angela Baker from North West Local Land Services or contact Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group via email: gulg2380@gmail.com or through the Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group Facebook page.

For more information or comments on the report, please contact Angela Baker from North West Local Land Services by phone: 02 6742 9209 or email: angela.baker@lls.nsw.gov.au 

A higher resolution copy is available upon request.

Funding for this report was provided by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and NSW Government’s Catchment Action NSW.

Gunnedah Shire Council is again calling out to the community to give generously to the Community Christmas Tree Appeal.

Council’s Community Christmas Tree Toy and Food Appeal focuses on the collection of food and toys for distribution by the Salvation Army to local individuals and families who are facing tough times over Christmas.

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This appeal will be boosted by Gunnedah Shire Library’s Food For Fines initiative, which encourages payment of library fines with donations non-perishable food items to the value of the fine.

Mayor Jaimie Chaffey said, “I am excited to get behind these great initiatives which are now in their third year. Residents throughout the Gunnedah Shire have always proven to be extremely compassionate and generous, and both of these Appeals provide a great way for all of us to reach out and help others at what is such a special time of year.”

“The Appeal will complement the wonderful work of the Salvation Army and other local emergency relief and support services during what is normally their busiest time of the year, and I encourage everyone to get involved,” Mayor Chaffey continued.

Residents can show support and give to a child in need this Christmas by placing an unwrapped toy under one of the Christmas trees located at:

• Council’s Customer Service Centre, 63 Elgin Street
• The Civic, 83 Chandos Street
• Gunnedah Shire Library, 291 Conadilly Street

For health and hygiene reasons, pre-loved toys cannot be accepted and only in-date canned and/or non-perishable food can be accepted for donation. To ensure that items are delivered to appropriate recipients, donations should not be gift wrapped.

The final collection date will be Tuesday, 20th December 2016.

For more information on how you can get involved contact Gunnedah Shire Council Community & Social Planner Debra Hilton on 02 6740 2100.

Last year the Salvation Army helped over 300,000 Australians in need at Christmas time. In 2015, Salvation Army figures revealed that 55% of disadvantaged people were not able to give gifts to their family and friends at least once a year.

ENDS

Media Contact: Tom Plevey 02 6740 2100

Gunnedah Shire Council has tonight resolved to offer up to $100,000 funding over the next twelve months for the Gunnedah Waterways Wildlife Park. The funds are proposed to cover up to $75,000 for the appointment of a Wildlife Park Manager, and up to $25,000 for the accommodation of the manager who will be instituted at the park as part of a wider strategic plan to enable the park to remain open now and into the future.

The proposal comes as the park has been facing closure for some time, as they have been unable to comply with requirements set by the Department of Primary Industries.
In a bid to stop the looming closure, Councillor Owen Hasler contacted the DPI in September prior to the council elections in order to assert Gunnedah Shire Council’s support for owners Nancy and Col Small and the Waterways Wildlife Park. Since that time, Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Deputy Mayor Gae Swain and General Manager Eric Groth have worked tirelessly with numerous groups including Nancy and Col Small, Peter Long, other wildlife industry stakeholders and the DPI to help find a solution that will allow the park to continue to remain open.

The Wildlife Park Manager is proposed to come from Featherdale Wildlife Park, a respected park within the industry, and will provide expert advice in order to

Resolve concerns about the Park’s current operation;

Meet animal welfare obligations now and into the future;

Ensure appropriate resourcing forth the operation now and into the future.

The park has faced closure before, and the Gunnedah Shire Council and community rallied behind owners Col and Nancy Small to keep the much loved local tourist attraction open.
“Firstly, we really want to recognize the significant work that Nancy and Col and Friends of Waterways have undertaken for decades. They have made a huge commitment- not only to the community, but to the wildlife in the area” Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“The Waterways Wildlife Park is such an important asset to our community, from both an educational and a tourism standpoint. We are really lucky to have the facility in the area and we’re doing everything we can to assist the Smalls to keep the park open. We’re pleased to have been able to work with all parties to come up with a plan to enable to park to remain open for the benefit of the community” Mayor Chaffey concluded.

ENDS

Media Contact: Tom Plevey 6740 2100

Time is fast running out to nominate that ‘special person’ for an Australia Day Award, with event organisers calling for all entries to be submitted no later than Friday, 16th December, 2016.

“I would encourage anyone wishing to nominate a person or group that they believe is a deserving nominee for an Australia Day Award to do so sooner rather than later”, Australia Day Committee Chair, Councillor Colleen Fuller said.

“Nominations do not have to be lengthy and can include a simple one page letter explaining why they believe the person or group is a deserving nominee. Often the best nominations are written from the heart and become a real tribute to the nominee by documenting their amazing influence within the community” Councillor Fuller continued.

