22 May, 2025

Seventeen members approved for new Youth Working Group

Gunnedah Shire Council has approved 17 people to become members of the new Youth Working Group.

They are: Neville Adams, Joanna Biggar, Jessica Blair, Michael Broekman, Phoebe Dowling, Cassandra Dunstan, Lisa Hagley, Kel Harrison, Tyler Harrison, Angie Hickey, Cloey Kook, Emma Pearson, Tara Small, Shannon Thorsby, Natalie Walters, Neiva Walton and Dr Sarah Woodford.

Members will continue on the working group for a term of two years, with further nominations to be considered in coming months.

The working group will provide a forum for discussion of youth issues and provide advice and recommendations on youth matters. It will also be a forum for young people to develop skills in areas including leadership, communication, advocacy, governance and administration, and will partner with other organisations and community members to assist in the delivery of youth programs and initiatives.

Community members join committee and working group

Council has appointed two community representatives to the Gunnedah Flood Risk Management Committee at the May Council Meeting.

Denise Roberts and Paul Smallpiece will join Councillors Tammey McAllan and Robert Hooke on the committee that will support flood studies and plans being delivered in the Gunnedah Local Government Area.

Council also endorsed a recommendation for Marc Eisenhauer to join the Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group.

Council to investigate holding Christmas Fair

Gunnedah Shire Council will investigate the costs and details involved with holding a Christmas Fair in 2025.

Council passed a resolution at the May meeting calling for a report into a Christmas Fair to bring the community together to celebrate Christmas 2025.

A report will be presented to a future Council meeting.

Information Day for Koala Sanctuary

Gunnedah Shire Council will also look at the possibility of holding an Information Day at the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary to mark the completion of stage two.

Councillors endorsed a motion calling for a Council report into hosting an Information Day. The report will be presented to a future Council meeting.

Riding for the Disabled financial assistance on public exhibition

A Council resolution to endorse one-off financial assistance to Riding for the Disabled Gunnedah to cover the group’s licence fee for the Alford Road Licence Agreement allowing horses to use a paddock in Alford Road.

The assistance is in the amount of $607.14 for the 2024-25 financial year.

The resolution will be on public exhibition for 28 days, and can be viewed in full with links for submissions on the Draft Documents & Exhibition section of Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Council to support call for drug and alcohol detoxification centre

Gunnedah Shire Council will write to the NSW Premier, the NSW Minister for Health, and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson to advocate for the repurposing of the soon-to-be vacant Banksia building at Tamworth Base Hospital into a drug and alcohol detoxification centre.

In a Mayoral Minute at the May Council Meeting, Mayor Colleen Fuller said Councillors had a responsibility to represent their community’s needs and to advocate on behalf of their health, safety and wellbeing.

“Our community deserves access to these very important services in a timely manner, and in a location that is relatively close to home,” Cr Fuller said.

Council supports motion re Intervalley Pipeline Plan

Council has endorsed a motion to be submitted to the Murray Darling Association meeting to be held on 22 May.

The motion is: “In relation to Water NSW’s planning options to augment Tamworth City water supply, Gunnedah Shire Council does not believe that an option involving taking water from Keepit Dam or Split Rock Dam is an appropriate or effective solution. Gunnedah Shire calls on the Murray Darling Association to support and endorse the position of Gunnedah Shire that new infrastructure is the appropriate solution, and especially the augmentation of Dungowan Dam in respect of Tamworth’s water needs.”

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council will look at the possibility of holding an Information Day at the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary to mark the completion of stage two.

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

21 May 2025

It is National Volunteer Week 2025 – a great time to celebrate everything volunteers do for our community!

Gunnedah Shire is home to people who are more likely to put their hands up for volunteering than your average New South Wales Shire – 17.1% of the population compared to 15.5% statewide.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller said volunteers enriched our lifestyle in Gunnedah Shire.

