24 September 2026
Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Cr Colleen Fuller OAM has been re-elected as Mayor and Cr Robert Hooke has been elected as Deputy Mayor in a Council election conducted using open voting (show of hands). This method enabled the participation Councillor Newell, who was attending the meeting via audio-visual link.
Cr Fuller was elected for a two-year term in line with the Local Government Act 1993, which also requires mayoral elections to be held biennially during September. Council also elected the Deputy Mayor for a two-year term, coinciding with the mayor’s term of office.
Road usage focus of NSW Local Government Grants Commission submission
Council will make a submission to the NSW Local Government Grants Commission as part of its consultation on the proposed methodology changes for the distribution of Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs).
The submission will highlight concerns that the proposed local roads funding model does not appear to consider road usage or heavy vehicle freight activity. Given the significant agricultural haulage undertaken on Gunnedah Shire’s Road network, Council will seek clarification on how road usage has been considered and whether it can be incorporated into the final methodology.
Council will also advocate for greater recognition of the costs associated with disaster preparedness, resilience, and recovery. As a flood-prone council, Gunnedah Shire relies on disaster recovery funding to restore infrastructure and community services following major events. Council will seek assurance that the ongoing financial impacts of natural disasters are adequately reflected in the proposed funding model.
Overall, the submission supports the proposed reforms while advocating for better recognition of agricultural freight demands and the costs faced by disaster-prone regional councils.
Local government motions target disaster resilience, water, road funding
Council will focus on water and disaster risk and preparedness in the motions to be submitted for consideration at the 2026 Local Government NSW Annual Conference in November.
The following motions were endorsed for consideration:
1. That Local Government NSW lobby to change legislation to allow managed aquifer recharge and provide funding for practical research.
2. The LGNSW advocate for disaster risk and preparedness costs to be included in population and remoteness measures, particularly for regional councils with recurring natural-hazard exposure, in financial assist grant methodology and Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Council had already resolved to submit a motion on roads funding at its July 2026 Ordinary Meeting.
Mayor Colleen Fuller OAM and Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke were endorsed to attend the conference.
Support for Community Strategic Plan Engagement Strategy
The Community Strategic Plan Engagement Strategy that supports Stage 2: Shaping Strategic Directions for the development of the Gunnedah Shire Community Strategic Plan 2027-2037 has been endorsed by Council.
Under the Local Government Act 1993, councils are required to prepare and maintain a Community Strategic Plan (CSP) that identifies community priorities and aspirations over a period of at least 10 years.
The endorsed Engagement Strategy provides a framework and timeline for consultation activities, ensuring community feedback informs the development of the new plan and helps validate the proposed strategic directions.
The strategy aims to maximise participation across the community, including key stakeholders and underrepresented groups, through a range of engagement activities such as community pop-up sessions, feedback forms and targeted consultation with community organisations and progress associations.
Stage 2 of the CSP is now under way.
Changes to councillor representation, delegate appointments
Several changes have been made to committees, advisory group and working groups following a review and confirmation of councillor membership.
Endorsed key changes were:
• Councillor Ann Luke replaced Councillor Tammey McAllan in the Audit, Risk, and Improvement Committee.
• Councillor Kate McGrath replaced Councillor Ann Luke in the Australia Day Working Group.
• Councillor Kate McGrath withdrew from the Crime Prevention Working Group.
• Councillor Julianna McArthur was appointed as an alternative representative in the Local Traffic Forum.
• Councillor Linda Newell was appointed to the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group.
• Mayor Colleen Fuller OAM was appointed to the Rural Roads Working Group and Councillor Julianna McArthur was appointed as an alternate.
• Councillor Kate McGrath replaced Councillor Julianna McArthur in the Showground Working Group.
• Councillor Kate McGrath was appointed as a third Councillor representative in the Youth Working Group.
• Councillor Ann Luke is now the primary Council representative of the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society. Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke remains as the alternate.
• Councillor Kate McGrath replaced Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke in the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society.
• Councillor Ann Luke is now the primary representative for Vickery Community Consultative and Councillor Cameron Moore is the alternate.
Your say: Draft Gunnedah Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy
Council’s Draft Gunnedah Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy is on public exhibition for 28 days and will be endorsed if no submissions are received during this period.
The purpose of the strategy is to provide Council with a long-term roadmap for delivering sustainable and financially responsible waste management services over the next ten years, acknowledging the specific characteristics of the local government area and the available resources to deliver waste services.
The Strategy has been developed to align with Local, Regional, State and Commonwealth objectives, while also recognising the Shire’s specific operational challenges and opportunities.
The strategy was developed through an extensive review process, which included:
• Comprehensive stakeholder engagement, including councillor briefings, community workshops, online surveys, and community pop-up sessions.
• Review of external legislative, policy, and industry drivers.
• Review of Council's rural waste management facilities and services.
• Assessment of the existing landfill operations.
• Economic assessment of waste services, infrastructure, and future financial sustainability.
