18 July, 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council will waive fees for street trading and footpath dining applications for the next financial year to assist businesses during a difficult economic time.

Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the drought had added to the challenges already faced by retail businesses in a regional town.

“Retail businesses in Gunnedah Shire are under increased pressure from not only the drought, but the impact of online shopping,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Gunnedah is not alone – the NSW Business Chamber found 93.9% of businesses surveyed in the retail and wholesale sector indicated they had been impacted by drought conditions.

“Waiving these fees this financial year is a way we can not only ease the burden a little, but encourage outdoor dining and street trading, which can add greatly to a town’s atmosphere and appeal.

“It will activate our street spaces and make our shire even more welcoming.”

The NSW Small Business Commissioner recently released the NSW Outdoor Dining Policy to make it easier for retail food premises to conduct outdoor dining. The policy recommended the waiving of application fees when seeking a permit.

Businesses who want to carry out street vending will still need to lodge an application with Council and include a copy of their public liability insurance.

“Gunnedah is a great town and we want to retain the strong businesses we have, as well as encouraging new business,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Outdoor dining and street trading can help make our shire a welcoming and vibrant place to visit.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

18 July 2019

A new major festival will be added to the shire’s calendar for the first time next year after Gunnedah Shire Council and the Gunnedah Jockey Club agreed to join forces for the Gunnedah Hay and Harvest Festival.

Councillors voted at the July meeting yesterday to endorse a request by the Gunnedah Jockey Club to combine plans for a new family event with the Hay and Harvest Festival.

It is hoped the festival, which is likely to be held in the first half of 2020, will attract approximately 3000 visitors in its first year.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle said the festival would be yet another reason for people to spend time in Gunnedah.

“Both the Gunnedah Jockey Club event and the Gunnedah Hay and Harvest Festival shared a common vision – to present a great event that our community can be proud of,” Ms Hoddle said.

“The festival will celebrate and showcase our local growers and produce and will be a boost to our drought-affected community.

“It will show just how much we have to offer, and will introduce visitors to the warmth and the friendliness of the Gunnedah Shire.

“It is also expected to have significant economic benefits for the shire.”

The Gunnedah Hay and Harvest Festival will be a fun community day featuring fine food, fibre and wine set against a colourful bush and riverine backdrop.

It is expected to include music, art installations, market stalls and practical demonstrations.

The festival has received seed funding of $17,000 through the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund. This will now combine with the $20,000 Gunnedah Jockey Club has been awarded through the Back to the Track program for an event to carry on from the well-loved former Porchetta Day.

Ms Hoddle said the increased funding available for the festival would mean an even bigger, better event.

Councillors yesterday voted to form a working group for the festival, which will include two members from the Gunnedah Jockey Club, two councillors, one member of the Gunnedah and District Page 2 of 2
Chamber of Commerce, three community representatives and three council staff representatives to help deliver the festival.

“The partnership between Council and the Gunnedah Jockey Club to create the Gunnedah Hay and Harvest Festival is a unique and logical opportunity to establish and grow an event that will become a financially sustainable, high-quality food festival and a destination of choice on the regional event calendar,” Ms Hoddle said.

Gunnedah Shire Council will call for expressions of interest for the working group in the next few months.

Photo Caption: Crowds enjoy one of the Porchetta Days of past years.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

16 July 2019

Widespread drought conditions continue to punish rural and regional communities across NSW including Gunnedah. Like those on the land, small businesses are feeling the impact.

The Minister for Finance and Small Business, the Hon. Damien Tudehope and the NSW Small Business Commissioner Robyn Hobbs and their team will be visiting Gunnedah on Wednesday 24 July to hear first-hand how drought is impacting our community and interested businesses are invited to a Business Breakfast to meet with them.

“We’re asking business owners to come along to have a very open, frank and honest conversation about their experience with drought in the last 18 months“ Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“We know of businesses that have had to close or downsize. When this happens, margins are tighter and there is more pressure for business owners to be working longer hours. Things have been really tough and we want to make sure the Minister and Commissioner see a whole community that has been affected. This is an invitation for people to come along and tell their stories” he said.

