The past 12 months were a successful and defining year of significant achievements for the Gunnedah Shire and its residents.

Gunnedah Shire Council highlights a number of key initiatives as it looks back on a year in review, before Councillors move into the second year of their term.
“Looking back over the past 12 months, I’m very proud of our achievements, both large and small for the people of our growing area and delighted that we have commenced planning for many more great things to come,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“I want to congratulate every Councillor on the way in which they have worked to ensure that as elected members our focus is to work together as a strong team to guarantee success for our community.

The development of the 10-year Community Strategic Plan (CSP) has set the future blueprint for the Gunnedah Shire. Engaging with the community and building on their ideas has formed the direction for the next 10 years and has resulted in the commencement of many projects that are underway.

“It has been exciting for Council to see the roll-out of initiatives that originated from community suggestions and feedback we received when developing the CSP,” Cr Chaffey said.

“We have a strong focus on tourism, economic development, increasing the livability of our Shire, maintaining infrastructure and services to suit our growing community and looking at ways to attract more people to Gunnedah.”

• Improving vibrancy of the Shire was a priority for the community, a number of projects have begun including beautification to town entrances, roundabouts and villages, murals, planter boxes in the main street and improved traffic conditions to Chandos Street.
• The design was finalised for the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex upgrade and a contractor selected to commence construction in October. Council has also lodged an expression of interest with the State Government’s Resources for Regions fund to support construction of additional elements of the master plan.
• The Blackjack Creek Mitigation Project has moved to the next stage with a design concept finalised and contractor engaged. The Project is aimed at reducing the impact of flooding from Blackjack Creek to properties and residences in the Wandobah Road area. Works on the project are expected to begin in November.
• Council was successful in obtaining $1.8million from Restart NSW towards the completion of the Sewerage Treatment Plant Upgrade.
• The concept plan for the Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playground was accepted and Council has applied for funding through the Stronger Country Communities Program, as well as allocating seed funding to the project.
• Council was awarded $2.6 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund for the Curlewis Pipeline Project. The project will enable Curlewis to connect to Gunnedah’s town water supply.
• Council has continued to work in conjunction with the State Government to ensure the biggest infrastructure project in Gunnedah’s history goes ahead – the second road over rail pass. Council has also continued to work closely with the State on the police station upgrades.
• Council was successful with an expression of interest to Restart NSW for $6.5 million to invest in creating a world class koala park in Gunnedah as a tourist attraction and significant boost for the Shire. A detailed application will follow and is expected to be finished by October.
• An Economic Development Manager was appointed to reflect Council’s focus on further developing and diversifying Gunnedah’s economy.
• Gunnedah Shire Council’s Business Partner Program was reviewed, which resulted in bolstering the program to see increased support and access for thriving local businesses.

“The Gunnedah Shire Council has a very strong focus on economic development and ensuring we remain sustainable, diversify our economy and are able to provide many job opportunities in our community for years to come,” Cr Chaffey said.

Moving forward, Council will also be focusing on roads, including seeking funding for Bloomfield Street and Grain Valley Way, as well as working in conjunction with national and international partners to see a multi-species abattoir built in the Gunnedah Shire.

“A very special thank you must go to our State Member of Parliament, the Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson for his efforts to support our direction, and our Federal Member of Parliament, Member for Parkes Mark Coulton for his dedication and support on many projects throughout the last 12 months,” Cr Chaffey said.

“We have some great projects underway that are not only a benefit to our community now, but into the future, and we are looking forward to working with the community on many more.”

Photo Caption: Gunnedah Shire Councillors, back from left, Cr David Moses, Cr Rob Hooke, Cr Owen Hasler, Cr Murray O’Keefe, Cr John Campbell and Cr Ann Luke. Front: Deputy Mayor Gae Swain, Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Cr Colleen Fuller.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council welcomed six new Australian Citizens at naturalisation ceremonies this week.

Richard Patriquin, of Canada; Charlotte Wright, of United Kingdom; and Ric Rendall of Philippines were naturalised in a ceremony performed by Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Deputy Mayor Gae Swain on Australian Citizenship Day (Sunday, 17 September) at the Creative Arts Centre.

Cherry-Lyn De Guzman, Mary Ann Estilo and Garry Estilo, all of Philippines made the pledge at another ceremony on Wednesday afternoon in the Council Chambers.

Cr Chaffey outlined the responsibilities that follow embracing Australian values.

