30 October 2019

Gunnedah businesses are embracing new initiatives to bring the city Christmas dollar to drought-stricken regional New South Wales.

At least six local businesses have joined the Facebook/Instagram @BuyfromtheBush campaign which showcases products from towns facing drought.

Two have also joined the NSW Government’s Buy Regional hub, an online site that links to the websites of regional shops and sellers.

Martina Boyle, from Marval Designs, said she believed the Buy Regional hub was a fantastic initiative for rural New South Wales.

“It’s such a great idea,” Martina said. “Both the Buy Regional hub and the Buy from the Bush campaign are exactly what all of our small businesses need right now.

“Right across the country, people need to know that there are all these amazing things out here.”

Jodi Dolbel, from Enchanted on Conadilly, said she was stunned by the instant response to her listing on Buy Regional.

“I got to work the day after the listing went up and my inbox was full of sales,” Jodi said.

“That is awesome for the first day, it has far exceeded my expectations.

“City people are asking the question about what they can do to support us, and the answer is to buy from us.”

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle urged shops and sellers from the shire who were not part of the initiatives to look at joining.

“Strong small businesses go a long way to keeping our economy healthy,” she said.

“If you have a website, the Buy Regional initiative is a great option, and for those who have a social media presence, @BuyfromtheBush is getting a lot of attention.

“Our businesses have beautiful products on offer, and might be just the Christmas present someone from the city or outside our area is looking for. This can broaden our horizons and bring in some-much needed business.”

To find out more about Buy Regional, visit www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/regional-nsw/buy-regional-this-christmas/ or take a look at Buy from the Bush on Facebook or Instagram.

If you need assistance in starting an Instagram or Facebook account, contact Charlotte Hoddle at Gunnedah Shire Council on 6740 2100.

Photo caption: Susie Martin from Goodness & Gracious is a supporter of the Buy from the Bush campaign.

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Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

30 October 2019

Gunnedah Shire people have been invited to have their say about regional digital connectivity at a community drop-in session hosted by the NSW Government.

The event, to be held at the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery on Wednesday, November 6 from 5pm to 7pm, is an opportunity for people to learn more and have their say about digital connectivity.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle encouraged Gunnedah Shire residents to use the opportunity to make their experiences and their digital connectivity needs known.

“The session is part of the NSW Government’s Regional Digital Connectivity Program which includes $400 million investment in a faster and more reliable digital network to regional NSW,” Ms Hoddle said.

“The focus is on mobile coverage, internet and data, and farm and water digital needs.

“People who would like to learn more, or who want to be heard on these matters that are as critical here as they are in any other part of the state, should ensure they can go along.

“Digital connectivity is key to our economic growth and future, and we need to be on an equal platform with metropolitan businesses.”

Those who can’t make it to the session can still have a say by completing a survey at https://tinyurl.com/ConnectRegional or pick up a hard copy of the survey at Gunnedah Shire Council in Elgin Street or Service NSW centres including the centre at 387 Conadilly Street, Gunnedah.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

30 October 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council has wound up its NSW Small Business Month program, with about 150 people and 80 local businesses taking part in events.

The final event on the calendar was the Wellness for Working Women session held on Tuesday, October 29 at the Civic, with about 50 Gunnedah women enjoying the evening.

The event, hosted by Gunnedah Shire Council and supported by Country Horizons and Stylista Rista, was chaired by Ange McCormack from Country Horizons with a panel of businesswomen for a discussion.

This was followed by presentations from local people about self-care, self-belief and resilience. The evening finished with a performance by entertainer Sheila Work.

Tracie Finlay, of Just Country, said she had “absolutely loved” the Wellness for Working Women event.

“I loved the honesty of the presenters,” she said.

“It’s very hard to talk about yourself and hard to open up. That for me was just great.

“I’d love to see this event happen again.”

The NSW Small Business Month program included 13 events ranging from business breakfasts to workshops and webinars about various aspects of business.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle said it had been a comprehensive schedule of events held at an important time for local businesses.

“It is a difficult economic time, and these events were aimed at building resilience and skills to help keep our businesses growing and healthy,” Ms Hoddle said.

“Strong businesses of all sizes help secure the shire’s economic future, with the benefits felt right throughout the community.”

Photo caption: Gunnedah women enjoy the Wellness for Working Women event held as part of Gunnedah Shire Council’s NSW Small Business Month events.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

The Australia Day Working Group is calling for Expressions of Interest to cater for the annual Australia Day Dinner.

Saturday, 25 January 2020 at 7pm | GUNNEDAH TOWN HALL

To receive the specification document email council@infogunnedah.com.au or phone Council's Events & Engagement Officer Jacinta Cipolla (02) 6740 2113.

Quotation submissions close 5pm, Friday 15th, November 2019.

Eric Groth
General Manager

18 October 2019

Gunnedah has many talented women in the workplace, and Gunnedah Shire Council is helping build a network through the Wellness for Working Women event.

