November 4, 2021

Gunnedah Shire’s Australia Day Working Group is calling on the community to nominate outstanding residents and organisations for the annual Australia Day Awards.

The awards recognise and honour individuals and groups in the Gunnedah community who have worked tirelessly to shape and enrich the Shire.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director of Corporate and Community Services Colin Formann said each year the Australia Day Awards celebrate the service and contributions of some of Gunnedah’s extraordinary residents.

“Nominations are now open to recognise individuals or groups who have gone above and beyond in their efforts and service to the community,” Mr Formann said.

“This year the Australia Day Awards are especially significant as they acknowledge the strength, resilience and capacity of the Gunnedah community when faced with adversity.

“Many community champions have stepped up in 2021, assisting others during the COVID-19 pandemic and would be worthy of recognition.

“If you know someone in our community who has done an amazing job for a charity or community organisation, or who should be recognised for their contributions to education, health, sports or the environment, please consider putting them forward by completing a nomination form.”

There are 12 categories in Gunnedah Shire Council’s Australia Day Awards for 2022. They include:

• Citizen of the Year Award (21 and over),
• Young Citizen of the Year Award (20 and under),
• Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award,
• Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy,
• Community and Cultural Achievement Award,
• Max & Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award,
• Sports Person of the Year Award (21 and over),
• Junior Sports Person of the Year Award (20 and under),
• Junior Sports Team of the Year Award (20 and under),
• Sports Team of the Year Award,
• Ivan Towns Memorial Award, and
• Environmental Citizen of the Year Award (open age category).

Nomination forms are available at https://thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events. Applications close 5pm Friday January 14, 2022.

Winners will be announced during the Australia Day Awards Dinner, to be held on Tuesday January 25, 2022.

ENDS

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

November 4, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council will commence work next Monday, November 8 on the reconstruction of Maitland Street Bridge in Breeza.

The works form part of the Clifton Road Upgrade Project and involve the demolition of the existing bridge and construction of a new concrete bridge over the waterway.

Council secured funding of $8.56 million through the NSW Government Fixing Country Roads program for the upgrade of Clifton Road, with a co-contribution of $247,794  from Gunnedah Shire Council.

The Federal Government also contributed an additional $1.007 million in Phase 1 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program to upgrade Clifton Road from Oakey Creek Road Intersection to Leys Road Intersection.

Council Director of Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the new bridge will help improve safety and productivity.

“The reconstruction of Maitland Street Bridge will allow all weather access across the waterway and improve access to local roads and farming operations,” Mr Bartlett said.

“The new bridge has been designed to carry the maximum loads possible for vehicles and machinery and will enable access for Higher Productivity Vehicles.

“This work is an important aspect of the Clifton Road Upgrade Project and at times there may be minor disruptions to traffic. I thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this process.”

It is anticipated works will be completed by the end of February, 2022.

Caption: The Maitland Street Bridge at Breeza will be demolished and reconstructed.

ENDS

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

Updated 18 September, 2024

The Kelvin Road upgrade is a $6.2 million project which involves the upgrade and sealing of the remaining 11.6kms of Kelvin Road between Gunnedah and Rangari Road. This will improve safety and reliability of the road and provide better access to services.

The project received funding of more than $4 million through the NSW Governments Fixing Local Roads Program and a $2 million contribution from the Australian Government Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.

The project is close to completion.

Updated 18 September, 2024

Major upgrade works were announced for the Gunnedah Regional Saleyards were started in June 2022.

The NSW Government contributed $17.6 million in funding towards the Gunnedah Regional Saleyards Redevelopment, with the initial stages including the demolition of existing sheep yards and development of the design for the complex upgrade, including a cafe, administration facility, a new truck wash, more workshop sheds, upgraded parking and lighting for the entire complex and upgrades to security and fencing.

The new truck wash officially opened in November 2022. The drive-through facility on the Kamilaroi Highway is capable of accommodating vehicles as large as road trains and B-triples.

October 28, 2021

Draft Water Supply Strategy to go on display

The Draft Gunnedah Water Supply Strategy is now on public exhibition for 28 days.

