26 March, 2020

Gunnedah Shire Council’s response to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be guided by the latest advice from Commonwealth and State authorities.

According to NSW Health there are several cases in the New England North West area, including 7 confirmed cases in the Tamworth Regional Council area and additional cases in the Narrabri Shire and Liverpool Plains Shire. In light of this it is critical to observe all health and government advice to secure the health and safety of the community.

We all have a role to play in keeping ourselves and others safe. The federal and state government have made it clear that people should stay at home wherever possible, except to access essential products and services.

Anyone seeking the latest information on COVID-19 is encouraged to visit or call:

• NSW Health – www.health.nsw.gov.au
• Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/
• Coronavirus Health Information Line - 1800 020 080

Today

• All of Council's face to face services remain closed until further notice, with the exception of the waste facilities and sale yards which are operating with strict hygiene practices and physical distancing measures.
• The NSW Government has advised of the cessation of camping in all NSW national parks from tomorrow, 27th of March.
• Local Land Services, the frontline agency in NSW helping farmers and communities, have established new systems to limit in-person contact and are conducting appointments online and over the phone. Local Land Services will continue to provide essential on-ground services, such as biosecurity and emergency management where safe and practical.

For a full list of changes to Gunnedah Shire Council services, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Business Update

Yesterday the NSW Government enacted an extended operation order relating to retail trading and operating hours. The order allows for retail premises such as supermarkets, pharmacies and corner stores to operate 24 hours per day, providing retailers flexibility to ensure the community has access to essential supplies.

The Covid-19 pandemic is already having an adverse impact on many local businesses and it is now more important than ever to shop local. Council’s Economic Development team has issued the following tips for Gunnedah residents to help support our business community during this difficult time.

How to support your local businesses:

Take advantage of food delivery and takeaway services

• Take a night off from cooking to support local cafes and restaurants through the coming months.
• Call ahead to arrange a contact-free pickup, or if you’re working from home, find out if delivery is an option.

Go online

• Many Gunnedah businesses are taking their goods or services online so check to see if this is something your regular shop is now doing.
• Stay engaged and active with your local community by participating in online yoga workouts, gym classes, art workshops or singing tutorials that Gunnedah businesses are offering.

Social media support

• Help local Gunnedah businesses grow their social media presence by writing a positive review, inviting friends and family to like the business page and sharing their posts about updated trading.

Avoid refunds and postpone instead of cancelling

• While you may have the right to ask for a full refund if an event or workshop is cancelled, one way to support a local business is to see what other options they can offer, such as keeping your ticket for a rescheduled date or donating the price of the ticket to the business.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

25 March, 2020

Gunnedah Shire Council is urging residents to continue taking all possible precautions against Coronavirus.

“A calm, considered approach is the key to staying safe and healthy at this time,” Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth said.

“Observe social distancing, take hygiene precautions and always keep others in mind if you are out and about. This is something we need to deal with as a community who look out for each other.

“Gunnedah Shire Council has moved into the orange stage of its yellow-orange-red Coronavirus Response Strategy and has made changes to services in line with the moves now mandated by the Federal Government.

“We know our community is already starting to do it tough. Please support your local businesses within the requirements of social distancing and look out for your neighbours.”

There are confirmed cases of Coronavirus at Tamworth, and residents are urged to restrict their contact with people outside the household and limit their movements to essential travel.

Today:

Public toilets at Brocks Court, Mullaley Road, Redbank Road and O’Keefe Pavilion remain open with an increased cleaning regimen. Village toilets are under review.

Playgrounds will be closed as it is difficult to guarantee continuous cleaning of playgrounds and to prevent people congregating in them. Parks and sporting fields remain open for people to exercise while adhering to social distancing requirements. Please note, outside training sessions have now been limited to 10 by the Federal Government.

GoCo is continuing to look after the elderly in our community. While the office doors are not open, services continue with GoCo still working to support clients and continuing to provide essential services to Home Care Package and Commonwealth Home Support Program clients, as well as essential transport services.

Waste Management Facility opening times have not changed. Council asks that people pay by eftpos, preferably tap and go, at the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility. Other rural waste facilities will continue to accept cash payments where card facilities are not available.

Please ensure you are only using the facility for essential reasons – general waste is a priority. Social distancing will also be enforced.

For a full list of changes to Gunnedah Shire Council services, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Gunnedah Shire Council is continuing to monitor and act on the situation daily, with the health and safety of Gunnedah Shire residents and council staff and customers as our first priority.

To help out our community, Gunnedah Shire Councillors has endorsed a move to freeze interest accrual against rates, fees and charges that are currently outstanding or may become outstanding.

