February 3, 2024

It’s back to school time, and time to remember to drive carefully around school zones.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Community Safety Wade Berryman said the start of the school year was a busy time on the roads as students and parents navigated new schools or returned to school.

“Many children are starting at a new school, and there will be confusion about where to go and how to get there,” Mr Berryman said.

“It is important for all of us to remember to be patient with other drivers, always be on the lookout for pedestrians, and to follow the road and parking rules.

“Drivers should allow plenty of time, familiarise themselves with the parking and school zones, and accept they may not be able to park right outside the school. The first priority is safety.”

Some tips for safe driving and parking when travelling to and from school:

• Always follow the road rules and signs
• Do not expect to park close to your school – drop-off and pick-up times are busy. You might need to park further away and walk your child to school
• Know where the school speed zones are and where parking is available around the school
• Remember not to:
  - Park across driveways;
  - Park within 3m of a double centre line;
  - Park on a path or nature strip;
  - Park within 10m of an intersection;
  - Stop at a no stopping or no parking area;
  - Park or stop in a bus or taxi zone; or
  - Double park.

To find out more about parking rules in New South Wales, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-safety-and-rules/parking/parking-rules

ENDS

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

26 January, 2025

Nine amazing community members and organisations have been recognised at the 2025 Gunnedah Shire Council Australia Day Awards.

The annual awards presentation was held yesterday and featured this year’s Australia Day Ambassador to Gunnedah, Patrick Warmoll.

Mr Warmoll is the Managing Director of Jack’s Creek, the local premium Wagyu and Black Angus beef producer that has been internationally recognised as the World’s Best Steak Producer four times over the past decade.

Chair of the Australia Day Working Group Cr Ann Luke said the awards paid tribute to those who had contributed a great deal to the Gunnedah Shire community.

“Congratulations to our Citizen of the Year for 2025, Leonie Harley, who has supported so many organisations for many years, including Gunnedah Meals on Wheels, the Gunnedah Eisteddfod Society, Gunnedah CWA, Namoi Group CWA, the Gunnedah Show Society, Gunnedah Show Ladies Auxiliary, Westpac Helicopter Support Group, the Northern Branch Australian Stock Horse Society, the ‘Pink Up’ Committee and Gunnedah Junior Rugby League,” Cr Luke said.

“Leonie has been a volunteer delivering meals for Gunnedah Meals on Wheels for more than 50 years.

“Her commitment to helping others makes her a role model in our Shire.
“A big thank you to Leonie Harley and congratulations to not only those who received recognition at these awards, but all those who were nominated.”

The 2025 Gunnedah Shire Council Australia Day Award recipients are:

• Citizen of the Year: Leonie Harley
• Ozzie & Beryl Campbell Volunteer of the Year: Rosemary Flett
• Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy: Moana Gurewitz [ Shoobert]
• Community Achievement Award: Linda Lee and Kate Knight
• Cultural Achievement Award: Multicultural Women’s Association
• Max and Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award: Vince Tydd
• Junior Sportsperson: Jayla Suey
• Sports Team of the Year: Gunnedah Motorcycle Club
• Environmental Citizen of the Year: McLean Care Alkira

The Gunnedah Shire Council Australia Day Awards are presented by the Gunnedah Shire Council Australia Day Working Group assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Australia Day Award winners at the ceremony yesterday. Picture courtesy of Gunnedah Times.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

26 January, 2025

Four people became our newest Australian citizens on Saturday, 25 January at an Australia Day weekend Citizenship Ceremony.

Gunnedah Shire Council hosted the Citizenship Ceremony at The Civic ahead of the Australia Day Awards.

Gunnedah Shire Council Australia Day Working Group Chair Cr Ann Luke welcomed the new citizens.

“It is a great tradition to hold Citizenship Ceremonies across the country as part of Australia Day celebrations,” Cr Luke said. “The Gunnedah Shire community includes a vibrant mix of cultures and backgrounds that add to the wonderful cultural richness of our region.

“This week, we celebrated the decision of four Gunnedah people to join us as Australian citizens and call Australia home.”

Gunnedah’s newest Australian citizens include Ammar Qaiser Choudhary – originally from Pakistan, and Lynette Ann Chivers – originally from the United Kingdom. (Two new citizens requested their names not be included.)

