Businesses in NSW will be banned from supplying single-use plastic items to customers in the next six months.

The supply of lightweight shopping bags will be banned from June 1, 2022, and the supply of single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, bowls, and plates and expanded polystyrene food service items will be banned from November 1, 2022.

The supply of single-use plastic cotton buds and microbeads in rinse-off personal care products will also be banned.

This will prevent nearly 2.7 billion plastic items from entering the coastal, marine, and bushland environments of NSW over the next 20 years.

Exemptions will apply to ensure continued access to straws for people with a disability or medical need in NSW.

Environment Minister James Griffin said while a number of large and small businesses had already phased-out single-use plastics, for many the ban will involve significant change and they’ll need government and community support.

As part of a new partnership with the NSW Government, the National Retail Association (NRA) will visit retailers in the next nine months to provide factsheets, signage and advice to help businesses make changes, in line with the recently announced Plastics Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021.

The NRA has also launched a free hotline to offer businesses, community organisations and consumers advice on the single-use plastic bans.

For more information, call the hotline on 1800 844 946 or visit: http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-ban

Caption: NSW businesses won’t be able to supply single-use plastic items from June 1, 2022.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

Artists from the New England North West and Central West can now join locals in submitting works for the upcoming Gunnybalds exhibition.

A new medium, digital works, will be included this year, and digital artists are invited to showcase their works.

The Gunnybalds is our tribute to the famous Archibald Prize for portraiture and is returning to the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery after many years.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley said this year’s exhibition would have a modern twist and entry is free.

“Exhibitions like this play a vital role in communities, enhancing opportunities to foster creativity, inclusivity and accessibility,” she said.

“We look forward to being inundated with entries to see the exhibition become a great success for Gunnedah.”

The exhibition will include two categories – junior (17 and under) and open (18 and over).

All works are to be submitted by April 4, 2022 to Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery with entry form attached and all artworks ready to hang.

Opening night will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022 at 6pm.

The entry form is available at The Civic, Gunnedah Shire Council Administration Centre in Elgin Street, and online at www.thecivic.com.au.

For more information, contact Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley on 6740 2100.

Caption: A portrait by Jean Isherwood from Gunnedah’s Town Collection.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

March 24, 2022

A film director and three producers will introduce their award-winning short film, featuring Gunnedah Saleyards, at Gunnedah’s Flickerfest’s opening night on Thursday.

The short film, Giants, also shot in Narrabri, shines a spotlight on the recent drought and won Best Australian Short Film and Best Original Music at the recent Bondi festival competition.

The director, Eddy Bell, and producers Steven Rees, Nonny Klaile and Luke Mulquiney, filmed over an 18-month period in the area, capturing the devastating effect of the drought in the area and said they were glad they could “bring it back to the North West”.

“We’re excited to be coming back to Gunnedah to share the film with the community, for people we made it for,” Luke Mulquiney said.

Director Eddy Bell said it was the first public screening he would attend for Giants.

“This is the premiere for me … so I am pretty excited to share this film with a Gunnedah audience as my first Flickerfest film,” he said.

Mr Bell will also visit Carroll Public School to speak about the film.

Other highlights of Flickerfest will include the quirky black space comedy The Home Team starring Paul McDermott and acclaimed actress Tara Morice, the fun neighbourly drama Stonefish, the moving and intimate sibling drama You Me Before And After, starring Yael Stone, and the award-winning Space Invader.

Flickerfest is Australia’s only Academy Qualifying and BAFTA Qualifying Short Film Festival and is a kaleidoscopic carnival of short films from around Australia and the world.

The Best of Australian Shorts will be screened on March 24 at 6:30pm and the Best of International Short Films will be showcased on March 31 at 6.30pm.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased via https://flickerfest.com.au/tour/gunnedah-nsw/

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

21 March, 2022

Gunnedah Shire will once again commemorate ANZAC Day in the true Anzac spirit, with services around the Shire.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the community had always turned out in large numbers to pay tribute to those who have served.

