December 8, 2021

Gunnedah’s new Koala Sanctuary has reached an exciting milestone with the news the development application has been approved by the NSW Government.

Gunnedah Shire Council submitted the application to the NSW Northern Regional Planning Panel in March and remains committed to bringing this important project to life despite the worldwide challenges 2021 has brought.

Gunnedah Shire Council Acting General Manager Colin Formann said the approval was good news for Gunnedah.

“Approval of the development application is the tick that was needed to allow Gunnedah Shire Council to go ahead with construction of the Koala Sanctuary,” Mr Formann said.

“Council continues to look at options for the eventual operation of the sanctuary, a process that will run alongside construction.

“We remain very positive about this project and what it will mean for both koala conservation and tourism in Gunnedah.”

The development application included plans for a koala hospital, a camping ground, accommodation and other activities.

Preliminary preparation work is already underway on the 50-acre bushland site on the Oxley Highway, and 10,000 koala food trees have been planted.

The Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary project secured $6.48 million through the NSW Government’s Regional Social Benefit Infrastructure Fund.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson at the Koala Sanctuary site earlier this year.

ENDS

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

December 6, 2021

A landmark meeting of Gunnedah doctors to consider potential short, medium and long-term strategies to address the shortage of GPs in Gunnedah Shire will take place on December 14.

The doctors will consider a range of strategies proposed by a working group established to find lasting solutions to Gunnedah’s GP workforce crisis.

Gunnedah Shire Council engaged the Rural Doctors Network NSW (RDN NSW) late last year to develop a way forward for a sustainable GP workforce, including ways to attract and retain GPs.

The working group includes representatives of NSW Rural Doctors Network, Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network, GP Synergy, Hunter New England Local Health District and Gunnedah Shire Council.

Chair of the working group, Dr Estrella Lowe from RDN, said the December 14 meeting was a critical step in building a practical action plan for Gunnedah.

“Following A State of Play report on the current situation and a survey of the Gunnedah Shire Community, the working group has put together a number of strategies we believe could lead to long-term results,” Dr Lowe said.

“It is very apparent that the people of Gunnedah Shire have too few local GPs to meet their needs and the point of this meeting is to present those strategies to the hard-working people on the ground – Gunnedah’s doctors – to find with them an agreed way forward.

“This is about not only finding solutions but working together to make those solutions practical and achievable. We need to know what is likely to work, what is still missing and how best to put the solutions into action.

“It’s exciting to be at this point and we are looking forward to a plan that has our health professionals on board and excited about the future of primary health care for Gunnedah Shire.”

Both the State of Play report and the Gunnedah Shire community survey have also been submitted to the ongoing NSW Government Upper House Inquiry into Rural Health Services.

ENDS

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

December 3, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council is offering free waste collection and disposal to help residents clear flood damaged residential and household goods from their properties.

Items eligible for collection include old furniture, whitegoods and general sorted domestic waste.

Ineligible items include chemicals, liquid waste, commercial waste, mixed building waste, asbestos containing materials and medical waste.

A bulky waste collection will be conducted next week between Monday and Friday for flood impacted Gunnedah streets. Residents should ensure waste is left kerbside before Monday.

Bulky waste will be collected from flood impacted parts of the following streets between Monday December 6 and Friday December 10:

• Maitland St
• Bloomfield St
• Warrabungle St
• Tempest St
• Abbott St
• Conadilly St
• Little Conadilly St
• Little Bloomfield St
• Conadilly St
• Chandos St
• Marquis St
• Elgin St
• Henry St
• Osric St
• Old Tamworth Rd
• Finch St
• Weaver St
• Talibah St
• Lochrey Rd
• Wenworth St
• Rosemary St

Disposal fees will also be waived for those in rural areas and others wishing to take flood waste directly to the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility until December 18. Residents will be required to complete a declaration form before depositing their waste.

Anyone who has already deposited flood related waste at the Waste Management Facility will be eligible for a refund. Please take your receipt to Council’s Elgin Street Administration Building or phone (02) 67402100 to arrange this.