The working group will be hosting a drop in session on Thursday, 1st December to answer any questions and offer assistance to anyone who may like some help filling the nomination form out. They will also be accepting nomination forms on the day, so feel free to pop into the Creative Arts Gallery between 11.00am and 1.00pm.

The 2017 Australia Day Awards for the Gunnedah Shire include fifteen (15) categories with winners announced at the Annual Australia Day Dinner on Wednesday, 25th January, 2017.

Categories include:

• Citizen of the Year Award
• Young Citizen of the Year Award
• Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy
• Community Achievement Award
• Cultural Award
• Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year
  Award
• Max and Mikkie Maas Good Neighbour Award
• Ivan Towns Memorial Award – Coach of the Year
• Male Sportsperson of the Year
• Female Sportsperson of the Year
• Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year
• Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year
• Junior Sports team of the Year
• Senior Sports Team of the Year

All community members are encouraged to attend the Australia Day Dinner which includes a special address from Gunnedah’s Australia Day Ambassador for 2017.

Award winners will be announced on Wednesday 25th January 2017 during the Australia Day Awards Dinner at the Gunnedah Town Hall.

For table bookings please contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Events Officer, Laurieann Boag on 6740 2100.

Nomination forms can be found here, or can be collected from The Civic in Chandos Street, Gunnedah Shire Council’s Administration Office in Elgin Street, or the Gunnedah Shire Library in Conadilly Street and must be submitted by Friday, 16th December 2016. Unfortunately, no entries will be accepted after this date.

ENDS

Media Contact: Tom Plevey 6740 2100.

The first Putting the Pieces Together artistic workshop was held last Saturday, the 5th of November, with participants from Gunnedah’s Young Access group painting, drawing, and decorating giant puzzle pieces. The members of Young Access created a wonderful and diverse jigsaw pieces, designed to create giant cubes which will tour in a travelling exhibition through the North West, showing how arts and people with disabilities can fit together with the community.

Young Access provides an opportunity for artists and young people with disabilities to explore and socialise through art and other hobbies in a supportive environment. The group is run in conjunction with Gunnedah Community College, GoCo, and Gunnedah Shire Council, and draws on members of the community to participate in the workshops.

“The workshop was wonderful, and I was happy to see that the it was quite well-organised, and designed for people to work with their abilities, which helped increase their self-esteem,” Julie Frend, mother of one of the participants, said.

“Everyone felt included in a happy atmosphere.”

This Saturday, the workshops will continue with young people making their own jigsaw puzzles to take home and enjoy with their families as the final ‘Putting the Pieces Together’ workshop. The workshops will continue on 19 and 26 of November seeing the members creating mosaics.

The touring exhibition Putting the Pieces Together will open in the Mooki Room of the Gunnedah Creative Arts Centre on International Disabilities Day, 3rd December, 2016. The exhibition will include ninety-six jigsaw puzzle pieces that will form sixteen cubes that have been created by young people with disabilities throughout the North West.

For more information regarding participation in the workshop, please contact Gunnedah Community College on 6742 5630.

Tom King-Warren, Julie Frend, Harrison Neader and Chris Frend

Tom King-Warren

Harrison Neader

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Councillor Owen Hasler has been elected to the Executive of the Association of Mining Related Councils at the Annual General Meeting held in Picton and hosted by Wollondilly Shire Council on Friday, 4th November.

Councillor Hasler has been a member of the Executive since 2014 and joins Chairperson Councillor Peter Shinton (Warrumbungle Shire), Vice-Presidents Councillor Lillian Brady (Cobar Shire) and Councillor Chris Connor (Wollongong City Council), and fellow executive members Councillor Hollie Jenkins (Singleton Shire) and Councillor Jim Nolan (Broken Hill City Council).

Councillor Hasler was also returned as the AMRC nominee to the Department of Planning and Environment sponsored Resources Advisory Forum which has been reviewing aspects of the state mining approval processes and community engagement related to proposed mining developments across the state.

"Given the importance of coal mining in our region, I believe that it is important that Gunnedah Shire Council has a strong voice and input into such discussions relating to mining approvals and Government decisions which impact on the industry and our community. Consequently, I am pleased to have received the confidence of my fellow delegates in returning me to both positions as their representative," Councillor Hasler stated.

Much of the discussions at Friday's General Meeting which followed the AGM related to the progress of negotiations about Voluntary Planning Agreements which have been taking place between the association and representatives of the Minerals Council over the past year.

"As a member of the Association's negotiating team I am pleased that the delegates are supportive of the outcomes to date, and they have given us clear instructions as to how to progress further negotiations such that I believe that we should be in a good position to conclude the matter in the first half of 2017," Councillor Hasler explained.
Councillor Hasler was accompanied to Picton by fellow delegate and Deputy Mayor Councillor Gae Swain.