Gunnedah Shire Council Economic Development Officer Emily Wilson said the event was part of Council’s full program for NSW Small Business Month.

“Gunnedah has a really vibrant network of working women across a huge range of industries,” Ms Wilson said.

“Business can be hard for anyone and, along with our partners for this event, Country Horizons and Stylista Rista, we wanted to create an arena for people to talk about the challenges and the solutions. Sharing experiences can be very powerful.

“The themes for the event are maintaining resilience and self-belief.

“Along with the panel, the event will start with networking drinks and will be followed by short presentations from local businesswomen with tips on wellness for working women. There will also be stalls at the event, and the $15 ticket price will include refreshments and a gift bag.”

The evening will be chaired by Ange McCormack of Country Horizons, with Taylah Hudson of Wander + Collect, Renee Williams of Life in Alignment and Marie Low of Two Cats Creative on the panel.

Lifestyle sessions will be hosted by Ameliorate Yoga, Gunnedah Massage Therapies, Crossfit Gunnedah, The Skin Studio, N+K&E and Stylista Rista.

This will be followed by entertainment by Sheila Works.

Wellness for Working Women will start at 5.30pm at the Civic on Tuesday, October 29. Tickets are $15 and are available through sa2.seatadvisor.com, or take a look at the Facebook event page, Small Business Month: Wellness for Working Women.

Photo caption: The Wellness for Working Women event aims to bring together Gunnedah women to talk about resilience and self-belief.

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Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

18 October 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council is creating a planning blueprint for the next 20 years, but needs to hear exactly what is important to shire residents and businesses.

Work is starting on the Shire’s first Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS), the plan that will guide the future of Gunnedah Shire to 2040.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said this would be a key document for managing the use of the Shire’s land.

“We need to move into the next two decades with a clear plan of how we want our land use to look in 2040,” Cr Chaffey said.

“The Local Strategic Planning Statement will take into account exactly what is important to our residents and businesses. It will look at the mix of land use, the priorities we have for our Shire, and will create a vision for a community that is ready to take advantage of future opportunities.”

What is the LSPS?

• The Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) is a document that will:
• Determine how Gunnedah Shire Council will manage land in the Shire for the next 20 years
• Tell us how growth and change will be managed in the future
• Describe the special characteristics and community values of the area that should be retained
• Support the priorities of our Community Strategic Plan
• State agencies will use the LSPS to inform their infrastructure planning and service delivery for schools, hospitals and transport.

Have Your Say - You can get involved in a number of ways:

• Complete the Online Survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GunnedahLSPS
• Attend a Community Session at the Council’s Training Centre, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah NSW 2380. Numbers are limited to 2 per organisation. RSVP to planning@infogunnedah.com.au or phone: (02) 6740 2120  |  Friday 18 October, 12.00pm to 2.00pm
• Visit us at the Community Markets at Wolseley Oval, Conadilly Street, Gunnedah NSW - Saturday 19 October, 8.00am to 11.30am
• Use our online social pinpoint mapping tool at https://localeconsulting.mysocialpinpoint.com.au/gunnedah-lsps
• Email us at planning@infogunnedah.com.au
• ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

17 October, 2019

Eleven young Gunnedah people were given a special presentation by Gunnedah Shire Council today for their initiative in cleaning up graffiti.

“Muck-up Day” for Year 12 students had led to a mess at a Gunnedah park, and another group of students took the initiative to clean it up.

Jessie Betts, Ben Glennister, Coby Higgins, Taryn Maher, Chelsea McArthur, Ashleigh Mills, Helena Pease, Desmond Tuckerman, Zac West, Angelica White and Ashley White were presented with certificates today in recognition of their community spirit.

“We understand the end of school can be a reason for celebration and these things happen on muck-up day,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“What doesn’t happen so often is a group of young people getting together to clean it up.

“These are the sorts of actions that make us feel positive about the future. This shows leadership and initiative and is part of what makes Gunnedah the great place it is.”

Cr Chaffey also wished Year 12 Gunnedah Shire students all the best in their HSC exams which start today.

Photo caption: Students with their community spirit certificates following a presentation at Gunnedah Shire Council. Absent: Taryn Maher, Chelsea McArthur and Ashley White.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

17 October 2019

Spin yourself until you’re dizzy, compare your reflexes to a Formula 1 driver and see your fingertips under the microscope with the Shell Questacon Science Circus.

The Gunnedah Town Hall will be overflowing with exciting hands-on science exhibits when the Science Circus and their colourful semi-trailer roll into town for an exhibition of their “pop-up” science centre.

The Gunnedah Pop-up Science Centre will be held at Gunnedah Town Hall on Wednesday, October 23 from 4-7pm.

“This is an opportunity for hands-on science and technology experience that is great fun,” Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Communications and Cultural Services Eliza Gallen said.

“This is a really exciting program for students and means they can learn more about STEM areas with a range of interactive science shows including flying rockets, freezing cold liquid nitrogen and gooey slime.”

