February 17, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council will auction 16 properties on Friday, May 27 to recover rates and charges that have remained unpaid for more than five years in the case of occupied land, or one year in the case of vacant land.

Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth said it was necessary to take the action in cases where every attempt to contact and obtain payment from the property owner had been unsuccessful.

“For these properties, this is the final step in a lengthy process to recoup rates and payments after every other avenue, including payment plans, has failed,” Mr Groth said.

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

“This auction is being held to clear the total outstanding amount of $139,345.23 that is owed by the various property owners. Nearly all of these properties are vacant land.”

Eleven of the properties are in Breeza, two are in Tambar Springs, and there is one property in Gunnedah, Curlewis and Premer.

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

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

February 16, 2022

The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund has helped another 15 young Gunnedah people on their tertiary learning journey.

The presentation for the successful recipients was held yesterday, with Mayor Jamie Chaffey congratulating the students who will be studying in a huge range of areas, from law to paramedicine and teaching.

“The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund is a wonderful example of how the community and Council can work together to offer opportunities for our young people,” Cr Chaffey said.

“The scholarship was started by our former Mayor and long-term Councillor Gae Swain 19 years ago when a report showed how low our tertiary education entry figures were. She saw this as a way to encourage and support our students to take the leap that can be difficult, particularly if you have to move away to study.

“The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Working Group has provided about 400 scholarships over the years, worth close to $400,000.

“This is just one of the reasons the Gunnedah community is a great home to come back to when our students are qualified and embarking on our career.

“I thank the sponsors who have helped make these sponsorships possible and wish the students all the best for the future.”

The guest speaker at the presentation was 2016 recipient Reanna Hill, who is now a qualified teacher working in Gunnedah.

The scholarships, awarded annually, are open to all local students under 25 who want to further their training and education at university, TAFE, or an accrediting training organisation. The scholarship can help with expenses like:
• Purchasing textbooks
• Relocation and other travel costs
• Living expenses
• Contribution towards tuition fees.

The successful 2022 Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund recipients are:

Medical Scholarships: Paige Gainsford, Kaitlin Newbery and Arielle Worthington.

Sciences, Arts, Business or Law Scholarships: Maddison Coombs, Chloe Devine, Mollie Hatton, Grace McCulloch, Chloe Perkins, Sophie Williams and Halle Woods.

Medical Engineering: Deagan Marchant.

Education: Pennie Broekman, Bella Gallaher, Lilian McNamara and Ashlee Roach.

Caption: The successful recipients of the 2022 Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund. A number of recipients were unable to attend the ceremony.

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

February 9, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is asking the community to complete a survey to help review its Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 provided an opportunity to review how inclusive Council managed facilities and services are in our Shire, and to work with the community to improve on actions currently embedded in the Plan.

“The Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-26 will be an important way forward in ensuring ease of access to services and facilities for people with disability,” Cr Chaffey said.

“We want everyone in our Shire to be able to participate fully in everything we have to offer. In putting together this plan, we will be looking for the information and views of people who know the challenges people with disability face. We are asking people to fill in a survey, participate in a workshop or phone to tell us their ideas.

“People with disability in our Shire should be able to access Council buildings, tourism facilities and events, and be able to find jobs and housing that suits their needs.

“We are asking people to speak up about their experiences and how we can improve.

“This new plan will provide us with a clear set of goals to ensure our Shire remains accessible for residents and visitors.”

Cr Chaffey said over the past four years, Gunnedah Shire Council had made significant achievements against its existing plan.

All Councils across New South Wales are required to have a Disability Inclusion Action Plan developed in consultation with people with disability.
The 2022-26 plan will replace the existing plan which was developed following extensive community engagement, involving more than 340 residents and stakeholder groups.

The 2022-26 plan will focus on four priority areas:
1. Developing positive community attitudes towards disability
2. Creating liveable communities
3. Increasing access to meaningful employment
4. Improving access to mainstream services through improved systems and processes.

