17 November, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council has finalised its 2021-22 Annual Report in a document that shows a year of both significant challenges and significant progress.

“The 12 months represented by the 2021-22 financial year has proved challenging in many respects for Gunnedah Shire Council,” the introduction by Mayor Jamie Chaffey and General Manager Eric Groth says.

“While still trying to manage many of the impacts created by COVID-19, Council has been the recipient of a large value of external grant funding and has had to manage a significant volume and value of projects in addition to providing normal services to the community.”

Cr Chaffey said challenges across the financial year had included flooding, inflation and rising costs, and national labour shortages.

“The following few years have not been business as usual across the world,” he said.

“Following drought and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments at all levels have faced increasing tasks and requirements and a diminishing return for their dollar.

“Gunnedah Shire has had very welcome stimulus funding from the State and Federal governments to assist in some of these challenges.

“Despite all of the issues we have faced, 2021-22 was a year of significant progress in Gunnedah Shire, and we are proud of how far we have managed to come during that time. We are also proud of the resilience and community spirit that helped us achieve so much.”

The total capital works program for 2021-22 had a value in excess of $88 million, with projects including work towards the saleyards redevelopment, the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary, Orange Grove Bridge and the new water treatment plant.

Fast Facts from the 2021-22 Gunnedah Shire Council Annual Report:

• $24,506.22 was awarded under the Section 356 Community Small Grants Program to nine community organisations
• $19,734.55 was awarded under the Section 356 Sports Small Grants Program to seven groups
• 24,046 users visited the Council website
• 11,744 social support hours were delivered for GoCo clients
• 144,048km were travelled for GoCo Community Transport clients
• 80,112 documents were registered into Council’s Records Management System
• There were 10,400 walk-in visitors to the Visitor Information Centre
• 42 local businesses received Business Partner Program funding
• $42,000 was allocated to local businesses via the Business Partner Program
• 143 development applications worth more than $39 million were lodged with Council for assessment
• There were 50,293 visits to Gunnedah Shire Library
• 10,110 tonnes of domestic waste were received at the Gunnedah Waste Facility

Caption: Blackjack Camera Club was one of a number of community groups that received a grant under the 356 Community Small Grants Program. Pictured are Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke and Blackjack Camera Club member Marg Carr.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

17 November, 2022

A draft Hardship Policy, and a revised 2022-23 Fees and Charges Schedule including a Natural Disaster Category, are on exhibition for 28 days.

Gunnedah Shire Council endorsed the exhibition of the draft documents at the November ordinary Council meeting on Wednesday.

The draft revised Hardship Policy aims to provide clarity and transparency to the community on the hardship provisions for residential and farmland rate assessments including the determination of hardship, options available to ratepayers and the application and assessment process.

The recent floods in Gunnedah Shire have caused considerable financial hardship for many ratepayers whose properties have been impacted by floodwaters. While Council is unable to waive or reduce rates for individual ratepayers, Council does have the ability through Council’s adopted Hardship Policy to enter into payment plans and waive overdue interest in genuine cases of hardship.

Council’s revised Fees and Charges Schedule, if adopted, would enable the General Manager and /or delegated staff to waive or reduce fees in cases where ratepayers and residents are impacted by a natural disaster event.

The inclusion of the new category was prompted by the successive flooding events in Gunnedah Shire in the past eight months and could be enabled following a Natural Disaster Declaration by the NSW Government for impacted residents for a set period of time following the natural disaster event.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said it was great to see the two motions supported unanimously by Council.

“Our community has been through the wringer and residents need every bit of help we can offer them as a Council. At the moment, decisions on fee waiving and reductions must go before Council which means we can’t act as quickly as we need to during a natural disaster. It’s vital that Council is able to step in and assist residents as soon as possible and the inclusion of this new category will allow for that,” he said.

The draft wording to be included in Council’s Hardship Policy and 2022-23 Fees and Charges Schedule have been placed on public exhibition and written submissions are invited by the undersigned up until 4.00pm on Friday, 16 December 2022. The documents can be viewed at Council's Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street or online at https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/council/the-future-of-gunnedah/draft-documents-exhibition

Submissions should be addressed to the General Manager, Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380 or via email council@infogunnedah.com.au.