“ANZAC Day is an important day in the Australian calendar, and has always had a special place in Gunnedah Shire’s heart,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Our Shire should be proud of the way we have marked this day each year, and this year will be no different.

“Services around the Shire will remember those who have served, who fought and gave their lives in conflicts around the world. I urge everyone to attend a service if they can, or to spend a moment or two thinking of those who have served in the past, or who are even now serving their country.”

In Gunnedah:

• the dawn service will begin at 5.30am at the Cenotaph in Conadilly Street
• the ANZAC Day march will begin at 10.30am in Marquis Street and continue down Conadilly Street. The assembly point for the march will be the corner of Marquis and Elgin streets, outside Mitre 10 from 10.00am
• the official service will begin at 10.45am at the Cenotaph on the corner of Elgin and Conadilly streets.

In Breeza:

• an ANZAC Day Service will be held at 8.30am at the Breeza Cenotaph.

In Curlewis:

• a Dawn Service will be held at 5.15am at the Curlewis Cenotaph
• the official service will be held at 9.00am at the Curlewis Cenotaph.

In Tambar Springs:

• a Dawn Service will be held at 5.30am
• the official service will be held at 11.00am (assembled by 10.45am)

In Premer:

• There will be no services at Premer this year
• Note: Dawn Service is always held at Tambar Springs, but the ANZAC Day Service alternates between Tambar Springs and Premer each year.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire band marching in the 2021 Gunnedah ANZAC day service

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

18 March, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is supporting proposed NSW Government changes to the state planning system that will allow more Gunnedah farmers to open farm-stay and farm-gate operations.

At the March meeting yesterday, Council endorsed a recommendation to advise the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to include the proposed Farm Stay Accommodation and Farm Gate Premise Clauses, into the Gunnedah Local Environmental Plan 2012.

This will allow “agritourism”, “farm experience” and “farm gate premises” in the zones that now have “agriculture” as a permissible land use.

Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said Council applauded the NSW Government’s move to streamline the approval of agritourism ventures.

“No one is more aware of how tough it can be on the land than our own Gunnedah Shire farmers,” Cr Chaffey said.

“We’ve been through a heart-breaking drought that cut our farming families to the bone. Then, when the rain finally fell, along came the floods and of course the pandemic that kept them isolated, a mouse plague and an economic rollercoaster. It’s a hard but absolutely critical way to make a living.

“We strongly support allowing our farmers to diversify and build their resilience. We are on board this proposed move by the NSW Government to make it possible for primary producers to diversify their business to include farm stays, farm gate operations and other forms of agritourism.

“The pandemic has shown Australians the value of the true country experience, and we are perfectly located to grow agritourism. It will help us show the rest of the country, and the world, the things we value about where we live.”

It is anticipated that these changes will provide farmers with the ability to source additional income and to allow them to be more resilient when recovering from natural disasters and the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is “agritourism”?

The NSW Government describes “agritourism” as a tourism-related experience or product that connects agricultural products, people or places with visitors on a farm or rural land for enjoyment, education, or to participate in activities and events.

Agritourism activities include direct shopfront outlets with produce tastings, regional markets, farm and winery tours, cooking classes, food and wine festivals, farm stays, restaurants sourcing local produce, self-picking experiences and farm gate sales. The term also covers farm-stay, camping and other on-farm accommodation, farm tours and activities, and events based on farms for their scenic quality, such as weddings.

More broadly, agritourism allows regional economies to showcase what’s special about the region, its unique growing conditions and natural resources and provides a visitor draw card from which other regional tourism businesses and experiences can benefit.

Caption: Jack Hewitt with his pigs at his farm near Kelvin, NSW

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

March 17, 2022

Following consultation with the community, Gunnedah Shire’s Water policy has been changed to include new watering times during times of restrictions.

Gunnedah Shire Council yesterday adopted revised Gunnedah Water Supply Drought and Demand Management Plans and updated the Water Restriction Policy to adjust watering times.

