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.

ENDS

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