The adopted Fees and Charges Schedule will be amended to include the above Category after the public exhibition period if no submissions are received from the public. However, if submissions are received, a further report will be prepared for the following Council meeting after the end of the public exhibition period, which will include a summary of submissions and whether any changes should be considered by Council.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire has experienced six flood events since November 2021.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

14 November, 2022

Gunnedah’s multi-award-winning Library has added to its accolades once again.

Gunnedah Shire Library received an Innovation in Outreach Services award for a book paper folding activity for Fairytale February, and a Highly Commended for Multicultural Excellence for its Multicultural March event.

The NSW Public Libraries Association awards were announced at the Switch 2022 Conference last week, attended by Librarian Christiane Birkett, Library Assistant Gina Torrens and Councillor Ann Luke.

Mrs Birkett said it was wonderful to see the efforts and creativity of the Library staff recognised once again.

“It was very exciting to see the work of our staff acknowledged at the NSW Public Libraries Association annual conference,” she said.

“Our staff are always trying to think of new and exciting ways to engage and collaborate with the community, and Fairytale February and Multicultural March are great examples of this.”

In Fairytale February, staff encouraged residents to learn the art of book paper folding while repurposing old books. The handicraft was popular with all ages and individuals, groups and organisations contributed works to a display which included fairy houses and Hagrid’s Cottage from Harry Potter.   

Multicultural March was a month-long event highlighting and celebrating multiculturalism within the Gunnedah Shire through library events. The Library received a Special Acknowledgement award for the event at the Local Government Awards in August.

During the month, the library was transformed into a colourful multicultural space and staff collaborated with the Multicultural Women’s Association whose members read children’s stories and shared their culture in their own languages in the Book Buddies program.

Over the course of the month, six languages - Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Malay, Maori and Korean – featured in the program, which attracted record numbers, including children from local pre-schools.

Cr Ann Luke said it was fantastic to see the Shire’s library back in the spotlight.

“I’d like to congratulate Christiane and her team for their ongoing work in this dynamic community space,” she said.

“Our library staff always demonstrate ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness in the activities and events they design and deliver, and they are deserving of every accolade.

“The library has something for all ages and offers so many great services to our residents. It continues to be an invaluable asset for our community.”

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Library Assistant Gina Torrens, Gunnedah Librarian Christiane Birkett and Gunnedah Shire Councillor Ann Luke at the Switch 2022 Conference.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

14 November, 2022

It’s time to light up Gunnedah’s streets for the annual Christmas Lights Competition.

The Gunnedah Shire Council Christmas Lights Competition is an opportunity for locals to be rewarded for their creative flair ahead of the festive season, and all residents and businesses are invited to participate.

Christmas lights and displays will be judged and awarded prizes under six categories, including:

• Best Decorated House - $200 Gunny Money Gift Card,
• Best Nativity Scene - $50 Gunny Money Gift Card,
• Best Christmas Theme in a Village - $150 Gunny Money Gift Card,
• Santa Street – Winners Plaque and $200 Gunny Money Gift Card,
• Judges’ Choice Award - $50 Gunny Money Gift Card,
• Best Dressed Shopfront Window - $100 Gunny Money Gift Card.

The competition opens this Monday, 14 November. Entries close at 5pm on Friday, 9 December.

“Council’s annual Christmas Lights Competition is a great way to encourage locals to spread the festive spirit in their own neighbourhoods and it gives the community something to look forward to when the sun sets each day,” Council’s Events and Engagement Officer Madeline Buhagiar said.

“It’s also a chance for Gunnedah’s businesses to dress up their shop windows to transform our main street into a Christmas spectacular.

“Heading out to see Christmas lights at night is a family tradition in Gunnedah and we’d love to see this continue into the future, so dust off your lights and start decorating!”

Entry forms are available at www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events and hard copies can be collected from the Gunnedah Shire Council’s Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah Shire Library or the Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre.

Completed nomination forms can be submitted to Gunnedah Shire Council by emailing council@infogunnedah.com.au, in person at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah or by posting to PO Box 63, Gunnedah, NSW 2380.

