25 March, 2026

Local Government NSW Rural and Regional Summit

Mayor Colleen Fuller OAM, Cr Ann Luke, Cr Tammey McAllan and Cr Cameron Moore will represent Gunnedah Shire Council at the Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Rural and Regional Summit on 7 May in Sydney.

LGNSW represents Councils across the state and the summit brings councils and community leaders together to explore the critical issues shaping rural and regional NSW.

Topics discussed will include water security and resilience, drought impacts, response and building resilience and rural health. The program will also include a session of Special Rate Variations (SRV) including a presentation from Mayor Colleen Fuller OAM on Gunnedah’s recent experience with implementation of an SRV.

Draft Petition Policy

Council’s draft Petition Policy is on public exhibition for 28 days.

The draft policy was developed to provide a clear, consistent process for the consideration of petitions by Council, and to ensure petitions are handled transparently and effectively.

This Policy applies to:

• All petitions submitted to Gunnedah Shire Council for the Council’s consideration;
• All persons submitting petitions; and
• All Councillors and Council staff who deal with petitions.

The policy does not apply to petitions prepared by members of the community, or by Council, for submission to other jurisdictions.

The draft Petition Policy is on public exhibition at Council’s office at 63 Elgin Street and online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Submissions should be received no later than 5pm on Thursday, 15 April, 2026.

2028 Swimming NSW Country Regional Meet – Funding Request

Following a request from Swimming NSW to host the 2028 Swimming NSW Country Regional Meet at the Gunnedah Memorial Swimming Pool, Council has resolved to put the following resolution on public exhibition for 28 days:

1. That Council support the request from Swimming NSW to host the 2028 Swimming NSW Country Regional Meet to be held at the Gunnedah Memorial Swimming Pool.
2. That Council approve a financial contribution of $10,000 + GST to Swimming NSW to assist with planning, marketing, logistical and operational costs associated with delivering the event, via an additional $14,055.50 drawn from General Fund to the Tourism Community Programs and Events Operational Budget for 2027/28.
3. That Council provide additional support at the equivalent value of $4,055.50 (2025/26 fees and charges) through:
   1. covering venue hire fees for the local Olympic-size swimming pool for the duration of the event; and
   2. covering pool entry fees for all event participants and accredited officials at the value of $1,800 (2025/26 Fees and charges).
4. That Council note the estimated total direct economic value of approximately $314,719 to the local economy, based on current sports tourist spend assumptions and visitation estimates.
5. That Council endorse the promotion of local accommodation, visitor information, and tourism experiences through Swimming NSW's event marketing channels.
6. That Council authorise staff to advise Swimming NSW of Council's decision for the confirmation of host locations in 2028.
7. That Council note the current EOI process for an external pool operator and require that event access, pricing (including value in kind), dates, and operational needs for the Meet are addressed in contract negotiations with the successful operator.
8. That following the event, Council receives a Post-Event Acquittal Report from Swimming NSW detailing participation, economic outcomes, and event impacts.
9. Place the above financial assistance on 28-day public exhibition in accordance with Section 356 of the NSW Local Government Act 1993, and the financial assistance be endorsed if no submissions are received.

Resolution 6.3/26 is on public exhibition at Council’s office at 63 Elgin Street and online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Submissions should be received no later than 5pm on Thursday, 15 April, 2026.

S356 Grants - Arts & Cultural, Community & Sporting, Access Incentive review

Council’s S356 Arts and Cultural, Community and Sporting, and Access Incentive grants will be combined into a single grants program with new guidelines.

Council resolved:

1. That Council endorse combining the three current Section 356 Small Grants programs into a single grants program as follows:-
2. That Council retains the current funding allocations;
3. The minimum $500 and maximum $5,000 grant sizes (GST free) remains;
4. There are nil requirement for co-contributions from applicants;
5. Eligibility for the program requires provision of public value to Gunnedah Shire residents;
6. An outcome letter is to be provided to successful grant applicants;
7. Requests for fee waivers to use Council facilities or services are ineligible; and
8. Expected outcomes include that the grant programs are fully allocated each year
9. With a written report on acquittal being brought back to Council.
10. That should Council agree to the parameters outlined above, that staff bring a revised Grant Guideline back to Council for endorsement at the April 2026 Ordinary Meeting of Council.

