Gunnedah is helping Flickerfest celebrate 26 years as Australia’s biggest short film competition, screening the best of shorts from Australia and around the world, hand-picked from over 2,400 entries.

Flickerfest remains a platform for celebrating innovative short filmmaking from Australia and around the world. Flickerfest returns to the Civic Theatre with 6 of the Best of Australian Shorts and 5 Short Laughs Comedy films that will fill your night with a hilarious off-kilter selection of funny shorts from across the world.

“Flickerfest at The Civic will be a wonderful afternoon celebrating Australian and International short films and a great way to spend your Sunday”.

“This year’s five Short Laughs Comedy films are said to be some of the best works to date. “Said Cultural Officer, Lauren Mackley.

Gunnedah’s Flickerfest red carpet will be rolled out at The Civic Theatre from 4:00 pm, Sunday 26 February 2017 with canapes and drinks on arrival.

To purchase tickets to see all that Flickerfest has to offer, including both the Best of Australian Short films and the Short Laughs Comedy films, full session tickets are available for $35. To view either the Best Australian Shorts or the Short Laughs Comedy films, single session tickets are $25. Both ticket types have concessions available.

This is a one-off chance to see these amazing short films before they continue their journey around the world.

You may purchase tickets online at www.thecivic.com.au or in person at the Civic Theater and Council Offices in Elgin Street. For any enquiries call (02) 67 402 100.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking quotations from suitably qualified, licenced and insured companies for the Fire Equipment/System Maintenance Pressure Test/Tag and Inspection Service of Council’s key assets.

The scope of works document can be found in the Tenders, Quotations and Expressions of Interest section of our website, or obtained from Council’s Elgin Street Office. Quotations should be addressed to the General Manager, Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380, and will be received until 11.00am Friday, 3 February 2017.

For more information regarding this position, please contact Council’s Manager Public Facilities, Mr Geoff Phillips on 02 6740 2100.

Eric Groth
GENERAL MANAGER

Earlier today Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson and Gunnedah Shire Council’s Mayor, Jamie Chaffey announced that Council had been successful in their application to receive $ 1.98 million dollars in funding under the NSW Govt. Resources for Regions Grant Program. The money will be spent on a planned upgrade to the Gunnedah Sewage Treatment Plant.

The grant program is designed to help communities build infrastructure to support mining related growth in Regional NSW. Gunnedah had been excluded from the grant program in previous years, being unable to meet the criteria to be considered ‘mining affected’.

Both Mr Kevin Anderson and Gunnedah Shire Council had lobbied heavily to have the criteria changed. This is the first year that Gunnedah had been eligible to apply for the program. Mr Anderson said he was pleased to see that the criteria which had unfairly excluded Gunnedah from the program had been adjusted as Gunnedah is quite clearly affected by mining.

“Gunnedah is in a unique position as one of the few towns with a population around 10,000 that is seeing strong growth.”

“We are focussed on ensuring that Gunnedah has the capacity to grow, has the industry to grow and has the right level of investment to support that growth. The future is bright for Gunnedah and for 2017 what a fantastic way to kick it off.” Mr Anderson said.

The upgrade of the Sewage Treatment Plant will support the projected growth of Gunnedah through to 2038 and is expected to cost $8.11 million. The State will now fund $1.98 million of that project with the remainder being funded by Council. Planning for the project is already at an advanced stage and is expected to commence in the first half of 2017.

Gunnedah Mayor, Jamie Chaffey was delighted by the announcement and said that an upgrade of the facility was critical in supporting the ongoing growth of the town.

“With the growth that we have already seen and are continuing to see in Gunnedah, this project just needs to be done. Some of the equipment that is being replaced in this upgrade is nearing 100 years of age.”

“The $1.98 million dollars which has been committed by the State will take some of the burden off us.” Mayor Chaffey said.

The economic analysis of the project shows that approximately 24 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the project and Mayor Chaffey pointed out that the Council will be working with the successful contractor to ensure that where possible, these jobs stay local.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Have you got what it takes to take out the (very prestigious) title ‘Gunnedah’s Best Cake Maker’?
You’ll just have to enter our cake competition to find out!

So what’s this all about?!
The 2017 Australia Day program will see the inclusion of a new and exciting event, the ‘Aussie Day Bake Off’. The ‘Aussie Day Bake Off’ is a competition to find Gunnedah’s best Australia Day themed and decorated cakes.
Be as creative as you like – all you have to do is make sure your cake is Aussie Day themed.

If you’re keen for some baking competition, why not nominate, or nominate someone you know? The boys aren’t getting out of this one either! The Australia Day Chair has put the challenge out to our male Councillors and Senior Management, who have been asked to nominate in the men’s section.

The categories are listed below and the competition is open to all ages and abilities:

• Best Lamington
• Australia Day Biscuits
• Patty Cakes
• Men’s section - Red White & Blue themed Cake
• Men’s section - Green & Gold themed cake
• Open section - Red White & Blue themed Cake
• Open section - Green & Gold themed cake

All baking entries will be judged and auctioned off to the highest bidder, with all monies raised being donated to two local groups, the GS Kidd School Bus fund and the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

The Aussie Bake off will be held at the Smithurst Theatre on January 26, from 11.30am and all entries required by 12.00 noon. Judging will commence at 12.30pm and will be auctioned from 1.00pm.

Entry forms are now available on the Council website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or the Gunnedah Shire Library Conadilly Street, The Civic Centre on Chandos Street or the Gunnedah Shire Customers Service Centre on Elgin Street.

