Customer Relations, Communications & Lifestyle
25 November, 2024
Gunnedah Shire will once again show its support for the call to end gender and sexual violence against women and girls with a candlelight vigil on Tuesday, 10 December.
The vigil, organised by Gunnedah Shire Council in partnership with the Gunnedah CommUNITY Action Team, is part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence that runs from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, to Human Rights Day on December 10.
Gunnedah Shire Council Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton said the event was a chance for people to unite in support of safety for women and girls.
“Australia is facing a national crisis of violence against women, with one woman killed in Australia every four days,” Ms Hilton said. “To date, the lives of 85 women and children have been taken in our country.
“Sadly, we know that number will rise before the year is out, just as we know that one in three women will experience violence in their lifetime and that any level of violence other than zero, is unacceptable.
“We invite everyone in our community to join us and stand together to be part of the 16 Days of Activism to show their support and to say no to violence. 16 Days of Activism is a global movement that reinforces that gender-based violence isn’t limited to intimate partner violence and family violence. It’s also about coercive control, depravation of liberty, online abuse, stalking and harassment.”
The theme for this year - “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls” - recognises that 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The colour theme is orange.
“This year, we will also be providing a free community barbecue, with local support services and members of the Gunnedah CommUNITY Action Team in attendance. Battery-operated candles will be provided, and the vigil will include a reading of the names of each victim of domestic violence and intimate partner violence in 2024 followed by one minute’s silence.”
Council will display its “No Violence” banners in Conadilly Street and the Poetry Precinct from 23 November to 5 December.
Gunnedah Shire Council encourages community members and organisations to go orange, and to consider doing something of their own to show support, with resources available on the UN Women website https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism
What: 16 Days of Activism Candlelight Vigil and Community Barbecue
When: 7pm – 9pm, Tuesday 10 December 2024
Where: Smithurst Theatre Courtyard, (Beside the Town Hall), Conadilly Street, Gunnedah
Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council will join the call to end gender and sexual violence against women and girls at a candlelight vigil and community barbecue on Tuesday, December 10. Pictured are representatives in attendance at last year’s vigil.
ENDS
For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au
22 November 2024
Gunnedah Shire Council has endorsed two important documents showing the breadth of work carried out in Gunnedah Shire over the past few years.
Councillors yesterday endorsed the Annual Report 2023/24, as well as the State of our Shire Report 2021/2024 that documents the progress of implementation and the effectiveness of the Community Strategic Plan during the previous term of Council.
The Gunnedah Shire Council Annual Report 2023/24 includes details of a capital works program of $58.2 million in partnership with the state and federal governments. Council leveraged a total of $30.3 million in state and federal funding to complement $27.8 million in Council funding on capital works during this time.
“It’s been a busy and challenging year for our Shire,” Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Colleen Fuller said. “We have been lucky enough to have had continued population and business growth, and a number of major projects underway.
“The past year has been one of consolidation and building towards greater sustainability.”
Among the major projects are the $22.7 million Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary (98% of which is being funded through grants and contributions, alongside $559,752 in Council expenditure) and the $28 million Gunnedah Regional Saleyards Redevelopment (87% of which is being funded through grants and contributions, alongside $3.7 million in Council expenditure).
Landmark events during the 2023/24 financial year included the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference and the Get Ready and Resilience Expo.
“Our vision is for a prosperous, caring and proud community reflected in the achievements of the people,” Cr Fuller said. “This Annual Report shows our Shire has come a long way towards achieving that vision, and is looking towards a fiscally responsible future in which Council continues to build on the wonderful lifestyle our community enjoys today.
“Through efficiencies over the past few years, Council has managed to absorb some of the ongoing cost creep, cost-shifting and escalating costs all NSW Councils are facing, and through our conversation with the community surrounding a Special Rate Variation, we are looking to ensure we can continue to provide the services and infrastructure our community wants and needs.”
The Gunnedah Shire Council State of our Shire Report 2021-2024 reports on Council’s progress in implementing the Community Strategic Plan during the 2021-2024 term of Council.