Gunnedah Shire Council engaged consultants Hunter H2O to undertake a water network servicing strategy for the Gunnedah water supply system, looking at the existing and future performance of the water system.

The review takes into account an expected increase in water demand from residential and industrial growth. The strategy will help plan for the community’s needs for the years ahead.

The strategy can be viewed here or at Council’s administration building in Elgin Street. Submissions close Tuesday, November 23.

Council seeks input on Draft Road Closure Policy

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Draft Road Closure Policy is being publicly exhibited for community input.

The policy aims to set forward a clear process for the permanent closure of roads that complies with the Roads Act 1993.

The strategy can be viewed here or at Council’s administration building in Elgin Street.

New policy to assist in medical professionals housing support

Gunnedah Shire Council has drafted a Medical Professionals Accommodation Support policy to help with housing for health care providers.

The policy allows council-owned properties to be leased to established medical practices who can sub-lease them to incoming medical professionals. Also included in the policy is the ability for Council to authorise a subsidy for a period of up to 12 months for medical professionals who rent externally because they can’t find accommodation through medical practices.

The policy has been drafted to ensure housing is not a barrier to attracting medical professionals to the Shire.

The strategy can be viewed here or at Council’s administration building in Elgin Street.

ENDS

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

October 22, 2021

Villages in Gunnedah Shire can now apply for grants of up to $500 to assist them in hosting events and activities for Australia Day 2022.

Progress associations, hall committees and community groups within Gunnedah Shire’s villages have been invited to apply to help fund their community celebrations.

Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor and Australia Day Working Group Chair Cr Rob Hooke said he encourages every village to apply.

“Each of our shire villages has its own unique community and atmosphere, and it’s wonderful that these grants can assist in sharing the celebrations around our Shire,” Cr Hooke said.

“Ideas for activities might include a classic Australian barbeque, water activities like a slip and slide, a sports event or live music.

“Traditionally, our Shire has really embraced the Aussie spirit. We’d love to see that continue with events in Breeza, Carroll, Curlewis, Kelvin, Mullaley and Tambar Springs.

“The Australia Day Working Group is also starting to bring together the Australia Day program for next year’s festivities, so if you have an event you would like to promote please let us know.”

Grant applications close on November 12, 2021. The application form is available at https://bit.ly/3aTW8eH and can be returned to council@infogunnedah.com.au.

ENDS

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

October 21, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking your input about the brightest future of our parks and recreation areas following the release of the Draft Gunnedah Shire Open Space Strategy 2022-32.

The strategy will guide us in the planning, design, development and management of our open spaces over the next 10 years, and looks at locations such as sporting fields, parks, the Shire’s open spaces in villages, the river precinct and the very popular Wolseley Park area.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said consultants Ross Planning had already sought community views through workshops, community and sport club surveys, and interviews to help shape the draft strategy, but this was another opportunity to take a look at specific concepts.

“Parks and recreation areas are very important to our quality of life,” Cr Chaffey said.

“At every stage of our lives, from when our young children are playing at the park, to sporting activities and walks in our bushland, open spaces are where we gather, exercise, enjoy time with our families and enjoy the outdoors.

“It’s important to have community input into how they will look in 10 years time. Community surveys carried out to help this strategy brought in 270 responses from residents - showing just how much we value our open spaces.

“This draft strategy includes specific future planning for much-loved spaces like Wolseley Park, suggestions for off-leash dog areas, potential repurposing of pockets of parkland that are not used, potential changes for the skate park and many other concepts that could make our open spaces even better in the next decade.

“We all use these spaces, and I urge as many people as possible to have their say in their future. There are some great ideas in this draft strategy, but we need to know what you think before we go ahead with a final strategy.”

Here’s a snapshot of some of the survey results:

• 94% of respondents rate open space as very important (80%) or important (14.5%) to themselves and their families
• Close to 80% of respondents visit a park or sports facility at least weekly
• 49% of respondents take part in organised sport in Gunnedah
• The most popular type of outdoor recreation activity (other than sport) is walking (75% of respondents), followed by bushwalking (53%) and playing in the park (52%)
• Gunnedah Shire’s favourite open space is Livvi’s Place, followed by Wolseley Park, Porcupine Lookout, Stock Road walking path and Namoi River walking path.