“Welcome to our new Australian citizens,” Cr Luke said. “We hope you enjoy being Australian citizens and all of the responsibilities and privileges it brings with it.”

Caption: Shadow Minister for Western NSW Sarah Mitchell, Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor Kate McGrath, Ammar Qaiser Choudhary, Lynette Chivers, Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton at the citizenship ceremony.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

January 23, 2025 

It’s been going for more than 20 years, has awarded 516 scholarships and is a hugely successful partnership between the community and Gunnedah Shire Council.

The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund celebrated another year of community support for the Shire’s young people at the annual presentation yesterday afternoon.

Eighteen students from Gunnedah Shire were awarded scholarships in areas ranging from agriculture to law.

Gunnedah Shire Council Community Scholarship Fund Working Group Chair Cr Linda Newell said the fund was an innovative initiative.

“We know that many of our young people have to move away to pursue their chosen study area,” Cr Newell said. “The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund gives people not only encouragement, but some practical financial support to meet the costs of moving, books and other expenses.

“Over the years, we have seen many young people successfully pursue a huge range of careers, from medicine to teaching, from law to science, and from trades to sports studies. Many of those young people have come back to the area with their qualifications, skills and talents to enrich the lives of those in our region and our Shire.

“One of them is our guest speaker at this year’s presentation, Dr Sarah Woodford, who has returned to the region as a general practitioner registrar. Sarah was a recipient of a Gunnedah Community Scholarship in 2015 and 2016.

“Sarah is a great example of how a little support for students can be repaid over and over again when they return to our community.”

The fund would not be possible without the support of sponsors, including Whitehaven Coal, Santos, Boggabri Coal, PRAMS (Paediatric and Maternity Support), Forsyths Accounting and Financial Services, Rotary Club of Gunnedah, Rotary Club of Gunnedah West, Club Gunnedah, Discount Drug Store, Orica, Barber St Practice, McArthur Legal, Namoi Valley Bricks, Gunnedah Vet Clinic and Daracon.

This year, a new scholarship was added, "The Pamela Helen Rickard Scholarship".

Very generous sponsors, who have asked to remain anonymous, have donated a substantial amount of funds for this scholarship, which are to be disbursed as $2,500 per student, per year, with a maximum of three full-time students per scholarship year, to attend the Australian National University in Canberra.

The sponsors have created the scholarship in honour of Pamela Helen Rickard, who was the Dux of Gunnedah High School in 1969. Pamela attended the Australian National University from 1970 to 1972, undertaking a combined Asian Studies/Economics degree and was a prize-winner in Economic History.

This year, the inaugural Pamela Helen Rickard Scholarship went to Clare Canham, who will study a Bachelor of Political Science at the Australian National University.

The 2025 Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund recipients are:
• Eszter Apro – Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business at Macquarie University
• Zara Bartlett – Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood at University of Sydney
• Hollie Bennett – Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Honours)(Radiation Therapy) at University of Newcastle
• Clare Canham – Bachelor of Political Science at Australian National University
• Emma Doyle – Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Criminology (Honours) at University of Newcastle
• Lewis Donaldson – Bachelor of Communication at Charles Sturt University
• Rachel Fairfull – Bachelor of Nursing at University of New England
• Josie Gallagher – Bachelor of Education K-12 at Charles Sturt University
• Maya Gallagher – Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at University of Newcastle
• Courtney Hobden – Bachelor of Rural Science at University of New England
• Henry Johns – Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics at University of Newcastle
• Amelia Lush – Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science/Bachelor of Psychological Science at Griffith University, Gold Coast
• Madison McDonald – Bachelor of Agriculture at University of New England
• Kaleb McIlveen – Bachelor of Business (Agriculture) at Marcus Oldham College, Victoria
• Cameron Neader – Diploma of Engineering at University of Newcastle
• Rosie Snape – Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Human Rights at Australian Catholic University Brisbane
• Chloe Sumpter – Bachelor of Nursing at University of Wollongong
• John Mark Villegas – Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) at University of Newcastle

January 22, 2025 

The Australian Government is providing up to $55 million for Round 8 of the Mobile Black Spot Program.

This program will co-fund projects to provide new resilient mobile coverage in regional and remote areas of Australia that are prone to Natural Disasters, including bushfires, cyclones, and floods.

The focus on areas impacted by, or at risk of, Natural Disasters reflects the increasing exposure of many regions to these events, and the need for communities.

