3 May, 2022

The first round of the Business Partner Program 2022 has opened, giving Gunnedah’s new and existing businesses an opportunity to kick-start their ideas.

The program has assisted many Gunnedah Shire businesses and organisations to expand operations, launch new initiatives, or upgrade key infrastructure.

“The Business Partner Program is a great opportunity for businesses to get new projects off the ground and realise their ideas,” Gunnedah Shire Council Director Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns said.

“The Gunnedah Shire has a diverse range of businesses, and the Business Partner Program is just one way Council is continuing to support the active business community.

“The program has funded everything from renovations to branding to start-up costs for veterinary clinics, landscaping businesses, real estates, pubs and printeries, among many others.

“I encourage businesses and organisations who are ready to grow, or who have a new initiative that will lead to a stronger economy and employment, to submit an Expression of Interest.”

Expressions of Interest for the latest round of the Business Partner Program will close on Monday, 30 June, 2022.

For guidelines and more information, visit: https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/business/business-support/business-grants-funding/item/959-business-partner-program

Caption: The previous round of Council’s Business Partner Program included 10 projects, ranging from a new electrical business start-up, to expansion of boarding kennels.

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

29 April, 2022

Live children’s theatre is returning to The Civic on Monday, May 16.

Beep, a Windmill Theatre Company Production, is a slightly sideways tale about unexpected friendship, finding where you fit and learning to mix it up a little.

In Mort’s Village everything has its place, every day is the same and everyone likes it that way. Until one morning, crash, boom, bang… down comes Beep.  What is this annoying interruption to Mort’s breakfast molly melon? Who is this noisy robot girl, and how will she find her home? With Windmill’s trademark design, gentle storytelling, music and puppetry, Beep tells the story of what happens when someone new comes to town.

The theatre production is aimed at children aged 2-7 years and runs for about 35 minutes.

Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley said it was fantastic to see live theatre returning to Gunnedah.

“This is a great opportunity for kids to watch live theatre in their own town. If you’ve never taken your kids to a live production, this is a great place to start,” she said.

“This production has been described as a ‘tender tale of friendship for the whole family’, so come along and enjoy this wonderful story in our very own theatre.

“Tickets are selling fast, so please book your tickets early, so you don’t miss out.”

Beep is coming to The Civic on May 16. Doors open at 1pm and the show starts at 1.30pm. Tickets from $15.00 or a group booking of 10+ is $10 per person.

Dine and Discover vouchers can be used when purchasing tickets, but only in person at The Civic, 81 Chandos Street, Gunnedah.  

To book at the Civic website: https://AUGSC.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/13115

Caption: A live theatre production, Beep, is coming to The Civic on Monday, May 16.

ENDS

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

28 April, 2022

Discover the stories hidden within the art of James White at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery in May.

The former Boggabri man will launch a new exhibition, “Memories”, on 27 May, and the local community is invited to walk down memory lane and embrace the nostalgic.

Mr White grew up on a family farm, but left the paddocks behind to travel the wider world, and it’s this collective imagery, and the memories, that inspire his watercolour works. He is a long time member of The Australian Watercolour Institute.   

Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley said Mr White’s exhibition invokes a strong sense of belonging and home.

“Memories can be so powerful and tangible. A certain scent or sight can take you back to a different time and incite strong feelings. James’ exhibition does just that,” Ms Mackley said.

Ms Mackley said his works also possesses a touch of playfulness – a gnome is hidden in each art work.

“Come along and see if you can find it,” she said.

“Memories” will open at 6pm on Friday, 27 May, 2022 at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

Light refreshments will be provided by the Gunnedah Red Cross. The exhibition will be on display until 3pm on Sunday, 3 July, 2022.

Caption: Former Boggabri man James White will exhibit a collection of works titled “Memories” at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery in May. Grannie’s Tablecloth’ is just one of James White’s many works that are inspired by his childhood.

ENDS

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

22 April, 2022

Flood Recovery Costs

A report exploring options for the waiving of user fees and charges for the disposal of household items in declared disaster events will be prepared for a future Council meeting.

The notice of motion was put forward by Cr Ann Luke “after seeing all the heartache” due to flooding events. It was supported by her fellow councillors.