To take a look at the Draft Gunnedah Shire Open Space Strategy 2022-32, click here or drop in to the Gunnedah Shire Council in Elgin Street or Gunnedah Shire Library to view the strategy.

Feedback must be received before 5pm, Sunday, December 19. Send your thoughts to council@infogunnedah.com.au with the subject line “Draft Open Space Strategy”.

To have your say about specific concepts, check out these short surveys:

• Wolseley Park Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/wolseleypark
• Youth Open Space Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/openspaceyouthsurvey
• Off-leash Dog Park Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/gunnedahoffleashareas

Caption: Livvi’s Place is one of Gunnedah Shire’s parks adding to our quality of life.

ENDS

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

October 21, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council is continuing to work with health representatives within the state and community to look at answers for GP and health service shortages.

A report to Council this week showed NSW Rural Doctors Network are now on Step 3 in the development of a strategy that will include actions to attract and retain GPs.

The report to Council by Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth noted that as part of Step 3, the Rural Doctors Network NSW (RDN NSW), who have been engaged by Council to develop the strategy, had formed a working group. The working group includes representatives of RDN NSW, the Primary Health Network, GP Synergy, Hunter New England Local Health District and Gunnedah Shire Council.

The group has already met three times to work towards the strategy before they consult service providers next month.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the report to council included the results of Steps 1 and 2 – A State of Play report outlining the current situation, and a survey of the Gunnedah Shire Community.

“Both of these very revealing reports were submitted as public documents to the NSW Government Upper House Inquiry into Rural Health Services,” Cr Chaffey said.

“They paint a clear picture of the appalling state of affairs in the availability of doctors in our community. The State of Play report shows the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) recommended ratio is one GP for every 750-1000 residents. In January this year, the doctor to patient ratio in Gunnedah Shire was about one GP for every 2670 residents.

“The report showed we do not have enough GPs and this is in turn impacting on Gunnedah Hospital services. It recommends 13 full-time GPs as a starting point.

“Added to this are the results of the community survey carried out in March which are, quite frankly, distressing. Many of the 711 respondents – just under 6% of our population – also answered the survey on behalf of their families, making this survey widely representative of our community.

“Page after page of responses give an extremely clear message. To quote from the report: ‘The great majority expressed confusion, frustration, anger and in some cases disgust with the poor level of service currently available in Gunnedah for the residents of the Shire. This was true even among the minority who considered that their needs were being met or who had not used any of the services in the previous year’.”

“Our previous pleas to the NSW and Federal governments to address this urgent issue have not resulted in any practical answers, so we have taken this step of engaging the Rural Doctors Network NSW to help navigate the problems and offer some solutions.

“The health providers we do have can’t sustain the load on their own. We intend to continue to work with the RDN NSW to help resolve these problems.

“While we can look forward to a new hospital in 2025, we can’t sit back and ignore the very real health concerns our community is facing now, and we need to be assured that when our new hospital does open, it will be fully staffed.”

ENDS

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

October 21, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council has released its Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy for community feedback.

The strategy steers the direction for housing in Gunnedah Shire for the next 20 years, setting priorities and actions for the years ahead.

Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said interest in the project had been high and community engagement ahead of the strategy had spotlighted where the focus for housing needed to be.

“The Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy has been put together specifically with the identified need for a wider variety of housing in mind,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Community consultation and a close look at statistics and population projections show we have a limited supply of serviced residential land and housing choices, and a growing population. This strategy looks at ways to address the needs of the future.

“This is an important blueprint to use when our Shire approaches planning, zoning and development decisions. It will assist in ensuring our housing availability and choices develop alongside changes in our population.”

The Draft Gunnedah Shire Housing Strategy includes 5 key directions which are accompanied by 15 strategies and 33 actions for Council to implement and encourage housing diversity and choice, and increase affordability in meeting the needs of its future population.

