18 March, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is supporting proposed NSW Government changes to the state planning system that will allow more Gunnedah farmers to open farm-stay and farm-gate operations.

At the March meeting yesterday, Council endorsed a recommendation to advise the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to include the proposed Farm Stay Accommodation and Farm Gate Premise Clauses, into the Gunnedah Local Environmental Plan 2012.

This will allow “agritourism”, “farm experience” and “farm gate premises” in the zones that now have “agriculture” as a permissible land use.

Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said Council applauded the NSW Government’s move to streamline the approval of agritourism ventures.

“No one is more aware of how tough it can be on the land than our own Gunnedah Shire farmers,” Cr Chaffey said.

“We’ve been through a heart-breaking drought that cut our farming families to the bone. Then, when the rain finally fell, along came the floods and of course the pandemic that kept them isolated, a mouse plague and an economic rollercoaster. It’s a hard but absolutely critical way to make a living.

“We strongly support allowing our farmers to diversify and build their resilience. We are on board this proposed move by the NSW Government to make it possible for primary producers to diversify their business to include farm stays, farm gate operations and other forms of agritourism.

“The pandemic has shown Australians the value of the true country experience, and we are perfectly located to grow agritourism. It will help us show the rest of the country, and the world, the things we value about where we live.”

It is anticipated that these changes will provide farmers with the ability to source additional income and to allow them to be more resilient when recovering from natural disasters and the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is “agritourism”?

The NSW Government describes “agritourism” as a tourism-related experience or product that connects agricultural products, people or places with visitors on a farm or rural land for enjoyment, education, or to participate in activities and events.

Agritourism activities include direct shopfront outlets with produce tastings, regional markets, farm and winery tours, cooking classes, food and wine festivals, farm stays, restaurants sourcing local produce, self-picking experiences and farm gate sales. The term also covers farm-stay, camping and other on-farm accommodation, farm tours and activities, and events based on farms for their scenic quality, such as weddings.

More broadly, agritourism allows regional economies to showcase what’s special about the region, its unique growing conditions and natural resources and provides a visitor draw card from which other regional tourism businesses and experiences can benefit.

Caption: Jack Hewitt with his pigs at his farm near Kelvin, NSW

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March 17, 2022

Following consultation with the community, Gunnedah Shire’s Water policy has been changed to include new watering times during times of restrictions.

Gunnedah Shire Council yesterday adopted revised Gunnedah Water Supply Drought and Demand Management Plans and updated the Water Restriction Policy to adjust watering times.

Now, when water restrictions are put in place, the new permitted times for use of fixed hoses and sprinklers will be between 6pm and 8pm during daylight saving time, and 5pm and 7pm at other times.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the changes directly reflected the results of community consultation which showed people wanted the hours changed after restrictions were implemented during the drought.

“A survey about water conservation showed people preferred a two-hour block of watering time rather than an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening,” Mr Bartlett said.

“And the clear preference was for between 6pm and 8pm during daylight saving time, and between 5pm and 7pm for the rest of the year. People wanted the hours to be altered during daylight saving time, and that’s what we have done.

“These restrictions are only implemented when demand reaches 85% of our water production capacity, or in extreme conditions such as the recent drought, when our groundwater system is under strain.

“Our Drought and Demand Management Plans have also been revised to include changes such as the new Curlewis to Gunnedah pipeline, extra storage capacity with the new Apex reservoir, and the decommissioning of three bores on Old Tamworth Road due to poor water quality.

“When our new water treatment plant is operational later this year, our water situation will be even more secure. A central collection point for water will mean all bores can operate together, boosting Gunnedah’s capacity and allowing more options during maintenance and breakdowns.

“Gunnedah remains in a fortunate position with our water supply. We have a strong groundwater system with eight bores providing excellent quality water. We do, however, always need to remember water is a precious and finite resource and we need to plan ahead to ensure we can meet the demand in the future.

“The recent drought was a reminder that we can’t do without water.”

Gunnedah Shire is currently on Level P (permanent) water restrictions, where fixed hoses and sprinklers are restricted except between 6am and 8am, and 6pm and 10pm during daylight saving time, and 6am-8am and 5pm-9pm at other times.

For the full list of water restrictions at each level, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au and you will find Water Information & Restrictions under Everyday Living in Gunnedah.

Caption: Photo of Gunnedah Shire farm in 2019 during the drought

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March 16, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council was today presented with the framed first cut of the official Koala Tartan.