“Councillor Swain and I, and the other delegates, were very appreciative of the excellent tour program, welcome dinner, and business program organised by Wollondilly Shire, and thank Deputy Mayor Robert Khan and fellow Councillors Michael Banasik and Noel Lowry for their council’s hospitality and willingness to exhibit their community for the benefit of the Association’s delegates," Councillor Hasler continued.

“Congratulations should be extended to Councillor Hasler. We’re pleased that Gunnedah will continue to have strong representation with the AMRC,” Acting General Manager Colin Formann said.

Photo: Councillor Owen Hasler (outer right) and Deputy Mayor Councillor Gae Swain (outer left) at Picton.

ENDS

Media Contact: Tom Plevey 6740 2100.

Late yesterday, Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth, Director Infrastructure Services Wayne Kerr and Mayor Jamie Chaffey met with Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson to discuss progress on the promised second rail overpass in Gunnedah.

The meeting came about on the back of Gunnedah Shire Council’s October meeting where it was resolved that clarification be sought on the timeframe for the construction of the NSW Government’s proposed second rail overpass in Gunnedah. Initially, the project was given a completion date in 2016, and aside from the roundabout, further works are yet to commence.

During the meeting, Mr Anderson stated that he remained committed to delivering the project at an affordable cost to the community and the state. Mr Anderson will make representations to RMS and Minister Gay on behalf of the Gunnedah Shire Council and community.

Yesterday afternoon, prior to the meeting, Councillors participated in a discussion where all 9 Councillors were unanimous in their strong view that the project must be delivered for the benefit of the community, as promised on numerous occasions since 2012. “We’re disappointed at the lack of action, but look forward to working with Mr Anderson to ensure the project is completed” Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

The second road over rail bridge will provide an unrestricted Higher Mass Limit (HML) freight route through Gunnedah and will improve local traffic efficiency and road safety. The new route replaces the existing New Street level crossing which will be permanently closed as part of this project.

If the project does not go ahead, there will be a number of quite serious impacts for the Gunnedah community and users of state highways. Future impacts may include the closure of level crossings, banking of traffic through the town and the town being spilt in half every 30 minutes with only one access point between the northern and southern sides of town. This will mean significant wait times and raises concerns about access for emergency vehicles.

“The rail line splits the town into two during regular train movements. No other option will gain a second access over the rail line and deliver an outcome that supports our growing community” Councillor Chaffey continued.

When the commitment was made, The State Government proceeded to construct a roundabout worth more than $3million dollars, and undertook a range of technical, environmental and social investigations and concept designs at significant cost.

“A lot of money has been spent already on the project. Why throw that away? The unsubstantiated cost increase was created to stop the overpass construction proceeding as per the design that was promised to the community. I called on Mr Anderson to gain access to the complete cost justification from the RMS and suggested a third party review of the cost justifications. It’s quite simple really, I’m asking the State Government to pull the dollars back into line with the reality of the actual project and just build it” Mayor Chaffey concluded.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Late yesterday, Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth, Director Infrastructure Services Wayne Kerr and Mayor Jamie Chaffey met with Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson to discuss progress on the promised second rail overpass in Gunnedah.

The meeting came about on the back of Gunnedah Shire Council’s October meeting where it was resolved that clarification be sought on the timeframe for the construction of the NSW Government’s proposed second rail overpass in Gunnedah. Initially, the project was given a completion date in 2016, and aside from the roundabout, further works are yet to commence.

During the meeting, Mr Anderson stated that he remained committed to delivering the project at an affordable cost to the community and the state. Mr Anderson will make representations to RMS and Minister Gay on behalf of the Gunnedah Shire Council and community.

Yesterday afternoon, prior to the meeting, Councillors participated in a discussion where all 9 Councillors were unanimous in their strong view that the project must be delivered for the benefit of the community, as promised on numerous occasions since 2012. “We’re disappointed at the lack of action, but look forward to working with Mr Anderson to ensure the project is completed” Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

The second road over rail bridge will provide an unrestricted Higher Mass Limit (HML) freight route through Gunnedah and will improve local traffic efficiency and road safety. The new route replaces the existing New Street level crossing which will be permanently closed as part of this project.

If the project does not go ahead, there will be a number of quite serious impacts for the Gunnedah community and users of state highways. Future impacts may include the closure of level crossings, banking of traffic through the town and the town being spilt in half every 30 minutes with only one access point between the northern and southern sides of town. This will mean significant wait times and raises concerns about access for emergency vehicles.