A copy of the declaration form is available here. Please note residents will need to provide a declaration form in order for someone to deliver material on their behalf.

A Natural Disaster Declaration has now been made for 38 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across NSW, including Gunnedah LGA, with extensions to include further LGAs expected later this week.

Assistance activated by the Natural Disaster Declaration includes:

• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged;
• Support for affected local councils to help with the cost of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets;
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations;
• Freight subsidies for primary producers; and
• Grants to non-profit organisations.

Anyone still requiring immediate assistance should contact the SES on 132 500. This includes any member of community who was unable to attend the Evacuation Centre and still needs to be referred to Department of Communities Justice for emergency accommodation.

A significant amount of work is continuing to undertake impact assessments, including impacts on infrastructure and community assets, waste and environmental impact, agricultural and animal impacts, and impacts to households and community wellbeing. 

Please take care if attempting to clean up prior to a structural (engineering and electrical) assessment being completed, and remember to photograph as much as possible to assist with potential insurance claims or grant applications.

More information about returning to your property after a flood is available on the SES website.

Resilience NSW is working closely with Gunnedah Shire Council and partner agencies to ensure the community is supported in their recovery from recent severe storm and flood events. This will include the establishment of a Local Recovery Committee.

Residents can log on to the on to the Service NSW website and search ‘Disaster Assistance Finder’ or phone Service NSW on 13 77 88 for a range of services and supports including how to apply for Resilience NSW’s Disaster Relief Grants program.

1 December, 2021

The receding floodwater is revealing significant damage to Gunnedah Shire’s bridges, roads, footpaths, parks, sporting grounds, causeways and other infrastructure.

Gunnedah Shire Council crews are working tirelessly to attend to damage and allow roads to re-open, but due to the high volume of requests, it will be a long process, and Council is calling for people to remain patient.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the damage to the road network was likely to be significant.

“We are asking for people to be patient as we assess the few thousand kilometres of road that make up Gunnedah Shire’s network,” Mr Bartlett said.

“A huge volume of water has swept over the roads during this natural disaster, and we are working to assess the damage, ensure the immediate safety of our road users, and repair roads as they dry out. This will be a long process, and it will take weeks and in some cases, months.

“We are looking to prioritise roads that have heavy use.

“We would like to thank those who have already reported potential hazards caused by flooding. That information is useful when it is hard for us to reach locations that are isolated.

“If you know of a road that has been damaged, please contact our Customer Service Team on 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au. All requests will be recorded, prioritised and responded to.

Please also keep this information in mind over the coming days and weeks:
• Observe road closure signage and do not attempt to drive on closed roads. You may be liable for any damage caused to the road or to your vehicle.
• Road conditions are subject to change without warning and drivers should travel with caution. Travelling on roads covered with water is extremely dangerous and should be avoided.
• Unsealed roads damage very easily when they are wet and only essential journeys should be undertaken until these roads dry out.

Other helpful information and contacts:
• Flood emergency assistance - State Emergency Service (SES): 132 500.
• Local road closures - Gunnedah Shire Council: (02) 67402100 or https://bit.ly/3nR9Bv2
• Live Traffic NSW: livetraffic.com
• Stormwater drainage information – https://bit.ly/3oOG1FV
• Rural animal and livestock assistance – Local Land Services: lls.nsw.gov.au
• Gunnedah Police: (02) 67429099
• For life threatening emergencies call Triple Zero (000) immediately
• Local Land Services 1300 795 299

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council are assessing road damage as the floodwaters recede.

ENDS

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

December 1, 2021

The missed kerbside collection from Monday, November 29 due to flooding has been rescheduled for Friday, December 3.

Residents are asked to present their bins on Thursday evening for collection early on Friday.

There are no changes at this stage for Curlewis kerbside collection.

November 27, 2021

If you are isolated by flood waters in the Gunnedah Shire – there is help available.

Gunnedah Shire Council and the NSW State Emergency Service are urging residents to reach out if they are isolated and in need of food, emergency or medical supplies.