Weavers and brother and sister Fred and Marie Lawson, of The Crofters Weaving Mill at Spring Ridge, today presented Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Councillors with the special memento of the world’s first Koala Tartan.

Cr Chaffey cut the first weave of the tartan in a Cutting-Off the Loom Ceremony at the mill in October last year.

Marie Lawson said they had been overwhelmed by the worldwide response to the Koala Tartan.

“The cloth has gone to Scotland, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada and the USA,” she said in the presentation held at the Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre where koalas sporting the special tartan are sold.

“We are still in shock. We just scratch our heads and go and sit and have a cup of tea under a tree. It’s going all over the world.”

Ms Lawson said one buyer had told her that she was Scottish by birth, but now lived in Australia, and the tartan was a wonderful way to celebrate both countries.

Cr Chaffey thanked the Lawsons for the gift he said would find a special place in the Koala Capital of the World.

“These two amazing people, who have already created a number of official registered tartans, are having world-wide success with this design inspired by the koala,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Through their innovation, creativity and hard work, they have come up with a beautiful product that is celebrating our national icon. I’m proud to wear a tie made from the Koala Tartan, and look forward to presenting them to other people in the future.

“Fred and Marie Lawson are also very generous people, who have donated funds and products to projects including Project Koala Gunnedah and the Australian Koala Foundation.”

The presentation was also attended by the manager of Moripo Research Plantation Paul Goss who was dressed in the first kilt made from the Koala Tartan, along with a Koala Tartan tie and hat band.

The Lawsons originally learnt to weave at a Gunnedah TAFE course more than 20 years ago.

Since that time, they have successfully designed and created about 10 registered tartans, using only natural materials which are often dyed at their property. As well as designing tartans for the Australian Heritage Tartan, the Australian Heavy Horse Tartan and many other designs, Fred was commissioned to weave a Victorian State tartan for the Queen as a gift after the Victorian bushfires.

Caption: Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey with Marie and Fred Lawson and the framed tartan piece.

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March 15, 2022

A number of community positions are vacant on both the Crime Prevention Working Group and the Community Safety Conference Working Group, and interested community members wanting to make a difference in improving the safety amenity of the Gunnedah Shire are encouraged to nominate.

The Crime Prevention Working Group supports the ongoing implementation of the Shire’s Crime Prevention Plan, and has been a driving force behind the extension of CCTV throughout the CBD, providing input into Alcohol Free Zone declarations and lobbying to state and federal government for changes to domestic violence legislation.

The group has also been involved in the planning and delivery of a number of drug and domestic violence community awareness events including the Say No to Drugs Walk around Wolseley, Gunnedah Says No to Violence messages on Council’s waste and water fleet and the Gunny Get Your Home Secure and Gunny Get You Home Safe initiatives.

The Community Safety Conference Working Group is new, and members will help plan the delivery of a crime prevention and community safety conference in Gunnedah that will seek to attract delegates and key note speakers from within NSW and interstate.

Interested community members can nominate by completing an expression of interest which can be obtained from Council’s Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah, downloaded here:

Crime Prevention Working Group

Community Safety Conference Working Group

or by contacting (02) 6740 2100.

Completed forms can be dropped off to the Council Administration Building, submitted via post to PO Box 63, Gunnedah, NSW, 2380 or via email to council@infogunnedah.com.au.

Expressions of Interest close at 5pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

For more information, contact Council’s Community and Social Planner, Debra Hilton on (02) 6740 2100.

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March 15, 2022

What is most important for our community as we plan for the future in Gunnedah Shire?

That’s what Gunnedah Shire Council is looking for the answers to as we review our 10-Year Community Strategic Plan for Gunnedah, and look at the path for the four years ahead.

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Community Strategic Plan was the document that looked at the community’s priorities and set a clear direction for the way forward.

“Our Community Strategic Plan is the roadmap for our Shire and guides our course in everything we do,” Cr Chaffey said.

“You wouldn’t set off on a road trip without a map, and this is what this plan will do. It gauges what we all want for the future and how we can work together to get there.

“This document will build on all the community consultation we have conducted over the last two years – in 22 plans, along with surveys and other forms of engagement. We have heard what is important to the community of Gunnedah through your responses and submissions, but we need to know if we are missing something.

“Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on the community to answer one simple question - What is the one most important thing that Council should focus on in the next four years?