In the lead up to the visit, Gunnedah Shire Council are asking business houses to fill in a survey to help capture some data that will be presented to Minister Tudehope and Commissioner Hobbs during their visit.

“We have put together a survey that will take only about 10 minutes, but will allow us to piece together a complete picture of the short and long-term implications for our business sector.” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle.

“Even if you can’t make the breakfast, the survey is a great opportunity for our community to have their voice heard.”

“Drought impacts our whole community and we’re looking forward to hearing some of the options available to small businesses” she concluded.

Business Breakfast
When: Wednesday 24th July, 2019
Time: 7:30am
Where: Gunnedah Bicentennial Arts Gallery, Chandos Street, Gunnedah
Cost: FREE

Visit Council’s website to reserve your spot (click on buy tickets) www.thecivic.com.au.

To fill out the survey, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WZN8L2C
Respondents go in the draw to win $100 Gunnedah Gift Card.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

16 July, 2019

Taking care of the waste for a Shire of more than 12,000 people requires careful management, but the Shire becomes cleaner and greener if residents follow a few simple guidelines.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Manager of Waste Sheridan Cameron said those residents living in areas with kerbside bin collection could get confused about exactly what goes into each bin, particularly as services and requirements differ from Council to Council.

“There are some factsheets available on our website or from Council that make it easier to determine what should go in each bin,” Mrs Cameron said.

“The average person produces 1.5 tonnes of waste per year which, for a Shire our size, is approximately 18,000 tonnes. That’s a lot of garbarge.”

“As a Council we’re considering how best to move forward with waste in our Shire, taking into account environmental concerns and liveability. For the time being, these guidelines should assist in understanding where waste should go.”

“Don’t miss the opportunity to use less, reuse and upcycle when you can. We’ve got the Waste to Art Exhibition coming up, so that’s the perfect opportunity to start thinking about waste a little differently.”

Your guide to bin use:

What goes in my red waste?
YES: General food waste, General household waste, nappies, polystyrene, soft plastics
NO: Builders materials, motor oil, mobile phones and electronics, chemicals, paint, batteries

What goes in my yellow recycling bin?
YES: Clean glass jars and bottles, Plastics with number 1,2,3,4 or 5, Tin and Aluminium, Paper and cardboard, clean formula tins
NO: Nappies, Cigarette butts in any container, syringes, ceramics/crockery/china, plastic bags, electrical appliances, polystyrene

What goes in my green waste bin?
YES: Lawn clippings; dry leaves and prunings; small sticks and twigs; fresh leaves and prunings.
NO: plastic bags and liners; construction waste; food waste and garbage; potting mix bags and pots.
Green waste becomes high quality mulch products.

Where can sharps be disposed of?
Needles are a risk to workers at the Gunnedah Recyclit Centre, and they should not be disposed of in general waste. 

Public sharp bins are available at: Vernados Carpark, Little Barber Street; Pump House opposite Rugby Park on Wandobah Road; Gunnedah Waste Management Facility. 

Single-use sharp bins are available at: Brocks Court, Wolseley Park (mounted on toilet block wall); O’Keefe Pavilion, Wolseley Park; Mornington Park, Anzac Parade (mounted on toilet block wall); Gunnedah Community Health Centre, Marquis Street; Gunnedah Hospital, Marquis Street; Discount Drug Store and Karen Carter Chemist (both in Conadilly Street).

For more information about safe needle disposal: search “needle” on the council website; call Gunnedah Shire Council Customer Service on (02) 6740 2100 or call NSW Health Needle Clean Up Hotline on 1800 633 353.

Flyers featuring information about bin use and sharps disposal can be found in the Waste Services section of our website.

What do I do with potentially hazardous materials?
There is a free drop-off at the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility on Quia Road, Gunnedah for:

• gas bottles and fire extinguishers
• paint
• flouro globes and tubes
• car batteries
• household batteries
• motor oils
• other oils
• smoke detectors.