Cr Luke said it was a logical step to ensure Council could be more responsive in its efforts to support the community recovering from times of crises.

Previously, waiving of these user fees and charges required a resolution of Council each time it needed to be done.

“I would like to support this resolution so we have in place all the things we need when there is an emergency,” Cr Luke said.

Off-leash Dog Area

Council has resolved to prepare a report on the feasibility of making the Woolshed Reserve a fenced off-leash dog area.

The notice of motion was put forward by Cr Ann Luke who said she was passionate about establishing a space for dog owners in Gunnedah.

The report will outline options and costings for a fenced off-leash area for the consideration of Council.

Working Group Memberships

Council has resolved to endorse the following new members for Council’s working groups.

Cr Juliana McArthur, Cr Robert Hoddle and Cr Murray O’Keefe will join the Section 356 Arts and Cultural Small Grants Working Group.

Council endorsed Helen Lickorish as the fourth community representative in the Gunnedah Shire Council Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group.

Cr Kate McGrath, Cr Robert Hooke and Cr David Moses will join the Section 356 Community and Sports Small Grants Working Group.

Council endorsed Lindsay Sheedy, Bruce Hockings, Simon Gainsford and Treena Daniells as community representatives for the Business Partner Program Advisory Group.

Council endorsed the appointment of the following members for the Crime Prevention Working Group: Gunnedah Police Inspector Michael Wurth, Gail Paddison (Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce), Jess Blair (Gunnedah PCYC), Joy Wilson (Homes North Community Housing), Vanessa Hodges – Schembri (Gunnedah Family Support), Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation, Joshua Launders, Kath Wilkinson, John Harford,  Caitlin Woodgate – Etherington, and Raelee Bruce. Two youth positions remain vacant and Council will continue to seek appropriate members to fill them.

Council endorsed the following members for the Access Working Group: Peter Jones (Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce), Ingrid Allen-Thomas (GoCo Community Care), Bec Maybury (GS Kidd Memorial School), Corenna Doolan,  Lyndal Riordan and Amanda Cooper. Two community positions remain vacant but ongoing efforts will be made to fill the positions.

Council endorsed the following members for the Economic Development Working Group:  Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce representative Initra Larsen and community representatives Kate Gunn, Tracey Reid, Scott Ford, Glenn Many, and Richard Patriquin. Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry will reassign one remaining vacant position and advise Council. The working group is in hiatus until the position of Economic Development Manager is filled.

Council endorses the following members for the Skills and Training Working Group:

• Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce Representatives: Paul O’Donnell and Susan Frater-Sims.
• Business Representative, Medium Size Business Representative: Michael Broekman.
• Educational and Training Based Representatives: Alison Heagney (Gunnedah Community College), Emily McInerney (Acting Principal Gunnedah High School) and David Carter (Carinya Christian School).

Positions for Large Business Representative, Small Size Business Representative and TAFE Representatives remain vacant. The working group is in hiatus due to staffing, but it is anticipated that meetings for the Skills and Training Working Group will convene in the near future.

Caption: Council will prepare a report on the feasibility of making the Woolshed Reserve a fenced off-leash dog area.

ENDS

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

21 April, 2022

The truck wash at Gunnedah Saleyards will be closed from Tuesday, May 3, for the construction phase of the precinct upgrade.

The closure is due to the renewal of the truck wash that is part of the saleyards upgrade, which will deliver a new state-of-the-art truck wash facility. The current facility will be closed for up to 20 weeks.

An alternate site was considered for the duration of the construction period, however, due to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) licence requirements and the truck wash’s proximity to a flood plain, a Gunnedah Shire Council spokesperson said there was not a feasible solution.

“The decision to close the truck wash was not made lightly,” the spokesperson said.

“Consultation has taken place with the Gunnedah Stock and Station Agents Association (GSSA) and transport operators as the project has progressed.

“An opening date for the new truck wash will be announced when it has been confirmed by the contractor.”

Caption: Gunnedah Saleyards will undergo a major upgrade.

ENDS

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

April 21, 2022

In a submission to the NSW Country Mayors’ Association, Gunnedah Shire Council has identified its top five areas of concern.

Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey told Councillors at the April Ordinary Council meeting that the Executive of the NSW Country Mayors’ Association, of which he is the Deputy Chair, were encouraging member councils to submit motions on priority issues.

The association’s survey of councils in December 2020 found the top three single issues for councils were water security, access to health services and financial assistance grants, but the association acknowledged it was time to review the findings.

Cr Chaffey said like any other region, Gunnedah faced a number of issues.

“While we recognise there are many challenges within the Shire, our community knows where we need help, and the most important challenge we continue to face is access to health services,” he said.

“We have had a doctor to resident ratio of 1:3000 and a local hospital where the facilities are not up to the standard we need. While we have seen a recent improvement in doctor numbers, we continue to work with health professionals to come up with practical and sustainable solutions and to keep the pressure on the state and federal governments for improvement in this area.

“Our other priorities are housing, skills and education, crime levels and cost shifting.

“We have a lack of residential housing, a lack of vocational education and training courses, a dramatic increase in crime, and determinations by the state government in recent years that have put a financial burden on Council without financial reward.

“We intend to keep the focus on these areas of need and help find solutions for our community.”

Cr Chaffey said the information would be gathered and assessed for top concerns across regional and rural New South Wales to inform the position and priorities of the NSW Country Mayor’s Association for the next 12 months.

The submission was presented in a Mayoral Minute to Gunnedah Shire Council that was adopted this week.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey says the most important challenge the Shire continues to face is access to health services.

ENDS

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

April 21, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council will apply for an Additional Special Variation of rates following a change to the rate “pegging” process that could lead to Council being unable to deliver all services and maintain assets in years to come.

Council this week voted to apply for a permanent Additional Special Variation of 2.5% to rates in line with its budget predictions for the next few years. The 2.5% figure was the long-term modelling percentage recommended by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), the body responsible for rate “pegging”, or setting the maximum amount for rate increases by NSW councils.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said recent changes to the way IPART calculated rate pegging meant the maths was based on significantly flawed figures. Gunnedah, along with many other Shires across the state, was assigned its lowest ever rate increase cap of 0.8%.

“A difference of 1.7% (between 0.8 and 2.5%) might not seem a lot, but that adds up to $236,000 less in Council’s revenue in the next year, and $2.65 million over the next 10 years.

“As the bottom line in our application for this rate variation will show, that figure means there would not be enough funding available for the maintenance of Gunnedah’s essential assets and for all of the community services we provide. It’s just not responsible financial management for our Shire.

“The IPART calculations have been based on cost trends that have now completely turned around. Instead of Council costs going down, they have - like expenses everywhere - skyrocketed. Fuel has gone up, construction costs have gone up, labour costs have gone up – and our Shire is growing. This is no time to be reducing our operating budget.”

In recognition of the all-time low rates cap, the NSW Office of Local Government has advised councils of a one-off Special Variation Process for 2022-23. Council must show it has budgeted for an income above its record low rates peg and that the new figure would either mean an Operating Performance Ratio (OPR) of 2% or lower over the next five years, or that the OPR needs to be higher to meet capital funding requirement.

Cr Chaffey said the budgeted 2.5% increase sought by Council would equate to an increase of about 27c a week ($14.27 a year) for residential areas, and 35c a week ($18.22) for rural properties. Council has a Hardship Policy in place to assist ratepayers who are having difficulty meeting their payments.

“IPART has also agreed to review this methodology,” Cr Chaffey said.

“That’s an essential step in helping make sure councils across the State don’t face this situation again.”

Fast facts on the process:

• The IPART rate-peg methodology assumed an increase of 1.2% in employee costs. The 2020 NSW Local Government Award includes a 2% wage increase and another 0.5% increase in superannuation.
• The methodology assumed an increase of 1.5% in business expenses. The ABS Producer Price Index has increased 3.7%, with insurance increasing by 11%.
• The methodology assumed a decrease of between 6.6% and 2.4% in electricity, water, sewerage and fuel. NSW recorded quarterly wholesale price increases of 130.5% with an annual electricity cost increase of 22%.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council will apply for an Additional Special Variation of rates following a change to the rate “pegging” process that could lead to Council being unable to deliver all services and maintain assets in years to come.

