NAIDOC Week is here, and Gunnedah has celebrations for the whole community to enjoy. From 2 July to 9 July there will be a range of activities sharing Aboriginal culture and honoring the rich heritage of the Gamilaroi people.

“NAIDOC is a great celebration of Aboriginal culture, and the Gunnedah community coming together to recognise traditional language is really important” Gunnedah NAIDOC Committee Chairperson Cassy Aldridge said.
“We are really excited for the Annual NAIDOC march. This year, Aboriginal people are asked to invite a non-Indigenous person to march alongside them, to demonstrate unity and remember that Aboriginal history is the history of our land, our country; of all Australians.”

The NAIDOC march will start from the Red Chief Monument at 10.00am on Sunday 9 July and will finish at Wolseley Park with the Official Flag Raising Ceremony. The official proceedings will be followed by the Annual NAIDOC Community Fun Day which has free carnival rides, bubble soccer, art and craft, lingo bingo and other fun activities for all ages.

“The Community Fun Day at Wolseley Park will be amazing. There are so many things to enjoy, there’s something for everyone,” continued Ms Aldridge.

In 2017 the official NAIDOC theme is ‘Our Languages Matter,’ which acknowledges the connection language provides to ancestors, history and land. Gunnedah Shire Council will be celebrating language through sharing stories. Gunnedah Shire Libraries Toddler Time will feature “Stories of the Dreamtime.’

The Civic Cinema will feature a free ‘Cleverman Marathon’ on Saturday 8 July from 10.00am to 9.00pm, and a youth only screening of ‘Zach’s Ceremony’ from 6.00pm Wednesday 5 July.

The Annual NAIDOC Exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery ‘Marra Gigi through Guwaalay’ incorporates artworks from local artists, schools and community groups which reflect the theme ‘Our Language Matters’ from a local perspective, representing stories and language through visual and audio representations.

For more information about NAIDOC community events please contact NAIDOC Committee Chairperson Cassy Aldridge on 6743 0999

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Safer Sharps Disposal

Gunnedah Shire Council, in conjunction with various organisations, provides sharps disposal bins across the Shire for people with diabetes and other users of lancets, syringes and pen needles. The community is encouraged to dispose of sharps responsibly to reduce health and safety risks for workers at our waste and recycling centres.

Public sharps bins:

• Vernados Carpark, Little Barber St
• Pump House opposite Rugby Park, Wandobah Rd
• Gunnedah Waste Management Facility

Single use sharps bins:

• Brocks Court Wolseley Park (mounted on toilet block wall)
• O’Keefe Pavilion, Wolseley Park
• Mornington Park, Anzac Parade (mounted on toilet wall block)
• Gunnedah Community Health Centre, Marquis St
• Gunnedah Hospital, Marquis St
• Hagley/Osmond Chemist and Karen Carter Chemist (Conadilly St)

For more information please see our Sharps flyer below:

Gunnedah Shire Council is once again inviting applications from eligible community and sporting groups for financial assistance under its annual Section 356 Community and Sports Small Grants Program.

The program has been in place for more than a decade, and is designed to support the work of local not-for- profits, charitable community and sporting groups and organisations.

“The level of funding available under the program is dependent on the project but can be up to $5,000” said Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor, Jamie Chaffey.

“The financial program is designed to aid the continuation of existing local projects or help fund projects that meet the needs of our growing community and I would encourage all our local groups to take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity for funding from Council” continued Cr. Chaffey.

Community Small Grants applications shall meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Addresses existing gaps in service or community development
• Addresses issues and/or recommendations outlined in the Gunnedah Shire Community Strategic Plan
• Promotes community development and seeks to address issues of access and equity
• Improves collaboration with other organisations/groups in the Shire
• Has involvement from volunteers and self-help initiatives, which build upon Council’s contribution
• Includes consumer/user participation in management of the project
• An innovative and creative approach to identified needs

Sports Small Grants applications are required to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Improves participation in their organisation or sports activities
• Addresses safety concerns
• Supports, trains and/or enhances volunteers
• Addresses issues identified within the Gunnedah Shire Community Strategic Plan

“We are looking forward to seeing some very creative ideas and projects and as Council seeks to support the development and continuity of local organisations, priority will be given to those applications that not only benefit their organisation but also the broader community,” Cr Chaffey said.

Application forms and guidelines are available from Council’s administration building, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah, the Shire Library or can be online under our Section 356 Community and Sports Grants page. Applications close 5.00pm Tuesday 25 July, 2017.

Further information is available by contacting Debra Hilton on 02 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au. 

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

At last night’s council meeting, Gunnedah Shire Council endorsed the 2017- 2027 Community Strategic Plan.

Council recently completed a wide range of engagement activities to understand the community’s ideas for the Gunnedah Shire, now, and into the future. The feedback, discussions and concerns that were raised have been considered and have helped guide many of the key themes that are represented in the plan.