At last night’s council meeting, it was resolved that Council will help the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) seek grant funding from alternate sources to provide for the costs of the Barber Street Offtake portion of the Second Road Over Rail Project. This portion of the project is valued at approximately $6.5 million dollars and support will be provided by the RMS in putting forward the case for funding. Council resolved to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the NSW Government to formalise the partnership.

“Council is thrilled with the commitment to the project shown by the Hon. Duncan Gay, NSW Minister for Roads and Maritime Services and by our local State Member, Kevin Anderson.”

“It is reasonable, that with the cost of the project being higher than expected that the Council assists the State in getting the project over the line by applying for alternative grant funds but ultimately the project will still be funded by the State.”

“This decision is consistent with the commitment between Council and the Minister to work in partnership on the project and the agreement formed during the meeting with the Minister last month. I’m delighted with the decision taken by Council last night and look forward to seeing the Overpass delivered to the revised project timeline.” Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

At last night’s Council meeting, Council unanimously determined to approve a development application which will allow the Li’l Achievers Childcare facility to be significantly expanded. The proposed development will increase the capacity of the Childcare Centre from 24 children to a maximum of 80 children.

Council considered a number of public submissions in relation to the proposed development and worked with the developer to ensure that any concerns were addressed as part of the approval.

“We are fortunate to see much needed childcare places are becoming available as our Community grows and I’m delighted to see this development go forward.”

“There is an identified need for increased childcare facilities in Gunnedah and this kind of development will help attract and retain young working families and improve the skill capacity of the local workforce.” Mayor Chaffey said.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council and the local Chamber of Commerce will collaborate on preparing for a trade mission to China in the New Year. Council has previously developed an investment prospectus, translated into Mandarin, Japanese and Korean intending to promote the many investment opportunities in the Shire internationally.

These efforts have started to bear fruit, with interest having been expressed from the Mayors of two regions in China and an invitation having been extended from the Mayor of the QuFu region to receive a delegation from Gunnedah.

It is proposed that the trade delegation consist of local industry representatives, mostly from the agribusiness sector and three representatives from Gunnedah Shire Council. Industry representatives joining the trade mission will be required to cover their own costs.

The International Engagement Division of the Department of Primary Industries is also supporting the trade mission and has offered to conduct preparatory training seminars during January 2017 for all members of the delegation, free of charge.

“The Gunnedah Shire has huge investment potential and the strengthening of trade links between Gunnedah and China will unlock many opportunities for local business and ultimately lead to more jobs and an even brighter future for our local residents.”

“Council’s Economic Development Strategy seeks to ensure that Gunnedah develops a diversified economy and encourages a range of compatible businesses and industry. This trade mission is an important step towards achieving that aim and has the overwhelming support of the Council.” Mayor Chaffey said.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

At last night’s council meeting, it was resolved that Chandos Street will be reverted to a two way street after much careful deliberation. The decision was made after Councillors received briefings and background information on the history of the project and took into consideration the budget impacts of the works. Returning Chandos Street to two way traffic is expected to cost approximately $72,000 and Council staff will now move quickly to implement the decision in the first part of the New Year.

“Council also considered an option to return Chandos Street to two way traffic whilst creating a ‘pedestrian shared zone’ and street plaza, consistent with Council’s Open Space Strategy. That option was considered cost prohibitive at this time, but returning Chandos Street to two way traffic is the first step toward delivering that outcome.”

“Council took a measured and considered approach to making this decision and reviewed all the facts before last night’s outcome. I believe we’re working really well as a team and will continue to work together to achieve the best outcomes for the community.” Mayor Chaffey said.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Officer, Lauren Mackley is calling for submissions from young artists between the ages of 5 to 25 years, within the Gunnedah Shire to explore their creative side and submit artworks for the 2017 Youth Week Exhibition.

The theme for Youth Week, 2017 is ‘Be here, Be heard!’ This is an opportunity for the youth of Gunnedah to express how they want to heard in the Gunnedah community, through their chosen artistic mediums.

"With the school holidays now in full swing, this is the wonderful opportunity for the young people of Gunnedah to discover, develop and demonstrate their artistic abilities. ‘Be here, Be heard’ is a platform for emerging artists within our Shire to exhibit their works in a professional setting, and could very well be a stepping stone for their future"

Participants and groups are urged to explore contemporary mediums such as film, photography and digital art as well as traditional mediums of painting, drawing and sculpture.

Submissions by individuals, collectives, groups and organisations will be accepted. ‘Artist Submission forms’ are available at Thecivic.com.au, The Visitor Information Centre or Gunnedah Shire Council office, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah. For any further information please call (02) 402 100.

Artworks and submissions are due at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery at 5:00 pm Friday, 31 March 2017. All entries are free.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

National Youth Week 2017 is fast approaching and Gunnedah Shire Council is calling for young people between the ages of 5 to 25 years to submit art works for the 2017 Youth Week Exhibition.

The theme for Youth Week, 2017 is ‘Be here, Be heard!’ and the exhibition is a chance for youth in Gunnedah to explore their creativity and demonstrate to the community just how creative, talented and imaginative our young people really are.

“This is an opportunity many artists dream of; to have artworks on exhibition in a professional gallery from a young age. I encourage any young people in the Gunnedah Shire to come along and contribute to a wonderful show that will boast the diverse talents of young people in our region,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Officer, Lauren Mackley said.

Submissions by individuals, collectives, groups and organisations are encouraged. ‘Artist Submission forms’ are available below, on our website www.thecivic.com.au or can be picked up from The Visitor Information Centre or Gunnedah Shire Council Office, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah. 

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For any further information please call (02) 67 402 100. Artworks and submissions are due at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery at 5:00 pm Friday, 31 March 2017. All entries are free. See you there. WARNING:Young people being creative!

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.