Council has also agreed to cease the escalation of any outstanding accounts to formal debt recovery processes.

For more information about Coronavirus, visit or call:
• NSW Health – www.health.nsw.gov.au
• Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/
• Coronavirus Health Information Line - 1800 020 080

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

March 24, 2020

Gunnedah Shire Council continues to move into the orange stage of its yellow-orange-red Coronavirus Response Strategy while looking for ways to ease the stress on those already feeling the financial strain.

At an extraordinary meeting today, Gunnedah Shire Councillors endorsed a move to freeze interest accrual against rates, fees and charges that are currently outstanding or may become outstanding from today.

Council also agreed to cease the escalation of any outstanding accounts to formal debt recovery processes.
This will remain in place during the COVID-19 emergency response.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the move was an example of Council working to find solutions for local people.
“We are supporting and trying to maintain calm in the community as we deal with this unprecedented situation,” Cr Chaffey said.
“We will continue to monitor ways we can work with our community in this difficult time until we come out the other side and can resume the business of everyday life and building our future.”

Today:

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Elgin Street administration building is closed to the public from today, but people are encouraged to do Council business in other ways – you can still fill in forms, find information, make enquiries and pay bills via Bpay or Bpoint online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or on 02 6740 2100.

GoCo has also made changes, and its offices in Gunnedah, Tamworth, Kootingal, Nundle, Barraba and Narrabri are not open to the public. Its services will continue with GoCo still working to support clients and continuing to provide essential services to Home Care Package and Commonwealth Home Support Program clients, as well as essential transport services.

The Gunnedah Library will also provide non-contact services, but its doors will be closed to the public.
Cattle sales continue at this time. The Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association Ltd (ALPA) has announced that in line with health guidelines about the COVID-19 pandemic, only agents and buyers should attend cattle sales.

Waste Management Facility opening times have not changed. Council asks that people pay by eftpos, preferably tap and go, at the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility. Other rural waste facilities will continue to accept cash payments where card facilities are not available.

Please ensure you are only using the facility for essential reasons – general waste is a priority. Social distancing will also be enforced.

Tomorrow:

Public toilets at Brocks Court, Mullaley Road, Redbank Road and O’Keefe Pavilion will remain open with an increased cleaning regimen. Village toilets are under review.

Playgrounds will be closed as it is difficult to guarantee continuous cleaning of playgrounds and to prevent people congregating in them. Parks and sporting fields remain open for people to exercise while adhering to social distancing requirements.

Gunnedah Shire Council is continuing to monitor and act on the situation daily, with the health and safety of Gunnedah Shire residents and council staff and customers as our first priority.

Council urges people to ensure they are limiting the spread of the Coronavirus by following all government and health guidelines, including social distancing and hygiene practises.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

Afternoon Update 23 March, 2020

Further changes will come into effect for Gunnedah Shire Council services tomorrow as precautions increase against the Coronavirus pandemic. Following the Federal Government’s announcement of stricter measures, Council is encouraging people to use non-contact communication such as email, the internet and telephoning to carry out their council business.

Tomorrow:

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Elgin Street administration building will be closed to the public, but people can still fill in forms, find information, make enquiries and pay bills via Bpay or Bpoint online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or on 02 6740 2100. If you are unable to pay online, please just give us a call and we can talk you through the process or outline some other options to you.

GoCo has also made changes, and its offices in Gunnedah, Tamworth, Kootingal, Nundle, Barraba and Narrabri will not be open to the public. Its services will continue with GoCo still working to support clients and continuing to provide essential services to Home Care Package and Commonwealth Home Support Program clients, as well as essential transport services. More information is available at http://gococare.com.au/ or 02 6740 2240

The Gunnedah Library will also continue to provide a range of non-contact services from tomorrow, but its doors will be closed to the public – more details are to come on the range of services available.

Wednesday:

Gunnedah Shire Council is looking to make changes at the Shire’s parks and gardens, including playgrounds, sporting fields and public toilets on Wednesday.

More information will be available tomorrow.

Gunnedah Shire Council is continuing to monitor and act on the situation daily, with the health and safety of Gunnedah Shire residents and council staff and customers as our first priority.

Council’s three-stage approach as included in the Coronavirus Response Strategy is outlined below. Gunnedah Shire will continue to transition to the orange stage over the next two days.

For more information about Coronavirus, visit or call:

• NSW Health – www.health.nsw.gov.au
• Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/
• Coronavirus Health Information Line - 1800 020 080

 23 March, 2020

Following the Federal Government’s latest announcements increasing measures to fight the spread of Coronavirus, Gunnedah Shire Council will move to the orange stage of its Coronavirus Response Strategy over the next 48 hours.