To take part in the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/disability_action_plan or pick up a hard copy from the Council’s Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street, GoCo Administration Building at 80 Marquis Street, or the Gunnedah Shire Library in Conadilly Street.

The survey is open until Wednesday, March 9.

To find out more about the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, contact Gunnedah Shire Council Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton on 6740 2100, or email council@infogunnedah.com.au with the subject line “Disability Inclusion Action Plan”.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking the community’s help to review its Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

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

February 9, 2022

The call is out for landholders to keep an eye out for the invasive Parthenium weed, which was discovered on three properties in Gunnedah Shire last year.

Gunnedah Shire Council Biosecurity Officer Lee Amidy said Parthenium weed was one of Queensland’s worst weeds and had the potential to become established in New South Wales.

“Parthenium weed has been discovered growing in roadside situations in past years,” Mr Amidy said, “however, last year was the first time it’s been found on private property .

“It is a quick-growing weed that spreads rapidly and causes health problems for both people and livestock. Parthenium produces seeds continuously over the summer season, and can produce up to 15,000 seeds a year. It is spread on harvesting machinery, grain and vehicles.

“We are asking people to keep an eye out for this weed, but not to remove it themselves. It can cause respiratory problems and dermatitis. If you suspect your property has an infestation, you are required under the Biosecurity Act to notify Gunnedah Shire Council.

“High-risk sites for Parthenium include places with disturbed, degraded or bare soil, such as over-grazed areas, stockyards and watering points, neglected areas and roadsides.”

Parthenium weed is classified as a Weed of National Significance. It grows 1-1.5m tall, but can grow to 2m tall, with pale green leaves, soft fine hair on stems, creamy white flowers that are 4-6mm in diameter that are star-shaped with five points. Remember not to touch the weed. Severe allergies can develop after a few exposures.

Parthenium weed is often confused with:
• annual ragweed (this has round stems whereas Parthenium has ridged or grooved stems)
• Farmers Friend/Sticky Beak(this has individual leaflets whereas the leaves of Parthenium are deeply divided)
• bishop’s weed (this has larger, distinct petals)
• hemlock (also has larger, distinct petals).

If you believe you have Parthenium weed on your property, please call Gunnedah Shire Council on 6740 2100.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council is asking people to keep an eye out for the invasive Parthenium weed.

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

February 9, 2022

A beautiful collection of Gunnedah history featuring black and white photographs of iconic homes and landmarks is now on exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

A Photographic Collection of Gunnedah Heritage features photographs taken by the Gunnedah Camera Club in 2006.

Gunnedah Camera Club members Grant Chambers, Thomas Rosenzweig, Catherine Chaseling, Judy Swain, Helen Patrick, Shane Brady, David Alderdice and Barry Geraghty photographed, developed and framed the photographs of six historical houses and a number of landmarks. The club donated them to the Gunnedah Town Collection as a Sesquicentenary gift to the community.

Properties included in the exhibition are Wandobah, Ruvigne, Pullaming, Burburgate, Gunnible and Round Hill, alongside photographs of the original Methodist Church, Roseneath Manor, the Convent of Mercy, Carinya School, the Hunter Street cemetery, Meggitt Ltd Flour Mill, the Cenotaph Monument and two homes in Barber Street.

The exhibition is not only a walk down memory lane, but encourages Gunnedah residents to share their own memories in a book provided for that purpose.

A Photographic Collection of Gunnedah Heritage will be on exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery until Monday, March 21.

Caption: An amazing slice of Gunnedah’s history is now on exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

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

January 27, 2022

As Gunnedah reflected, respected and celebrated with the rest of the nation on Australia Day yesterday, we also welcomed our five newest Australian citizens.

Under the gums of Anzac Park, Brian Goldrick (originally from Ireland), Orla Lyons-McKenna (originally from Ireland) and Alan, Cynthia and their daughter Shania Hobbs (originally from New Zealand and the Philippines) officially became citizens of Australia.