This Round is funded under the Government's Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia and applications must be lodged by Wednesday 30 April 2025.

Gunnedah Shire Council is encouraging residents to participate in a community survey on mobile phone coverage, which is vital for our local industries and road safety.

This is an opportunity to provide feedback about mobile coverage and inform future policy/program design and we hope you can take a few minutes to complete the following survey by no later than February 2, 2025

Here's the link : https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S7R3DS6 .

20 January 2025

Eight Gunnedah Shire artists will transform the walls of the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery next month with The Art of Still Life exhibition.

Artists Kristie Farquhar, Anne Knight, Julie Laurie, Jenny Mathews, Lyn Pratt, Louisa Riordan, Fonda Shae and Helen Stanley have joined forces to present a vibrant collection of still life art that will open at 6pm on Friday, February 7.

Artist Fonda Shae said the works cross genres of medium from 2D to 3D works including printmaking, painting, drawing, sculpting and pottery.

“Working alongside these talented women has been a joy,” Fonda said.

“Each piece reflects our shared passion for still life, and the process of creating this exhibition together has been deeply rewarding.

“The Art of Still Life is more than an exhibition; it’s an invitation to experience the beauty and depth of still life in all its forms. Visitors are encouraged to explore the works and participate in a series of still-life-inspired events throughout February.”

The exhibition will be held in conjunction with a number of workshops, including a Valentine’s Day Still Life Workshop with Fonda Shae on Friday, February 14 at 6pm.

No experience or materials are necessary, and people are invited to bring a date or a friend, and maybe even a bottle of wine to enjoy with canapes, good company and a fun art session. For $20, participants can create their own romantic-themed still life artwork to take home. Tickets are available at www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1325428

Arts Gunnedah will also host two events - a Helen Stanley Still Life workshop on Saturday, February 8, and a Still Life in the Studio Workshop on Saturday, 22 February with Louisa Riordan. More details will be available on the Arts Gunnedah Facebook page.

The Art of Still Life exhibition will continue at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery until Sunday, February 23. Entry is free and there will be artworks for sale.

Caption: A print by The Art of Still Life contributing artist Anne Knight.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

17 January 2025

At an Extraordinary Meeting held this week, the Gunnedah Shire Council unanimously endorsed an application for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) and associated Minimum Rate increase to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Background

This decision follows several months of consideration and engagement with the community by Council on the SRV, commencing in May 2024 with Council endorsing the draft 2024/25 Operational Plan and Budget. This report contained information that Council’s financial outlook was not financially sustainable and that an SRV needed to be considered.

Council subsequently determined an SRV proposal for a permanent cumulative 38.88% increase to be implemented over two years and undertook community engagement on this proposal during August and September last year. Following consideration of feedback from the first round of community engagement,

Council endorsed a revised SRV proposal for a permanent cumulative 37.67% increase to be implemented over two years. This increase includes the rate peg that would ordinarily apply. The revised SRV proposal caps the increase on Residential, Business and Farmland rate categories at 15% per year (32.25% cumulative) with the balance to be sourced from the Mining rating category. A second round of community engagement was held from Thursday, 7 November 2024 to Thursday, 19 December 2024 where the community was provided the opportunity to make submissions with their views on the revised SRV proposal.

Council received 27 formal submissions, and these were considered as part of the final determination on whether to proceed with applying for an SRV at the meeting. Submissions were received from Whitehaven Coal and the NSW Minerals Council in response to the increased differential, resulting in an 85.13% cumulative increase over two years, that would be placed on the mining category from the revised SRV proposal. While many of the respondents indicated that they did not want an SRV, there was also strong support for levels of service to be maintained or improved, which is not possible without an SRV.

What happens now?

Council will make applications for a Special Rate Variation and associated Minium Rate increase to IPART. Applications for the 2025-26 financial year are required to be submitted by 3 February 2025 and details about the process for SRV applications can be found at the following link - https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/Home/Industries/Local-Government/Reviews/Special-Variations-Minimum-Rates/Special-Variations-and-Minimum-Rates-2025-26 . Following Council’s lodgement of the application by February 3, IPART will undertake further community consultation with a view to a determination in May or June.

Quotes from Mayor Colleen Fuller:

“This has been a difficult but necessary process for Council to undertake.

