June 21, 2022

The Gunnedah Shire community is invited to witness the signing of a Sister-City agreement with Kolomotu'a, Tonga, on Friday, June 24.

This week, Gunnedah will welcome her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho from the Kingdom of Tonga to recognise the relationship between Kolomotu'a and Gunnedah Shire.

Gunnedah Shire Council first reached out to Tonga in June 2019, writing to Mr Curtis Tu’ihalangingie, High Commission of Tonga, to explore the possibility of establishing a Sister-City Relationship between Gunnedah and Tonga.

Representatives from the High Commission of Tonga visited Gunnedah in April 2021 to meet with local businesses to discuss employment opportunities.

Four months later, Council received an official letter from the High Commission of the Kingdom of Tonga confirming that His Majesty’s Government of the Kingdom of Tonga had approved the proposed Sister-City Relationship between Gunnedah and Kolomotu’a, Nuku’alofa.

“When representatives from the High Commission of Tonga visited Gunnedah in 2021, it marked the beginning of a valuable friendship and we have built on this since, so I am very excited to share this fantastic news with our community,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“There is a strong alignment of needs between Gunnedah and Tonga. Gunnedah relies heavily on its agricultural industries and has hosted a number of seasonal workers from Tonga on local farms over the years, many of whom have established long-term ties to our local area.

“The establishment of the relationship would assist in helping local businesses access seasonal workers and in return, provide meaningful support to the citizens of Tonga. It will also go beyond this to build valuable cultural and educational bonds between our two regions. It is a strong partnership with our Tongan friends.

“We look forward to formalising our relationship with Kolomotu'a this Friday and invite community members to come along.”

What: Signing of Sister-City Agreement with Kolomotu'a, Tonga.

When: 10:30am, Friday, June 24, 2022.

Where: ANZAC Park in South Street, Gunnedah.

Caption: Representatives from the High Commission of Tonga first visited Gunnedah in April 2021 to meet with local businesses to discuss employment opportunities.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

June 20, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council will write to the NSW Shadow Minister for Health and the Regional Minister for Health to seek a commitment that the new Gunnedah Hospital will retain all its existing services and be funded and constructed if there is a change of government at the March 2023 State Election.

Gunnedah Shire Councillors voted unanimously to support the motion put forward by Mayor Jamie Chaffey for the hospital build to go ahead regardless of government, and to retain its existing 48 beds and include renal and chemotherapy services.

“It is necessary that council, on behalf of the community, seeks to have bipartisan commitment for this critical project. We need certainty that, should there be a change of Government at the forthcoming State election, Gunnedah and the wider community will still receive the much-needed updated infrastructure to provide for the health and medical needs of our community for generations to come,” Cr Chaffey said.

“The timelines for the hospital redevelopment are of concern. The NSW Health Infrastructure team has indicated construction will begin in September 2023 for a 12-month construction process and commissioning of the facility before opening. Contracts may not be awarded for a successful tenderer to construct the new hospital before the caretaker period ahead of the March 25, 2023 State Election.

“Additionally, when the NSW Government announced in 2019 that it had made a commitment to build a new hospital for Gunnedah, with $53 million to get it under way, the promise was made that we would not go backwards in the services our hospital provides. The new hospital would provide all the services of our existing hospital – emergency, medical imaging, maternity, birthing and the inpatient unit, and administration - along with community health and outpatient clinics. But the state government went further to promise the addition of new, much-needed services including renal and chemotherapy services.

“Despite this promise, we now know from the NSW Health Infrastructure team that there will be 19 beds in Maternity and In-Patients, 6 beds in Day Surgery and 5 beds in Emergency, with the addition of 6 infusion chairs. This means there will be a total of 30 beds in the new hospital, not the 48 beds we currently have. We are losing beds.

“The argument that some are not in use is ridiculous in the face of the facts that people are often forced to go to Tamworth Hospital instead of our own. Patients are not given the option to remain in Gunnedah.