The Gunnedah Waste Management Facility on Quia Road, Gunnedah, is open Monday- Sunday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. The community recycling centre is open from Tuesday - Sunday.

For more information about waste disposal, call 02 6742 3943.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

10 July 2019

Businesses in Gunnedah that are feeling the heat during the drought are being asked to help Gunnedah Shire Council put together a complete picture of the impact for the NSW Government.

The NSW Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope and NSW Small Business Commissioner Robyn Hobbs are planning to visit Gunnedah in late July as part of a tour of the region.

Mr Tudehope and Ms Hobbs are bringing a team with them to meet with drought-affected small businesses to hear about the impact first hand and advise what assistance might be available.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle said Council wanted as much information from Gunnedah businesses as possible.

“We are asking our business operators to let us know exactly how the drought is impacting on them,” Ms Hoddle said.

“We have put together a survey that will take only about 10 minutes, but will allow us to piece together a complete picture of the short and long-term implications for our business sector.

“The survey not only asks about the impact on the bottom line, but about other concerns, as well as seeking information about who has sought assistance, who hasn’t, and who does not know where to turn.

“The more businesses complete this survey, the stronger our information will be. This is a great opportunity to present the state of our business community to both the Minister and the Small Business Commissioner.”

Fill out the Drought Impact Survey for Businesses here. Respondents go in the draw to win $100 Gunnedah Gift Card.

Photo Caption: Gunnedah Shire businesses are being asked to complete a survey to build a complete picture of drought impacts.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

4 July, 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council has voted to accept an Expression of Interest and enter into negotiations with Far North Queensland tourism company the Woodward Family CaPTA Group to operate a new Gunnedah Koala Park and hospital.

The CaPTA Group currently owns and operates a number of internationally acclaimed wildlife and conservation-based tourism attractions in Cairns and Port Douglas, including Rainforestation Nature Park, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome, Jungle Tours and Trekking and Tropic Wings Cairns Tours and Charters.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the initiative will have amazing potential for Gunnedah and tourism in the region.

"To get to this point now is a milestone that gives me enormous confidence that we will be progressing forward with a quality operator that is well established and has much to offer.

CaPTA Group employs more than 300 people, has been in business for over 40 years and is a significant Queensland tourism operator with existing links into overseas tourist markets.

“We’re looking forward to negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the CaPTA Group and planning the next steps forward which include firstly considering the needs of the community and identifying an appropriate site” Cr Chaffey said. “Whilst we are in the preliminary stages, the potential outcomes for Gunnedah are incredible. The park will be a wonderful addition to the Shire, both in terms of tourism, the economy and in helping protect the iconic animal that has become synonymous with Gunnedah. This park ensures we keep our title as the Koala Capital of the World.”

“Importantly, the facility would also include a koala hospital to help battle the many threats faced by our koala population.

The Gunnedah Koala Park project was awarded $6.48 million through the NSW Government’s Regional Social Benefit Infrastructure Fund.

Director Corporate and Community Services Colin Formann said the CaPTA Group was a great fit for the Gunnedah Koala Park project.

“Attracting a company of the calibre of the CaPTA Group is a real win for Gunnedah,” Mr Formann said.

“The company is a powerhouse of tourism and conservation in Far North Queensland and they have a history of being socially responsible, contributing significantly to their local community operating a non-profit wildlife rescue center and caring for koalas as part of their existing operation.”

“Of course, our geographical location and koala population mean we’re the perfect location for this koala park and this project will have benefits for both parties. We are looking forward to all the possibilities a collaboration with the Capta Group will bring.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

2 July, 2019

It’s time to repackage your old packaging into art for the 2019 Waste Into Art Competition.

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on students, artists and collectives to get creative and come up with something amazing for this year’s competition which is held in partnership with Northern Inland Regional Waste to promote the message to reduce, re-use or recycle waste.

The theme for 2019 is “Packaging Repackaged”, providing an opportunity to use everyday disposable items like plastic wrapping, cardboard boxes, food wrappers, Styrofoam and bubble wrap in a unique piece of art.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s cultural precinct team leader Lauren Mackley said the competition was a fun way to get creative and to spread the reduce, re-use and recycle waste message.

