October 21, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking your input about the brightest future of our parks and recreation areas following the release of the Draft Gunnedah Shire Open Space Strategy 2022-32.

The strategy will guide us in the planning, design, development and management of our open spaces over the next 10 years, and looks at locations such as sporting fields, parks, the Shire’s open spaces in villages, the river precinct and the very popular Wolseley Park area.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said consultants Ross Planning had already sought community views through workshops, community and sport club surveys, and interviews to help shape the draft strategy, but this was another opportunity to take a look at specific concepts.

“Parks and recreation areas are very important to our quality of life,” Cr Chaffey said.

“At every stage of our lives, from when our young children are playing at the park, to sporting activities and walks in our bushland, open spaces are where we gather, exercise, enjoy time with our families and enjoy the outdoors.

“It’s important to have community input into how they will look in 10 years time. Community surveys carried out to help this strategy brought in 270 responses from residents - showing just how much we value our open spaces.

“This draft strategy includes specific future planning for much-loved spaces like Wolseley Park, suggestions for off-leash dog areas, potential repurposing of pockets of parkland that are not used, potential changes for the skate park and many other concepts that could make our open spaces even better in the next decade.

“We all use these spaces, and I urge as many people as possible to have their say in their future. There are some great ideas in this draft strategy, but we need to know what you think before we go ahead with a final strategy.”

Here’s a snapshot of some of the survey results:

• 94% of respondents rate open space as very important (80%) or important (14.5%) to themselves and their families
• Close to 80% of respondents visit a park or sports facility at least weekly
• 49% of respondents take part in organised sport in Gunnedah
• The most popular type of outdoor recreation activity (other than sport) is walking (75% of respondents), followed by bushwalking (53%) and playing in the park (52%)
• Gunnedah Shire’s favourite open space is Livvi’s Place, followed by Wolseley Park, Porcupine Lookout, Stock Road walking path and Namoi River walking path.

To take a look at the Draft Gunnedah Shire Open Space Strategy 2022-32, click here or drop in to the Gunnedah Shire Council in Elgin Street or Gunnedah Shire Library to view the strategy.

Feedback must be received before 5pm, Sunday, December 19. Send your thoughts to council@infogunnedah.com.au with the subject line “Draft Open Space Strategy”.

To have your say about specific concepts, check out these short surveys:

• Wolseley Park Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/wolseleypark
• Youth Open Space Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/openspaceyouthsurvey
• Off-leash Dog Park Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/gunnedahoffleashareas

Caption: Livvi’s Place is one of Gunnedah Shire’s parks adding to our quality of life.

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

October 21, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council is continuing to work with health representatives within the state and community to look at answers for GP and health service shortages.

A report to Council this week showed NSW Rural Doctors Network are now on Step 3 in the development of a strategy that will include actions to attract and retain GPs.

The report to Council by Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth noted that as part of Step 3, the Rural Doctors Network NSW (RDN NSW), who have been engaged by Council to develop the strategy, had formed a working group. The working group includes representatives of RDN NSW, the Primary Health Network, GP Synergy, Hunter New England Local Health District and Gunnedah Shire Council.

The group has already met three times to work towards the strategy before they consult service providers next month.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the report to council included the results of Steps 1 and 2 – A State of Play report outlining the current situation, and a survey of the Gunnedah Shire Community.

“Both of these very revealing reports were submitted as public documents to the NSW Government Upper House Inquiry into Rural Health Services,” Cr Chaffey said.

“They paint a clear picture of the appalling state of affairs in the availability of doctors in our community. The State of Play report shows the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) recommended ratio is one GP for every 750-1000 residents. In January this year, the doctor to patient ratio in Gunnedah Shire was about one GP for every 2670 residents.

“The report showed we do not have enough GPs and this is in turn impacting on Gunnedah Hospital services. It recommends 13 full-time GPs as a starting point.

“Added to this are the results of the community survey carried out in March which are, quite frankly, distressing. Many of the 711 respondents – just under 6% of our population – also answered the survey on behalf of their families, making this survey widely representative of our community.

“Page after page of responses give an extremely clear message. To quote from the report: ‘The great majority expressed confusion, frustration, anger and in some cases disgust with the poor level of service currently available in Gunnedah for the residents of the Shire. This was true even among the minority who considered that their needs were being met or who had not used any of the services in the previous year’.”

