May 21, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council is urging landholders to be on the lookout for Parthenium on properties, following recent discoveries of the invasive weed in the North West.

Currently found mostly in Central and South East Queensland, Parthenium weed is a prohibited species in NSW. The highly invasive weed poses a significant risk to livestock and reduces crop and land values. Contact with plants or pollen can also cause serious respiratory and allergic reactions in people.

Eight significant infestations of Parthenium have been identified across the North West and Hunter regions over the last 12 months, along with numerous single plants on roadsides throughout NSW.

Council Biosecurity Officer Lee Amidy said Council is working with Local Land Services and weed professionals from the NSW Department of Primary Industries to swiftly identify and manage any local infestations.

“A number of infestations have been discovered in the Gunnedah Shire since late April last year. The last two occurred on private property and exceeded 40 hectares,” Mr Amidy said.

“The infestations appear to be linked to grain and stock feed brought from Queensland into NSW during the recent drought.

“Although all visible plants have been physically removed by Council staff, both reinfestation and potential spread from these properties will need to be monitored for a number of years.”

Pete Dawson, Regional Weed Coordinator for North West Local Lands Service said any landholder who thinks they might have Parthenium weed should report it immediately.

 “Given the flow of hay and grain coming in from Queensland, it was to be expected that we would see an influx of new weeds including Parthenium,” Mr Dawson said.

“While the number of infestations in the North West and Hunter is cause for concern, local Councils have been quick to respond, reducing the immediate risk posed by mature plants and inspecting areas where there has been potential spread.

“Landholders are reminded it is a legal requirement under the Biosecurity Act 2015 to notify the local control authority should they see or suspect they have seen Parthenium on or near their property.”

Chair of the North West Regional Weeds Committee Mike Whitney has echoed Mr Dawson’s comments and is encouraging the community to be vigilant.

“The best defence we have against invasive weeds such as Parthenium is to identify, contain and begin coordinated control work on infestations as soon as possible,” Mr Whitney said.

“The longer infestations remain undetected the more difficult they are to contain and eradicate.”

Suspected sightings can be reported to Gunnedah Shire Council on (02) 6740 2100 or to the NSW DPI Weeds Helpline on 1800 680 244.

For further information on parthenium weed and how to identify it, visit https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/weeds/partheniumweed

ENDS

Media contact: Communications team (02) 6740 2100.

May 20, 2021

Three major arts and culture programs will get a helping hand through Gunnedah Shire Council’s Arts and Cultural Grants Funding Program.

Council last night endorsed the Arts and Cultural Grants Panel’s recommendation to award funding to three applicants – Arts Gunnedah, Gunnedah Conservatorium and Two Rivers Arts Council.

Panel chair Cr Ann Luke said Council was one of the few local government bodies in New South Wales that offered funding for arts and cultural programs, projects and events.

“This program is recognition of the important role arts and culture plays in our community,” Cr Luke said.

“Whether it is dancing, singing, painting, craft or any number of activities that are enjoyed by people of all ages, arts and culture bring us together, make us happy, and creates wonderful moments alongside artworks.

“These grants will allow groups to continue with their existing successful projects or to try new ideas. We are really pleased to be able to assist these three groups with their diverse programs.”

The successful applicants were:
• Arts Gunnedah - $5000 towards their annual arts exhibition with workshop events with renowned local artists
• Gunnedah Conservatorium - $4051 towards a series of lunchtime concerts highlighting local artists
• Two Rivers Arts Council - $1025 for a variety of workshops encompassing different cultures in the Gunnedah community.

Caption: A Gunnedah Shire Council Arts and Cultural Grant will go to Arts Gunnedah for their annual arts exhibition.

ENDS

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

18 May, 2021

Gunnedah’s newest festival is proud to announce Paul West of the popular television series A River Cottage Australia as the 2021 festival ambassador for Harvest Gunnedah.

Harvest Gunnedah Committee Chair Cr Colleen Fuller said Mr West, who is known for his cooking with farm-fresh food, would be an important part of the celebrations on October 2.

“Having chef Paul West here for Harvest Gunnedah is wonderful news,” Cr Fuller said.