The Community Strategic Plan is the highest level of strategic document of Council, identifying the community’s priorities that guide Council’s direction over 10 years. It identifies the themes and broad adjectives relating to key issues facing the Gunnedah Community.

“We’re excited to present a plan that has been developed in consultation with the community. Some examples of key initiatives presented include a water equalisation proposal, shade cloths in the parks, a reduction in fees and charges for users of the Town Hall and Civic, beautification of the entrances to town and improvements to the Villages” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Director of Business Systems and Governance Colin Formann said.

“We’re really happy to present the final version of Community Strategic Plan to the community. Engaging with the community has enabled Council to take into consideration to a diverse number of ideas from across the community, and as a result, there are some really exciting visions and ideas that are represented in the CSP. It’s important to have ideas and aspirations for our community, but also important to have to have a plan as to how we achieve these goals – which is why the Community Strategic Plan is so important.“ Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“The plan brings community groups and other tiers of Government together, so we’re all working toward a shared vision for the future of our community,” he continued.

“I’m elated that we are committing to the inclusive playground and that funds have been made available for the Curlewis pipeline in 2018/2019. Both these projects will require partner funding – and we’re committing to making them happen. There are some really great outcomes for the community that have come from the Community Strategic Plan and the Delivery and Operational plans,” he concluded.

A full copy of the Community Strategic Plan is available at www.infogunnedah.com.au.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

In yesterday’s budget announcement it was revealed that $8 million dollars has been allocated for the commencement of Gunnedah’s Second Rail Overpass. This is a significant achievement, and an important moment in time given that Gunnedah Shire Council, along with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and Transport for New South Wales have been in consultation with the RMS since 2012.

Although the project has been committed to for some time, the budget allocation ensures the project is now expected to commence in 2018. The Second Rail Overpass will seek to improve road safety, reduce impacts of the increasing use of rail networks within the Shire and meet future transport requirements for the Gunnedah and wider region.

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey and General Manager, Mr Eric Groth attended a briefing meeting with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) Officials on Wednesday morning that outlined an intention to call for tenders in early 2018 with an expected commencement date of July 2018. From award of the tender, the project is expected to take two years, with no changes to the previous budget.

“I wish to congratulate and thank Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson and Minister for Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, MP Melinda Pavey on their efforts in ensuring that this project has been funded as a priority by the State Government so that the Gunnedah community, and indeed the whole region will be able to enjoy the benefits of the development,” Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“In the two year construction phase, there will be many opportunities for local business. We’re expecting a considerable boost to the local economy during that time- not only for contracting businesses, but also for retail and hospitality” he continued.

“We look forward to the commencement of the project and the many benefits this will bring to our community. Our community has told us that livability is high on their list of priorities, and this project will inevitably assist in ensuring Gunnedah, even with increasing population and transport needs, is more liveable into the future” Mayor Chaffey concluded.

For more information visit www.infogunnedah.com.au or call us on 67 402100.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Did you know that almost half of the house fires in Australia start in the kitchen – all because cooking was being left unattended?

To help prevent kitchen fires, Fire & Rescue NSW has released the Keep Looking When Cooking mini mag. Available in cafés, bars, community centres and other locations all over NSW, it features a great collection of recipes from firefighters that will give you the answer to that perennial question – “What’s for dinner tonight?”

The Keep Looking When Cooking mini mag also has handy tips on how to stay fire safe in the kitchen. Fires can spread in minutes, but it only takes seconds to stop them!

You can also visit the Keep Looking When Cooking website to download the mini mag recipes, as well as additional recipes. If you’d like to share your delicious recipes, post them to Fire & Rescue NSW facebook page with the hashtag #KeepLookingWhenCooking

Kitchen fire safety tips

• NEVER leave cooking unattended. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the stove or use a timer to remind you to check your cooking.
• DON’T put anything metallic in the microwave as metal can spark and cause it to catch on fire.
• KEEP matches and lighters out of reach of children as they are unaware of the dangers.
• STORE flammable items (aerosols, cleaning agents and cooking oil etc.) away from heat as they can explode.
• DON’T cook under the influence of alcohol or drugs as it impairs your judgement.
• KEEP loose clothing, fabrics, tea towels and curtains away from the stove as they can catch on fire.
• TURN pot handles inwards to avoid being knocked or grabbed by children.
• KEEP your oven and range hood clean. Excess grease and fat can ignite in a fire.
• DON’T use LPG cylinders for cooking or heating indoors.

If a fire does occur:

• NEVER put water on a fat or oil fire as it will immediately intensify and spread
• TURN off the stove and use the lid to smother the flame if you can
• GET OUT, STAY OUT AND CALL TRIPLE ZERO ‘000’.

The Staff at Recyclit have had to deal with a 'spike' in needles within the recycling kerbside pickup over the last 2 weeks.

The workers at the Material Handling Facility sort through the material by hand and are exposed to sharps injury when the materials are contaminated.

The types of Sharps that have been disposed incorrectly are;

• Needles – hollow needles used to inject drugs (medication) under the skin.
• Syringes – devices used to inject medication into or withdraw fluid from the body.
• Lancets, also called “fingerstick” devices – instruments with a short, two-edged blade used to get drops of blood for testing.