“Our previous pleas to the NSW and Federal governments to address this urgent issue have not resulted in any practical answers, so we have taken this step of engaging the Rural Doctors Network NSW to help navigate the problems and offer some solutions.

“The health providers we do have can’t sustain the load on their own. We intend to continue to work with the RDN NSW to help resolve these problems.

“While we can look forward to a new hospital in 2025, we can’t sit back and ignore the very real health concerns our community is facing now, and we need to be assured that when our new hospital does open, it will be fully staffed.”

ENDS

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

October 21, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council has released its Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy for community feedback.

The strategy steers the direction for housing in Gunnedah Shire for the next 20 years, setting priorities and actions for the years ahead.

Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said interest in the project had been high and community engagement ahead of the strategy had spotlighted where the focus for housing needed to be.

“The Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy has been put together specifically with the identified need for a wider variety of housing in mind,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Community consultation and a close look at statistics and population projections show we have a limited supply of serviced residential land and housing choices, and a growing population. This strategy looks at ways to address the needs of the future.

“This is an important blueprint to use when our Shire approaches planning, zoning and development decisions. It will assist in ensuring our housing availability and choices develop alongside changes in our population.”

The Draft Gunnedah Shire Housing Strategy includes 5 key directions which are accompanied by 15 strategies and 33 actions for Council to implement and encourage housing diversity and choice, and increase affordability in meeting the needs of its future population.

• Direction 1: Deliver greater housing diversity to suit changing needs
• Direction 2: Support healthy, safe, socially engaged and well-connected communities
• Direction 3: Strengthen community resilience
• Direction 4: Provide great places to live
• Direction 5: Deliver well planned rural residential development

Specific actions include considering incentives for affordable housing, encouraging secondary dwellings as an alternative affordable housing option in all residential zones, investigating public land for conversion to housing in partnership with housing providers, and investigating Curlewis for the potential for more residential land.

Team Leader Building and Strategic Projects, Blake O’Mullane said workshops were attended by members of the public, social housing providers, real estate agents, and representatives from the development and mining industries.

“The strategy will inform Council of opportunities to encourage strengthened investment in a range of housing typologies across the Shire particularly the Gunnedah township, and we encourage the community to have their say on the draft document” Mr O’Mullane said.

The public exhibition period will close 5pm Wednesday 24 November 2021 and the draft Strategy can be viewed:

• On Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or
  • between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday at Council’s Administration Office, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.
  Written submissions in relation to the draft Strategy can be
  • Posted to Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380 or
  • Emailed to council@infogunnedah.com.au
• Here is the direct link.

Any enquiries in relation to the Strategy, can be directed to Council’s Strategic Planning Team on 02 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au.

Caption: The Draft Gunnedah Shire Local Housing Strategy steers the direction for housing over the next 20 years.

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

October 19, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey has congratulated weavers Fred and Marie Lawson on their officially registered The Koala Tartan, the first of its kind worldwide.

Cr Chaffey, as Mayor of the Koala Capital of the World, attended the Cutting-off the Loom ceremony at The Crofters Weaving Mill at Spring Ridge today, cutting the first weave of the new tartan.

“It’s an honour to be here in this beautiful part of the world, where the very talented Lawsons have created another masterpiece – an officially registered tartan that celebrates our national icon – the koala,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Gunnedah is known as the Koala Capital of the World, and Council is working towards helping the conservation of the koala in this region through our planned Koala Sanctuary and Hospital.

“The Lawson’s tartan is a wonderful tribute to this much-loved animal. The Koala Tartan, registered through The Scottish Register of Tartans, is now recognised worldwide as the pattern that represents the koala.”

The Koala Tartan is the work of Weaver to the Queen Fred Lawson and his sister Marie Lawson, who originally learnt to weave at a Gunnedah TAFE course more than 20 years ago.

Since that time, the Lawsons 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.

Marie Lawson says they have had The Koala Tartan in mind for some years, but were waiting for the right blend of colours.

“You start with an idea and then come up with a colour set – the number of colour threads and the sequence,” Marie says. “You make a quick sample from the closest colours you have to see how it is balanced.

“Once you have worked on that, you do another sample weave. You can see how it looks on the computer, but it is totally different once it has been woven. We went through three weaves before we came up with The Koala Tartan.”

A sample was sent to The Scottish Register of Tartans where it went through the stringent approval process that includes ensuring the design is not too close to royal tartans and meets certain standards. It is also recommended the tartan is put on public view. The Koala Tartan was on display at the Liverpool Plains Military Tattoo where it met with public approval.