“As a Council, we will pursue this matter and demand that the new hospital precinct provide all of the current services, including the 48 beds and the inclusion of renal and chemotherapy services, as promised.”

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking a commitment that the Gunnedah Hospital redevelopment will go ahead with all of its existing services.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

June 16, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council has adopted the Gunnedah Shire Open Space Strategy 2022-2032 to steer the direction for the Shire’s parks, reserves and playing fields for the next 10 years.

The strategy, put together by consultants Ross Planning, will allow the strategic planning, designing, development and management of open space.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said research by the consultants had shown Gunnedah had a generous provision of open space when compared with other local government authorities. A provision of 3.5-4ha per 1000 people was typical for most shires, where Gunnedah had 6.4ha per 1000 people.

“Open spaces are part of Gunnedah Shire’s appeal,” Cr Chaffey said. “We rated particularly highly in the provision of sports areas.

“Our reserves, our parks and our sporting fields are all part of the reason people love to live in Gunnedah, and we need to keep it that way. We need to plan ahead to ensure our open spaces are a reflection of what our community wants and needs.

“This document included extensive consultation through workshops, interviews and surveys. A community survey brought responses from 270 residents, where people let us know that their favourite activity for open spaces, other than organised sport, was walking, followed by playing in the park. About half the respondents said they participate in organised sports in Gunnedah.

“We asked people to name their favourite open space or park and Livvi’s Place came out on top, followed by Wolseley Park, Porcupine Lookout, Stock Road walking path and the Namoi River walking path.

“We asked people to tell us what our open spaces were lacking. This information helped inform the Strategy, and will help guide us in the future.

The draft Strategy went on public exhibition in November 2021 and submissions were considered in drafting the final document.

“A huge amount of time and research has gone into putting together this Strategy which will help guide the future of our open spaces in a cohesive and exciting way,” Cr Chaffey said.

To view the adopted Open Space Strategy, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/council/council-information/strategies-plans

Caption: Livvi’s Place is one of Gunnedah Shire’s most popular open spaces.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

June 15, 2022

The Country Mayors Association of NSW held a Rural Health Forum on May 26 following the tabling in Parliament of the Legislative Council Inquiry into Health Outcomes and Access to Health and Hospital Services in Rural, Regional and Remote NSW on May 5, 2022.

Association Deputy Chair and Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the forum in Sydney was well attended, with excellent presentations by Minister for Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor, Shadow Minister for Health and Mental Health Ryan Park, Rural Doctors Network CEO Richard Colbran, and Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart, National Rural Health Commissioner of Australia.

“Both Minister Taylor and Shadow Minister Park listened and heard our argument that it is critical to approach regional and rural health on a bipartisan basis,” Cr Chaffey said.

“The situation is urgent and needs to be brought before parliament as early as possible.

“Unsurprisingly to anyone who lives in regional New South Wales, the Inquiry found health and hospital services in country NSW were below standard when compared to service levels in metropolitan areas. It’s not acceptable. People deserve access to health care regardless of their postcode.”

Cr Chaffey is urging all regional and rural councils to get behind the efforts of the Country Mayors Association of NSW in its efforts to ensure all 44 recommendations of the Inquiry are adopted by Parliament. He urged councils write to the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition demanding action by adopting the Inquiry’s recommendations that will ensure a marked improvement in the delivery of all aspects of health care to country NSW residents.

“This is our opportunity to make a difference to regional and rural health delivery,” Cr Chaffey said. “Our communities deserve equity and access to the services that could save their lives.”

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

June 2, 2022

The line-up for Gunnedah’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival Road Show has been announced and locals are in for a treat.

On Thursday, June 23, Gunnedah Town Hall will play host to comics Blake Freeman, Bronwyn Kuss, Frankie McNair and Lewis Garnham.

The line-up will be heralded by comedian and emcee Brett Blake - a self-confessed “smoko” lover who flaunts an impressive mullet.