Caption: Gunnedah residents and businesses are encouraged to start planning their Christmas displays for the annual competition.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

10 November, 2022

Gunnedah Shire welcomed five new citizens on Wednesday.

The conferees from four countries, including the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Brazil and the Netherlands, became Australian citizens at a ceremony at The Smithurst Theatre.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Councillor Jamie Chaffey said citizenship ceremonies were an opportunity for all Australians in their community, whether by birth or by choice, to reflect on, and celebrate what’s great about being Australian.

“Citizenship ceremonies give us an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of citizens in our local communities. There is no greater privilege than our citizenship, and as Mayor, it is always an honour to see these new Australians through the final stages of their citizenship journey,” he said.

“There are many beautiful places in the world, and I want to thank our newest citizens for choosing Gunnedah Shire as their home.”

The Shire welcomed 15 new citizens on Australian Citizenship Day on 17 September.

For more information about Australian citizenship, visit www.citizenship.gov.au.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire welcomed five new citizens on Wednesday – Benjamin Cotton, Nikita Van Brakel, Katherine Carter Edwards, Elaine Dos Santos Matos and April Boyle. They are pictured with Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke and Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey.

For further information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

ENDS

10 November 2022

In accordance with Section 418 (3) of the Local Government Act, 1993, Gunnedah Shire Council advises that the Ordinary Council Meeting to be held on 16 November 2022 will include the presentation of the Audited Financial Statements and the Auditor’s Reports for the financial year ending 30 June 2022.

In accordance with Section 420 of the Local Government Act, 1993, any person may make a submission in writing to Council with respect to the Council’s Audited Financial Statements or the Auditor’s Reports.

The Audited Financial Statements and the Auditor’s Reports may be viewed online or in person at Council’s Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.

Submissions close one week after the above public meeting has been held.

Public Notice – Presentation of Financial Statements

Eric Groth
GENERAL MANAGER

8 November, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey has called for immediate Federal and State assistance after the most recent flood event hit primary producers at a critical time.

Cr Chaffey said Gunnedah Shire was among 220 regions declared as natural disaster areas this year. In fact, 126 of New South Wales’s 128 local government areas have had natural disaster declarations within the last 12 months, according to the President of Local Government NSW, Darriea Turley.

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) and the Country Mayors Association of New South Wales have already declared a Statewide Roads Emergency and called on the Federal and State Governments for urgent help.

“This has been a challenging time for our community,” Cr Chaffey said. “Residents and business owners have had to clean up again and again, people have been isolated, some have been unable to get to work or to training or to school.

“These seemingly relentless weather events take a toll, not only economically, but on every area of people’s lives.

“We are also very concerned about our primary producers who have come through the drought only to have wave after wave of floods. This latest flood hit at a time when crops are ready to be harvested and farmers have a short window to sow their summer crops, including cotton, which is the single largest contributor to our agricultural outputs.

“People with livestock need to get them to market. The local and regional road network is critically-enabling infrastructure.

“It is heartbreaking to think that our farmers might have come through this with a crop or healthy livestock, but can’t harvest or get their goods to market. Agriculture remains a lifeline to our community, and we need to support our primary producers for generations to come.”

Cr Chaffey said once floodwaters dispersed, it was not a simple matter of opening roads. Roads needed to be assessed to ensure they were safe for traffic, and to gauge whether 4WDs and heavy vehicles were going to cause irreversible damage. Catastrophic damage to the roads network could carry with it a generational financial burden.

“We know what our community needs, but it is beyond the scope of any local government authority to do this alone,” he said.

“Yes, we need financial assistance. We also need people, plant and equipment to get this sorted. We need our Federal and State leaders to lead.

“We absolutely support our peak bodies the LGNSW and the Country Mayors Association of NSW. We need help, and we need it now.”

Gunnedah Shire Council has called on the State Government through Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson for funding for an urgently needed flood mitigation study for Gunnedah Shire to bring forward a list of recommendations.