The tartan was approved by The Scottish Register of Tartans, but the original name – The Australian Koala Tartan – was knocked back, so the Lawson’s second choice of The Koala Tartan was submitted and approved.

The Lawsons will now work towards a range of products including scarves, silk scarves, shawls, mohair rugs, knee rugs and ties, woven in the distinctive The Koala Tartan. Each piece is individually hand-woven from natural materials.

“The tartan has turned out absolutely beautifully,” Marie says. “Everything just blended so well together.”

About The Koala Tartan colours:
? Dark and light grey: the majority koala coat colour
? White: for the speckles or patches on the rump and chest area and inside ears
? Black: for the nose
? Pink: for the skin colour around the nose and mouth
? Dark brown: for their eyes
? Green: for eucalyptus leaves which is their main diet and dwelling tree.

Caption: Marie Lawson, Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Fred Lawson with the new Koala Tartan.

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

October 15, 2021

Round Two of Gunnedah Shire Council’s 2021/22 Business Partner Program is now open and local businesses are invited to apply for a slice of funding.

Chair of the Business Partner Program Advisory Group Cr Ann Luke said the Business Partner Program has been designed to help maximise the potential of local businesses.

“Gunnedah businesses have been extremely resilient throughout the pandemic and thankfully, many are beginning to recover from the impacts,” Cr Luke said.

“These grants will help build our economic resilience by supporting new businesses on their start-up journey and assist existing businesses to enhance and grow their operations.

“We have also updated the guidelines to strengthen the program, with a key focus on encouraging business expansion and employment outcomes.

“From smaller scale items such as a website upgrade, to a game changing project that will bring growth to our Shire, we are open to applications from all businesses. I hope we can help a wide range of organisations capitalise on new opportunities.”

Applications for the latest round of the Business Partner Program will close at midnight on Sunday, October 31, 2021. For guidelines and to apply, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au and click on the “Business & Industry” tab and then “Business Grants & Funding”.

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Caption: Past Business Partner Program recipient Goodness & Gracious - (from left) Olivia Carter, owner Susie Martin and Leanne Smith.

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

October 14, 2021

The Gunnybalds are coming to Gunnedah!

Next year, Gunnedah Shire will pay tribute to a collection of our friends and neighbours in a portrait exhibition in the tradition of the famous Archibald Prize.

So it is time to get painting, drawing and creating!

Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Jacinta Cipolla said the Gunnybalds were a great way to celebrate who we are.

“Gunnedah is a place of characters and of talented artists,” Ms Cipolla said.
“The Gunnybalds brings them together to create a truly memorable and local exhibition. This is an opportunity to capture the spirit of someone you admire, or maybe someone who fascinates you. It is time to let your creativity go wild to help make an exhibition that will really reflect who we are.

“While the exhibition is not until April 2022, we are putting the call out early to get people thinking about who they might like to paint or draw. We want this exhibition to be as representative as possible of the amazing people we have in our community.”

The exhibition will include two categories – junior (17 and under) and open (18 and over), with works to be submitted by April 4, 2022. All artworks must depict an image of a local Gunnedah Shire community member past or present, and the artist must reside in the New England North West Area.
Keep an eye out on The Civic’s website – thecivic.com.au – and Facebook page for more details.

Captions:

Untitled: An untitled Jean Isherwood portrait.
Mikie Maas: Well-known artist Jean Isherwood’s portrait of Mikie Maas.

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

October 11, 2021

Stay-at-home orders in Gunnedah have been lifted today, with the Shire transitioning to state-wide restrictions as part of the NSW Government’s Reopening NSW roadmap.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s face-to-face services have started to reopen with the Elgin Street Administration Building opening this morning, and the Gunnedah Memorial Indoor Swimming Pool, Gunnedah Shire Library, Civic Cinema, Cultural Precinct and Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre all open from tomorrow.

In line with the new NSW Public Health Order, customers visiting the Indoor Pool, Library, Cultural Precinct, Civic Cinema and Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre will need to show proof of double vaccination on entry. Children under 16 are exempt from this restriction.

Mayor of Gunnedah Shire Jamie Chaffey said that health and safety should be paramount when reopening.

“While the switch to roadmap settings today is a light at the end of the tunnel for those residents and businesses impacted by yet another lockdown, safety should remain front of mind for everyone.