The ceremony was held as part of the full day of events across the Shire and was officiated by Deputy Mayor Cr Rob Hooke and attended by community members and supporting family members. The five new citizens received their Citizenship Certificates and took the Australian citizenship pledge of commitment making them officially Australian citizens.

More than 16,000 new Australians received their Australian Citizenship at ceremonies around the country yesterday.
For more information about Australian Citizenship Day, visit www.citizenship.gov.au.

 Caption: Gunnedah’s Deputy Mayor Cr Rob Hooke with Brian Goldrick, Orla Lyons-McKenna, Alan Hobbs, Gunnedah’s Australia Day Ambassador Fiona Simson, Shania Hobbs, Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell and Cynthia Hobbs.

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

January 27, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling for interested community members to nominate for one of five positions on a working group to guide the delivery of inclusion initiatives.

Acting Director Planning and Environmental Services Sheridan Cameron said the Access Working Group aimed to identify and prioritise options for improvement to access in public areas of the Gunnedah Shire and community facilities owned and managed by Council.

“The working group supports the ongoing implementation of the Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan,” Mrs Cameron said.

“Over the years, the group has delivered some great activities aimed at raising awareness of issues that people with mobility challenges face in our community.”

Interested community members can nominate by completing an expression of interest form available here (fillable online) and here (printable) or from Council’s Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah, downloaded from www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au 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 Friday, February 11, 2022.

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

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Caption: A Gunnedah Shire Council activity where staff and Councillors gained an understanding of the perspective of someone with a disability when accessing services and facilities.

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

January 26, 2022

Eleven Gunnedah Shire citizens and organisations have been recognised in the 2022 Gunnedah Shire Australia Day Awards.

Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Australia Day Committee Cr Rob Hooke said the annual Australia Day Awards Dinner paid tribute to those who went above and beyond in the community.

“The Gunnedah Australia Day Awards Dinner is held on the eve of Australia Day, and is a wonderful way to kick off the events,” Cr Hooke said.

“Last night, we announced that our Citizen of the Year (21 and Over) is Tracey Reid, who has been recognised as a compassionate and community-minded resident who has worked hard towards making a domestic violence shelter for women in Gunnedah a reality. Our sincerest thanks and congratulations to Tracey, who is building a better community for all of us.

“Our Young Citizen of the Year is Steven Hopwood. It is beautiful to see the community spirit and kindness of this young man. Well done Steven, and to the other people who were nominated for both Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year. Just to be nominated shows how appreciated you are for what you do.

“There were 11 awards presented to 11 outstanding people and organisations, in categories as diverse as Sportsperson and Junior Sportsperson of the Year and the Good Neighbour Award. The works of these people and all the others who have been nominated for and received awards over the years have made our Shire what it is today.

“Volunteer work by passionate and compassionate residents makes a huge difference in our lives.”

The Gunnedah Shire Australia Day Award recipients for 2022 are:

o Citizen of the Year (21 and Over) - Tracey Reid
o Young Citizen of the Year (20 and Under) - Steven Hopwood
o Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award - Gunnedah Golf Club
o Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy - Lynette Gleeson
o Community and Cultural Achievement Award - Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society
o Max and Mikie Maas Good Neighbour Award - Olwyn Jones
o Sportsperson of the Year (21 and Over) - Paul Brady
o Junior Sportsperson of the Year (20 and Under) - Alice Edmunds
o Junior Sports Team of the Year Award (20 and Under) - Gunnedah Swimming Club
o Sports Team of the Year Award - Gunnedah Touch Association
o Ivan Towns Memorial Award Coach of the Year - Amanda Randall

Gunnedah Shire’s Australia Day Ambassador is Fiona Simson, who spoke at the awards about her own journey as a farmer and a leader for regional women and young people. Ms Simson is the President of the National Farmers Federation.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire celebrates its citizens at the Annual Australia Day Awards Dinner 2022.

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

January 19, 2022

UPDATE: The Raft & Craft Race has been cancelled following a safety inspection of the river.

