GoCo Community Transport is pleased to introduce The GoCo Run, a regular transport option servicing Tambar Springs, Mullaley, Premer, Curlewis, Carroll and Breeza.
The GoCo Run will provide a weekly bus run to complement the existing range of community transport services, which include door to door transport for medical appointments, buses for shopping and social events, and half price taxi fares.

GoCo have been providing affordable transport to the Gunnedah community since 1988, and ‘The GoCo Run’ is an extension of this service.

‘The GoCo Run will provide safe, flexible and efficient transport for the residents of the villages and surrounds,’ GoCo Community Transport Coordinator Suzi Beard said. ‘This will be a huge benefit to the community, especially those experiencing transport disadvantage and isolation” she concluded.

The GoCo Run will be operating in each of the villages one day a week:

• TUESDAY- Carroll
• THURSDAY- Tambar Springs, Premer, Mullaley
• FRIDAY- Curlewis and Breeza

Wheelchair accessibility is available and an on board carer can be supplied on request. Return trips are just $10. Bookings are essential to secure a seat.

For more information or to make a booking, contact GoCo Community Transport on 02 6740 2254

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100

Held during March each year, the Weeks of Speed Festival is a unique programme of heart-thumping speed and speed-related activities and great family friendly entertainment.

Organisers plan new events each year and in 2017 the Weeks of Speed programme bursts into action on Saturday March 4 and will continue each weekend thereafter, finishing on Sunday March 26, 2017.

Download the Weeks of Speed Programme 2017, see what’s on and head to Gunnedah for some great action packed, family friendly entertainment.

Gunnedah Shire Council is currently preparing its Disability Inclusion Action Plan and encourages the community to get involved and have their say. The Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan supports the National Disability Strategy and will set out, and prioritise Council’s actions to improve access and participation during the period 2017 to 2021.

“In accordance with the NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014, and with over 1.3 million people in NSW living with disability, the development of the Plan provides us with a great opportunity to actively engage with disability support providers, people with disability and the broader community to identify barriers to the way people with access Council’s services, infrastructure, programs and events. The focus of the plan will be across four key areas; attitudes and behaviours, liveable communities, employment, and the systems and processes adopted by Council in the delivery of its services” said Mayor Jaimie Chaffey.

“Council acknowledges the importance of accessibility and social inclusion, and embraces these principles in its organisational practices. As an organisation we are committed to becoming both a champion and advocate for accessibility and inclusion, and in doing so we look forward to having a conversation with the community and in particular people with disability, to maximise the potential that this Plan will provide, and to develop strategies and actions which embrace the principles of universal design”.

“Council will be working hard to seek out the views and aspirations of the community where access and inclusion is involved, and over the next few months a number of opportunities will exist for people with disability, disability support stakeholders and the broader community to provide their input into the Plan” he concluded.

The draft Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan will be available for public comment by mid-April 2017.

{rsfiles path="GunnedahShireCouncil/COUNCIL/KEEP-IN-TOUCH/News-and-Media/News-Slideshow/All Abilities Access and Inclusion Plan Poster - January 2017.pdf"}

WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED AND HAVE YOUR SAY

Community Forum
10.30am to 12.30pm | Tuesday 21 March 2017
Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club

Community Forum
5.30pm to 7.30pm | Tuesday 21 March 2017
Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club

Online Community Survey
Open until Friday 24 February 2017, you can take part in the Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan Community Survey here.

Arrange a time to chat with the Plan's Project Team

Debra Hilton | Community and Social Planner | 02 6740 2100 or 0400 921 706

Kate Mackley | GoCo Community Hub Worker | 02 6740 2100 or 0400 282 674

Email

Send your feedback directly to council@infogunnedah.com.au. 

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 02 6740 2100

During the last six months, thirteen Gunnedah residents have become Australian Citizens and have now been officially welcomed into Gunnedah’s diverse community. The new citizens come from a number of countries including Denmark, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Thailand, China, Pakistan and India.