The Draft Gunnedah Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 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 Wednesday, 14 October 2026.
Your say: Draft Flag Policy on public exhibition
Council endorsed the public exhibition of its Draft Flag Policy following the launch of the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2026-2028 (RAP) on 9 September.
Following an amendment at the meeting, only the Australian National Flag will be displayed inside the Gunnedah Shire Council Chambers. It will be positioned on the rear wall of the chamber.
The policy provides guidance for the display of flags on Council-owned and managed land, buildings, and facilities, in accordance with State and Federal flag protocols. It applies to Council-managed flag sites but excludes cenotaphs, street banner poles and locations managed by external user groups or tenants.
The Draft Flag 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 Wednesday, 14 October, 2026.
Athol Gallen Park potential project under the Housing Support Program
Council endorsed the preparation and public exhibition of a detailed report on the proposed reclassification of Athol Gallen Park from community land to operational land for a period of 28 days.
The proposal could lead to an application to the Housing Support Program stream of the Federal Government’s Local Infrastructure Fund, which aims to increase housing supply and affordability, particularly for essential and key workers. Reclassifying the land would enable Council to pursue future funding opportunities, including the new Local Infrastructure Fund.
Council noted that Athol Gallen Park is serviced by existing infrastructure and is located within an area that has access to alternative open space, including nearby parks, reserves, and recreational facilities. The proposal responds to projected population growth, increasing housing demand and the need for a broader range of housing options identified in the Council’s strategic planning documents.
The detailed report in relation to the reclassification of land at Athol Gallen Park (Lot 1 in DP 739876) will be placed on public exhibition, once prepared, at Council’s office at 63 Elgin Street and online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.
First step in property planning proposal
Council has supported a proposal to rezone land, remove a minimum lot size restriction, and apply a maximum floor ratio to a property on the Kamilaroi Highway.
Council endorsed a resolution to:
1. Endorse the planning proposal, prepared pursuant to Section 3.33 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for an amendment to the Gunnedah Local Environmental Plan 2012 to:
a) Amend the Land Zoning Map to rezone Lot 638 DP 755503 and Lot 640 DP 755503 - 10193 Kamilaroi Highway, Gunnedah from RU1 Primary Production to E4 General Industrial.
b) Amend the Lot Size Map (LSZ_005A) to remove the minimum lot size restriction of 200 hectares to Lot 638 DP 755503 and Lot 640 DP 755503 – 10193 Kamilaroi Highway, Gunnedah; and
c) Amend the Floor Space Ratio Map (FSR_005A) to apply a maximum floor space ratio of 0.6:1 to Lot 638 DP 755503 and Lot 640 DP 755503 – 10193 Kamilaroi Highway, Gunnedah.
2. Forward the draft planning proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure for a Gateway Determination, and exhibit the proposal in accordance with that determination, pursuant to Sections 3.34-3.35 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979; and
3. Request that the Director General of the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure issue a Written Authorisation to Council to Exercise Delegation of the plan making functions under Section 3.36 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 in respect of the planning proposal.
4. Prior to the making of the plan Lot 638 DP 755503 and Lot 640 DP 755503 are to be consolidated.
The planning proposal is the first step in the ‘gateway’ plan-making process and if it is approved, the Minister of Planning and Public Spaces will provide a determination regarding the procedure and if further studies are required and any specific requirements for public exhibition.
Local Water Utility Performance Reporting
Council received the 2024-25 Water and Sewerage Performance Report, which provides an overview of the performance of Council’s water and wastewater services against NSW regulatory requirements and industry benchmarks.
Key highlights included:
• The water supply network services 4,930 connections and delivered 1,831 ML of water during 2024-225.
• Drinking water quality achieved 100% compliance for physical, chemical and microbiological testing in the Gunnedah supply system and all systems met chemical and microbiological standards.
• Water main breaks were reduced from 38 to 16, and unplanned water supply interruptions decreased from 85 to 56 compared to the previous year.
• The sewerage network serviced 4,289 connections and treated 714ML of wastewater during the reporting period.
• Approximately 3.5 kilometres of sewer mains were rehabilitated as part of Council’s ongoing asset renewal program.
• No environmental incidents or regulatory non-compliances were recorded at Council’s wastewater treatment facilities during 2024-25.
The report noted that performance data is used by the NSW Government to monitor and benchmark local water utilities and assists Council in planning for the long-term sustainability of its water and sewerage infrastructure and services.
Support for 2026 Hill Climb, NAIDOC Street March
The Local Traffic Forum’s recommendations to endorse the Mount Porcupine State Hill Climb, and the NAIDOC Street March, subject to NSW Police’s consideration and approval, were supported by Council.
Caption: The endorsed Community Strategic Plan Engagement Strategy supports Stage 2 in the development of the Gunnedah Shire Community Strategic Plan 2027-2037, which includes community pop-ups. Pictured is Council’s stall at the Gunnedah Country Markets on Saturday.
ENDS
For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.