“Citizenship brings responsibilities and duties – to obey the laws, to register on the Electoral Roll and vote, to serve on a jury if called to do so, and to defend Australia should the need arise,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Citizenship also brings civil and social rights – the right to express your cultural heritage and beliefs coupled with a responsibility to accept the rights of others to express their heritage and beliefs.

“Since 2012, Gunnedah Shire has welcomed 48 adults and eight children to become Australian Citizens and I am proud to congratulate our six newest and wish them and their families well in their future endeavours.”

All citizens were gifted with native trees to mark the occasion.

Photo Caption “Citizenship Ceremony 170917”: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Richard Patriquin, Charlotte Wright and Ric Rendall.

Photo Caption “ Citizenship Ceremony 200917”: Cherry-Lyn De Guzman, Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Garry Estilo, Mary Ann Estilo and their daughter.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council appointed Bathurst-based construction company Hines Constructions to undertake the multi-million dollar upgrade works at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex.

This newsletter is the first in a series to keep the community, key stakeholders and user groups updated throughout the construction phase.

{rsfiles path="GunnedahShireCouncil/COUNCIL/BETTER-INFRASTRUCTURE/Major-Projects/Gunnedah-Pool-Complex-Renewal-Newsletters/Gunnedah Pool Complex Renewal Newsletter.pdf"}

RECYCLING COLLECTION - GUNNEDAH
Monday 2 October 2017
Collection will be on Tuesday 3 October 2017.
Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Monday evening as collection will begin early on Tuesday.

RECYCLING COLLECTION - CURLEWIS
Monday 2 October 2017
Collection will be on Wednesday 4 October 2017.
Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Tuesday evening as collection will begin early on Wednesday.

Should you have any enquiries regarding the Recycling collection over the long weekend period please contact RECYCLIT on 67421522.

THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES TO THE HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND GREENWASTE COLLECTION

Please ensure bins are placed out the night before collection date, as contractors are not obliged to accept late bins. 

If you have any enquiries regarding these changes please contact Council’s Customer Services Team on 6740 2100

Eric Groth
General Manager

His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales and his wife Mrs Linda Hurley were special guests at the Gunnedah Cenotaph this morning to aid in marking Gunnedah's contribution to the state-wide soil collection for the Anzac Memorial Centenary Project (The Anzac Memorial).

The Project is the multi-million dollar redevelopment of NSW’s pre-eminent memorial to the contribution of NSW and Australian veterans to the First World War in Hyde Park, Sydney. It will feature an artwork developed by artist Fiona Hall alongside Sydney architect Richard Johnson, displaying soil collected from approximately 1700 locations across NSW, including Gunnedah.

The place names from which the soil is collected are taken from the database of Great War enlistees, summing up the geographical reach of the call to serve.

Gunnedah Shire Council is set to formalise a Sister City Relationship with the Yinzhou District of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, with documents to be signed at an official ceremony tomorrow.

Six delegates from the Yinzhou Government accepted an invitation to visit the Gunnedah Shire, following trade and investment missions in March and the signing of Friendly Relationship Exchange Agreements.

“Entering into this relationship with the Yinzhou Government will see the exploration of social, cultural and economic co-operation between two great regions from worlds apart,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“This is a truly historic occasion for our community that will see many benefits well into the future and we invite everyone to share in it with us – all are welcome to attend the ceremony.”

An Official Sister City Ceremony will be held at the Wolseley Park Rotunda from 11:00am on Friday, 15 September. The ceremony will commence with a Welcome to Country and Gomeroi Elders will conduct a traditional Smoking Ceremony. The Australian and Chinese Anthems will be played by the Gunnedah Conservatorium of Music which will be followed by official speeches, the signing of Sister City Relationship documents and the symbolic planting of a Chinese Elm tree.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Messages of hope and resilience were the theme delivered at the 2017 Mayoral Dinner attended by more than 350 community members and special guests on Wednesday night.

His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales and Mrs Hurley were invited as special guests, alongside Former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and Mrs Anderson, Liverpool Plains Shire Council Mayor and Namoi Joint Organisation Chair Andrew Hope and Mrs Hope, Tamworth Regional Council Mayor Col Murray and Narrabri Shire Mayor Cathy Redding.

The event began as a breakfast in 1998 when the Gunnedah community was going through difficult times with the closure of the abattoir and mines, which resulted in more than 1000 jobs being lost.