Pubs, clubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, entertainment venues, nightclubs, places of worship and funerals across Australia are all being restricted from midday today, with restaurants and cafes to be restricted to takeaway and home delivery.

Today:

Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth said in practical terms, this meant the Gunnedah Memorial Pool would close at midday today, along with the Gunnedah Cultural Precinct, including the Bicentennial Art Gallery and the Visitor Information Centre.

The Visitor Information Centre will remain available via phone on 02 6740 2230.

The Civic Cinema is also closed.

At present, tuition is continuing at Gunnedah Conservatorium. Updates are being posted to the Conservatorium’s Facebook page and options for online tuition are being investigated.

Tomorrow:

Also on the agenda tomorrow is service changes to Gunnedah Shire Council’s Elgin Street administration centre, Gunnedah Library and GoCo.

Mr Groth emphasised that services for:

• General Council payments and enquiries will still be available online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au and on 02 6740 2100
• The Gunnedah Shire Library will have service changes from tomorrow, with more information to come later today
• GoCo’s essential services for older people will continue, with information online at http://gococare.com.au/ or 02 6740 2240.

The Federal Government has announced Australians should expect its new increased measures to be in place for at least six months. Schools remain open until further notice.

Gunnedah Shire Council is continuing to monitor and act on the situation daily, with the health and safety of Gunnedah Shire residents and council staff and customers as our first priority.

Gunnedah Shire will be moving to the orange stage over the next 48 hours.

For more information about Coronavirus, visit or call:

• NSW Health – www.health.nsw.gov.au
• Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/
• Coronavirus Health Information Line - 1800 020 080

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

March 20, 2020

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Continuity Management Team continues to keep a close eye on Coronavirus pandemic developments.

Through its Coronavirus Response Strategy, Council is constantly reviewing the latest information from health and government authorities to ensure we are across any new developments.

Our priorities are the health and welfare of Gunnedah Shire residents and the continuation of Gunnedah’s essential services provided by Council.

We strongly urge people to contact council by phone (02) 6740 2100 or email council@infogunnedah.com.au before coming to the Council offices in person. Many enquiries can be resolved over the phone and payments can also be made by phone and online using BPAY and BPoint.
This will help us all in our efforts to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

Please remember to keep supporting your local businesses when you can.

Keeping up with the news:

Gunnedah Shire Council will continue to provide you with information relating to our essential services, our community, changes to service delivery, cancellations for Council-run events and any other pressing information.

Keep an eye out for news on Council’s Facebook page and website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

For more information about Coronavirus and your health, you will need to visit or call:

• NSW Health – www.health.nsw.gov.au
• Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/
• Coronavirus Health Information Line - 1800 020 080

Further changes to services:

All council services are operating with increased hygiene measures in line with recommendations from NSW Health.

Further service changes under consideration with updates to be provided soon:

• Visitor Information Centre
• Gunnedah Memorial Swimming Pool
• Gunnedah Shire Library
• The Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

March 19, 2020

Gunnedah Shire Council has taken a proactive approach to the current pandemic, and has set up a Coronavirus Response Strategy to provide direction for navigating the unprecedented situation.

Council has also formed a specialised Continuity Management Team to monitor the changing situation and meet the challenges presented by the Coronavirus as best we can.

The team is reviewing advice daily from NSW Health and the Australian Government Department of Health to ensure Council is prepared and aims to continue to meet the need for essential services to the community throughout the pandemic.

We strongly urge people to contact council by phone (02) 6740 2100 or email council@infogunnedah.com.au before coming to the Council offices in person. Many enquiries can be resolved over the phone and payments can also be made by phone and online using BPAY.

This will help us all in our efforts to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

Keeping up with the news:

Gunnedah Shire Council will continue to provide you with information relating to our essential services, our community, changes to service delivery, cancellations for Council-run events and any other pressing information.

Keep an eye out for news on Council’s Facebook page and website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

For more information about Coronavirus and your health, you will need to visit or call:

• NSW Health – www.health.nsw.gov.au
• Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/
• Coronavirus Health Information Line - 1800 020 080
• Further cancellations and closures:
• Cancellation of Melbourne International Comedy Roadshow at Gunnedah Town Hall 15th June.
• Gunida Gunyah has made the decision to close the Pool Kiosk.
• Weeks of Speed: Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts Weeks of Speed Hillclimb 28th -29th March has been postponed to early September. 