“We have selfless and passionate people who volunteer in sporting organisations, cultural organisations and community organisations,” Cr Fuller said. “And there are people who volunteer to help in vital roles that keep us safe and healthy.

“Volunteers contribute so much to our every-day lives by generously sharing their knowledge and skills, and we thank them.”

Volunteers help at GoCo Community Care in many ways, including driving seniors to appointments, offering friendly chats and helping at events.

GoCo Executive Manager Bruce Mercer said volunteers made a difference to the lives of many clients.

“Our volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do,” Mr Mercer said. “We thank every one of our volunteers for the huge range of things they do.

“We know the satisfaction they get from helping others plays a role in their lives too. And there is always room for more volunteers!”

Gunnedah Shire Library also benefits from the work of volunteers who help bring the benefits of reading, studying and social gatherings to our Shire.

Librarian Christiane Birkett said volunteers made the Library an even better place to be by assisting in a huge range of tasks – including being part of this week’s National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday!

Volunteers also play a vital role on our working groups and committees, including on Village Progress Associations and Hall Committees.

If you would like to make a difference at GoCo, you can fill in a Volunteer Application Form available on GoCo’s website at https://gococare.com.au/ If you would like to volunteer at Gunnedah Shire Library, please talk to Library staff or email council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

National Volunteer Week 2025 runs from Monday, 19 May to Sunday, 25 May.

Captions:

Library volunteer Di Doohan reads to children at National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 this week.

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

20 May, 2025

Local artists are invited to submit creative works for Gunnedah’s annual exhibition in celebration of national NAIDOC Week.

This year’s National NAIDOC Week (6-13 July) marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations, heralding the 2025 theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”.

Artists, hobbyists, schools, organisations and individuals are encouraged to come together and explore the theme which is the celebration of achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.

Gunnedah Shire Council Team Leader Cultural Precinct Danny Hankinson said he was looking forward to seeing the way in which locals interpret this year’s theme.

“Gunnedah’s NAIDOC exhibitions have showcased some amazing artworks over the years in a wide variety of mediums, from the more traditional such as woodwork, paintings and textiles, through to quirky creations such as painted thongs and skateboards,” he said.

“The works have been wonderfully eclectic and invite engagement with the community.”

Artist submissions open at 9am on Monday, 23 June and close at 3pm on Sunday, 29 June. Artworks will need to be delivered to the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery (81 Chandos Street) with a completed Artist Submission Form. Submission forms are available on the Civic website: www.thecivic.com.au/art--exhibitions.

Gunnedah’s NAIDOC Week Art Exhibition will open at 1pm on Friday, 4 July.

Caption: Works from last year’s Gunnedah NAIDOC Exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

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

 15 May 2025

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has approved Gunnedah Shire Council’s application to increase rates above the rate peg.

Gunnedah Shire Council was one of six New South Wales councils to request a Special Rate Variation.

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Colleen Fuller said Council had identified that a Special Rate Variation was needed to address Council’s financial sustainability and maintain essential community infrastructure and service levels.

“Like the majority of councils across New South Wales, Gunnedah Shire Council has found the NSW rate peg, cost shifting and rapidly rising expenses has not allowed rates to keep pace with costs,” Cr Fuller said.

“To ensure the sustainability of our Council and the services and infrastructure it provides, Councillors voted to begin a conversation with our community about a potential rate variation in June last year.

“The proposed variation was amended to reflect the extensive community feedback and Council committed to an application to seek a permanent Special Rate Variation in November 2024.”

The application was submitted to IPART, who undertook their own extended period of consultation. IPART received only 18 submissions relating to the Gunnedah Shire application, and 195 survey responses. For comparison, the Northern Beaches Council submission prompted 558 submissions and 2,685 survey responses. Federation Council, which has a slightly smaller population than Gunnedah Shire, received 129 submissions and 535 survey responses.

IPART also approved Council’s application to increase the maximum value of the Minimum Rate to be in line with increase proposed by the Special Rate Variation.