“Whilst we recognise that, if approved by IPART, an SRV will be an added impost to any households or businesses that are struggling financially, the pressure will be lower in this revised SRV proposal for Residential, Business and Farmland categories and higher for the Mining sector than the original SRV scenario that we considered.

“It is also important to point out to our community that the impact will be partly offset by Council's resolution at its Ordinary Meeting in December 2024, that a freeze be placed on increases to Waste Management and Sewerage Annual Charges during the proposed Special Rate Variation implementation period.

“Council has also resolved to strive to find at least $930,000 through efficiency gains and operational savings over the next three years.”

15 January 2025

Australia is chock full of people with a huge variety of backgrounds, skills and interests, and Gunnedah Shire’s 2025 Australia Day Events Program reflects this diversity.

Whether you live at Piallaway, Emerald Hill, Breeza, Mullaley or in the Gunnedah CBD, there are events to help you commemorate this special day.

“Australia Day has always been a big day on Gunnedah Shire’s calendar and this year continues the tradition,” Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater said.

“It is a day to reflect, respect and celebrate.

“Our Australia Day Ambassador is Patrick Warmoll, Managing Director of world-famous beef producers Jack’s Creek. Patrick will be a guest at this year’s Gunnedah Shire Australia Day Awards which will be held at 6pm on Saturday, 25 January at The Civic.

“This is a great event that celebrates our outstanding citizens, and we invite people to shout themselves a ticket to the ceremony to support these great friends and neighbours.

“There are many events on across the Australia Day weekend, including a community barbecue and entertainment at Emerald Hill, a free community barbecue at Breeza, a community breakfast at Piallaway, and a fishing competition at Carroll supported by Council’s Australia Day Working Group Village Grants.

“Assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council there will be free entry at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex with a free barbecue lunch, and special movies on at The Civic. Community groups and businesses have also planned a host of fun activities.”

A Citizenship Ceremony will be held at The Civic at 5pm on Saturday, 25 January to welcome our newest Australians, followed by the Australia Day Awards Ceremony at 6pm. Tickets are just $10 and include canapes. Tickets can be purchased at www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events

Events on Sunday, January 26 include a triathlon, Aussie Fest 2025, a Rotary Breakfast, open day at the Dorothea Mackellar Centre and the Gunnedah Rural Museum, Australia Day Bowls Triples, a car and bike display, the Australia Day Bake-Off and a variety of other activities.

The full program is attached here and is available at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

10 January 2025

From midnight tonight, Level 1 Water Restrictions will be implemented in the Gunnedah Shire.

The 10-day average water consumption for the Gunnedah and Curlewis Water Supply has exceeded 10ML per day which means that Level 1 Water Restrictions will be imposed as per Council’s Drought Management Plan.

Under this level of restriction, the impact on residences and their gardens is relatively minor with the focus being on general awareness of water consumption in the community, rather than trying to achieve significant reductions in usage.

The key measure is to limit the hours that sprinklers can be used. Level 1 restrictions limit the hours that sprinklers can be used to 2 hours per day (between 6-8pm during daylight savings times, or 5-7pm during all other times).

Further details regarding exactly what Level 1 Water Restrictions mean for the local community can be found here: https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/council/better-infrastructure/water-sewer-services/item/1060-water-services .

“This decision has been made in the best interests of sustainability in Gunnedah. While we are fortunate to have a good supply of quality bore water, we all need to conserve water wherever possible,” said Jeremy Bartlett, Director of Infrastructure Services.

7 January 2025

Gunnedah Shire Council is looking to update the Village Entry signs on approach roads at Breeza, Carroll, Curlewis, Emerald Hill, Kelvin, Mullaley and Tambar Springs in early 2025, replacing the signs that are currently in place.

It has been almost 20 years since this signage has been updated and Council’s plans to give them a facelift have been very positively welcomed by residents in each of our villages.

In recent months Council’s Economy & Growth team have been engaging with locals on site at schools and shops, attending Progress Association meetings and reviewing themes.

A survey for village locals to provide input on the structure and layout of our proposed design is now open https://gsc2380.wufoo.com/forms/village-entry-signs/ and closes on January 15, 2025.

“We want each village to put forward suggestions on what image should be included that they feel best represents their area.

“The survey is seeking information and feedback with Council to approve the final design ensuring a consistent welcoming theme across the Shire,” said Susan Frater, Manager Economy and Growth.