First cab off the ranks is Melbourne comic Blake Freeman who was named Best Newcomer at the 2019 festival and is known for his energy and candour.

Freeman will be joined on stage by writer and comedian Bronwyn Kuss who received this year’s Festival Director's Choice Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Kuss has written for BBC's Newsjack and appeared on ABC radio Sunday Afternoons and the second season of the Australian comedy Metrosexual. She was also named among the Best Newcomers nominees at this year’s festival alongside actor and award-winning comic Frankie McNair who will also perform in Gunnedah.

McNair is a sketch writer for stage and screen and host of the Worst Gigs podcast, where she chats to comics and creatives about the worst gigs they have ever done.

Fellow comedian Lewis Garnham hails from Adelaide and has featured on Triple J, ABC Radio and Triple M. He is inspired by Tom Gleeson, loves bird watching and isn’t averse to a little Lego-building.

 “We all need a bit of a lift in these challenging times and this comedic line-up is sure to do just that, text your friends, book your tickets and head along to the Gunnedah Town Hall on Thursday, June 23,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley said.

“Take the opportunity to use your NSW Discover vouchers before they expire on June 30.”

To book, visit https://augsc.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/51826.

Vouchers can be redeemed against the purchase at the Gunnedah Visitors’ Information Centre at The Civic, Gunnedah. Full bar facilities will be available at the event and tickets are $35.

Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.

Performances often contain coarse language, sexual references and material that can offend. It is recommended for people aged 16 years or older.

Caption: The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Road Show is coming to Gunnedah on Thursday, June 23.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

May 31, 2022

Construction at Gunnedah Shire Council’s $8 million Water Treatment Facility on Kelvin Road has reached a milestone stage.

The major components of the facility are now constructed and all electrical work has been completed at the new plant that will allow for consistent water treatment across Gunnedah and Curlewis.

It will also allow the introduction of fluoridation to improve dental hygiene as recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Two 1 mega-litre concrete reservoirs have been built and the roofing will be installed in coming weeks. The facility building, which houses the fluoride and chlorine dosing stations, is at lock-up stage and internal works are in progress. The access road is 70 per cent complete.

NSW Health is meeting $7.4 million of the cost of the plant through an agreement to provide a centralised centre that will include the new fluoridation system and a more modern gas chlorination system. Modelling for the new centre has been based on Gunnedah Shire’s heaviest days of water usage – in the midst of the drought – and then expanded again to ensure this facility has the capability to deal with the potential demand.

The work is being carried out by contractor Gongues Construction Pty Ltd and the completion date is now August due to wet weather and delays in receiving material supplies because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s good to see work still moving ahead at a steady pace on this major infrastructure project. Unfortunately, we have experienced delays, including rain, but we are moving forward, and it will not have an impact on Gunnedah’s water supply,” Acting Manager of Water Services Michael Ludlow said.

“We look forward to seeing this important project delivered in the coming months.”

Fast facts:

• The new centre will include two 1 ML concrete reservoirs.
• It can treat a maximum of 20 ML per day, and 232 litres per second.
• Gunnedah’s peak water usage came at the height of the drought in late 2019, with use of about 15 ML per day.

Caption: All major infrastructure components of the Water Treatment Plant have been completed.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

26 May, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is inviting community members to submit expressions of interest for its Housing Working Group.

Council’s Director of Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns said the working group was newly established and would benefit from the valuable input of the community.

“The Housing Working Group is a unique opportunity for representatives to become actively involved in improving housing availability and affordability in the Gunnedah Shire,” he said.

“The group has a clear mandate to advocate for facilitating growth in Gunnedah by focusing on the key impediments our Shire currently faces with housing stock supply and affordability.”

Council is seeking specific community representatives including the following:

• Real Estate Sales Manager
• Real Estate Property Manager
• Community Housing Provider
• Chamber of Commerce
• Extractive Industries
• Commercial/Industrial Business
• Training Provider

Expression of Interest forms can be obtained from Council’s Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah, or downloaded from www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/council/council-information/tenders-quotations-eoi.