The Community Strategic Plan, through Council’s focused Delivery Program and Operational Plans, includes four main themes – engaging and supporting the community, building our Shire’s economy, retaining our quality of life, and protecting and enjoying our beautiful surrounds. Council’s performance is measured against these themes.
The term of government included significant challenges, including the COVID19 pandemic, drought and repeated flooding.
“Despite these challenges, the State of our Shire Report shows Gunnedah Shire has continued to grow in every way,” Cr Fuller said.
Both documents are available to view on Gunnedah Shire Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au .
21 November 2024
An exciting new addition has been made to Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playground in Gunnedah, with the installation of Livvi’s Library.
This vibrant new outdoor children’s library will provide parents and caregivers with the option of reading to their young ones as they relax and enjoy the space.
“The project was identified as a playground enhancement in 2019, when Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playground was being developed and progressed over time with the help of the Gunnedah Shire Access Working Group,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller said.
“Reading is very important. Children learn words and language skills from listening and engaging in stories, songs and conversations. When we read aloud, share stories and sing along with children, we help them to develop early literacy skills.
“But it is also a fun way to connect and engage with others and to inspire young imaginations to fly.”
Gunnedah Shire Council Director Community and Development Andrew Johns said development of the library had been a team effort.
“This colourful, custom-built little library has been constructed by the Gunnedah Woodworkers and stocked initially by the generous donations of sensory and non-sensory children’s books from Council staff,” Mr Johns said.
"As time goes on, we hope that community members will bring in a children’s book or swap out an old book to help grow the collection.
“The project recognises parents and caregivers often don’t bring a book to the playground and Livvi’s Library provides a good selection of books within easy reach.
“The location of the library in the quiet, nature-play and sensory area of the playground ensures it is also accessible by those in a wheelchair or experiencing mobility challenges. We hope the community will embrace the concept, and see Livvi’s Library as a wonderful addition to what is an already unique playground.”
21 November 2024
Cohen’s Bridge to remain the same width
The NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison has confirmed Cohen’s Bridge will not be widened as part of current works.
Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth had written to Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson seeking his representation to the state government to include widening of the bridge’s deck and carriageways as part of the work. Mr Groth wrote on behalf of residents who had raised concerns about the narrow width of the bridge.
The Minister said due to the bridge’s heritage significance on Transport for NSW’s Heritage and Conservation Register together with the design, type and structural nature of the bridge, widening would not be considered.
Documents on public exhibition
Council has endorsed the following documents for public exhibition:
• Draft Community Engagement Strategy – outlining the approach Council takes to engaging with the community
• Amended Delivery Program 2022/23-2025/26 – A document to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Council, including application for a Special Rate Variation (SRV)
• Amended Resourcing Strategy 2022/23-2025/26 – includes the Long Term Financial Plan, the Asset Management Strategy and the Workforce Management Strategy
• Amended Operational Plan 2024/25 – the Operational Plan has had the SRV action updated to reflect Council’s endorsed application
These documents have been updated following Council’s decision to apply for a Special Rate Variation on 6 November 2024.
They are available on Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or on request at the Customer Service Counter at the Elgin Street office. The public exhibition period will extend until Thursday, 19 December 2024 and people can provide feedback through email council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or mail at PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380.
Community proposals on public exhibition
Gunnedah Shire Council has supported two community proposals which will now be on public exhibition.
The first is financial support of $15,000 over three financial years for a partnership with Jack Newton Junior Golf for the NSW Family Classic, a three-day event at Gunnedah Golf Club anticipated to be a significant economic and social boost to the Shire.
This resolution will be on public exhibition until Friday, December 20.
The second is approval of the placement of a plaque on a park bench in Anzac Park in memory of Norma and Frank Robinson. This resolution will be on public exhibition until Friday, December 13.
These resolutions are available on Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or on request at the Customer Service Counter at the Elgin Street office. People can provide feedback through email council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or mail at PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380.