“We want to hear what people have to say. You can let us know through a one-question survey and help us build our Roadmap for Tomorrow.”

The survey is available through https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Shire_Road_Map

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

March 15, 2022

Gunnedah’s Mayor Jamie Chaffey has this month been elected to two positions which will ensure the voice of Gunnedah Shire continues to be heard at the highest level.

Cr Chaffey was last week elected as Deputy Chair of the Country Mayors’ Association of NSW (CMA), an organisation that brings mayors from across NSW together to discuss rural and regional issues. Parkes Mayor Ken Keith was re-elected as the Chair.

Cr Chaffey has also been re-elected to the position of Chair of joint local government organisation Namoi Unlimited for the next two years.
Councillor Eric Noakes, Mayor of Walcha Council, is the Deputy Chair.

Earlier this year, Cr Chaffey became the first Gunnedah Shire Councillor to be elected to the board of Local Government NSW (LGNSW). He is the only councillor from the region to sit on the board.

Cr Chaffey said he believed it was important to ensure strong representation for the region.

“It is an honour not only to represent Gunnedah Shire, but to be able to be a voice for regional and rural New South Wales,” Cr Chaffey said.

“It is an enormous time of change, and we can ensure we are well positioned to build a very strong future for our community, for those around us, and for people across country New South Wales.

“We need to make sure our concerns are heard as loudly as those of metropolitan areas. We face different challenges, and different opportunities, and together we can not only continue with our enviable lifestyle and strong economy, but grow.

“By working together regionally and at a state level, we have real strength to advocate for our communities.

“I’ve seen Namoi Unlimited produce some extraordinary results in both the Regional Jobs Precinct declaration, prioritising where the road network needed attention, and a new approach to planning for agricultural development.

“The Country Mayors’ Association and Local Government NSW are both important avenues to advocate for our regional communities, and I am pleased Gunnedah has a seat at the table.”

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March 8, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling for community members to join one of three economic development working groups.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns said Council was seeking expressions of interest to join:

• the Gunnedah Shire Economic Development Working Group
• the Gunnedah Shire Skills and Training Working Group
• and/or the Gunnedah Shire Business Partner Program Advisory Group.

“Community members bring invaluable experience and insights to these important working groups,” Mr Johns said.

“The Economic Development Working Group works towards growth and balance in our economy. The Skills and Training Working Group looks at where growth is needed to help meet our business and industry needs, and the Business Partner Program Advisory Group is instrumental in guiding this important program and reviewing applications.

“If you are passionate about our economy and have knowledge and experience you think would be useful, we encourage you to apply for the appropriate group.

“Group members work together with elected Council representatives to help Gunnedah Shire’s economy to grow while keeping the lifestyle balance so important to our residents.”

Group members are appointed for two-year terms, and the working groups meet bi-monthly on dates and times yet to be determined.

Nominations for each working group close at 5pm on Friday, March 18. Applications forms are available at the Council Administration Centre in Elgin Street, or click below for:

• the Gunnedah Shire Economic Development Working Group
• the Gunnedah Shire Skills and Training Working Group
• the Gunnedah Shire Business Partner Program Advisory Group.

Caption: Recipients of one of the 2021 Business Partner Program rounds. Council is seeking expressions of interest from community members interested in joining The Business Partner Program Advisory Group.

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NSW Youth Week 2025 will run from 9-17 April 2025.

Youth Expo

Youth Expo is the highlight event of Youth Week in Gunnedah Shire.

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on local businesses and service providers to be part of the Gunnedah Youth Expo to be held on 9am-3pm Thursday, April 10, 2025 at teh Gunnedah Town Hall.

More than 20 exhibitors will be at the Expo, including universities and TAFE, Gunnedah-based businesses and service providers.

1 March, 2022

Gunnedah Shire is all fired up for the 25^th anniversary of the Weeks of Speed, with a program of events fast enough to give you whiplash.

From the Mt Porcupine Hill Climb to Australian Whipcracking Titles, drag racing, Show and Shine and speedway racing, the Weeks of Speed 2022 has something for everyone in one action-packed month.

The festival will officially open at 10am on Saturday, March 5 with the traditional Tractor Trek down Conadilly Street and a Show and Shine at the Woolworths Car Park with a working steam engine on display. The festival will be opened by Chris Frend, who is a former Gunnedah Shire Council Tourism Team Leader who has been involved in organising the event for 20 years.