“Our Shire already knows the benefits of sustainable farming and cooking with produce straight from the farm, and Mr West is a perfect fit. As well as being a chef, he knows about growing fruit and vegetables and using them to create family meals.

“The inaugural Harvest Gunnedah is shaping up to be a great event, and to have Paul West there is just the icing on the festival cake.”

Paul West was the host of four seasons of the television program A River Cottage Australia which followed his journey to grow farm-fresh food and share it with the community. He now travels Australia hosting cooking demonstrations, and is a guest presenter for shows including Gardening Australia and Catalyst.

Paul is trained as a chef and has worked in all areas of food production, from WWOOFing (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) around Australia, growing fruit and vegetables, to cooking in the bistro of Melbourne’s renowned Vue de Monde.

He will feature in the program of Harvest Gunnedah, where local growers will share their produce alongside market stalls and a great line up of live entertainment.

Harvest Gunnedah will celebrate the role farming has played in Gunnedah’s past and present, with generations of families producing food for the local area and across the globe.

The festival has received funding of $17,000 through the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, along with $20,000 awarded to the Gunnedah Jockey Club through the Back to the Track program.

For more information and to register as a stallholder visit www.harvestgunnedah.com. Registrations close Friday July 30, 2021.

Caption: TV chef and farm-fresh food guru Paul West will be in the North West to help Gunnedah celebrate its first Harvest Gunnedah in October.

ENDS

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

May 13, 2021

The latest round of the Business Partner Program has now opened for 2021, providing an opportunity for existing or new businesses to start a fresh adventure.

The Business Partner Program has assisted many Gunnedah Shire businesses and organisations to expand or start new initiatives, and meets up to 75 per cent of project costs for eligible applications.

Some of the 10 recipients of the previous round of the program were congratulated by Gunnedah Shire Council yesterday at the Civic.

Chair of the Business Partner Program Advisory Group Cr Ann Luke said the previous round of grants had concluded a super-charged year for the Business Partner Program in which the budget had been significantly boosted to help local businesses and organisations meet the challenges of the past year.

“We have just finished a special year for the Business Partner Program which saw more than 65 projects assisted by Gunnedah Shire Council, including an amazing 45 successful applicants for the round dedicated to street beautification and activation,” Cr Luke said.

“The last round, celebrated yesterday, included 10 projects ranging from a new electrical business start-up, to expansion of boarding kennels.

“The Business Partner Program will continue into the next financial year. Gunnedah Shire has an impressive diversity of businesses, and the Business Partner Program offers a unique opportunity for Council to support economic activity in the Gunnedah Shire by encouraging business growth and innovation.

“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 put in an application.”

 Applications for the latest round of the Business Partner Program will close on 30 June, 2021. For guidelines and more information, click here.

Caption: Successful recipients of the Business Partner Program were congratulated by Gunnedah Shire Council yesterday at the Civic.

ENDS

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

May 13, 2021

Gunnedah’s business community is invited to attend a free workshop focussed on building resilience and positive mindsets.

Mindset Reset for Business will be run by Chelsea Pottenger, founder of educational platform EQ Minds. Attendees will learn about routines for success, creating a positive mindset and a connected culture in the workplace and home.

The workshop is part of Gunnedah Shire Council’s Community Resilience Business Recovery Package - Invigorate Gunnedah, supporting recovery in the wake of COVID-19.

Council Director of Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns said it was fantastic to have renowned speaker Chelsea Pottenger facilitating the session.

“Chelsea's passion is helping busy minds reset, recharge and navigate the challenges of everyday life,” Mr Johns said.

“She has been featured on Channel 9, ABC News, Marie Claire and Women’s Health, and works with some high profile brands including Macquarie, Dexus Property and Google.

“It has been a challenging few years for local businesses. Often we put ourselves second when under pressure, so this is a great opportunity to help our business community reset, reduce stress and avoid burnout.

“The session will leave attendees with some healthy habits to keep our local businesses and the hardworking people behind them performing their best.”

The event will be held at the Civic Theatre on Friday, May 21, with doors open at 7:30am for an 8am start.

Tickets can be reserved at www.thecivic.com.au.