Further closures under consideration with updates provided tomorrow

Changes to the following services are currently under consideration:

• Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre
• Gunnedah Memorial Swimming Pool

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

March 18, 2020

Following our initial update yesterday, Gunnedah Shire Council is continuing to review health advice regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and has put in place changes to meet guidelines for public safety. Gunnedah Shire Council general manager Eric Groth said Council was continuing to monitor the NSW Health site www.health.nsw.gov.au and liaising with other government agencies to ensure a best practice response.

Gunnedah Shire residents are encouraged to make Council payments online and use phone or email for any Council Enquiries. Where possible, please phone Council (02) 6740 2100 prior to presenting to the office in person.

These interim measures are in line with state and federal government advisories restricting non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people, outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people and social distancing of 1.5m between people at all times.

Changes to Council Services:

Council Facilities:

Any sporting groups, service clubs and other community organisations that need to cancel or postpone events at a Council facility due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation are asked to update Council about these changes. This will ensure an up to date record of facility use is maintained.

Justice of the Peace services at the Gunnedah Shire Library have been ceased.

Services at the Gunnedah Saleyard will continue following advice from industry body the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association (ALPA). The ALPA have emphasised the critical role of livestock auctions in the supply chain, and listed recommendations to minimise risk which Council will implement. In particular:

• It is strongly recommended non-essential participants, the general public and people who may be more susceptible to COVID-19 due to factors such as age and respiratory conditions do not attend livestock auctions.
• Anyone who does attend should maintain social distancing, refrain from shaking hands and ensure they maintain hygienic practices.
• These measures will be reviewed pending further advice from the ALPA or direction from the relevant Government body.

Community members are reminded not to visit any council facilities if:

• They are showing any signs of a cold or other illness, even if not COVID-19 related
• They are currently self-isolating due to illness, overseas travel or close contact with someone with Covid-19 or who is being quarantined.

Additional Event Cancellations:

Council has also been advised by the relevant community organisations of changes to the following events:

• Cancellation of Rotary West Debutante Ball
• Cancellation of the Catholic Debutante Ball
• The RSL has cancelled all upcoming ANZAC Day Ceremonies
• Cancellation of the 2020 Gunnedah Show
• Cancellation of Weeks of Speed events on Saturday 21st of March, including the Street Parade, Show ‘N’ Shine and activities at Gunnedah Speedway.
• Cancellation of Country Music Muster 24th to 28th March
• Gunida Gunyah has made the decision to close the Pool Kiosk. This will take effect from today.

For other community events held by other groups in the community, please continue to refer to the organisers.

For further information about COVID-19, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au 

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

March 25, 2020

While the doors might be closed, Gunnedah Library has a few surprises in its toolkit for people who are shop or housebound during the Coronavirus epidemic.

The library has an award-winning Housebound/Shopbound program that delivers books to your door once a fortnight for library members. If you are a member and would like to join the program, give the library a ring on 6740 2190.

Gunnedah Shire Library is also making books available free from their pop up library trolley for everyone outside the doors of the library in Conadilly Street. Pick one up and discover something new.

Activity packs for a range of ages (four to seven years; eight to 12 years and 13 + years) are also available on order. Please ring the library to order an activity bag for the relevant age group, and the staff will either deliver with the housebound books bags, or ask you to collect from outside the library doors. Place an order now to help keep your small people entertained at home with all sorts of things to make and do.

Gunnedah Shire Library has an impressive range of eResources members can access from home. Login to http://www.thecivic.com.au/ and click on Library. Under eResources are links to RBdigital eResources, World Trade Press and Haynes Manuals AllAccess.

Click on the RBDigital link to gain access to hundreds of magazines on different topics, and thousands of audio and eBook resources. Using this icon, you can search, check out, read or listen to a huge range of titles.

World Trade Press contains information about the culture, travel, language, and food for 174 countries of the world. It includes nine adult and five junior services.

For those who are into cars, Haynes Manuals AllAccess is a library of manuals covering a vast range of car and motorcycle makes and models, with up-to-date content including common repairs, routine maintenance and servicing procedures.

To join these resources, you will need your library membership number from your library card.

Library members, using their library card, can also access resources made available through the NSW State Library. By going to the State Library website [www.sl.nsw.gov.au] and Research and Collections – eBooks, you will find a wide range of books, both fiction and non-fiction, which can be downloaded. Take the opportunity to explore the collections of newspapers, manuscripts and oral history held by the State Library.