“The Mayoral Breakfast, run in partnership with the Gunnedah Ministers Fraternal, began as a forum to think about hope from a Christian perspective and pray for the community. It was such a success that it became an annual event here in Gunnedah, with this year being the 20th anniversary,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“With the acceptance of our two very distinguished guests, I decided a Mayoral Dinner would be an appropriate way for the whole community to come together and celebrate our achievements and also those whose selfless acts for others in our community have truly changed lives.

“My pride in our Shire grows with each and every conversation I have with local residents and visitors, who tell me just how vibrant our community has become. Taking pride in the resilience in our community and moving ahead through tough times has given us a trust in our abilities and an unwavering belief in our values.
“It has provided all that we enjoy today, with the promise of an even stronger future.

“I would like to thank everyone for attending the dinner and for the very inspiring words shared with us by our distinguished guest of honour – His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales.”

The Vice Regal Couple visited a number of Gunnedah’s services while in town, including GoCo Community Care, Gunnedah High School and Gunnedah Girls Academy, Gunnedah Conservatorium, and took part in the Soil Collection for the Anzac Memorial at the Gunnedah Cenotaph.

“I was honoured to meet local community leaders at the Mayoral Dinner on Wednesday night and to speak about the role that service and faith plays in my personal life, as Governor of New South Wales and as former Chief of the Defence Force,” His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales said.

“One of the most important ways we can each serve is through our contributions to the community.
“Linda and I have been privileged to have seen many outstanding examples of service to the community of Gunnedah and surrounding areas in the past few days. To meet the leaders of those community organisations and listen to their views on building a strong community has been a highlight of this regional visit.”

Photo (1): 2017 Mayoral Dinner official party and special guests.

Photo (2): 2017 Mayoral Dinner.

Photo (3): Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey; His Excellency General, The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales; Mrs Linda Hurley; and Mrs Judy Chaffey.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Applications are now open for the 2018 Community Scholarship Fund and Gunnedah Shire Council encourages those wishing to pursue tertiary studies to apply.

The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund is an initiative of the local community and provides an opportunity for local youth to succeed in their tertiary education by encouraging students to embark on a journey of learning by financially supporting those moving on to pursue further studies.

Gunnedah’s Bonnie Hayne was a scholarship recipient in 2017 and said the funds have greatly helped her expenses while studying a double degree – Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Interior Design.

“This scholarship has helped me immensely with the extra expenses that my Interior Design degree requires such as software and supplies,” Ms Hayne said.

“The scholarship has given me peace of mind that when I am required to spend money to complete an assessment, I am able to do so without having to change my concepts to fit in with my tight budget. I was also able to use some of the scholarship money to purchase a new laptop that I was required to get for my course.

“I am so appreciative and grateful that I received this scholarship.”

Since the Fund’s inception fourteen years ago, over $300,000 across more than 332 scholarships has been awarded to local students. Scholarships have covered many disciplines including accounting, agriculture, allied health, animal science, law, architecture, arts/theatre, civil engineering, education, information technology, medicine, nursing and social work.

Applications for the Community Scholarship Fund opened on 1 September 2017 and close on 18 December 2017, for the 2018 round – apply online at www.infogunnedah.com.au. 

For more information about the scholarship, contact Council’s Youth Officer Sewa Emojong on 02 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au. 

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Bush Fire Danger Period has commenced in Gunnedah Shire. A Fire Permit is now required for burning activities.

Substantial fines and prison terms of up to 12 months may apply to persons lighting fires without a permit. Persons responsible for lighting fires that cause damage to other properties may be required to pay damages.

Contact the Liverpool Range Office on (02) 6746 5800 for information and permits.

Described as ‘a breath of fresh country air’, country music artist Fanny Lumsden and her band the Thrillseekers will touch down in Mullaley as part of their annual Country Halls Tour. In celebration of the release of her brand new record ‘Real Class Act’, Fanny Lumsden is bringing the sixth annual event to the Mullaley Hall on Saturday, 23 September from 6.30pm.

Come and enjoy a night of live music, stories and an all ages community night out, with all proceeds to go to the Mullaley Hall. A barbecue and bar will be in operation.

The show will feature a local artist to kick things off, followed by Americana singer songwriter Melody Moko and headlined by Fanny Lumsden and the Thrillseekers.

The event is held by the Mullaley Progress Association, in conjunction with Gunnedah Conservatorium and Gunnedah Shire Council.

Tickets available here. View the Fanny Lumsden Country Halls Tour poster below for more information.