ENDS

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

May 13, 2021

A new 10 year contract for Gunnedah Shire’s waste, recycling and garden organics kerbside collection service has been announced, with JR Richards & Sons to continue their current kerbside collections and take on residential and commercial recycling collections.

Local business Gunnedah Workshop Enterprises will continue to process recycling at Recyclit, located within the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility.

The new service will be rolled out from July and residents will see some changes to the kerbside collection service. Larger 240L recycling bins will be provided to accommodate a move to a fortnightly recycling collection and some residents may have a new collection day. The current weekly waste and fortnightly green waste collections will remain unchanged.

Over the past 12 months Gunnedah Shire Council has been reviewing waste collection services as the current collection contract is set to expire at the end of June.

Council Manager of Waste Sheridan Cameron said the new collection contract was directly shaped by strong community feedback received during the residential and commercial waste collection surveys completed last year.

“Council has been working collaboratively with waste consultants Mike Ritchie Associates to accommodate resident’s preferences for future services and find innovative solutions,” Mrs Cameron said.

“We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Gunnedah Workshop Enterprises in the new contract. They perform valuable work in our community and have been integral to growing our recycling output and reducing what we send to landfill.

“Community feedback has helped us develop the new contact with JR Richards & Sons with no reduction in services. We received over 600 survey responses and this healthy sample size gives us confidence the community’s needs have been represented.

“Survey results showed our bins and services are well utilised, with almost 50% of bins full at collection time. Residents would also like to see us introduce bigger recycling bins, but we have had to consider NSW standards and balance this with cost so have opted to move to a fortnightly recycling collection.

“The new contract has been designed to be flexible, and residents can opt to upgrade the size of their bins once the new service has been rolled out.

“The commercial survey gave insight into current and future needs of our businesses. The majority indicated they would like a Council commercial recycling service and this has been accommodated in the new contract.”

The new collection routine will begin on Monday, 5 July 2021. New bins and a comprehensive information pack will be delivered to households during June.

For further information about kerbside collection changes click here.

2020 Waste Survey Summary:

• A majority of residents are happy with their current service. 62% of people with the 2-bin service and 57% with the 3-bin service are happy.
• Bins and services are well utilised. Almost 50% of garbage and recycling bins and 32% of green waste bins were full at collection time.
• Almost half of respondents were willing to pay $1-2 more (weekly) for a larger garbage bin, however a majority of respondents were not willing to pay more for a larger recycling bin.
• A majority of businesses would likely use a Council commercial recycling service (79%) and would pay $7-9 (81%).

ENDS

Media contact: Communications team (02) 6740 2100.

12 May, 2021

Gunnedah will be seeing spots when Disney’s Cruella - prequel to the 101 Dalmatian’s franchise - premieres at the Civic Theatre on Thursday May 27 at 5:30pm.

Residents are invited to attend the premiere screening to help raise funds for the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund, a program which helps Gunnedah Shire youth on their journey to tertiary education.

The live action film stars Emma Stone as the legendary Cruella de Vil, exploring her rebellious early days in 1970’s London and rise as the notoriously fashionable villain.

Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Jacinta Cipolla said the premiere screening would be an event to remember.

“This anticipated film provides a new insight into the iconic Disney villain, and her backstory as the aspiring fashion designer Estella.”

“It’s been 20 years since Cruella and her criminal associates Jasper and Horace were last spotted on the big screen, so this will be a film packed with nostalgia for both the young and the young at heart.”

“There are prizes on offer for best dressed. I encourage everyone to don a fur coat, come dressed as their favourite character or in the theme of black, white and spotted.”

Cruella is rated PG. Tickets to the premiere event cost $20 and are available here.

ENDS

Media contact: Communications team (02) 6740 2100.

5 May, 2021

If you need a good laugh, Gunnedah is about to host Australia’s favourite comedy convoy – the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

On June 17, five comedians will bring their stand-up, sketch, satire, silliness and song to Gunnedah Town Hall.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival tours from Mandurah to Mackay, Devonport to Darwin, and 80 destinations in between.

This year’s line-up features Ben Knight as MC, and comedians Alex Ward, Nikki Britton, Sam Taunton and Japan’s Takashi Wakasugi, who found plenty of material for comedy during his time as a backpacking farm work in Australia.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival will come to Gunnedah Town Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, June 17.