The Science Circus comprises 16 postgraduate students studying a Master of Science Communication (Outreach) at The Australian National University. The students tour with the Science Circus around Australia engaging people with science and technology through visits to communities.

The Shell Questacon Science Circus is an initiative of Shell, The Australian National University and Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre.

Admission is: adult $6, students/concession $5, family $18, children under 5 and Q Club members free. Tickets are available on entry. There will be a small shop.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Photo caption: The Pop-Up Science Centre will bring a host of interactive exhibits to Gunnedah.

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

17 October 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council will respond to the challenges of this unprecedented drought with a one-off program to answer the urgent needs of the community through the year ahead and help stimulate the economy of the Shire.

Councillors yesterday voted unanimously to prioritise $1 million this financial year for a Community Resilience Program and will lobby the State and Federal governments to match that amount.

Council will also allocate an additional $200,000 to put towards new initiatives, community consultation and look at emergency assistance for people in crisis, and will look at employing a co-ordinator to drive and oversee the program.

“Our farmers are facing incredibly tough times, sometimes in isolation as they struggle to keep the property together,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“But the effects of this drought also go far beyond the farm gate. There would not be many small or large businesses that are not feeling the impact, and not many families who remain unaffected.

“Council has taken this unprecedented step of setting aside $1 million to establish the most practical, immediate way to help both those directly under the thumb of the drought and to stimulate the economy in our Shire during this time.

“Gunnedah Shire is leading the way for local government with this initiative.

“The Community Resilience Program will allow us to look at the whole breadth of drought impacts across Gunnedah Shire and to answer those needs in the best way we can.

”The State and Federal governments have already allocated millions of dollars to drought relief. With this program, we are looking at working together to address the very specific needs of our shire and to ensure the people who want to live and work here can continue to do so. “

Photo caption: Gunnedah in drought – Gunnedah Shire Council is implementing a new program to support the people and businesses of the Shire.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

17 October 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council has approved an operational model for the new $6.48 million Gunnedah Koala Park and Hospital that will feature themed accommodation, a restaurant/function area and a ropes course and an international volunteer program.

Councillors yesterday voted to approve a model and location for the Koala Park.

A 50 acre bush setting with its entrance on the Oxley Highway has been chosen as the preferred location after extensive review by both Council and the proposed operator, the CaPTA Group.

Other features of the concept include plans for Gunnedah’s own big koala at the entrance to the park. The giant koala will be a tourist attraction in its own right, joining Australia’s other famous super-sized items such as the Big Prawn and the Big Banana.

The site will also include a eucalyptus plantation, mini-golf, an education centre, and a crocodile enclosure.

“This project is on a scale that is new to Gunnedah and will secure the Shire’s place as a tourism destination for both the domestic and international market,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“It will also mean we are taking steps to care for our koala population, and we are helping to educate generations about the native species that has made us the Koala Capital of the World.

“There is still a lot of work to be done before Gunnedah Koala Park becomes a reality, but we now have in place the funding, the experience and expertise in the form of the CaPTA Group, a preferred location, a feasible operational model for the park.

“This is a truly exciting project for our Shire that could have both significant conservation and economic benefits. Estimates have shown the koala park is likely to attract about 70,000 visitors each year and inject millions into our local economy.

“The preferred location is council-owned. The park is likely to be leased to a non-profit organisation to be established including experienced CaPTA representatives and local representatives. This is the perfect solution for the primary purpose of caring for sick and injured wildlife and will support corporate and private donations towards the hospital.

“We are looking forward to working with CaPTA to bring this project closer to reality.”

Gunnedah Koala Park fast facts:

• The Gunnedah Koala Park project has secured $6.48 million through the NSW Government’s Regional Social Benefit Infrastructure Fund
• The park site and infrastructure will be owned by Gunnedah Shire Council
• Following an expressions of interest process, Council has signed a memorandum of understanding with the CaPTA Group, an experienced tourism operator
• A preferred location has been approved on the Oxley Highway in Gunnedah
• Gunnedah Koala Park will include a koala and wildlife hospital, wildlife park, themed accommodation, a restaurant/function/education area, a ropes course and mini golf course
• The design includes a big koala at the entrance to the park and a eucalyptus plantation on the site
• There are plans in future stages to include an Indigenous history education/showcase area
• Themed accommodation on-site
• An international volunteer program
• About 70,000 people are expected to visit the park each year
• It is envisaged the park will operate through a lease with a new non-profit organisation made up of CaPTA representatives and local representatives
• The hospital would be staffed by a mix of paid staff and volunteers
• CaPTA is known for creating an immersive, free-range experience where visitors can have up-close experience with the animals
• There are plans to include a crocodile enclosure. The park would also feature two walk through bird aviaries, macropod, dingo, wombat, nocturnal animal and reptile enclosures alongside the main attraction – the koala area.

Photo caption: The preferred site for the new Gunnedah Koala Park.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.