• Direction 1: Deliver greater housing diversity to suit changing needs
• Direction 2: Support healthy, safe, socially engaged and well-connected communities
• Direction 3: Strengthen community resilience
• Direction 4: Provide great places to live
• Direction 5: Deliver well planned rural residential development

Specific actions include considering incentives for affordable housing, encouraging secondary dwellings as an alternative affordable housing option in all residential zones, investigating public land for conversion to housing in partnership with housing providers, and investigating Curlewis for the potential for more residential land.

Team Leader Building and Strategic Projects, Blake O’Mullane said workshops were attended by members of the public, social housing providers, real estate agents, and representatives from the development and mining industries.

“The strategy will inform Council of opportunities to encourage strengthened investment in a range of housing typologies across the Shire particularly the Gunnedah township, and we encourage the community to have their say on the draft document” Mr O’Mullane said.

The public exhibition period will close 5pm Wednesday 24 November 2021 and the draft Strategy can be viewed:

• On Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or
  • between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday at Council’s Administration Office, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.
  Written submissions in relation to the draft Strategy can be
  • Posted to Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380 or
  • Emailed to council@infogunnedah.com.au
• Here is the direct link.

Any enquiries in relation to the Strategy, can be directed to Council’s Strategic Planning Team on 02 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au.

Caption: The Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy steers the direction for housing over the next 20 years.

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

October 19, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey has congratulated weavers Fred and Marie Lawson on their officially registered The Koala Tartan, the first of its kind worldwide.

Cr Chaffey, as Mayor of the Koala Capital of the World, attended the Cutting-off the Loom ceremony at The Crofters Weaving Mill at Spring Ridge today, cutting the first weave of the new tartan.

“It’s an honour to be here in this beautiful part of the world, where the very talented Lawsons have created another masterpiece – an officially registered tartan that celebrates our national icon – the koala,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Gunnedah is known as the Koala Capital of the World, and Council is working towards helping the conservation of the koala in this region through our planned Koala Sanctuary and Hospital.

“The Lawson’s tartan is a wonderful tribute to this much-loved animal. The Koala Tartan, registered through The Scottish Register of Tartans, is now recognised worldwide as the pattern that represents the koala.”

The Koala Tartan is the work of Weaver to the Queen Fred Lawson and his sister Marie Lawson, who originally learnt to weave at a Gunnedah TAFE course more than 20 years ago.

Since that time, the Lawsons 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.

Marie Lawson says they have had The Koala Tartan in mind for some years, but were waiting for the right blend of colours.

“You start with an idea and then come up with a colour set – the number of colour threads and the sequence,” Marie says. “You make a quick sample from the closest colours you have to see how it is balanced.

“Once you have worked on that, you do another sample weave. You can see how it looks on the computer, but it is totally different once it has been woven. We went through three weaves before we came up with The Koala Tartan.”

A sample was sent to The Scottish Register of Tartans where it went through the stringent approval process that includes ensuring the design is not too close to royal tartans and meets certain standards. It is also recommended the tartan is put on public view. The Koala Tartan was on display at the Liverpool Plains Military Tattoo where it met with public approval.

The tartan was approved by The Scottish Register of Tartans, but the original name – The Australian Koala Tartan – was knocked back, so the Lawson’s second choice of The Koala Tartan was submitted and approved.

The Lawsons will now work towards a range of products including scarves, silk scarves, shawls, mohair rugs, knee rugs and ties, woven in the distinctive The Koala Tartan. Each piece is individually hand-woven from natural materials.

“The tartan has turned out absolutely beautifully,” Marie says. “Everything just blended so well together.”

About The Koala Tartan colours:
? Dark and light grey: the majority koala coat colour
? White: for the speckles or patches on the rump and chest area and inside ears
? Black: for the nose
? Pink: for the skin colour around the nose and mouth
? Dark brown: for their eyes
? Green: for eucalyptus leaves which is their main diet and dwelling tree.

Caption: Marie Lawson, Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Fred Lawson with the new Koala Tartan.

ENDS

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