9 November, 2023

Gunnedah Shire will show its support for the call to end gender and sexual violence against women and girls with a candlelight vigil on November 30.

The vigil, organised by Gunnedah Shire Council in partnership with the Gunnedah Community Action Team, is part of the 16 Days of Activism that runs from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, to Human Rights Day on December 10.

Gunnedah Shire Council Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton said this was a chance for people to unite in support of safety for women and girls.

“We know that one in three women will experience violence in their lifetime,” Ms Hilton said. “No level of violence is acceptable.

“We invite people to join us to be part of the 16 Days of Activism to show their support and to say no to violence. The theme for this year is ‘Respect’ and the colour theme is orange.”

Battery-operated candles will be provided at the Rotunda, and the event will include a reading of the names of each victim of domestic violence and intimate partner violence lost in 2023 followed by one minute’s silence.

What: 16 Days of Activism Candlelight Vigil

When: 7pm, Thursday, November 30, 2023

Where: Wolseley Park Rotunda, Conadilly Street, Gunnedah

November 7, 2023

About 180 attendees took advantage of Small Business Month in Gunnedah Shire, with a big variety of workshops and events on offer.

Approximately 98.5% of Gunnedah’s 1530 businesses are classified as small, with less than 20 employees.

Gunnedah Shire Council, with the help of funding from the NSW Department of Small Business, held a program of events that varied from a networking breakfast with the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce, to workplace health and safety compliance, growing your business on Facebook, agri-tourism and how to start a pro-brewery sessions.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater said small businesses were vitally important to Gunnedah’s economy.

“The sum of small businesses is a thriving economy and a growing community,” Ms Frater said.

“Small Business Month is a real reason to celebrate in Gunnedah Shire, and the 2023 program provided opportunities for our business people to get together, to discover new ways of working, fresh ideas and new ways to grow.

“We were really pleased to see so many business people join the many sessions on the program, and our thanks go to the venues who hosted workshops to help build our small businesses.

“Supporting small business can only benefit our whole community. After all, as well as the diversity and variety they add to our lifestyle, many big businesses started out small.”

Caption: Participants attend a Grow Your Business Using Facebook workshop for Small Business Month 2023.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

In accordance with Section 418 (3) of the Local Government Act, 1993, Gunnedah Shire Council advises that the Ordinary Council Meeting to be held on 15 November 2023 will include the presentation of the Audited Financial Statements and the Auditor’s Reports for the financial year ending 30 June 2023.

In accordance with Section 420 of the Local Government Act, 1993, any person may make a submission in writing to Council with respect to the Council’s Audited Financial Statements or the Auditor’s Reports.

The Audited Financial Statements and the Auditor’s Reports may be viewed online or in person at Council’s Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.

Submissions close one week after the above public meeting has been held.
Public Notice - Presentation of Financial Statements.

Eric Groth
GENERAL MANAGER

1 November, 2023

Christmas is just around the corner and the Gunnedah Shire Council and Salvation Army are once again partnering for the annual Community Christmas Tree Toy Appeal.

Each year the Community Christmas Tree Toy Appeal draws on the compassion and generosity of the community with residents invited to donate gifts for distribution to families in need.

New and unwrapped gifts can be placed under the Christmas tree located in the foyer of the Gunnedah Shire Council administration building on (63 Elgin St, Gunnedah) and at the Gunnedah Shire Library (291 Conadilly St, Gunnedah).

Gift ideas include toys, clothing and accessories, books, sporting goods, games, beauty products and gift vouchers. For health and hygiene reasons, food items and pre-loved toys cannot be donated.

“Every year this appeal is a great way to make Christmas that little bit more special and festive for members of our community that are going through hard times,” said Gunnedah Shire Council Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke.

Donations must be received before 5PM, Friday 8th December 2023 and will be distributed to local families in the lead up to Christmas.

31 October, 2023

Gunnedah Shire business and community representatives have returned from an Employment Expo in Tonga that built practical ways forward for both regions.

The Gunnedah representatives held an Expo that attracted representatives from a large range of industries, including much-needed skill sets such as early childhood learning, nursing, teaching, and trades such as electrical, carpentry, and mechanics. Close to 200 people have registered their formal interest in pursuing employment.