Recent Citizenship Ceremonies conducted by Council saw the new citizens take their oath or affirmation which symbolises the commitment to Australia and its people, the values we share and our common future. It outlines not only their rights, but also their responsibilities. It also symbolises the sense of belonging to the country where a citizen was born or, in this case, where they have decided to make a home. Australian citizenship is a shared identity, a common bond which unites all Australians while respecting our diversity.

The new citizens have decided to make Australia their home for a number of reasons. Some are long-time Gunnedah residents who have chosen to make their citizenship official, and others are new to the area. The contribution made to the community by new citizens extends well beyond the obvious cultural and social benefits. There is a huge economic component; as people come to town, they bring their expertise and skills and are employed in a range of industries across the Shire.

Saranpat Kittikornveraoat and Pawadee Srisawas originally from Thailand, moved to Gunnedah in 2016 to start a day spa business – Chan Supa Thai Massage. The girls had friends who lived in the area and told Miss Kittikornveraoat and Miss Srisawas about the need for a day spa. After living in the city, they decided it was time for a tree change, and saw that moving to Gunnedah would provide them with the opportunity to start a new business.

“When we moved here, we found that people in Gunnedah were very welcoming and really embraced our new business. We are really proud to be new Australian Citizens and make Australia our home” they said.

“The decision to accept Australian citizenship is public recognition of their commitment to Australia. As Mayor, it is an absolute honour and privilege to congratulate and welcome our new official Australian citizens. In Gunnedah, we now have many people from different backgrounds and religions that help to strengthen our community” said Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100

Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking quotations from suitably qualified, licenced and insured companies for the provision of Tender and Contract administration services and project management/ supervision of the proposed construction and revegetation phases of the Blackjack Creek Flood Mitigation Project - Riparian Corridor/ Channel Reconstruction.

The scope of works document and relevant appendices can be found in the COUNCIL > Tenders, Quotations & EOI section of Council’s website, or obtained from Council’s administration building 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.

Quotations should be addressed to the General Manager, and can be mailed to Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380, hand delivered to the Tender Box at Council’s administration building, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah, or emailed to council@infogunnedah.com.au. Quotations will be received until 5.00pm Wednesday, 1 March 2017.

NOTE: The project is subject to a pending Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit application through the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.

For more information regarding this request for quotation, please contact Council’s Project Town Planner, Mr Brendan Williams on 02 6740 2100 or email Council at council@infogunnedah.com.au.

Eric Groth
GENERAL MANAGER

Notice is hereby given of the public exhibition of the draft DisAbility Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021 Enhancing Access: Cultivating Inclusion.

Council’s vision for an inclusive community is to be recognised as both an advocate and champion for the rights of people of all abilities in our community ensuring all of our residents are treated equally and respectfully and have opportunities to enjoy the benefits. The draft Plan articulates strategies and actions to enhance access and participation opportunities over the next four (4) years. The Plan includes actions for all areas of Council, and will guide us in ensuring our services, facilities and infrastructure are inclusive to all residents.

Our community can make comment on the draft Plan up to Wednesday, 17 May 2017.

The Plan is viewable in text version on the Gunnedah Shire Council website at www.infogunnedah.com.au and available for inspection at Council's Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah, GoCo, 80 Marquis Street, and the Shire Library, Conadilly Street between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

{rsfiles path="GunnedahShireCouncil/COUNCIL/THE-FUTURE-OF-GUNNEDAH/Exhibition-Draft-Documents/Draft Gunnedah Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021.pdf"}

Persons wishing to comment on the draft DisAbility Inclusion Action Plan should do so in writing and address submissions to:

Eric Groth
General Manager
Gunnedah Shire Council
PO Box 63
GUNNEDAH NSW 2380
E: council@infogunnedah.com.au 

Submissions should be received in writing no later than 5.00pm on Wednesday, 17 May 2017. The Final draft will go before the June Council Meeting.

Gunnedah Shire Council, is a registered affiliate with the NSW Companion Card and accepts the Companion Card at the Memorial Swimming Pool and The Civic cinema. As a participating affiliate, Council will issue Companion Cardholders with a second ticket for their companion, at no charge.