Nominations for Access, Crime Prevention & Youth Working Groups

Three of Council’s working groups have gained new members following Council endorsement.

Lyn Gaynor will join the Access Working Group as an organisation representative from Challenge Disability Services, Gunnedah and Jodie McNamara will join the Crime Prevention Working Group as an organisation representative from Homes North Community Housing, Tamworth.

Shandi-Lee Reti will join the Youth Working Group as an organisation representative from Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, Gunnedah.

Anzac Day memorial service

Councillors and Council’s Local Traffic Advisory Committee have endorsed a number of temporary road closures in Gunnedah and Curlewis for Anzac Day commemoration services, subject to approval by NSW Police.

• Gunnedah - Conadilly Street between Marquis and Abbott streets from 4:30am to 6:30am for the Anzac Day dawn service.
• Gunnedah - Gunnedah between Chandos and Abbott streets, and Marquis Street between Conadilly and Little Conadilly streets from 10am to 12:30pm for the Anzac Day march.
• Curlewis - Goran Street between Railway and Brown streets, and Pike Street between Donaldson and Goran streets from 4:30am to 6:30am for the Anzac Day dawn service, and 8am to 12:30pm for the Anzac Day march.

2026 Local Roads Congress

Councillors Rob Hooke and Robert Hoddle will accompany Council’s Director Infrastructure Services to the 2026 Local Roads Congress at NSW Parliament House on Monday, 1 June.

The 2026 Local Roads Congress is an annual event for local government to join together to discuss policy changes, challenges and constraints within the NSW local roads network. The congress provides a forum for NSW council executive staff and elected officials to discuss policy issues with NSW state Ministers in order to optimise road and transport outcomes across the state.

Chandos Street roundabout recurring damage

Following a notice of motion, a report will be prepared for Council's consideration outlining the budget required to enable a concept plan to be developed for the Chandos/Conadilly Street roundabout that is:

1. Sympathetic to the surrounding streetscape;
2. Incorporates public art features and/or greenery; and
3. Balances the need to ensure appropriate roadside environment exists in the High Pedestrian Activity Zone with repeated damage to the brick walls and downtime when damage occurs from errant vehicles.

General Manager Contract

Eric Groth has signed a new employment contract committing to a further five years as General Manager of Gunnedah Shire Council following a Council resolution that Council:

1. Make an offer of a new contract of employment to the General Manager in accordance with Clause 5 - Renewal of appointment, subclause 5.2;
2. That the terms of the offer be in accordance with the terms of the current contract for a period of 5 years from the date of signing of the new contract; and
3. That the Mayor be authorised to execute the new contract with the General Manager.

Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex update

It was resolved that Council:

1. Receive and note the report on Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex Update provided in relation to the management of the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex;
2. Proceed to a selective tender process with the following EOI respondents:
   1. Leisure and Recreation Group
   2. Belgravia Leisure
3. That the following EOI respondents be declined an opportunity to tender:
   1. IVG Global Pty Ltd
   2. PK's Pool Care Pty Ltd
4. Subject to the NSW Local Government Act 1993, Section 55 (3)(n)(ii) which relates to tendering of services being provided by employees of Council, ensure the tender documents include provisions that would allow Council to:
   1. not accept any tenders, and
   2. enter into direct negotiations for the services with the preferred respondent, on the basis the negotiations are undertaken within the intent of the tender specifications.
5. Bring a report to Council on the outcomes of the tender process for Council to consider; and
6. Continue to defer any action in relation to Council Resolution 2.3/25 (Gunnedah Memorial Pool Aquatic Complex Funding Agreements).

Caption: A number of temporary street closures will be put in place for Anzac Day services.

Click here to view March Ordinary Meeting Agenda and Minutes.

ENDS

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