Gunnedah Shire Council is looking to develop its first Inclusive Playground in the Shire and is seeking the input of the local community to develop a design concept for the proposed play space.

“The possibility of establishing an Inclusive Playground in Gunnedah evolved historically from an approach to Council from local resident, Ms Ashley Bender with support from the Touched by Olivia Foundation”, Gunnedah Shire Council’s Community and Social Planner and Project Coordinator, Debra Hilton said.

“For some time now Ms Bender and the Gunnedah community in a broader sense have campaigned for an inclusive play space that can be enjoyed by all children of different abilities, developmental levels and ages within our community”.
“Council agreed to investigate the potential to install an inclusive playground in Gunnedah and established the Inclusive Playground Working Group to progress the initiative”, Ms Hilton said.

“The Gunnedah Inclusive Playground supports Council’s vision for creating accessible and liveable communities by providing a unique and fun public space that encourages participation in recreational activities. Inclusive playgrounds have the potential to provide a balance of play experiences to build the physical, cognitive, sensory and social skills of children as well as an opportunity for children and families of all abilities to learn, play and grow together” Chair of the Inclusive Playground Working Group, Councillor Rebecca Ryan said.

“In order to determine public preference and help shape the development of the design concept, we will be utilising a number of engagement methods, including a public survey, to encourage the community to have their say”, Clr Ryan concluded.

Gunnedahs Inclusive Playground Project Survey can be found here:

{rsfiles path="GunnedahShireCouncil/COUNCIL/KEEP-IN-TOUCH/News-and-Media/Media-Releases/Survey - Gunnedahs Inclusive Playground Project FINAL.pdf"}

Or you can complete it online at Survey Monkey here, and paper copies are available at the Council Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah, The Civic, 81 Chandos Street and the Shire Library in Conadilly Street. Survey closes Friday, 02 September 2016.
If you would like to find out more about the project and how you can get involved, contact Debra Hilton on 02 6740 2100 or email council@infogunnedah.com.au.

Ends

Contact: Eliza Gallen 02 6740 2100

Council and Committees

Gunnedah Shire has nine elected representatives in total who serve a four year term. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected by fellow Councillors annually. The key function of the Councillors is to represent the diverse interests of the residents and ratepayers of Gunnedah Shire in determining Council policies and strategies. This assists Council to achieve the vision and goals as outlined in the Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan. The documents can be viewed on the Intregrated Planning and Reporting page. 

Meeting Information

Council Standing Committee Agendas and Business Papers

Agendas and Business Papers are prepared and distributed on the Friday prior to each meeting. Council minutes are prepared and distributed on the Friday following each meeting. These documents can be viewed on the Council and Committee Meetings page, or at the Council Administration Building. Minutes of meetings are confirmed at the next meeting of Council.

Ordinary Council Meetings

Council Ordinary Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month, with the exception of August which is determined in relation to the scheduling of Ag-Quip and December which is determined in relation to Christmas.

Extraordinary Council Meetings

The General Manager or Mayor may call an Extraordinary Meeting of Council. The notice of the meeting shall state the objective and reasons for calling the meeting.
However, if the Mayor receives a request in writing signed by at least two Councillors, the Mayor must call an Extraordinary meeting of the Council to be held as soon as practicable but in any event, within 14 days after receipt of the request. The request shall state the objectives and reasons for calling the meeting.

Venue

Council meetings will be held in the Council Chambers, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah unless otherwise advised on the meeting notice or in extraordinary circumstances. Council reserves the right to hold meetings in different locations from time to time and endeavours to hold at least two meetings per year in a Shire Village. Council ensures the venue is acceptable for people with disabilities, is adequate in size, has adequate facilities and has suitable acoustics.

Audio Recording

In accordance with the Audio Recording of Council Open Meetings policy, Council audio records all Council Ordinary, Extraordinary and Planning Environment and Development Committee open meetings. The purpose of audio recording is to assist, where necessary, in the checking and confirmation of minutes and to ensure the recording, handling, access, storage and disposal of information is in accordance with best practice and statutory compliant.

Council Meeting Streaming

Gunnedah Shire Council knows how important the workings of Council are to the community. We also know that not everyone can make it to the meetings so as part of our philosophy of transparency Gunnedah Shire Council live streams Council Meetings on the Council Meetings, Agendas and Minutes page.

Meeting Procedure

Public Participation

Members of the public can address Council on any matter on the Agenda, for a maximum of five minutes. The addresses usually commence at 4:30pm. When addressing the meeting you must speak to the Chairperson, normally the Mayor. Councillors will not enter into debate with the presenter, however will have the opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of the presentation.

Anyone wishing to address Council must complete a Request to Address Council and Standing Committee Meeting Application Form and forward to the General Manager by 12:00pm on the day of the meeting.

Meeting Procedure

Council’s meetings are governed by a Code of Meeting Practice, which outlines rules for submissions of business items, attendance, debate and declaration of interest.

For questions regarding meeting proceedings, please contact Council on 02 6740 2100.

There has been a number of water meters disappear from building sites in recent times, the removal of which is being investigated by police. We’re calling for community assistance and ask that all missing water meters be reported to the Police as soon as they are noticed by residents.

Water usage and conservation is important to our community in order to preserve our water supply and ensure all residents have fair access to water resources.

The Shire of Gunnedah is situated in the north-east of New South Wales, 425 kms north west of Sydney and covers nearly 5,000 square kilometres of land. Within the Shire’s boundaries the township of Gunnedah is the major population hub and also includes the townships of Curlewis, Breeza, Carroll, Mullaley and Tambar Springs.