“Some people have now been isolated by flood waters for a week, with no certainty about when it will be safe to travel to stock up on supplies,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey.

“Added to the worries about supplies for the family and possible medical conditions are additional concerns about livestock and crops, with this flood coming at a terrible time for those who were about to harvest bumper crops.

“I want to assure people that you are not alone in this. There is help available, and we urge you to contact those who can offer assistance.”

Incident Controller for NSW SES, David Monk, said resupply can be organised for Gunnedah residents who may become isolated during this flooding event.

Mr Monk said residents should call 132 500 to seek assistance with food, emergency and medical supplies, and 000 if the situation was life threatening.

“It’s essential that people not drive through floodwaters where they could risk their own lives and the lives of their passengers,” Mr Monk added.

“The SES is hard at work in Gunnedah and other flood-impacted areas assisting where possible, including registering people who are isolated and who need help. If it’s not safe, stay at home and contact 132 500 if you are in urgent need of supplies.”

Cr Chaffey thanked the SES, other emergency services and all others who are volunteering at this time for the work they are doing throughout the Shire to help keep people safe during this natural disaster.

“Once again, it is a small group of people who give tirelessly of their time and their skills to help us through this time,” he said.

“We would also like to thank the State and Federal governments for officially recognising Gunnedah Shire as a Natural Disaster Area, ensuring assistance will be available for people who have been significantly impacted, and for Council to help our Shire with the recovery.

“Our thoughts are with those who have had their homes, farms or businesses flooded, and those who remain isolated.”

Helpful information and contacts:
• Flood emergency assistance - State Emergency Service (SES): 132 500.
• Weather warnings, rainfall and river heights – Bureau of Meteorology: bom.gov.au or 1300 945 108.
• Local road closures - Gunnedah Shire Council: (02) 67402100 or https://bit.ly/3nR9Bv2
• Live Traffic NSW: livetraffic.com
• Stormwater drainage information – https://bit.ly/3oOG1FV
• Rural animal and livestock assistance – Local Land Services: lls.nsw.gov.au
• Gunnedah Police: (02) 67429099
• For life threatening emergencies call Triple Zero (000) immediately
• Local Land Services 1300 795 299
• For disaster assistance through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement that may include:
o Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
o Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
o Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
o Freight subsidies for primary producers, and
o Grants to eligible non-profit organisations
o Contact NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Caption: The Namoi River rising at Gunnedah.

ENDS

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

If you’re enrolled in the Gunnedah LGA and are affected by the floods you can submit an application for a postal vote now.

You can apply online (www.elections.nsw.gov.au/lge21) or contact the NSW Electoral Commission on 1300 135 736 and make an application over the phone.

Postal packs will be dispatched within a day of your application being accepted. If there are delays in your postal vote reaching you, iVote will be available to electors who have applied for a postal vote but have not received their pack in the week before election day.

November 26, 2021

This week Gunnedah Shire has been faced with one of the worst floods in recent years. With more rain forecast, renewed flooding is likely to continue over the weekend and the impacts of this major weather event will be felt for many weeks to come.

On behalf of Gunnedah Shire Council, our thoughts are with those who have been displaced and had homes, businesses and property damaged by significant flooding. Looking back on our experience of drought, it’s difficult to comprehend the deluge of water we are now encountering. We are thinking of those who are facing significant damage to crops so close to what could have been a bumper harvest.

Thank you to the NSW State Emergency Service Gunnedah Unit who continue to coordinate emergency preparation and have responded to many calls for help. Thank you also to those SES volunteers who have travelled to Gunnedah and generously given their time to help our community.

We are grateful for the ongoing work of emergency services and our Council crews who are on the ground monitoring conditions. Multiple rescues from flooded vehicles have been conducted over the past few days and I urge the community to keep safety front of mind and not enter floodwater or drive around barricades.

This extreme weather event is having far reaching impacts on the rural road network, both throughout our entire Shire and broader region. Community safety is paramount and Council is working to prioritise urgent requests and ensure our roads and amenities are returned and working as soon as possible.