Now, when water restrictions are put in place, the new permitted times for use of fixed hoses and sprinklers will be between 6pm and 8pm during daylight saving time, and 5pm and 7pm at other times.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the changes directly reflected the results of community consultation which showed people wanted the hours changed after restrictions were implemented during the drought.

“A survey about water conservation showed people preferred a two-hour block of watering time rather than an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening,” Mr Bartlett said.

“And the clear preference was for between 6pm and 8pm during daylight saving time, and between 5pm and 7pm for the rest of the year. People wanted the hours to be altered during daylight saving time, and that’s what we have done.

“These restrictions are only implemented when demand reaches 85% of our water production capacity, or in extreme conditions such as the recent drought, when our groundwater system is under strain.

“Our Drought and Demand Management Plans have also been revised to include changes such as the new Curlewis to Gunnedah pipeline, extra storage capacity with the new Apex reservoir, and the decommissioning of three bores on Old Tamworth Road due to poor water quality.

“When our new water treatment plant is operational later this year, our water situation will be even more secure. A central collection point for water will mean all bores can operate together, boosting Gunnedah’s capacity and allowing more options during maintenance and breakdowns.

“Gunnedah remains in a fortunate position with our water supply. We have a strong groundwater system with eight bores providing excellent quality water. We do, however, always need to remember water is a precious and finite resource and we need to plan ahead to ensure we can meet the demand in the future.

“The recent drought was a reminder that we can’t do without water.”

Gunnedah Shire is currently on Level P (permanent) water restrictions, where fixed hoses and sprinklers are restricted except between 6am and 8am, and 6pm and 10pm during daylight saving time, and 6am-8am and 5pm-9pm at other times.

For the full list of water restrictions at each level, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au and you will find Water Information & Restrictions under Everyday Living in Gunnedah.

Caption: Photo of Gunnedah Shire farm in 2019 during the drought

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

March 16, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council was today presented with the framed first cut of the official Koala Tartan.

Weavers and brother and sister Fred and Marie Lawson, of The Crofters Weaving Mill at Spring Ridge, today presented Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Councillors with the special memento of the world’s first Koala Tartan.

Cr Chaffey cut the first weave of the tartan in a Cutting-Off the Loom Ceremony at the mill in October last year.

Marie Lawson said they had been overwhelmed by the worldwide response to the Koala Tartan.

“The cloth has gone to Scotland, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada and the USA,” she said in the presentation held at the Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre where koalas sporting the special tartan are sold.

“We are still in shock. We just scratch our heads and go and sit and have a cup of tea under a tree. It’s going all over the world.”

Ms Lawson said one buyer had told her that she was Scottish by birth, but now lived in Australia, and the tartan was a wonderful way to celebrate both countries.

Cr Chaffey thanked the Lawsons for the gift he said would find a special place in the Koala Capital of the World.

“These two amazing people, who have already created a number of official registered tartans, are having world-wide success with this design inspired by the koala,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Through their innovation, creativity and hard work, they have come up with a beautiful product that is celebrating our national icon. I’m proud to wear a tie made from the Koala Tartan, and look forward to presenting them to other people in the future.

“Fred and Marie Lawson are also very generous people, who have donated funds and products to projects including Project Koala Gunnedah and the Australian Koala Foundation.”

The presentation was also attended by the manager of Moripo Research Plantation Paul Goss who was dressed in the first kilt made from the Koala Tartan, along with a Koala Tartan tie and hat band.

The Lawsons originally learnt to weave at a Gunnedah TAFE course more than 20 years ago.

Since that time, they have successfully designed and created about 10 registered tartans, using only natural materials which are often dyed at their property. As well as designing tartans for the Australian Heritage Tartan, the Australian Heavy Horse Tartan and many other designs, Fred was commissioned to weave a Victorian State tartan for the Queen as a gift after the Victorian bushfires.

Caption: Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey with Marie and Fred Lawson and the framed tartan piece.

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

March 15, 2022

A number of community positions are vacant on both the Crime Prevention Working Group and the Community Safety Conference Working Group, and interested community members wanting to make a difference in improving the safety amenity of the Gunnedah Shire are encouraged to nominate.