The Companion Card was developed to remove the financial barrier for people with disability who have a significant, lifelong need for high level of care to participate in community based activities. The card issued contains a photograph of the cardholder which can be presented when booking or purchasing a ticket at Council events and venues, provided the cardholder requires attendant care support in order to participate at that particular activity.

There is no National Card however under the scheme, a cardholder may use their card in any State or Territory when on holidays or travelling. If a cardholder permanently moves to reside in another state or territory then they will need to apply for a new Companion Card from the State/Territory in which they now reside.

Additional affiliates within the Shire include:

• Gunnedah Greyhounds
• Gunnedah Rural Museum

For more information contact https://www.nsw.gov.au/community-services/companion-card

Welcome to the 2017 Australia Day in Gunnedah Events Program!

We’ve got plenty of great events going on this year, including the famous Raft and Craft Race, heaps of sporting events and new addition, Aussie Day Bake Off!

We're on the hunt for Gunnedah's best Novelty cake and Australia Day themed cake. All entries will be auctioned with proceeds raised going to the Gunnedah Scholarship Fund and the G.S Kidd School Bus Fund.
Join us on Australia Day, 26th January 2017, at the Smithurst Theatre from 11:30am. Entry forms can be found below or are available from the Council Administration Building or The Civic.
For additional information contact council on 02 6740 2100.

View the full 2017 Australia Day Program below as well as more information on our main events of the day. You can also view the full listing of Nominees for the 2017 Australia Day Awards below.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre is set to receive an upgrade thanks to an Arts NSW Grant aimed at improving regional cultural facilities.
Fifteen regional organisations across the state will receive funding for infrastructure projects or equipment to develop arts and cultural facilities for their local community.

“A little bit of money goes a very long way in local communities and I know the projects we are supporting will see a significant boost to arts and culture in these towns” said Minister for the Arts Troy Grant
“Across NSW, the Government is helping to revitalise arts and cultural facilities, including Performing Arts Centres, Galleries, Museums and Community Centres, ensuring people can enjoy diverse activities regardless of where they live” he said.

The Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre will receive $16,020 with a further $17,000 contributed by Council from its 2016/17 Operational Budget. Funds will go towards revitalising The Gallery with new lighting and painting as well as new floor coverings in the art studio space. This money will also help with the purchase of exhibition equipment and drying racks within the Creative Arts Centre.

“This financial contribution by Arts NSW, under their 10 year policy framework, Create in NSW, will be an investment that our community will truly benefit from and will improve the functionality and the prestige of The Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre” Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“We’re very excited, this will be a wonderful project for The Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre. The renovations are due to commence in early January and should be completed by May, 2017.” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Officer, Lauren Mackley said.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery has the pleasure exhibiting one of regional NSW’s rising contemporary Artist’s, Gavin Coote. Gavin has freshly developed a playful exhibition titled, (Non) Humans of the North West especially for his exhibition in Gunnedah.
Gavin’s quirky depictions of people and places from throughout the North West as iconic Australian animals brings a playful and entertaining insight into our regions own style of ‘Australiana’.

Gavin’s collection of expressive child-like and spontaneous paintings and ink drawings are reminiscent of Australian art world greats such as: Reg Mombassa, Pro Hart and the notorious Adam Cullen. A series of charismatic short films Gavin has created will also be available for viewing throughout the duration of the exhibition.

“I want to reflect the diversity, vibrancy and quirkiness of The Northwest. This project draws parallels with the Humans of New York photography project, that sheds light on different people and places of New York but I have developed a fictional and expressive representation of the people and places of the North West. My vibrant animated characters reflect a side of regional Australia that is often forgotten; our lively assortment of spirited people” said artist Gavin Coote.

Gavin will also be hosting painting and drawing workshops at the Gunnedah Creative Arts Studio room from 11:00 am Saturday the 18 and Sunday 19 of February 2017. Enrolments for the Workshop are available through www.thecivic.com.au . Alternatively, enrolments are available at the Visitor Information Centre, 81 Chandos Street, Gunnedah or at Gunnedah Shire Council’s Office, 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah.
The Official Opening will be held at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery at 6:00 pm on Friday the 3 February, 2017. The exhibition will continue until the Sunday 5 March 2017.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.