However, with more rain on the way it is likely roads in low-lying areas will remain closed for some time while we wait for the water to subside and conduct safety assessments. I thank our community for their understanding and ask that you remain patient as our teams are working through a high volume of requests. Local road closure information can be found on Council's website and for emergency help in floods please contact the SES on 132500.

The Gunnedah Shire community has always shown strength and resilience when faced with hardship and it has been heartening to see people checking on their neighbours, volunteering and donating items to those in need. The impacts of such a major weather event will be ongoing and we need to keep up this support as we look to the recovery phase.

• Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey

Helpful information and contacts:

• Flood emergency assistance - State Emergency Service (SES): 132 500.
• Weather warnings, rainfall and river heights – Bureau of Meteorology: bom.gov.au or 1300 945 108.
• Local road closures - Gunnedah Shire Council: (02) 67402100 or https://bit.ly/3nR9Bv2
• Live Traffic NSW: livetraffic.com
• Stormwater drainage information – https://bit.ly/3oOG1FV
• Rural animal and livestock assistance – Local Land Services: lls.nsw.gov.au
• Gunnedah Police: (02) 67429099
• For life threatening emergencies call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Caption: The Namoi River peaked near 8.25 metres early Wednesday morning with major flooding.

ENDS

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

Stormwater Drainage Issues: What You Need to Know

Stormwater Issues on Private Property

As a result of Gunnedah Shire’s climate and topography, flooding issues from stormwater can be a common problem for property owners. Flooding and nuisance issues from stormwater can sometimes result in damage to property and distress to residents.

Stormwater is rainwater that runs off surfaces such as lawns, roads, roofs, car park and natural ground surfaces. Stormwater that is unable to enter the underground drainage system will find its natural way to the nearest watercourse via overland flow paths. These overland flow paths are typically natural depressions (that occur through private property), open channels, roadways and public reserves.

Property Owner’s Responsibilities

Property owners have a range of responsibilities, which if carried out correctly, will minimise the threat of stormwater damage in the event of heavy rain:

• You must maintain your roof water drainage, stormwater pipes, gutters, downpipes, stormwater inlet pits and any other components of your approved drainage system on your property in good condition
  and in compliance with any Council requirements.
• You are required to accept natural overflow and from adjoining properties or public land and must not divert, redirect or concentrate the flow from its natural path on to neighbouring properties,
• It is important to note that a downstream property owner cannot erect any type of barrier by way of large walls or closed fencing that interferes with the path of stormwater – if you are downstream, you must accept the ‘natural’ run‐off on to your property.
• Ensuring that all buildings (including sheds) have an adequate storm water drainage system connected to the legal point of discharge (e.g. connected to the kerb and gutter or inter‐allotment drainage system),
• When constructing hardstand areas you must control stormwater in order to prevent it from flowing on to adjacent property. It is preferable to minimise the area of water‐resistant surfaces such as concrete or paved areas and driveways,
• If there is an easement on your property it must be maintained and kept clear of debris to allow the
  natural flow of the stormwater.

Property owners generally need to ensure that roof water and stormwater is drained to one of the following to comply with AS/NZS 3500.3:2003 Plumbing and Drainage Part 3: Stormwater Drainage.

• Council street kerb and gutter
• An inter‐allotment drainage system: or
• Council controlled drainage easement or draining reserve.

When Council May Take Action

Council offers to investigate and take action in relation to stormwater drainage complaints only where it relates to

• the flow of surface water from one property across the common land boundary onto another property, and
  where the following criteria has been met;
• Evidence being produced that substantiates the surface water has caused or is likely to cause physical
  damage to land or building on the other land ; and
• Surface water has been directed to and/or concentrated in a particular area by a man made structure
  or drain; or
• Surface water is the result of defective roof drainage from a building.