IPART noted it had considered applications in accordance with the Office of Local Government’s criteria and considered all feedback ahead of its decision.

Council has been granted approval for a permanent cumulative Special Rate Variation of 37.67% over two years commencing from 1 July 2025. This applies only to the rates portion of the bill (usually listed as the first item e.g. “Residential Gunnedah”) and not the separately listed essential charges such as waste, water and sewerage.

The Special Rate Variation is to be applied based on:

• a 32.25% cumulative increase (21.80% above rate peg) applied to the Residential, Business, Farmland rating categories, and
• an 85.13% cumulative increase (64.33% above rate peg) applied to the Mining rating category.

The yearly increases would be applied as follows:

These values include a rate peg of 4.7% in Year 1 and 3.5% in Year 2. The SRV is 26.47% above the rate peg limit.

“This has been a difficult path to take given the rising cost of living and our commitment to supporting our community,” Cr Fuller said. “However, IPART’s decision will allow Gunnedah Shire Council to go forward in the certainty that we can continue to provide the Shire with the services and infrastructure it values.

“We were pleased to be told by IPART that Council’s application had articulated the need for the Special Rate Variation well and we have received approval in full for both the Special Rate Variation and associated Minimum Rate increase.

“In the past few years, Gunnedah Shire Council has made a concerted effort to identify cost savings to delay the need for a Special Rate Variation. Every effort will continue to be made to streamline operations and find ways to save money and improve efficiency in accordance with Council’s resolved position to strive to achieve $930,000 of savings and efficiency gains.

“Council also resolved to freeze increases to Sewerage and Waste Management annual charges during the Special Rate Variation implementation period to help reduce the impact of the Special Rate Variation on ratepayers.”

The Special Rate Variation will take effect in the new financial year.

To find out more, or to use our special rates calculator, visit: www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/council/the-future-of-gunnedah/proposed-special-rate-variation

To view the Instruments of Approval and full report on the Special Rate Variation, click here: https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/node/973?review_id=1869

Ratepayers with queries or concerns are encouraged to contact Council’s Customer Service team on (02) 6740 2100.

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

13 May 2025

Gunnedah Shire Council will hold a number of community pop-up sessions and workshops throughout the Shire to consult with people ahead of development of a new 10-year Waste Management Strategy.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Waste, Sheridan Cameron, said community input was key to understanding people’s needs when it came to managing waste.

“The management of waste is a key role for any Council,” Mrs Sheridan said. “Our Shire covers nearly 5000 square kilometres, including beautiful natural areas and towns.

“At the moment, we are looking at Rural Waste Management Services and how we can address waste challenges into the future. It is critical to get this right, not only to provide the right services at an affordable rate for our community, but to do so in a responsible way that won’t leave problems for future generations.

“We are talking to people across the Shire, particularly in the villages, to find out how they use services and determine the best way forward for our rural waste management.”

The community pop-ups will last for two hours and residents are able to come along at any time during that session. The community workshops will last for an hour and will include light refreshments. Both types of sessions are free.

Rural Waste Management Services Community Pop-Ups will be held at:
• Carroll Showground on Monday, 2 June at 9-11am
• Kelvin Hall on Monday, 2 June at 1-3pm
• Emerald Hill Hall on Monday, 2 June at 1-3pm
• Tambar Springs Hall on Tuesday, 3 June at 9-11am
• Breeza Hall on Tuesday, 3 June at 12-2pm.

 Rural Waste Management Community Workshops will be held at:
• Mullaley Hall on Monday, 2 June at 6-7pm
• Curlewis Hall on Tuesday, 3 June at 5-6pm
• The Civic meeting room, Gunnedah, on Tuesday, 3 June at 7-8pm.

Gunnedah Shire Council held a series of waste education and composting sessions in March and April, and a Gunnedah Rural Waste Services Survey in March to help inform the development of the Waste Management Strategy.
To find out more, call Gunnedah Shire Council on (02) 6740 2100.