Performances often contain coarse language, sexual references and material that can offend. It is recommended for people aged 15 years or older.

NSW Dine and Discover vouchers are accepted and can be redeemed against the purchase at the Gunnedah Visitors’ Information Centre at the Civic. Full bar facilities will be available at the event and tickets are $30.

To book, visit www.thecivic.com.au and find it under “Live theatre and events”.

ENDS

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

4 May, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling for artists, students and community groups to think outside the box and create something imaginative for the Waste Into Art 2021 competition.

The competition is held in partnership with Northern Inland Regional Waste to promote the reduction of waste, and includes more than $1000 in Gunny Money as prizes.

The theme for this year - “Metal Reimagined” - calls for artists to reuse and repurpose discarded metal materials into a work of art.

Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Jacinta Cipolla said Waste Into Art offered an exciting opportunity, with $150 Gunny Money prize for each category.

“The theme challenges artists and community members to really use their imaginations when it comes to reusing, repurposing and recycling metal,” Ms Cipolla said.

“It wasn’t that many generations ago that people in country areas like ours could re-craft most things to fulfil new tasks. But the convenience of having everything we need available to us has meant that we waste and throw away a lot more than our grandparents would have.”

The Waste Into Art 2021 competition includes the following categories:

• Early Childhood/Preschools
• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools
• Open – Most Creative
• Open – Best suits theme of Metal Reimagined
• Open – Functional Art
• People’s Choice Award – the artwork voted “best” by patrons

Entry forms are available here, or from Gunnedah Shire Council’s administration office in Elgin Street, at the Gunnedah Shire Library and at the Civic counter. Entries are to be submitted to the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery by 5pm Monday, May 24, 2021.

The official opening will be held 1pm Friday, 28th May, 2021 with light refreshments provided. Entry forms and opening event bookings will soon be available at www.thecivic.com.au

Caption: Visitors take a look at a previous Waste Into Art exhibition.

ENDS

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

April 26, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council has launched a new round of grant funding to support business and community groups enhance accessibility and inclusion.

The Access Incentive Grants are part of the Community Resilience Fund – COVID-19 Recovery Package Invigorate Gunnedah, targeted at building business resilience and supporting recovery in the wake of COVID-19.

Grants of up to $2,000 are available for projects providing better access and inclusion of people with both physical and hidden disability. Improved access will also benefit people with long-term chronic conditions, temporary impairment, seniors with access concerns, parents with young children, and associated family, friends and carers.

Gunnedah Shire Councillors Gae Swain, Ann Luke and John Campbell were appointed to the assessment panel at the April Council meeting.

Chair of the Access Working Group Cr Gae Swain said better access will help to foster a vibrant and connected community.

“Better access is something that benefits all Gunnedah Shire residents and visitors,” Cr Swain said.

“These grants will help remove barriers and improve opportunities for people with a disability of all ages, allowing them to participate fully in community life.”

Working Group Chamber of Commerce representative Peter Jones said access improvements will also have flow on benefits for business.

“We know that improving access is good for business, helping ensure businesses are not missing out on a significant customer base,” Mr Jones said.

“I encourage businesses and organisations to consider if there is a project out there that can help make everyday life more inclusive to all community members.”

Projects eligible under the scheme may include:

• Installation of an access ramp to the business or shop front,
• Redesign of marketing collateral, for example signage or menus to appeal to broader demographics,
• Changes to the fit out of premises to enhance manoeuvrability, access and safety for wheelchairs and for people with temporary mobility challenges, or
• Installation of a hearing loop.

Additional ideas about projects and improved access can be found in the Gunnedah Shire Missed Business Guide.

Applications for grants close 5pm Friday May 28, 2021. The grants must be matched by applicants with a 25% co-contribution, and projects completed before 30 June, 2022.

More information on the program, including application forms and guidelines is available here.

Caption: (From left) Peter Jones, Cr Gae Swain and Gunnedah Shire Council Social and Community Planner Deb Hilton with copies of the Gunnedah Shire Missed Business Guide.

ENDS

Media contact: Communications Team (02) 6740 2100.