20 November 2024
An art exhibition to honour and celebrate Gunnedah Shire’s women will come to the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery for International Women’s Day in March 2025 - and artists are being asked to create something special for the occasion!
The International Women’s Day Exhibition has proven to be a diverse and popular exhibition in the past, with a huge variety of styles and artworks to commemorate the special day.
Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater said the exhibition was a great opportunity for Gunnedah Shire residents to share their artistic ideas.
“International Women’s Day is a celebration of how far we have come, and a move to accelerate an even more gender-equal world in the future,” Mrs Frater said.
“The theme for International Women’s Day in 2025 is #AccelerateAction and one way to do that is to recognise the wonderful things our women achieve and the incredible role they play in our Shire’s everyday life.
“Whether you paint, sculpt, crochet, draw, weave, screenprint or love any other kind of artistic endeavour, it’s time to put that talent to good use. We would really like to see this exhibition reflect the diverse and powerful contribution of women to our region.”
Ready-to-hang entries with a completed submission form are due to the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery on Monday, 24 February, 2025 and the exhibition will open at the gallery at 6pm on Friday, 28 February and continue until Friday, 4 April, 2025.
Submission forms are available here...
Caption: Visitors enjoy the opening of the International Women’s Day Exhibition in 2023.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.
19 November 2024
November 25 is the start of National Asbestos Awareness Week, a great time to remember to be asbestos ready.
Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Community Safety Wade Berryman said asbestos was still present in homes as well as public and commercial buildings across the country, and could be found anywhere in homes built before 1990.
“As people approach home renovations of older houses, it is critical to keep in mind that asbestos affects one in three homes nationwide,” Mr Berryman said.
“There are significant health risks associated with asbestos exposure, and where there is any chance it is present, it is important to contact a licensed asbestos professional.
“There are strict guidelines about asbestos handling, removal and disposal to remove any risk to health. People can find out more about asbestos on Gunnedah Shire Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au under Environment/Asbestos.”
Mr Berryman said while the dangers of asbestos had been known for decades, there was still a level of complacency about its presence.
People can also report concerns or complaints regarding the inappropriate handling of asbestos, illegal dumping of material containing asbestos, and handling of material containing asbestos at non-work sites to Council.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.
18 November 2024
The famous poet Dorothea Mackellar, who spent many hours at her family’s home in Gunnedah, wrote of the beauty of our part of Australia.
Gunnedah Shire’s Poetry Precinct in South Street not only celebrates Mackellar with a statue, garden and plaques, but now also has a new way to take in our Shire’s serenity.
The Poetry Precinct Open Space Activation Project has added to the appeal of the precinct with a new path, gardens and mini-amphitheatre.
The beautiful outdoor space, which will be officially opened at a small community event at 4pm on Thursday, 21 November, lies alongside the Dorothea Mackellar Centre, the Gunnedah Shire Band Hall and the Water Tower Museum, adding a new dimension to an area that already pays respect to Gunnedah Shire’s heritage and culture.
Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the Poetry Precinct Activation Project had been made possible by the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program.
“This NSW Government funding has made it possible add to what is already a popular precinct,” Mr Bartlett said.
“Council has created a place that can be used for quiet reflection in natural surroundings, or as a gathering place for people who want to play music, or even perform a small-scale outdoor play.
“It’s not a large space, but it is an important one in building on opportunities to enjoy our lifestyle – and our landscape.”
NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program Funding for Gunnedah Shire included three projects under the Gunnedah Public Spaces Activation Program - the Shared Pathways Connection Program, the Wandobah Road Open Space Enhancement Project and the Poetry Precinct Open Space Activation Project.
What: Official opening of Poetry Precinct Activation Program
When: 4pm, Thursday, 21 November 2024
Where: Poetry Precinct, Behind Gunnedah Shire Band Hall, South Street, Gunnedah.
Caption: The winding path that has been added to the Gunnedah Shire Poetry Precinct.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.
The Gunnedah Shire community is invited to attend the 2024 Lighting of the Christmas tree at 7.30pm on 29 November.