Completed forms can be dropped off at the Administration Building, submitted via post to PO Box 63, Gunnedah, NSW, 2380, or emailed to council@infogunnedah.com.au.

Nominations close at 5pm on Friday, June 10, 2022. For more information, contact Council on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council’s Housing Working Group will seek to improve housing availability and affordability in the Gunnedah Shire.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

May 25, 2022

Fifteen properties are expected to be auctioned on behalf of Gunnedah Shire this Friday to recover rates and charges that have remained unpaid for more than five years in the case of occupied land, or one year in the case of vacant land.

The auction comes following a lengthy process of contacting owners for payment, and public advertising.

Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth said it was necessary to take the action in cases where every attempt to secure payment, including payment plans, had been unsuccessful.

“It is not something that is undertaken lightly, and is carried out in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 which stipulates Council may sell land on which a rate or charge has remained unpaid for more than five years,” Mr Groth said.

“This auction is being held to clear the total outstanding amount of $166,541.51 that is owed by the various property owners. Nearly all of these properties are vacant land.”

One of the properties originally listed for the auction has been withdrawn from the auction after rates and charges were paid in full. A number of others will be auctioned together as parcels of land.

Property owners have until the time of the sale to make arrangements satisfactory to the Council for payment of all outstanding rates and charges, otherwise the land will be sold by public auction by Lakeford Real Estate at the Civic, 83 Chandos Street, Gunnedah on Friday, May 27 at 11am.

The properties are in Tambar Springs, Breeza, Curlewis and Gunnedah.

The Local Government Act 1993 states surplus funds from the auction of properties with outstanding debts are held with Council’s Trust Fund pending discharge to persons having interest in the properties. Where no claim is forthcoming, the balance of sale proceeds is remitted to the State Government in accordance with the Unclaimed Moneys Act.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

25 May, 2022

Lovers of dance will be in stitches when 100 Years of the History of Dance foxtrots into town on Sunday, June 5.

100 Years of the History of Dance as Told by One Man in 60 Minutes is a comedic, physical theatre performance blending dance and theatre in an unusual, charming and funny way.

The performance tells the story of schoolboy Jacob, who is presenting a report on the history of dance. What ensues is a rollercoaster of dance moves exploring the most influential choreographers since the 1920s, from Martha Graham to Bob Fosse to Paula Abdul.

The high-energy, interactive show is described as “fabulous, funny and fascinating” and a “production driven by infectious joy”.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley said it was fantastic to host yet another live theatre show at The Civic.

“This is the perfect crash course for any dance mums and dads and dance and drama students,” she said.

“This is a really unique theatre production, so come along and witness the marvel of 100 Years of Dance summed up in just one hour.”

100 Years of the History of Dance is coming to The Civic on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $25 and can be booked online at https://www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events.

NSW Discover Vouchers can be used in person at The Visitors Information Centre or The Civic.

Caption: 100 Years of Dance is a vibrant and interactive live theatre production.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

25 May, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council’s updated Asset Management Policy is now available for public comment.

The draft Asset Management Policy sets out the principles and guidelines by which Council will manage its assets so current and future local community needs can be met in an affordable way.

The document sits under the Resourcing Strategy and aids Council in resourcing its strategic priorities as identified through the Integrated Planning and Reporting framework.

The policy also sets out the roles and responsibilities for Council in asset management.

“The Asset Management Policy is a vital document and makes clear the roles and responsibilities of the Mayor, Councillors and Council staff,” Council’s Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said.

The draft document can be viewed online at gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or in person at Council’s Administration Centre at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah, The Civic in Chandos Street, or Gunnedah Shire Library in Conadilly Street. 

Submissions are due by 5pm on Wednesday, June 22 and can be sent via email to council@infogunnedah.com.au or posted to PO Box 63, Gunnedah, NSW, 2380.

If no submissions are received in the 28-day period, the policy will be adopted.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.