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

12 May 2025

Ten years ago, the Gunnedah Shire Library was approached with the idea of running sessions to exercise the brain through puzzles and games - and Brain Training was born!

The program, originally proposed by Jenni Carlin who worked for GoCo at the time, has gone on to win awards including: the 2016 Voice of the Customer Award for Outstanding Performance to the Brain Training Team; short-listed for NSW Local Government Excellence Awards in 2016; and Highly Commended in the Local Government Excellence Awards in 2020.
The program has also been adopted at libraries, nursing homes and retirement villages across Australia.

Gunnedah Shire Council Librarian Christiane Birkett said the library was celebrating the 10th anniversary of Brain Training in May with a presentation to the people who have been training their brains at the Library for a decade!

“There are many proven benefits of brain training – it keeps you problem-solving, keeps you thinking, it’s a social activity, and it is great fun,” Mrs Birkett said.

“We are really proud to have pioneered this program in conjunction with GoCo, and are happy to be celebrating a whole decade of Brain Training.

“We thank the many, many people who have joined us for sessions during those 10 years, including the people who have been with us from the first day. It has been a true success story for the Gunnedah Shire Library and the Gunnedah community.”

A total of about 50 people a week currently take part in sessions that are held at Gunnedah Shire Library, Oak Tree Retirement Village, Lundie House and Alkira. It is also delivered to some house-bound participants.

Over the decade, Gunnedah Shire Library has presented workshops and talks about Brain Training and staff from other facilities have visited Gunnedah to “shadow” a session with a view to implementing it themselves.

The program is adapted for different purposes, but includes brain activities such as visual, non-dominant hand activity that assists with fine motor skills, creativity, memory, vocabulary, word association, number skills, concentration, number skills, general knowledge, teamwork, brain health, cyber safety, logic, pattern recognition, physical health, mental health. Activities include puzzles such as mazes, join-the-dots, find-the-objects, word games, number pyramids, colouring-in with the non-dominant hand, trivia questions, spot-the-difference, and more.

Once a month, the sessions feature Senior Engagement Talks with a guest speaker presenting on issues of special interest to seniors such as Meals on Wheels, Fire Safety, winter health, dealing with ageing and grief, documentation necessary as people get older such as power of attorney, enduring health care, etc. This activity was awarded the 2024 Innovations in Outreach Services Award through the NSW Public Libraries Association.

Captions:

(From left) Jenni Carlin, Librarian Christiane Birkett, Marg Harwood, Mayor Colleen Fuller, Jean Clark, Jude Appleyard, Fiona Mac Dougall, Annette Marshall and (front) Library staff Fiona Sills and Gina Torrens celebrate 10 years of Brain Training with certificates presented to those who have been attending for 10 years.

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

7 May 2025

Gunnedah Shire’s popular gift card program is now digital, and just in time for Mother’s Day.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater said going digital was a welcome step forward for the long-running program, making it easier than ever to support local businesses.

“As more and more people use smart devices to pay for purchases, it made sense to ensure Gunny Money can be used wherever and whenever people choose,” she said.

“Physical cards can still be purchased, but digital cards will give people freedom to purchase online and receive an SMS directly to their phone or the person they are gifting the card to.”

With more than 100 outlets signed up to the program, Ms Frater said there were plenty of places for mums, grans, nans, grandmas and the special people in your life to use the gift cards.

“The beauty of Gunny Money is that it can be used at a wide variety of businesses, from cafes to florists to boutiques to hardware stores, so it’s the ideal gift for Mother’s Day, and other special occasions,” Ms Frater said.

The gift cards are also a popular choice for teacher presents, staff bonuses and incentives, staff Christmas presents and raffle prizes.