There are eBooks and audio books available through the free website [www.gutenberg.org] or the Australian [www.gutenberg.net.au]. These are titles published before 1955 and are therefore in the public domain.
If you have any enquiries, you can still ring the library on 6740 2190 to find out more

Audio E-book in the spotlight (from RBDigital):

Peace: by Garry Disher
Narrator: Steve Shanahan
Genre: Crime

Constable Paul Hirschhausen runs a one-cop station in the dry farming country south of the Flinders Ranges. He’s still new in town but the community work - welfare checks and working bees - is starting to pay off.

Now Christmas is here and, apart from a grass fire, two boys stealing a ute and Brenda Flann entering the front bar of the pub without exiting her car, Hirsch’s life has been peaceful. Until he’s called to a strange, vicious incident in Kitchener Street.

Sydney police ask him to look in on a family living outside town on a forgotten back road… Suddenly, it doesn’t look like a season of goodwill at all.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

March 24, 2020

From Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey:

Like the rest of Australia, Gunnedah Shire has been preparing itself for difficult days ahead. It’s an uncertain time and we all have a role to play to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our Shire.

Our entire community has been under continual pressure since 2016, and has shown remarkable resilience in drought. Our community has shown their genuine strength in not only battling through, but in most cases, growing stronger.

It is through the sheer determination of our farmers, industries, our business owners and our residents that Gunnedah has stayed economically solid, with much to look forward to.

Now, we are again in uncertainty. This pandemic has caused changes to our everyday lives. We need to rethink the way we do business, the way we socialise, the way we show care for other people.

Already in Gunnedah, this is happening. Innovation is underway in all areas of our economy and our community, with stories emerging of people not giving up, but finding ways to make the best of the situation. It is more than encouraging to hear of small businesses offering a new service that meets all the Corona guidelines and helps people out at the same time.

Please show compassion and kindness to those who are vulnerable, just making sure they are okay. When you are participating in daily activities like shopping for food, filling up the car with fuel and seeing children to and from school, please remain calm and respectful of each other and remember the social distancing rules.

I’m not making light of this situation. It is an extremely tough time for business, for employees, for employers, for renters, for investors, for those with health difficulties – Our entire community will be affected. All of our community needs to look after their health and that of their families – and where they can, support the businesses that are fighting to make a living. Recognising that we are all in this together will make it easier.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s first priority is the health and safety of our community. We are also committed to continuing the essential services we supply, and our Coronavirus Response Strategy provides us with a clear blueprint for making this happen.

We thank the many people who will continue to make life safer and easier – not only our health care professionals, but those who carry out all the daily services we require, those who are still at work to provide you with a cup of coffee or a meal – and all the people who are thinking ahead to make things work for Gunnedah.

Please follow all government and health directives to help us stop the spread of Coronavirus and keep your family and community safe.

To find out more about Gunnedah Shire Council services during this time, follow Gunnedah Shire Council on Facebook and visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

For more information about Coronavirus, visit or call:

• NSW Health – www.health.nsw.gov.au

• Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/

• Coronavirus Health Information Line - 1800 020 080

Stay safe.

- Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey

19 March, 2020

Fourteen Gunnedah Shire businesses will be able to explore new opportunities with the help of the latest round of the Business Partner Program.

Gunnedah Shire Council has approved $25,750 in funding for the 14 businesses which will include everything from new business establishment to machinery upgrades.

Gunnedah Business Partner Program advisory group chair Cr Ann Luke said there had been a large number of strong applications for this round of funding from a wide variety of industries.

“It’s been a tough time for businesses in Gunnedah with the drought and now the worldwide measures being taken to manage COVID-19,” Cr Luke said.

“It is really encouraging to see that Gunnedah Shire businesses are moving ahead with plans to start-up, grow and explore new expansion ideas.

“I’m really pleased that Council is able to support businesses and projects that benefit our economy and generate employment. We hope this financial contribution helps maintain our economic resilience.”

Major beneficiaries of the program this round are the View Street Takeaway and Springfield Woolshed, with funding also going to Crawford Boots, Reverence Sourdough, Glo Body Co, AMH Bookkeeping Service, BP Crane Contracting Pty Ltd, Raw Confetti, Soil Futures Consulting Pty Ltd, Montage Fotos, Wander + Collect, Juliette Scott Life Balance, Essence Natural Therapies and Fogarty Fotos.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle said the Business Partner Program provided valuable support to local businesses.
“This innovative Gunnedah program has successfully partnered more than 70 businesses in pursuing their plans,” Ms Hoddle said.

“More than $230,000 has been invested in building the local economy through the Business Partner Program and it shows we are believing in our own businesspeople.”
Council runs three rounds of the Business Partner Program each year.

Photo caption: Recipients of an earlier round of the Gunnedah Shire Council Business Partner Program.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.