The opening day will also include an Observation Rally from 2pm to 3pm including a 45 minute drive around Gunnedah to test your local knowledge and observation skills, hosted by Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts.

Speedway Racing kicks off at 5pm at the Gunnedah Speedway on Bluevale Road with fast-paced action include the V8 dirt modifiers, the RSA NSW Street Stocker Title and AMCA’s Fender Benders.

The first day is just the beginning, with greyhound racing, the Australian Whipcracking and World Bullock Whip Titles, motorcycle racing, drag racing and other events leading up to the Mt Porcupine Hill Climb on Sunday, March 27.

The iconic Hill Climb makes a great spectacle with drivers testing their skills on the winding Apex Drive to the summit of Mt Porcupine. The Rural Museum Demonstration Day and Tractor Pull will also be held on Sunday, March 27.

Gunnedah Shire Council Tourism Team Leader Nikki Robertson said the Weeks of Speed were an ideal opportunity to welcome back visitors.

“It has been a difficult couple of years for events, but we are roaring into a full year in 2022 with the Weeks of Speed,” Mrs Robertson said.

“It’s an high-speed program full of popular events, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming back both those who come every year, as well as some new faces to Gunnedah.

“The Weeks of Speed Committee have been working hard to bring a great standard and variety of events. There’s something for everyone.

“A big thank you goes to local Gunnedah businesses who have got behind these events to be sponsors, despite the challenges of the last years, have jumped on board to help make this happen.”

For the full Weeks of Speed events program, visit www.visitgunnedah.com.au or drop in to the Visitors Information Centre.

Weeks of Speed Gunnedah 2022:

Saturday, March 5:                Official festival opening

                                                Show and Shine

                                                Observation Rally

                                                Speedway Racing

Sunday, March 6:                  Greyhound Racing

Saturday, March 12:              AWPA Australian Whipcracking Titles and

                                                World Bullock Whip Titles

Sunday, March 13:                AWPA & Many Fabrication & Engineering Novice Whipcracking

                                                Motorcycle Racing Round 1, Club Championships

Saturday, March 19:              Multicultural Markets

1/8 Mile Drag Racing

                                                Clash of the Sirens

Sunday, March 20:                1/8 Mile Drag Racing

Saturday, March 26:              ½ Mile Single Sprint

                                                Hill Climb practice

Sunday, March 27                 Mt Porcupine Hill Climb

                                                Rural Museum Demonstration Day and Tractor Pull

Caption: Tractors on parade during the Tractor Trek on the first day of the 2019 Weeks of Speed.

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2 March, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on local businesses and service providers to be part of the Gunnedah Youth Expo to be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

The Gunnedah Youth Expo was very successful in 2021, featuring 30 exhibitors including tertiary education providers, health and community services and local businesses.

More than 250 young people visited the Expo, which is a joint initiative of Gunnedah Shire Council, Gunnedah Youth Interagency and NSW Youth Week.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager of Customer and Community Relations Charlotte Hoddle said the Youth Expo provided the perfect opportunity to showcase the many opportunities that are open to young people who were just starting on their career path.

“There are so many advantages to opening young people’s eyes to the range of options available to them,” Ms Hoddle said.

“The Gunnedah Youth Expo is a great way to bring many of those options together in one place – whether it is further education, joining a service agency or discovering a trade.

“There are also advantages for the businesses who have a presence at the Expo. Whether they have apprenticeships available or are looking to employ people further down the track, it is important to let people know just how many different careers are open to them.

“Last year, we had five TAFE NSW mobile training units providing hands-on examples of industries like hairdressing, beauty, welding, engineering and hospitality.

“This free event is for youth aged 12-25, as well as parents or carers. There are giveaways and prizes to be won.”

Business and organisation who would like to register to be part of the event can complete the online form located at https://gsc2380.wufoo.com/forms/2022-youth-expo-stall-holder-registration-form/ by Friday 25 March 2022 at 5pm.

Exhibiting at the Youth Expo is free and a trestle table and two chairs will be provided. Powered stalls are available on request.

Youth Expo is the highlight event of Youth Week in Gunnedah Shire. The aim of NSW Youth Week is to celebrate young people and the contributions they make to their local communities. NSW Youth Week 2022 will run from 4 -14 April 2022. The theme for 2022 is ‘It’s up to YOU’th’.

Caption: The 2021 Gunnedah Youth Expo was visited by more than 250 young people.

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