Updated 18 September, 2024

In 2022/23, construction commenced on the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a 50-acre bushland site on the Oxley Highway.

Council secured $12.1 million in funding from the NSW Government to build a large wildlife centre and hospital.

Council also secured $8 million from the NSW Government's Regional Tourism Activation Fund and $2 million from Whitehaven Coal Mining to complete the next stage of the sanctuary, which will include tourist accommodation and animal attractions. The sanctuary will include animal enclosures, wildlife sanctuary walking trails, accommodation, a caretaker's residence and picnic areas.

This stage of the project is due to be completed during the 2024/25 financial year.

The sanctuary entry  will be through Hunts Road and thousands of trees have already been planted at two plantation sites to provide food for the park’s koalas.

Once completed, the sanctuary will provide both tourism and conservation benefits for koalas and the shire.

Fast facts:

• 10,000 trees are being planted to support the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary
• Adult koalas eat between 200 and 500g of leaves a day
• Oxley Highway frontage with entry on Hunts Road to minimise impact on traffic flow
• The animals will be protected with predator-proof external fencing
• The plans are green-friendly with extensive rainwater collection and solar systems.

Council's Works Section is responsible for the construction of new Council road and bridge structures as well as the rehabilitation and/or reconstruction of any pre-existing assets. The Rural and Urban Roads teams comprise of Council's own labour staff, supplemented by specialised contractors when required. Typical work includes reconstruction of failed road pavements, provision of new kerb and gutter and replacement of timber bridges.

The Works Department, and subsequent Rural & Urban Roads Teams also undertake works associated with the development of private land or subdivisions. Council's three-year Management Plan identifies the road and bridge projects on which it intends to undertake work within this time frame. Implementation of these works is subject to available funding and resources.

Council currently maintains 9 bridges, 3 of which are of timber construction. All of these structures have been load tested with the low level structure on Mooki River Rd at Breeza being the only load limited bridge. Council has a Timber Bridge Replacement Programme which typically sees these ageing structures replaced with concrete ones in a timely manner in accordance the service requirements of the road.

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Online surveys allow us to have quick access to community opinion and views. It allows the us to improve services and gauge residents feedback on how we are doing.

Current surveys and polls are listed below. If there are no items listed below we currently have no surveys and/or polls available.

 COMPLETE THE SHORT ONLINE SURVEY HERE

An important new initiative between Gunnedah Shire Council and Liverpool Plains Shire Council is aimed at increasing the capacity of our communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from drought.

Supported by the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program – funded by the Australian Government and NSW Government under the Future Drought Fund – our two local government areas have begun the process of developing our own Regional Drought Resilience Plan.

Seftons has been appointed to notify you of this consultation opportunity and we need your help and insights to ensure the plan is as relevant, effective and practical as possible for our community.

• Have you got ideas on how to support our region during drought?
• Are there lessons learned from past droughts?
• When the last drought hit, where did you source information, support and advice? And was it helpful?

Your thoughts and feedback will help inform our planning and future investment in the community, and in fact holds the key to developing a raft of activities and strategies to boost economic, environmental and social resilience in our community in times of drought.

A comprehensive consultation process is about to get underway, and there are a number of ways to get involved. You can:

ATTEND A COMMUNITY MEETING; 

Tuesday, 9 April 2024 | 12pm-2pm 

Gunnedah, Smithurst Theatre, 158 Conadilly Street Gunnedah, NSW

- for community members, NGO and general public representatives. 

To register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/877027200967?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thursday, 18 April 2024 | 6pm-8pm 

Gunnedah, Smithurst Theatre, 158 Conadilly Street Gunnedah, NSW

- for business and industry representatives.

To register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/877087240547?aff=oddtdtcreator

VISIT A COMMUNITY POP-UP

COMPLETE THE SHORT ONLINE SURVEY HERE

Gunnedah Shire Council is committed to community consultation as a way of ensuring Council provides services and programs in line with the needs and preferences of the community.

Council’s community consultation program allows people to become involved in Council’s decision-making processes so they can help shape decisions that affect them and their community.

Examples of community consultation include asking the community for feedback on Council policies, service delivery performance or involving the community in the progress or review of specific projects or developments.

For more information, please refer to Council’s Community Engagement Policy below.

Gunnedah Shire Council proudly endevours to deliver a consistently high standard of customer service to all stakeholders.

For further information, please refer to our Customer Service Charter below.

Gunnedah Shire Council welcomes all feedback in relation to our services. We would be pleased to know what we have done well, and very receptive to feedback regarding what we have not done so well. Compliments and complaints can be submitted using the form on our Contact Us page.

To support the actions underpinning the Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021, Council has a strong commitment to ensuring our complaints mechanisms are accessible to all, and encourages other organisations to do the same.

For further information regarding the complaints process, please refer to our Complaints Handling Policy below.

Tips for Accessible Complaints Handling

The NSW Ombudsman has released two resources to assist organisations to deliver an accessible complaint handling service and both are designed to be included in training and induction packages, and on any organisations intranet and/or website. Hardcopies of the factsheet or a copy of the video on a USB (at no cost) can be obtained by emailing training@ombo.nsw.gov.au 

My Right To Be Heard

This video features five people with disability who provide personal insights into their lives and the importance of being heard. The Deputy Ombudsman and Disability Services Commissioner also appear in the video, sending a strong message about the obligation of all agencies and their staff to adopt an inclusive and ‘person centred’ approach to complaint handling. The Commissioner’s message is supported by practical advice from one of their most experienced complaints handlers. Check out the video below. 

Tips for Accessible Complaint Handling

This is a practical guide for frontline staff about adopting a person-centred and inclusive approach to complaints. Check out: NSW Ombudsman Tips for Accessible Complaint Handling

Welcome to Gunnedah! A vibrant, warm and friendly town surrounded by the expansive Liverpool Plains and framed by the Nandewar Ranges.

The Koala Capital of the world offers much more than just our famous furry friends! With a population of approx. 12,826, Gunnedah is a commodity hub and major destination on the intersection of the Kamilaroi Highway Touring Route and Oxley Highway.

Gunnedah also offers excellent lifestyle amenities and embodies a warm welcome that is only found on rural Australia. Gunnedah Shire Council is committed to providing a friendly and helpful service to all stakeholders. We are dedicated to Gunnedah being a liveable and accessible community for all ages and demographics. Additionally, we actively promote economic and business development in the region and are proud to be a one-stop-shop for enquiries regarding our responsibilities under other NSW laws including the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, the Public Health Act and the Companion Animals Act.

Council's functions include:

• Provide for development in the local area.
• Provide for local services and facilities that benefit ratepayers, residents and visitors.
• Protect health and provide for the welfare, wellbeing and interests of the local community.
• Represent and promote the interests of ratepayers and residents.
• Establish and support organisations and programs targeting the local community.
• Protect the environment and improve local amenity.
• Attract and provide infrastructure for commerce, tourism and industry.
• Manage, improve and develop resources available to Council.

The Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry is an independent representative organisation for the Gunnedah and surrounding business community. The Chamber provides a comprehensive range of services including lobbying, advocacy, networking and technical advice for members.

For more information visit:

www.gunnedah.org.au