“There are still several active COVID-19 cases in Gunnedah Shire and in the neighbouring Tamworth Local Government Area, so we need to be on high alert.

“I thank the community for taking this threat seriously and complying with the most difficult of restrictions for what is now close to two years. We are in a position now to enjoy some new freedoms, but we need to do so responsibly so this hard work is not wasted.

“While our first dose vaccination rate is high, our second dose numbers still need to catch up. The recent Royal Flying Doctors Service Pfizer clinics have no doubt helped boost our second dose numbers, but vaccines do take a couple of weeks to be effective so we need to follow all health advice to ensure everyone is protected.

“Keep checking in, wear a mask, get tested if sick and if you have not yet had your vaccination, I urge you to consider making an appointment.”

COVID-19 testing is available locally at the Gunnedah Hospital, Laverty Pathology drive through clinic at Donnelley Fields and Ochre Health drive through clinic at the Gunnedah Showground. For a full list of clinics and operating hours, visit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/clinics.aspx.

The NSW Government roadmap for easing restrictions is available at www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/easing-covid-19-restrictions. Further information about Gunnedah Shire Council services can be found at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

ENDS

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

October 11, 2021

Gunnedah Shire will exit lockdown with the rest of the state on October 11 in line with the NSW Government’s Reopening NSW roadmap.

Gunnedah Shire Council will be reopening facilities over the next two days, with increased hygiene measures and safety protocols in place. The following services are set to reopen:

Open Monday, October 11:

• Elgin Street Administration Building, and
• Livvi’s Place Playground,

Open from Tuesday, October 12:

• Gunnedah Shire Library,
• Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre,
• Gunnedah Cultural Precinct,
• The Civic Cinema, and
• Gunnedah War Memorial Swimming Pool (Indoor pool only, see information below)

Due to NSW Public Health Order Vaccination Requirements and the minimum level of staffing required to operate Aquatic Facilities, only the indoor pool will be open from October 12-17. The indoor pool will operate from Tues-Sat 5:30am-7pm and 9am to 6pm Sunday.

Under the Public Health order, only swimming classes, lap swimming, squad training and rehabilitation activities will be permitted. A further update will be provided later this week for pool operations from October 18.

In line with public health orders, customers visiting the Indoor Pool, Library, Civic Cinema, Cultural Precinct and Visitor Information Centre will need to be fully vaccinated. These restrictions will be in place until December 1. Children under 16 are exempt.

Before entering these facilities you will be required to present a digital or printed copy of:

• Your COVID-19 digital certificate, or
• Immunisation history statement.

Anyone with a medical exemption will need to provide a COVID-19 medical clearance notice or COVID-19 medical exemption form.

These protocols are mandated by the NSW Government and we ask that you be respectful of our staff who are required to ask for proof of vaccination. For those yet to have two doses of a vaccine, we are still here to help over the phone on 67402100 or online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

There are still several active COVID-19 cases in Gunnedah Shire and in the neighbouring Tamworth Local Government Area, so we need to continue to be on high alert and follow all health advice.

To view the NSW Government roadmap for easing restrictions, visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/easing-covid-19-restrictions. For health advice, a list of case contact locations and testing clinic information go to www.health.nsw.gov.au.

October 6, 2021

The Gunnedah Saleyards redevelopment has reached an exciting milestone with Joint Regional Planning Panel approval of the development application lodged by Gunnedah Shire Council in March.

The saleyards precinct upgrade received an announcement of $14 million in funding from the NSW Government in September 2020 and has been supported by a Gunnedah Shire Council co-contribution of $3.56 million.

Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth said it was exciting to see the project moving forward.

“This project capitalises on Gunnedah’s strengths in agriculture, creating opportunities to grow our already successful beef base and access new online markets,” Mr Groth said.

“We are excited to have the NSW Government’s support for positioning Gunnedah among the national leaders in this industry. From its beginnings in 1919, the Gunnedah Regional Saleyards has grown to become the fourth largest selling centre of cattle in New South Wales, and the eighth largest in Australia.

“With the redeveloped Gunnedah Saleyards facility, we will be at the forefront of technology and ready for the opportunities of the future.”

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said that now approvals had been granted on the new saleyards, investors in the Gunnedah Shire can have confidence of the future growth of the region’s protein industry.

“This project represents a $14 million investment in the future of the Gunnedah Shire,” Mr Anderson said.