Break out the zinc cream, prepare for a sausage sandwich brekky and get your paddles in order – Australia Day is on its way to Gunnedah!

Our celebrations rival anywhere in this wide brown land, with utes draped in the Aussie flag, new citizens taking the oath and a bonza barbie by the pool.

Gunnedah Shire Council Australia Day Committee chair Cr Rob Hooke said the Australia Day 2022 Event Program was packed tighter than a primary school hat-rack.

“All our favourites are back,” Cr Hooke said. “The Australia Day 2022 Event Program combines the solemnity of the occasion with some cracker events like Aussie Fest 2022 at Donnelly Fields.

“The Australia Day Awards Dinner will be held on January 25, where Gunnedah will pay tribute to those who make an outstanding contribution to our community. Our Australia Day Ambassador, farmer and president of the National Farmers’ Federation Fiona Simson, will share her story as the guest of honour.

“Breeza is the first cab off the rank with its breakfast starting at 8.30, with the Rotary brekky also getting underway in Gunnedah at Anzac Park from 9am.

“Morning events include a church ceremony under the gums at Anzac Park followed by a citizenship ceremony. There’s also Aussie Fest 2022 at Donnelly Fields, Summer Playground with free entry all day at Gunnedah Memorial Pool, and fun and games at Kelvin and Tambar Springs.

“In the afternoon, there’s a free screening of Kangaroo Jack at the Civic, along with free entry all day to the Gunnedah Memorial Pool, the Water Tower Museum and the Dorothea Mackellar Centre. There are other events at venues throughout the Shire – it’s a big Australia Day this year in the villages - and a chance for Curlewis families to jump on a free bus to join the fun at Gunnedah Memorial Pool.

“This is a true-blue chance for all our residents to show their pride in being Australian in a thousand different ways, while still observing COVID-safe advice.”

Take a look at the full Australia Day Events Program here.

Caption: Australia Day in full swing in 2021 as Raft and Craft Race competitors cross the line.

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

January 18, 2021

As Gunnedah welcomes in a new team of Councillors, Gunnedah Shire Council’s End of Term Report for the past five years shows this term will build on very solid foundations.

“This has been an unprecedented term in many respects, not the least of which has included the challenges of a record drought and the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the opportunities presented by economic stimulus through local government by the State and Federal governments not seen since the Second World War,” an introduction by Mayor Jamie Chaffey and General Manager Eric Groth states.

Highlights of achievements detailed in the introduction to the report include:

• Continued financial security and sustainability despite the significant environmental challenges faced during the term
• Delivery of a works program unparalleled in both scope and volume for Council
• Tremendous success in attracting grant funding for infrastructure and community service projects which have enabled significant project delivery
• The delivery of a large tranche of strategic planning including finalising Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement and substantial progress on the Economic Development Strategy, Housing Strategy, Open Space Strategy and Destination Management Plan review
• Bedding down of an enterprise-wide audit and risk management framework, including internal audit and audit and risk committee.

The report details Council’s progress in implementing the Community Strategic Plan during the 2016-21 term, a term extended by 15 months due to COVID-19.

It includes a host of facts and figures about what has been achieved through Council during that time, including:

• A growth in population from 12,491 (2016) to 12,690 (June 2020)
  • A decrease in unemployment from 8% (2016) to 5.1% (June 2021)
  • 1416 resolutions were adopted by Council
  • $97,122 was distributed to Community Scholarship recipients in partnership with the community
  • $410,738 was provided to local businesses under the Business Partner Program
  • 23,239 customers requests were processed
  • There were 286,957 visits to the Gunnedah Shire Library
  • 450ha of parks, sports fields, open space/bushland reserves and cemeteries were maintained by Council staff
  • 43,182 tonnes of domestic waste were received at the Waste Management Facility
  • 12,141 tonnes of waste was diverted to recycling at the Waste Management Facility

To take a look at the Gunnedah Shire Council End of Term Report, visit https://bit.ly/3IjXbnb

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