“There are so many different forms of packaging and other waste materials that can be used in so many different ways,” Ms Mackley said.

“We would love people to get really imaginative and create a piece of art to show the shire – and there is a prize of $150 for each category.

“We have had some wonderful artworks in the past. I’m looking forward to seeing what our students and artists come up with in 2019!”

Artists and community groups can interpret the theme in any number of ways, from functional pieces to 2D creations.

Entry forms will be available from Council’s main administration office in Elgin Street, at the Gunnedah Shire Library and at The Civic counter. Entries may be submitted by a group or an individual.

Waste Into Art 2019 submission forms and ready to hang artworks are to be submitted to the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery by 5pm Friday, 4 October, 2019.

The 2019 Waste into Art Exhibition officially opens at 1pm on Friday, 11 October. The exhibition continues until Sunday, 10 November.

Photo Caption: Past entries in the Waste into Art Exhibition.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

4 July, 2019

It’s time to turn a new page in creativity in Gunnedah and join in The Gallery with the Most Stories Exhibition as the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery celebrates Literacy and Numeracy Week 2019.

This creative new Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery exhibition invites artists, hobbyists, local schools, authors, writers and community groups to make alterations to a book, redefine pages, create books and zines and explore the creativity of literacy.

“We hope to see lots of origami, artist books, artworks on paper and altered books at the exhibition,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley says.

“We are also hoping that local poets, writers and authors will display their creative undertakings at the exhibition.

“This is a chance to think outside ‘the book’ when creating your artwork.”

The Gallery with the most Stories 2019 submission forms can be collected from The Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre, 81 Chandos Street. All final artworks are to be submitted to the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery by 5pm Monday, 2nd September, 2019.

The exhibition will officially open at 6pm Friday, 6 September 2019, and will continue until Sunday, 6 October 2019.

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley on (02) 67 40 2100 or via council@infogunnedah.com.au

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 02 6740 2100.

4 July, 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council has announced a contractor for construction of the Rainbow Serpent water feature to be located outside the Civic Centre in Chandos Street.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said Australian company Waterforms International would be appointed to bring the $274,258 water feature to life.

“This project has been more than a decade in the making, and has involved consultation and design input from local Indigenous and arts groups,” Cr Chaffey said.

“This will be a large and impressive water feature that will create a meeting place within our cultural precinct where traditional stories can be shared and celebrated.”

Waterforms International has worked on projects worldwide, including the Australian War Memorial water feature in Hyde Park Corner, London, the Sydney Airport Centre water sculpture, and the Suntec City Rotating Water Screen in Singapore.

The Rainbow Serpent water feature was originally inspired by the drawings of Gunnedah Elders.

The project was awarded $155,725 through the $100 million NSW Government Regional Cultural Fund. It will feature 32 hand-crafted glass mosaic tiles created by the Kamilaroi Women’s Group.

The Rainbow Serpent water feature is due to be completed by the end of the 2019-20 financial year.

Photo Caption: A design of the new Rainbow Serpent water feature to be built in Chandos Street.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

26 June, 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council is using a new road solution as part of the new Barber and Chandos streets roundabout.

Gunnedah Shire Council Works Manager Richard Baxter said rubber kerbing had been installed at the roundabout as part of traffic safety measures.

“This is a first for Gunnedah,” Mr Baxter said.

“Rubber kerbing is a cleaner and greener traffic solution that is made from recycled materials and can be removed if necessary.

“Unlike the more traditional concrete kerbing, white rubber kerbing is resistant to road grime, doesn’t crack, and does not need a lot of maintenance to retain visibility. It is also cost effective and absorbs vehicle impact.”

Rubber kerbing is becoming more widely used across Australia, and is already in use in the Narrabri Shire.

Photo Caption: Workers put the final touches to new rubber kerbing at the Barber and Chandos streets roundabout.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 02 6740 2100.