“Gunnedah already sees around 120,000 head of cattle move through the yards each year representing over $100 million in sales and this $14 million investment will support and grow that local industry well into the future.

“This facility will be a state-of-the art and will bring our local agriculture industry to the forefront of modern practice and technology.”

The application outlines a range of upgrades and innovations, including:

• Construction of a multi-purpose administration building, comprising of office and administration spaces, a café and outdoor dining area and amenities;
  • Construction of multiple roof structures over the existing yard and pen areas,
  • Construction of new feed store and workshop sheds;
  • Improvements to infrastructure including gates, fencing, gantries and watering systems;
  • A new drive-through truck wash capable of accommodating road trains;
  • Bitumen sealing of internal roads and internal lighting upgrades;
  • Construction of off-street car parking for light vehicles and a parking/queuing area for heavy vehicles;
  • Technological improvements including wi-fi and high-speed internet to facilitate on-line sales and other smart technology applications;
  • Fenced containment of the site and major security upgrades;
  • Upgrades of cattle loading/unloading ramps;
  • Making the site more self-sufficient through the installation of up to 1 megawatt of solar panels and installation of Water tanks with the capacity to hold 1,324kl through major stormwater harvesting and reuse facilities.

It is anticipated the project will be completed in 2022.

Caption: The Gunnedah Saleyards redevelopment will ensure the facility is ready for the opportunities of the future.

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Media contact: Communications Team (02) 6740 2100.

October 5, 2021

Following the announcement of multiple positive COVID-19 cases in Gunnedah Shire, the Gunnedah Shire Local Government Area has returned to lockdown until Monday, October 11.

Under the stay at home rules, everyone must remain at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave. Reasonable excuses include: shopping for essential items, medical care or caregiving, for essential work that cannot be completed from home and outdoor exercise with a member of your household or one other person. Schools have also moved to online learning.

Gunnedah Shire Council has moved back to the orange stage of the yellow-orange-red Coronavirus Response Strategy, with non-essential facilities closed for face-to-face services.

Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said that news of another lockdown was disappointing; following what had been only a short time out of lockdown.

“Our thoughts are with those people who have caught the virus and I wish them a speedy recovery. We need to be mindful of their privacy at this time and I urge the community not to speculate and to instead look to NSW Health for updates,” Cr Chaffey said.

“This is not the news we wanted to hear, but we know that it’s in the best interest of our community to limit movements, abide by the stay-at-home orders and get tested so that we stop any potential spread.

“Council is working to ensure the health and safety of our staff and residents and has closed face-to-face facilities. Council staff are still available to assist you over the phone on (02) 6740 2100 or online.

“Thank you to those who have already come forward for testing. We are working with our Local Member to increase testing availability, with the main clinic having reached capacity early today.

“This is an important reminder that we need to continue to lift our vaccination rate. As at October 3, 89% of the Gunnedah Shire population aged 15 and over have received one dose, while 46.4% are fully vaccinated which is a great result.

“If you haven’t had a vaccine, or still need to get your second dose, I encourage you to contact your GP or pharmacy to make a booking. The Royal Flying Doctor Service are also back in Gunnedah this week providing first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Walk-in vaccinations are available at the Gunnedah Showground tomorrow between 9:30 and 4, at the Mullaley Hall on Thursday from 10:30-2:30 and at Curlewis Hall on Friday from 10:30-2:30.

“News of another lockdown will be particularly difficult for our business community, so please continue to support local wherever you can. I hope that this will just be for a brief period and we can get back to a more normal way of life soon.”

From Tuesday, October 5 the following Council facilities have closed temporarily:

• Elgin Street Administration Building,
• Gunnedah Shire Library,
• Gunnedah Cultural Precinct, including the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, Civic Cinema, Town Hall, Smithurst Theatre and meeting rooms,
• Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre,
• Gunnedah War Memorial Swimming Pool,
• Livvi’s Place Playground,
• Gunnedah Showground, exceptions apply for drive through medical clinics and exercise in line with restrictions, and
• GoCo Gunnedah Office. Staff will continue to deliver essential services.

Gunnedah Waste Management Facility will remain open for essential services with contactless payment only.

For further information about Gunnedah Shire Council services, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/gunnedah-shire-covid-19-advice. For health advice, testing clinic locations and case alerts, refer to www.health.nsw.gov.au.

ENDS

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