When Council Will Not Take Action

Council Officers have the discretion to take no action or are unable to take action in the following circumstances;

• Surface water run‐off occurs only in periods of exceptionally heavy rainfall
• The surface water is natural run‐off from the property or properties above due to the topography and isn’t redirected in any manner
• Surface water is flowing down and/or across existing hard surface areas such as driveways, tennis courts, concrete slabs or paved areas
• The location of an existing dwelling, building or outbuilding impacts on surface run‐off
• The run‐off is from new development work that is the subject of a development consent and has been constructed in accordance with that consent
• The drainage problem involves discharges from defective or blocked private inter‐allotment drainage easement infrastructure e.g. pipes and drainage pits. Note: private inter allotment easements are the responsibility of the property owners who are burdened by and/ or benefited by the easement.

How to Report a Stormwater Drainage Issue

If you are experiencing stormwater issues as a result of stormwater being directed onto your property, you
may contact Council via email to report your concern (council@infogunnedah.com.au)

When reporting a stormwater drainage issue on private land, please include the following information;

• Describe what is occurring
• When did it occur and the frequency of occurrence
• What is the source on the neighbouring land that I causing the problem
• Take photos of the stormwater problem that is occurring
• Whether you made contact with Council about the issue previously
• Describe how your land and/or building are being damaged. (if possible include a written report from a suitably qualified person stating the land or building is likely to or is being damaged)
• Whether you obtained professional advice as to the source of the stormwater issue
• Whether you liaised with your neighbour to address this matter

Natural Flow/Sloping Blocks

Natural flow is the flow path down the slope following the contours of the land and occurs before any excavation, development or building. An upstream property owner cannot be held liable merely because surface water flows naturally from their land on to the lower land of a neighbour.

The upstream property owner may be liable if the water is made to flow in a more concentrated form that it would naturally flow. Ideally, runoff should be directed to the street, or to a drainage system if provided. Property owners need to be aware that landscaping can change the topography of a property and the way it distributes water.

Council is unlikely to investigate stormwater complaints involving the natural flow of stormwater from one property to another.

Buildings Currently Under Construction

Complaints about buildings under construction that are subject to a current building approval should, in the first instance, be referred to the responsible Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) or the builder.
The details for the Principal Certifying Authority and Builder should be visible on the building sign on the front of the premises.

The individual builder remains responsible for all stormwater installations permitted under the development consent whilst the building is under construction. In the event of a complaint, the PCA has enforcement powers and must take appropriate action under the legislation.

Seepage Water

Seepage water is the responsibility of individual property owners. Where sloping blocks have been excavated to obtain in a flat yard or building site, seepage drains should be constructed to collect and redirect water to an approved stormwater drainage.

You should liaise with neighbours to address any problems. If possible, drainage easements can be created to direct water to a Council stormwater drainage system.

Localised Overland Flooding

Localised overland flooding may occur when one or more of the following happens:

• The amount of rainfall exceeds the design capacity of the stormwater and roof drainage system
• Private inlet pits and pipes are undersized or become blocked
• A building or a fence is obstructing the overland flow path

You can be held liable for damages if changes on your property increase flood levels and associate risk on an adjoining property.

Drainage Easements

A drainage easement is a legal encumbrance on the title of a property to provide Council with the authority to carry out whatever works are required on drainage infrastructure within the easement. The infrastructure can include open drainage channels, below ground pipe systems and grated inlets that are designed to accept allotment and roof water together with larger upstream catchment stormwater flows.

Generally, no structures or improvements (such as dwellings, buildings and landscaping treatments including earthworks, retaining walls and fill) are permitted within the easement boundaries.

The property owner is responsible for the maintenance of an easement on private property. Council is not responsible for vegetation maintenance, including the clearing of weeds and trees or any other maintenance of
overgrown vegetation, to watercourse or easements located within private property. However, Council may carry out maintenance work to stormwater drainage infrastructure located within drainage easements on private property, as deemed necessary, to ensure the efficient operation of the system.

Disputes Resolution

If you wish to formally manage dispute resolutions, you may consider contacting the Community Justices Centre. The Centre offers free advice and mediation services and can be contacted on 1800 990 777 or through
their website www.cjc.nsw.gov.au 

Who Can I Contact If My Property Is Flooding?

For emergency help in flood events, contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.