“The rail line splits the town into two during regular train movements. No other option will gain a second access over the rail line and deliver an outcome that supports our growing community” Councillor Chaffey continued.

When the commitment was made, The State Government proceeded to construct a roundabout worth more than $3million dollars, and undertook a range of technical, environmental and social investigations and concept designs at significant cost.

“A lot of money has been spent already on the project. Why throw that away? The unsubstantiated cost increase was created to stop the overpass construction proceeding as per the design that was promised to the community. I called on Mr Anderson to gain access to the complete cost justification from the RMS and suggested a third party review of the cost justifications. It’s quite simple really, I’m asking the State Government to pull the dollars back into line with the reality of the actual project and just build it” Mayor Chaffey concluded.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Gunnedah’s GoCo Community Care has won two categories in the Community Transport Awards at the Community Transport Organisation Annual Conference 2016, beating out 91 other community transport groups in NSW.

Hope Cahill and Jill Woodhead won the prestigious Volunteer Of The Year award for their work caring for and comforting a client in his final days. Hope and Jill went beyond their transport obligations, and regularly visited the client in the Gunnedah District Hospital. They then went on to visit him in the Tamworth Base Hospital, 72km away, when his condition deteriorated further, even bringing his beloved pet dog to be by his bedside in his final hours.

“It’s great to see the volunteers rewarded, especially when they’ve been as selfless as Hope and Jill,” said GoCo Community Care Team Leader Sharon Tibbs, “This recognition by the NSW Community Transport Organisation is a fantastic way of showing not only the people of Gunnedah but the entire state of NSW exactly what our volunteers do, and that volunteering doesn’t go unrewarded.

“It’s a very prestigious award, and one we really think Hope and Jill deserve.”

GoCo itself also won the Social Impact Award, in recognition for the impact the organisation has had on the people of the Gunnedah Shire community.

“We’re very proud of that one, too. There are plenty of community care and transport organisations in NSW doing fantastic work, and to be chosen as the winners of the Social Impact category is a huge honour.”

The NSW Community Transport Organisation is the peak body representing all the community transport services in NSW, and provides support and leadership to members statewide. The Awards were of the CTO’s Annual Conference 2016.

Media Contact: Tom Plevey, (02) 6740 2100

ENDS

The Gunnedah Shire Council Community Scholarship Fund provides an opportunity for young people from the Gunnedah Shire to apply for funding to help contribute towards the costs of studying a Certificate IV or higher in 2017.

As the associated costs of going off to university or TAFE outside of Gunnedah can be large, the Gunnedah Community Scholarship fund is designed to help ease this burden, with the hope that the recipients will use their education to benefit rural Australia.

“Even though our young people may leave Gunnedah to pursue further education, we should never lose sight of the importance of encouraging our youth to achieve their career goals. It’s especially heartening to know that many of these young people are returning to the region in later years, bringing their professional skills and experience and, in many cases, young families with them,” said Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor and GCSF Chairperson Gae Swain.

Scholarship winners can use the fund to study any subject they wish, and past winners have used it to study a wide variety of courses, from accounting to social work – anything beneficial to rural Australia, and especially Gunnedah Shire.
The scholarship is funded in partnership with local businesses and individuals, and the Gunnedah Community Fund continues to welcome all support, from both inside and outside the Gunnedah Shire. The fund always welcomes new benefactors who wish to further the education of local students.

“It is only through the corporate support and donations of the community that we are able to continue to offer scholarships to some of our young people undertaking their studies. Every dollar donated and raised for the fund goes directly towards our young people studying.
“The Gunnedah community has consistently demonstrated that it collectively wishes to promote such higher educational endeavors in the firm belief that in the longer term the rural sector, this community and the nation will benefit,” said Cr Swain.

The Scholarship was started in 2003 in order to encourage Gunnedah Shire students to engage in higher learning, in response to the troubling fact that this region has one of the lowest post-secondary education retention rates in Australia. Over the last thirteen years, the GCSF has distributed over $300,000 worth of funds to student of the Gunnedah Shire.

Applications opened on Monday the 19th of September 2016 and close on Monday the 19th of December 2016.

Successful applicants will be announced on Friday, the 20th of January 2017, with a presentation ceremony Tuesday the 31st of January 2017.

To apply, the application form can be accessed using the link below:
http://bit.ly/GSCCS17 

For those who wish to contribute to the future of Gunnedah and its students, donations can be delivered as cash or cheque (made out to “Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund”), or paid via BPAY or BPOINT following the issue of a tax invoice. Alternatively, donations can be mailed to:
Gunnedah Shire Council
PO Box 63
GUNNEDAH NSW 2380

For any further information, please contact Sewa Emojong on (02) 6740 2100.
Media Contact: Tom Plevey (02) 6740 2100