The Crime Prevention Working Group supports the ongoing implementation of the Shire’s Crime Prevention Plan, and has been a driving force behind the extension of CCTV throughout the CBD, providing input into Alcohol Free Zone declarations and lobbying to state and federal government for changes to domestic violence legislation.

The group has also been involved in the planning and delivery of a number of drug and domestic violence community awareness events including the Say No to Drugs Walk around Wolseley, Gunnedah Says No to Violence messages on Council’s waste and water fleet and the Gunny Get Your Home Secure and Gunny Get You Home Safe initiatives.

The Community Safety Conference Working Group is new, and members will help plan the delivery of a crime prevention and community safety conference in Gunnedah that will seek to attract delegates and key note speakers from within NSW and interstate.

Interested community members can nominate by completing an expression of interest which can be obtained from Council’s Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah, downloaded here:

Crime Prevention Working Group

Community Safety Conference Working Group

or by contacting (02) 6740 2100.

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

Expressions of Interest close at 5pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

For more information, contact Council’s Community and Social Planner, Debra Hilton on (02) 6740 2100.

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Communications and Media Team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

March 15, 2022

What is most important for our community as we plan for the future in Gunnedah Shire?

That’s what Gunnedah Shire Council is looking for the answers to as we review our 10-Year Community Strategic Plan for Gunnedah, and look at the path for the four years ahead.

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Community Strategic Plan was the document that looked at the community’s priorities and set a clear direction for the way forward.

“Our Community Strategic Plan is the roadmap for our Shire and guides our course in everything we do,” Cr Chaffey said.

“You wouldn’t set off on a road trip without a map, and this is what this plan will do. It gauges what we all want for the future and how we can work together to get there.

“This document will build on all the community consultation we have conducted over the last two years – in 22 plans, along with surveys and other forms of engagement. We have heard what is important to the community of Gunnedah through your responses and submissions, but we need to know if we are missing something.

“Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on the community to answer one simple question - What is the one most important thing that Council should focus on in the next four years?

“We want to hear what people have to say. You can let us know through a one-question survey and help us build our Roadmap for Tomorrow.”

The survey is available through https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Shire_Road_Map

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Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.

March 15, 2022

Gunnedah’s Mayor Jamie Chaffey has this month been elected to two positions which will ensure the voice of Gunnedah Shire continues to be heard at the highest level.

Cr Chaffey was last week elected as Deputy Chair of the Country Mayors’ Association of NSW (CMA), an organisation that brings mayors from across NSW together to discuss rural and regional issues. Parkes Mayor Ken Keith was re-elected as the Chair.

Cr Chaffey has also been re-elected to the position of Chair of joint local government organisation Namoi Unlimited for the next two years.
Councillor Eric Noakes, Mayor of Walcha Council, is the Deputy Chair.

Earlier this year, Cr Chaffey became the first Gunnedah Shire Councillor to be elected to the board of Local Government NSW (LGNSW). He is the only councillor from the region to sit on the board.

Cr Chaffey said he believed it was important to ensure strong representation for the region.

“It is an honour not only to represent Gunnedah Shire, but to be able to be a voice for regional and rural New South Wales,” Cr Chaffey said.

“It is an enormous time of change, and we can ensure we are well positioned to build a very strong future for our community, for those around us, and for people across country New South Wales.

“We need to make sure our concerns are heard as loudly as those of metropolitan areas. We face different challenges, and different opportunities, and together we can not only continue with our enviable lifestyle and strong economy, but grow.

“By working together regionally and at a state level, we have real strength to advocate for our communities.

“I’ve seen Namoi Unlimited produce some extraordinary results in both the Regional Jobs Precinct declaration, prioritising where the road network needed attention, and a new approach to planning for agricultural development.

“The Country Mayors’ Association and Local Government NSW are both important avenues to advocate for our regional communities, and I am pleased Gunnedah has a seat at the table.”

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.