Sharps of any kind do not belong in the garbage or recycling – they can injure garbage collectors and other workers.

Collection days of Wednesday and Thursday have seen the largest numbers of sharps coming in to the facility.
We're working with Gunnedah Workshop Enterprises to ask the residents of Gunnedah to be more aware of the items you place in your Recycling Bins every week.

To dispose of Sharps correctly, please place them in Community Public Sharps bins at

• Vernados Car Park, Little Barber Street (behind Bitter Suite Coffee Shop).
• Water Pump Station Opposite Rugby Park on Wandobah Road.
• Waste Management Facility 418 Quia Road Gunnedah.

Containers less then 1.4litres are acceptable for these bins.

Location of bins is not permanent.

Single use bins are located at:

• Brocks court, Wolseley Park (mounted on toilet block)
• Mornington Park, Anzac Parade (mounted on toilet block)
• Gunnedah Community Health
• Gunnedah Hospital
• Hagley/Osmond Chemist
• Karen Carter Chemist
• O’Keefe Pavilion in Wolseley park.

Upcoming Workshops for Small Business Owners

Unleashing Innovation
'Bringing Ideas to life - from shoestring through to growth'

Every business is for sale, it is simply a matter of price!!

Business growth can be achieved by organic growth or by acquisition. Acquisitions is the quickest way to grow a business (if done right) Is your target business for sale?

The purpose of this presentation is to provide a brief outline of financing options and capital structures, covering the following topics:

• Overview of Financial Products
• Overview of Debt Financing options
• Overview of Equity Financing options
• Consideration of Other Alternatives
• What to Use and When
• An overview of cost effective resources from start ups

View the Business Connect Flyer below.

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To Register or for more information:
www.nortecsmallbiz.org/ or call 02 6685 5000

Gunnedah Shire Council has endorsed the draft version of the Community Strategic Plan and the document, as well as the Delivery Program and Operational Plan are currently on Exhibition, with Council receiving submissions in relation to the documents until 5.00pm Thursday 15 June.

Council recently completed a wide range of engagement activities to understand the community’s vision for the Gunnedah Shire, now, and into the future. The feedback, discussions and concerns that were raised have been considered and have helped guide many of the key themes that are represented in the plan.

“We’re excited to present a plan that has been developed in consultation with the community. Some examples of key initiatives presented include a water equalisation proposal, shade cloths installation in parks, a reduction in fees and charges for community groups using the Town Hall and Civic, beautification of the entrances to town and the villages. It’s really important that the community have a look at the plan and make a submission, as this plan will be in place for a four year term before it is reviewed,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Director of Business Systems and Governance Colin Formann said.

“We’ve worked really hard to engage the community to listen and understand your ideas for the Gunnedah Shire. While there some common themes, we also received representation from a diverse number of community members groups, which has been fantastic. Council has worked to ensure that we’ve taken a balanced approach to considering all the different ideas that were presented. We want to say a huge thankyou to everyone who has participated, “Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“However, there’s still time for your to have your say. It’s really important we get this right- so please take some time to review the document and make a submission should you have anything you’d like considered. The plan brings community groups and other tiers of Government together, so we’re all working toward a shared vision for the future of our community,“ he concluded.

For more information including all the other ways you can have your say, visit www.infogunnedah.com.au or give us a call on 02 6740 2100.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Access Working Group and concerned community members staged an awareness raising event in Conadilly Street on Sunday, 21 May to highlight the issue of inappropriate use of designated access bays in Gunnedah.

Using wheelchairs parked in non-designated bays, each carried a sign to indicate that 'Laziness is not a disability'. Each sign was accompanied by a range of common excuses such as, ‘But it’s close, I will only be 5 minutes, Nobody is using it, I don't care and Oops’.
"The event was staged as a result of feedback from frustrated parents, carers and the disability support sector during the development of the Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan”, said Working Group Chairperson Councillor Ann Luke.

“We hope to highlight that designated access bays are allocated specifically for those who have a legitimate disability or impairment, and who display a NSW Mobility Parking Scheme Permit or an Australian Disability Parking Permit on their vehicle”.

"This initiative is the first of many to be undertaken by the Access Working Group which has recently reconvened to strengthen Council's commitment to access and inclusion, and to support the delivery of the Shire's Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021" she concluded.

Members of the Gunnedah Shire Council Access Working Group include: Cr Ann Luke (Chair), Gerard McDonald (Community member), Julie Frend (Community member), Rebecca Dridan (Community Member), Peter Jones (Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce & Industry), Sharne Turpin (GS Kidd Memorial School), and Steve Betts (House with No Steps). Council staff include: Andrew Johns, Debra Hilton, Kate Mackley and Richard Baxter.

If you would like more information about the Access Working Group or the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021 contact Debra Hilton, Council’s Community and Social Planner on 02 6740 2100 or email council@infogunnedah.com.au.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.