“Early on in our Sister City relationship with Kolomotu’a in Tonga, there was a mutual identification of the need for a focus on employment,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“What we have learnt over the past two years is that the Tongan economy is heavily reliant on Tongan nationals earning income in other nations, while getting practical experience that is very limited in Tonga in their area of qualification.

“This Expo has taken us to the next level. It has not only connected us to the frontline people we need to reach, it has created an awareness of the jobs that are available in Gunnedah Shire.

“What a great feeling it will be for those who employ people from Kolomotu’a to know that not only are they meeting short-term employment needs in their business, but they are providing practical experience that will help build the skills in Tonga’s workforce.”

The representatives held the Employment Expo at the invitation of Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho, who is also the patron of the Sister City relationship. Councillors, business and community representatives attended at their own expense.

The visit included representatives from aged care, mining, construction, Council and the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce.

Cr Chaffey said the representatives were warmly welcomed in Tonga and met with the Princess, the Acting High Commissioner for Tonga to Australia Curtis Tu’ihalangingie, and the High Commissioner for Australia in Tonga Rachael Moore, and other officials, including Lose Kuluka, the Principal of the Kolomotu’a Middle School. The Gunnedah Shire community has been helping with fundraising towards a new library for the school.

Representatives from Tonga surprised the contingent from Gunnedah Shire just ahead of their departure with the unveiling of a street named “Gunnedah Avenue”.

“This was a tremendous honour and a great surprise,” Cr Chaffey said. “It’s testament to the family relationship we have with Kolomotu’a and with all of Tonga.

“We will continue to work towards the many benefits this agreement can have for both of our homes. We are hoping for the next reciprocal visit from Kolomotu’a, led by Her Royal Highness, to be in the first half of 2024.”

Caption: Gunnedah Shire representatives at the unveiling of “Gunnedah Avenue” in Tonga.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

Kitchener Park in Gunnedah is set for a major upgrade to include an inclusive playground.

Designed by Stewart Surveys, the new playground will include accessible ramps, an inclusive swing set, new connecting pathways to the amenities block as well as a BBQ and shaded seating area.

The project is jointly funded by the NSW Government and Gunnedah Shire Council through the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's Everyone Can Play Grant Program.

The Program aims to assist Councils in designing and constructing or upgrading existing play spaces to be more inclusive and accessible.

“The vision is to create a vibrant, welcoming, safe and accessible environment that offers opportunities for children to further develop their physical, cognitive, sensory and social skills,” said Gunnedah Shire Council’s Director of Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett.

Kitchener Park is located at the eastern end of Conadilly Street and once completed will complement the Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playground in Wolseley Park at the Western end of Conadilly Street.

“This will ensure that locals and visitors have access to all abilities play spaces at two high- profile locations and entry points to the Gunnedah Central Business District,” he added.

Daracon has been awarded the project that is due for completion at the end of 2023.

The countdown is well and truly on to the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference that will take place in Gunnedah on the 23rd and 24th November, 2023.

Across the two days attendees will discover innovative and collaborative approaches to crime prevention and community safety with a highly respected and credentialed line up of speakers all sharing their expertise and insights.

2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame will deliver a keynote address and will be supported by a range of invaluable presentations.

Some of the guest speakers include;

Dr. Alana Cook from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research who will talk about youth crime in NSW, the changing face of youth crime and the most frequent types of crime behaviours during the past 10 years.

“By presenting a local view of youth crime in NSW, I am aiming to provide a better understanding of it in the regions, “Dr. Cook said.

Professor Neil Curtis, Professor of Cybersecurity & Senior Executive at DXC Technology, who will focus on cyber resilience, empowering local business, agriculture and government.

“I will explore the impact of cybersecurity on rural Australia, risks for local businesses, agriculture, and government and share emerging cybersecurity trends and insights that help establish best practice and keep local communities safe.”

“Together there are opportunities for collaboration and innovation that empower local communities and establish their cyber resilience,” Professor Curtis said.

Boudene Hauraki , the Community Engagement Head – Target Zero at the Centre for Multicultural Youth in Victoria will discuss youth crime and youth justice.