Mr Anderson has also announced he is seeking an expansion of the Infrastructure Betterment Fund to include all natural disaster events that have impacted Gunnedah Shire. This would commit funding to the repair and rebuilding of public assets.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

8 November, 2022

The Christmas season is coming to Gunnedah early on the feet of Irish dancers.

All-singing, all-dancing troupe, A Taste of Ireland, will perform their show A Celtic Christmas on Sunday, 20 November at Gunnedah Town Hall.

Watch two star-crossed lovers twirl beneath the mistletoe as award-winning Irish musicians complement the world’s best Irish dancers to deliver an exciting mix of traditional tunes, heartfelt ballads, carols and red-hot rhythms in an unforgettable night of Irish charm and spectacular entertainment. 

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader Michael Cornford said the show was sure to bring a festive feeling to town.

 “A Taste of Ireland is one of the most prominent Irish dance shows in the world and their troupes are known for fun, flair and flamboyancy as they tell stories through a blend of classic Irish dance and song,” he said.

“A Celtic Christmas is sure to be a colourful, cheerful and all-round great show for the whole family. Get keen and book ahead for this early Christmas treat on The Civic website.”

When: Sunday, 20 November

Where: Gunnedah Town Hall

Doors open: 7pm

Show begins: 7.30pm

Run time: Approximately 130 Minutes

Target audience: All ages

Ticket price: $59.90 to $99.90

Book tickets: www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events

Caption: A Taste of Ireland is bringing its fun, festive show, A Celtic Christmas, to Gunnedah.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

November 7, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council has released a detailed program covering the next six weeks of unsealed road maintenance activities. This program will be updated on a weekly basis. It is a guide only, as Council continually assesses roads and prioritises activities for completion.

As a result of the recent flood events, we are in a reactive phase of scheduling to address the most severe defects in the unsealed road network first. Reactive works will take at least three months from 7 November 2022 based on the December 2021 flood experience. Activities will focus on gravel patching and grading works to address washouts where water has crossed roads.

The cyclic maintenance grading program will re-commence once Council has attended to the extensive list of reactive works required following the recent flood events.

We ask for your patience as we address flood damage to the roads. Please drive to the conditions and do not enter closed roads.

To view the latest program, click here: https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/community/community-alerts/road-works-closures

November 3, 2022

As Christmas approaches, it is time to think about helping out the children whose families have been through so much this year.

The Gunnedah Shire community can once again help make Christmas joyful by giving a gift to the annual Gunnedah Shire Community Christmas Tree Toy Appeal.

The Gunnedah Shire Council and the Salvation Army are joining hands to hold this appeal, now in its ninth year.

Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke said the Gunnedah Shire Community Christmas Tree Toy Appeal had made Christmas brighter for hundreds and hundreds of local children over the years.

“This is a simple and beautiful way we can all share some of our good fortune,” Cr Hooke said.

“Just by taking an unwrapped toy to Gunnedah Shire Council’s Elgin Street office or Gunnedah Shire Library and putting it under the tree, you are guaranteeing there is something special for a young person this Christmas.
“You can make a wonderful difference.

“This is a lovely, ongoing partnership with the Salvation Army that always shows just how generous our community is.”

Salvation Army soldier Peter Hall said initiatives such as the Gunnedah Shire Community Christmas Tree Toy Appeal helped families when they needed it most.

“It’s been a tough year here, as it has been across the state and the country,” he said. “This is a great practical way we can make this time special for the children.

“Every year, Gunnedah Shire Council and the Salvation Army are able to work together to bring the spirit of Christmas.”

Toys for all ages of children and young people are welcome, but for hygiene reasons and due to COVID-19, pre-loved toys, pre-loved clothing and food donations cannot be accepted. If you can help out, please bring the unwrapped toys to:

• Gunnedah Shire Council, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah,
  • or Gunnedah Shire Library, 291 Conadilly Street, Gunnedah.

Toys must be received by Friday, December 9.

Caption: (From left) Gunnedah Shire Library Librarian Christiane Birkett, Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke with Peter Hall and Sally Anne Hall from the Salvation Army with toys for the Gunnedah Shire Community Christmas Tree Toy Appeal.

ENDS
For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.