Gunny Money has already injected more than $750,000 into the Gunnedah Shire economy, ensuring the money is spent at local businesses that are registered with the card. For a list of participating businesses, visit www.whyleavetown.com/community/gunny-money-gunnedah

Digital gift cards incur a small fee. They can be purchased online at www.whyleavetown.com/product/gunnedah-digital-gift-card

Physical Gunny Money gift cards can be purchased at:

• Why Leave Town: whyleavetown.com/purchase-online
• Gunnedah Shire Council
• Visitor Information Centre

Caption: Posies’ Jess Kelly is now set up for the new digital Gunny Money gift cards.

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

7 May, 2025

Gunnedah Shire Council has been named as a finalist in two categories of the 2025 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.

The awards, run by Local Government Professionals Australian NSW, celebrate outstanding achievements and promote innovation and continuous improvement within NSW local government.

Gunnedah Shire Council Governance Officer Sienna Miller has been named as a finalist for the Emerging Leader Award, a highly competitive category recognising a rising star aged 35 or under who is working in local government.

Sienna, 20, joined Gunnedah Shire Council in late 2022 after completing high school at St Mary’s College. She began as a Trainee and quickly became a Business Support Officer in Customer Service, then Governance, and is now a Governance Officer.

Her nomination recognises Sienna’s professionalism, her capability and the valuable role she plays within Gunnedah Shire Council.

Gunnedah Shire is also a finalist in the Borderless Communities Award for the Kamilaroi Highway Group: Seven Councils, One Remarkable Journey. This award recognises councils who have established collaborative agreements with neighbouring areas to implement practical actions to improve social, economic and wellbeing outcomes for their community.

The Kamilaroi Highway Group is a collaboration of seven local government areas to promote the adventure that comes from travelling the Kamilaroi Highway from the mountains to the plains. The councils have partnered to not only make this journey a seamless one for travellers, but to ensure people know just what each Shire has to offer as they make their way along the highway.

Gunnedah Shire General Manager Eric Groth said Council was honoured to be included among the finalists for the prestigious awards.

“We have a Shire with so much to offer, and staff who are dedicated and passionate about sharing their knowledge with other people and other Councils,” Mr Groth said.

“The Kamilaroi Highway Group is a great example of how a number of local government bodies can work together to produce a great experience for people who don’t need to know where one boundary meets another – they just want to enjoy the journey.

“It is wonderful to see these seven Councils working so well together.
“I would also like to congratulate Sienna Miller, who is an inspiring young staff member. She is a very worthy finalist in the Emerging Leader Award and also a very valuable member of our Council team.”

The winners of the 2025 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards will be announced at a dinner on Thursday, 5 June, 2025.

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

6 May 2025

Fresh comedy will be served up in Gunnedah when the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow returns in its 27th year.

Quick-witted host Jake Howie and comedians Ben Kochan, Janty Blair, Ting Lim and Zack Dyer will take to the stage at the Gunnedah Town Hall on Thursday, 12 June from 7:30pm.

Ben Kochan loves a bit of silliness and has supported the likes of Dave Hughes, Tom Gleeson and Wil Anderson, while Ting Lim is known for her dry, sarcastic observations and has starred on Kitty Flanagan’s comedy series Fisk.

Meanwhile, Butchulla, Mununjali and Woppaburra woman Janty Blair will bring her unique flair to the stage, and self-confessed bogan Zack Dyer will entertain with his absurd observations and stories about growing up in a working class family in North Queensland.

Team Leader Cultural Precinct Danny Hankinson said the roadshow always guaranteed a great night out and encouraged locals to save the date.

“The Roadshow allows locals to hear the best of Aussie and international humour right here in our own Shire,” he said.

“If you’re looking for an excuse to meet up with your mates, or a relaxed evening of light-hearted entertainment, get online and book your tickets now.”

Doors open at 6.30pm and the show starts at 7.30pm. Full bar facilities and hot food will be available for purchase at the event. Tickets for the show are $45 per seat.

To book tickets, visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1379835
Performances may contain coarse language, sexual references and material that can offend. It is recommended for people aged 16 years or older.

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Caption: Comedian Jake Howie will host the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow in Gunnedah.

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