Gunnedah is a commodity hub and major destination around 80 km west of Tamworth on the intersection of the Kamilaroi Highway Touring Route and Oxley Highway, surrounded by the fertile, expansive Liverpool Plains and framed by the Nandewar Ranges. With a population of around 13,000 people, Gunnedah Shire Council is committed to creating a liveable and accessible community for all ages and demographics.

The GSC is situated in the centre of the highly productive Liverpool Plains, and hosts a diverse agricultural industry including grains, cotton and beef cattle. The surrounding area is also rich in coal and natural gas reserves. Further support from strong manufacturing, tourism and retail trade sectors provide a diverse array of employment and investment opportunities within the Shire.”

For detailed information about the Gunnedah Shire economy visit: economy.id.com.au/gunnedah

There is an increasing awareness in the community that everyone can play an important part in reducing the impact of waste disposal on our environment – reduce, recycle, reuse.

Gunnedah Shire Council is committed to reducing waste to landfill and provides a range of services to assist residents in the disposal of household waste, greenwaste, recycling and chemical drums. Council provides a three bin kerbside waste collection service to residential customers in Gunnedah to support its waste management program. The three bins service greenwaste (green lid), garbage (red lid) and recyclables (yellow lid).

Waste collection services are also provided to the villages of Carroll and Curlewis as well as the rural environs of Gunnedah. This kerbside service is supported by rural waste facilities at Carroll and Curlewis, waste transfer centres at Breeza, Kelvin, Tambar Springs and Mullaley plus the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility, Quia Road Gunnedah.

Gunnedah Shire Council is actively introducing initiatives such as placing CCTV cameras in littering 'hotspots' in an effort to deter this behaviour. Council supports program such as Clean up Australia Day and local Landcare groups, and promotes community participation.

The Development Servicing Plan (DSP) covers sewerage developer charges (DC) for the Gunnedah Shire Council. This relates to assets such as treatment facilities, transfer and collection systems.

The DSP aims to:

• Allow Council to require an equitable monetary contribution for the provision of sewerage infrastructure to meet the loading generated by development.
• Facilitate the future provision of sewerage services to the Gunnedah Shire Council area which meets the required levels of service with regard to pump station capacity, collector main capacity and treated effluent quality.
• Set out the schedule and programme of proposed works to meet increasing sewerage loads generated by development.
• Detail the contribution charges and Gunnedah Shire Council's payment policies.

To enable this, a future demand estimate of sewerage load for the Council has been undertaken. The demand estimate is the basis used for determining the infrastructure required to meet the need generated by future development. Developer contributions are applicable for existing and proposed works which serve future development. Section 3 details the existing works and proposed works schedule for sewerage infrastructure to meet the expected loading.

Servicing Plan and Best Practice Management Documents:

View or download the Water Restriction Exemption Form below.

View or download the Gunnedah Shire Standpipe Locations below.

Servicing Plan and Best Practice Management Documents:

All plumbing and drainage work carried out in the Gunnedah Shire Council must comply with the Plumbing Code of Australia and Australian Standard AS/NZS 3500. Copies of the Plumbing Code of Australia can be obtained from the Australian Building Codes Board at www.abcb.gov.au and copies of AS/NZS 3500 can be obtained from http://www.saiglobal.com. 

NSW Office of Fair Trading licenses plumbers and drainers under the Home Building Act 1989, and all plumbing and drainage work must be completed by a person holding a NSW licence, qualified supervisor certificate or tradesperson certificate.

Plumbers and drainers working in the Gunnedah Local Government Area must continue to contact Gunnedah Shire Council to book inspections for approved works, pay fees, submit documentation and for enquiries.

Documents and forms

Plumbers and drainers are required to submit the following documents at certain stages of the work:

• Applications to connect to Council’s sewerage system, or install a system of on-site sewage management or amend connections.
• Notice of Work is to be issued to Gunnedah Shire Councill no later than 2 business days before the work concerned is carried out.
• Certificate of Compliance is to be issued to Gunnedah Shire Council and to the person for whom the work was carried out, on completion of the final inspection.

Council still will require complete colour coded “works as executed” service diagram with details of all services on the property to assist current and future owners to identify the location of underground water supply pipes, sanitary drainage, and stormwater drainage and fire services as applicable.

Swimming Pool Inspection Program

The New South Wales (NSW) Office of Local Government has recognised swimming pool safety as an important issue and in doing so has made significant amendments to the Swimming Pools Act 1992 (the Act). These amendments include Inspection fees and penalties, pool registration and certification and a requirement for local councils to develop a Swimming Pool Barrier Inspection Program. The aim of these changes is to reduce drowning and near drowning instances of children under the age of five.

Swimming Pool Certificate of Compliance

These amendments also require homeowners with a swimming pool to obtain a Certificate of Compliance before renting or selling the property.

In NSW, the owners of properties with a swimming pool and/or a spa pool are required to register their pools and spas on the NSW Swimming Pool Register.

Additonally, before erecting or installing a new swimming pool homeowners must obtain either Development Consent and a Construction Certificate or a Complying Development Certificate.

Visit our Types of Approval page for more information on requirements before undertaking any development or building works.

Section 68 Activity Approvals

The following activities require the lodgement of a Section 68 Activity Approval application:
PART A1 - Install a manufactured home, movable dwelling or associated structure on land
PART B4 - Carry out sewerage work
PART B5 - Carry out stormwater drainage work
PART B6 - Connect a private drain or sewer with a public drain or sewer under the control of a Council or with a drain or sewer which connects with such a public drain or sewer.
PART F2 - Operate a caravan park or camping ground.
PART F3 - Operate a manufactured home estate.
PART F4 - Install a domestic oil or solid fuel heating appliance, other than a portable appliance.

An approval for an activity under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 can be sought from Council. A Section 68 Application form needs to be completed and submitted to Council, along with the relevant application fees.

For further information please contact Council's Planning Department on 02 6740 2100.