ENDS

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

19 April, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking members to join the Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the working group provided an exciting opportunity to strengthen ties with our existing Sister Cities, and to explore new possibilities.

“The working group’s purpose is to look at the Sister City relationships we already have and to look at other partnerships that might lead to exciting things for Gunnedah Shire,” he said.

“The working group will help make this happen this by bringing together local schools, volunteer and cultural groups, business and other interested parties to work with our Sister Cities and tap into economic, educational and tourism opportunities.”

Nominations are invited from school-based representatives, volunteer groups, and community representatives. Forms can be obtained from Council’s Customer Service Team at 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah or on Council’s website: https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/ 

Completed nomination forms need to be submitted to council@infogunnedah.com.au by 5pm on Friday, 29 April, 2022.

For more information on the Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group, contact Gunnedah Shire Council on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au.

Caption: The Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group helps to foster existing relationships and seek out new partnerships.

ENDS

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

13 April, 2022

The Gunnedah Shire has been announced as a finalist in the 2022 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Tourism Team Leader Nikki Robertson said she was thrilled that the Shire has made the cut, alongside its neighbour Tamworth, in the category for more than 5000 residents.

“It’s fantastic to be in the finals and it shows that we can mix it with well-known destinations,” she said.

“We have quirky and beautiful attractions that reflect Gunnedah and show people what we’re all about.

“We are a destination for events like AgQuip, our wonderful Gunnedah Show, and Weeks of Speed, and we can continue to grow from here.”

The winners will be decided by popular vote and a judging panel, and Ms Robertson is encouraging residents to get on board.

“We now need everybody’s help to vote for us,” she said.

“We’re asking people to show their pride for their Shire and vote for Gunnedah.”

Public voting is open until 5pm, Wednesday 27 April, 2022. To vote, visit www.businessnsw.com/top-tourism-town-awards-2022

The winners will be announced at the Local Government NSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference on 17-19 May, 2022. Winners in each category will go on to represent NSW at Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards to be held later in the year.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire is home to many attractions, including the award-winning Dorothea Mackellar mural painted by street artist Heesco.

ENDS

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

April 13, 2022

There are many ways you can honour our ANZACs in Gunnedah Shire this April 25.

Gunnedah RSL sub-branch Vice-President John Atkin said the RSL was encouraging people who could not make it to a service to continue the newer “Light up the Dawn” tradition.

“In the last couple of years, people have not been able to get out and Light up the Dawn has become popular,” he said.

“People can stand in their garden or driveway at about 5.30am, just as dawn is breaking and the sun is coming up, and maybe light a candle or, if they have an Australian flag, fly it at half-mast until the sun is up.

“We will also have full services this year with no restrictions in place.”
Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said Light up the Dawn allowed people to commemorate this important day in their own way.

“There are people who just can’t make it to a service,” he said. “With Light up the Dawn, everyone has the option to pay their own tribute together with the nation, even while they are alone.

“Whether you mark this day by yourself, with your family, or at one of the services that always brings us together as a community, ANZAC Day remains one of the most important days in the Australian Calendar.”

Here are 10 ways you can pay tribute to those who have served this ANZAC Day, April 25:

1. Join the Light Up the Dawn with your own small tribute in your garden or driveway as the sun comes up
2. Attend the Dawn Service in Curlewis at 5.15am at the Curlewis Cenotaph
3. Attend the Dawn Service in Gunnedah at the Cenotaph in Conadilly Street at 5.30am
4. Attend the Dawn Service in Tambar Springs at 5.30am
5. Attend the Service at the Breeza Cenotaph at 8.30am
6. Attend the Service at the Curlewis Cenotaph at 9am
7. Join or watch the ANZAC Day march that starts in Marquis Street, Gunnedah at 10.30am and continues down Conadilly Street (assembly point is the corner of Marquis and Elgin streets at 10am)
8. Attend the Service at Gunnedah Cenotaph in Conadilly Street at 10.45am
9. Attend the Tambar Springs Service at 11am
10. Buy an ANZAC Day poppy to remember those who have served.

Caption: The ANZAC Day parade in Gunnedah brings the community together to pay tribute to those who have served.

ENDS

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