Gunnedah Shire’s community Christmas tree stands in Brock’s Court in Chandos Street each year as a symbol of the festive season, and each year, the turning on of the lights on the tree signifies Christmas is nearly here.
“We are very happy to be able to present this small but special event to our community in partnership with the Gunnedah Conservatorium, who provide the seasonal music and singing,” Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Colleen Fuller said.
“It’s a lovely opportunity for families to come along, see the tree light up and join in a carol or two.”
The event is being held on the same night as the Christmas Fair to allow people to go from one event to the other and make the most of the festive season activities.
13 November 2024
Following last week’s difficult but necessary decision to proceed with a Special Rate Variation (SRV) to address its financial sustainability and maintain essential community infrastructure and service levels, Gunnedah Shire Council is now welcoming written submissions from the local community. These can be provided to Council until Thursday, 19 December 2024.
Council’s original SRV proposal was for a permanent cumulative 38.88% increase over two years with a 24% increase in year one and 12% increase in year two. The community feedback indicated that the year one increase was too high.
Council considered a range of scenarios in response to the community feedback and has determined to proceed with a permanent Special Rate Variation over two years that is 37.67% cumulative but caps the increase on Residential, Business and Farmland rate categories at 15% per year (32.25% cumulative).
The balance of the revised SRV of 37.67% cumulative is to be sourced from the Mining rating category.
This week Council formally notified IPART that it intends to submit a Special Rate Variation application for the 2025-2026 financial year.
Council's Integrated Planning & Reporting (IP&R) documentation will be updated to meet the SRV application requirements, and the amended IP&R documents will be presented to a future Council meeting for the purpose of being endorsed by Council for public exhibition.
Council will convene an Extraordinary Council meeting in January 2025 for the purpose of receiving any submissions on the revised IP&R documentation and to endorse the SRV application prior to the submission to IPART by February 3, 2025.
Council also resolved to strive to achieve $930,000 through efficiency gains and operational savings over the 3-year period 2025 to 2028 with a report to council by May 30th annually during this period.
Members of the community can measure how they will be directly affected by the Special Rate Variation by accessing the rates calculator now available on the dedicated SRV page on Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.
General enquiries on the Special Rate Variation can be made to Council’s customer service team on 6740 2100 or council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au
Written public submissions will be accepted until December 19, 2024, and can be made via post:
The General Manager,
Gunnedah Shire Council,
PO Box 63,
Gunnedah NSW 2380
Or
Email: council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au and webform https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/council/keep-in-touch/contact-us .
13 November, 2024
Every year, Gunnedah Shire residents add another layer of special to Christmas with their spectacular Christmas light displays.
Gunnedah Shire Council is challenging our community to make 2024 the brightest and most beautiful Christmas of all!
The Christmas Lights Competition opens today, with six categories including the always hotly contested title of Santa Street for the street that glows the most. Last Christmas, the title went to Kurrajong Road.
The categories are:
* Best Decorated House (a prize of a $200 Gunny Money Gift Card)
* Best Nativity Scene ($50 Gunny Money Gift Card)
* Best Christmas Theme in a Village ($150 Gunny Money Gift Card)
* Santa Street (winners’ plaque and $200 Gunny Money Gift Card)
* Judges’ Choice Award ($50 Gunny Money Gift Card)
* Best Dressed Shopfront Window ($100 Gunny Money Gift Card).
Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller encouraged people to spread the joy of Christmas by decorating their home or business.
“There are some really beautiful Christmas displays in our Shire every year,” Cr Fuller said. “It’s time for people who have thought about doing this before to seize the season and have a go.
“Christmas displays really add to the excitement our whole community enjoys at Christmas time.”
To be eligible for judging, people must fill out a competition form. They are available on the Civic website here. Entries close at 5pm on Friday, 6 December, and judging will take place on Wednesday, 11 December and Thursday, 12 December, depending on the number of nominations.
Winners will be announced at the Christmas Tree in Brock’s Court at 5.30pm on Wednesday, 18 December.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.