“I will introduce a new project in Melbourne’s western suburbs called Target Zero which looks to eliminate the over representation of Maori/Pacifica/African young people and innovative approaches – co-design and community engagement,” Mr. Hauraki said.

Hunter Johnson, founder of national mental health charity The Man Cave, and social enterprise STUFF, will also feature at the much anticipated conference.

“Right now there is no clear rite of passage for boys into manhood. Boys often initiate themselves into adulthood, which usually results in risk taking behavior to prove their masculinity.”

“My work at The Man Cave is to provide boys with a safe, healthy journey into adulthood. I will share insights into what the next generation of young men are thinking and feeling and provide practical strategies to support their healthy development,” Mr. Johnson said.

The full program for the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference can be viewed at https://www.cpc.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/. Tickets are still available through this dedicated website.

Gunnedah Shire Council has launched a Presenting Partner Program to give local businesses the opportunity to work with The Civic to host movie events.

Businesses (approved to be part of the program) will be notified when an event is coming up and invited to contribute towards its success by providing a helping hand and friendly face, serving food and beverages and assisting in other ways.

There is a maximum contribution of up to $1000 per business, per event, and these donations will go towards improving the quality of the event and costs such as insurance (when required).

“The Presenting Partner Program is an excellent opportunity for businesses to show their support of the Gunnedah Shire, its community events and cultural activities.”

“Off the back of the success of the Barbie movie promotion that we did in August, we decided to make collaborating with local businesses for these popular events more of a focus,” said Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater.

Application forms for the Presenting Partner Program are available at https://www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events .

A review of Gunnedah central business district (CBD) parking has taken a comprehensive look at parking space numbers and availability.

Gunnedah Shire Council engaged consultants Bitzios Consulting to prepare an updated CBD Parking Strategy to replace the one completed in 2018. The strategy formed the basis of a new Gunnedah CBD Parking Contributions Plan.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said Council wanted to look at what changes there had been in parking in the CBD since 2018, and to understand the balance between supply and demand.

“This strategy looks at the number of car parks within the CBD, where they are and how they are being used,” Mr Bartlett said.

“Before we can effectively implement a contributions plan towards new car parks as the CBD develops and evolves, we need to understand how it is working for our CBD now.

“What the strategy found was that parking occupation has actually decreased marginally since 2018, with a more even spread of parking demand in our CBD. Short-term parking spaces have increased by 5%, and there are an additional four person with disability car parks.

“Our population is predicted to grow, and this strategy makes a number of recommendations to help manage our parking network into the future. This strategy has also informed the proposed Gunnedah CBD Parking Contributions Plan to allow a fair and practical method to levy development that increases demand on Council provided car parking.”

Fast facts from the Gunnedah CBD Parking Review:

• There are 2,226 parking spaces in the Gunnedah CBD study area, with 409 of those spaces in private car parks including supermarkets
• 72% (1,309 spaces) of the public parking spaces have no time restrictions
• 26% (470 spaces) have time restrictions, with the majority being two-hour parking (462 spaces)
• There are 30 accessible parking spaces for people with a disability in the public parking areas
• The peak hour for parking is 10-11am. During this peak hour, 48% (597 of the 1255 spaces) in the core CBD precinct are occupied
• The peak hour for the fringe study area was 11am-12pm, with 39% (383 of 970 spaces) occupied
• Off-street parking in the core CBD precinct usually has spare capacity with the exception of the Gunnedah Shire Council building car park in Elgin Street and Aldi Car Park
• A total of 81 of 463 vehicles overstayed in timed parking spaces (17%). The highest number of over stayers were in Marquis Street (23%), followed by Chandos Street (24-25%).

To take a look at the full strategy and the Council resolution and find out how you can provide feedback, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

The exhibition period closes at 5pm on 15 November, 2023.

Gunnedah Shire Council has approved an area in Wandobah Reserve (opposite McAndrew Park) as the location for development of an Off-Leash Dog Park.

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of the current financial year.

The approved location takes into account key considerations for dog parks contained within the Open Space Strategy.

Council is welcoming feedback from the local community about how the facility should take shape https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QDLM9HX 

Surveys must be completed by Monday, 31 October, 2023.