25 March 2025

Gunnedah Shire Council has delivered its first Cost Containment and Productivity Report to Councillors detailing historical and potential cost savings and efficiency gains.

To assist in maintaining Council’s financial sustainability in tandem with the Special Rate Variation process, Councillors resolved Council would strive to find $930,000 through efficiency gains and operational savings over the three-year period from 2025 to 2028.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Corporate Services, Kelly Stidworthy, said “Council has been aware of financial challenges caused by cost shifting, rate-pegging and cost increases for many years, and has already made significant efforts to improve operations and deliver services to the community without increasing rates above the rate peg.

“The report shows that more than $2.5 million in savings and $2.4 million in efficiencies have been made over those years, delaying the need to apply for a Special Rate Variation until now.

“Council will continue to investigate and make cost saving and efficiency gain improvements to meet the $930,000 requirement, but also expects further unforeseen costs and cost shifting in the years ahead. To show the full picture, the report also includes information on cost-shifting by other levels of government. In 2023/24, Council has estimated this to be $2.2 million.”

The report notes that Council is using the following approaches to find the $930,000 in savings and efficiencies:

• Strategic initiatives – including the formal service review program designed to review Council’s operations
• Operational initiatives – to take advantage of savings identified during normal operations as opportunities for efficiency gains and savings arise
• Future improvements – including the exploration of renewable energy savings, improved asset management practices and new revenue opportunities

The report notes that to date, Council has already implemented improvements that have resulted in:

• Close to $1.29 million in efficiency gains each year in unsealed roads improvements with changes such as: a more effective system of grading, improved gravel haulage practices and quarry practices, and the sealing of more than 60km of the unsealed road network
• Over $2.14 million as a one-off saving from grants to upgrade IT systems, review Development Contribution plans, and undertake cross-road drainage upgrades at several locations across Gunnedah Shire
• Close to $39,000 in efficiency gains each year in parks and gardens for changes including: GPS line-marking practices, improved cemetery management practices, automation of irrigation systems and improved parks and sporting fields management practices
• $251,000 a year as ongoing savings in: implementing e-notices for digital rates and water bill delivery; the sewerage treatment plan solar system; insurance savings, LED street lighting savings; and savings in the internal audit program.

Since the 2024 election, Council has realised $996,280 in efficiency gains and $117,125 in savings and has also sought funding under the Federal Government’s Community Energy Upgrade Fund to install solar and energy efficiency systems at various Council facilities that would realise ongoing electricity savings if successful.

The report also details many other efficiency and cost saving initiatives implemented across Council.

Council will continue to publicly report on efficiency gains and operational savings in May each year.

To read the Cost Containment and Productivity Report March 2025, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au where the report is included on the March Ordinary Meeting agenda.

Council’s Special Rate Variation application is currently before the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal NSW (IPART).

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

March 24, 2025

Gunnedah Shire Council has endorsed the final Concept Design for the Gunnedah Youth Space (previously known as Gunnedah Skate Park).

In early 2024 and as part of the Gunnedah Shire Open Space Strategy, Council engaged award-winning specialists CONVIC to develop a new 'Youth Space' to replace the current Gunnedah Skate Park with a contemporary facility designed to meet current and future trends within active youth recreation and wheel action sports.

CONVIC is a world leader in skate park and youth space design and has created more than 800 community spaces around the globe to date.

After completing relevant site background and research and undertaking extensive consultation with the community, a draft Concept Design was developed by CONVIC and presented to Council in December 2024.

The draft Concept Design was placed on public exhibition for 35 days to allow stakeholders and the community to view the design and make submissions.

Based on submissions received from the community during the exhibition period as well as Councillor feedback, a number of changes were made to the draft Concept Design including but not limited to:

- Additional bike racks in café, car park and basketball areas
- Picnic benches added in social areas
- Fence along View Street roadside enhanced
- CCTV added to light poles
- Ping pong and chess tables added to increase social recreation activities
- Parkour + climbing areas relocated and reoriented
- Full size basketball court included in N-S orientation
- Enhanced learn to ride track & beginner pump track replace previous pump loop to provide more standalone beginner focused area

- Bike tracks zoned to provide different areas to suit skill levels and reduce risk of conflicts and collisions
- Car parking increased
- Off street parking and drop off area proposed along View Street
- Basket swing added to youth activity zone
- Outdoor gym equipment included in court area
- Clean up station added for skaters to maintain/clear up skatepark (leaf litter etc); and
- Provision of shade over active areas as future installation.

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Colleen Fuller said the new Youth Space would be an exciting addition for the local community.

“The final Concept Design reflects a collective vision that effectively captures the current and future needs of both Council and the community.

“Now that Council has resolved to adopt the final Gunnedah Youth Space Concept Design it can move forward with the project to secure funding opportunities to bring it to fruition,” said Mayor Fuller.

24 March, 2025

Gunnedah Shire Council has joined the call for all parties and candidates in this year’s federal election to put our communities first and commit to increased funding for Australia’s 537 local governments.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller said Gunnedah Shire Councillors and the Gunnedah Shire community were all too well aware of the problems rising costs, unrealistic rate capping and shrinking funding were causing.

“We are also aware that Gunnedah Shire is not alone in these challenges,” Cr Fuller said.

“That is why we are being forced to pursue a Special Rate Variation to address the shortfall in funding that will start to impact on our services and facilities.

“The Australian Local Government Association has outlined five priorities that will help ensure Councils across the country are better placed to serve their community into the future. Instead of ever-declining funds, these priorities will make sure at least some areas are better resourced.”

Gunnedah Shire Council has endorsed five national funding priorities for local government, which include:

• $1.1 billion per year for enabling infrastructure to unlock housing supply
• $500 million per year for community infrastructure
• $600 million per year for safer local roads
• $900 million per year for increased local government emergency management capability and capacity, and
• $400 million per year for climate change adaptation.

The call is for this funding to be provided to all councils on a formula-basis – similar to the way Financial Assistance Grants and Roads to Recovery funding have been for many years – so that every Australian community benefits.

Cr Fuller said long-term and sustained funding would help the community think beyond the next grant funding round to a better future.

“Local government is the level of government that is at the grass roots of our community,” Cr Fuller said.

“Without adequate funding, it is close to impossible to move forward with the best outcomes for our community. Issues such as affordable housing, disaster recovery and roads funding are critical, and we need certainty there will be funding available to address these areas.

“Councils also play an important role in facilitating and nurturing the economy, and to do so, we need a sustainable funding base.”

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

20 March 2025

Gunnedah Shire Council will auction five properties on Friday, 25 July to recover rates and charges that have remained unpaid for more than five years.

The auction comes following a lengthy process of contacting owners for payment, and public advertising.

The five properties are located in Gunnedah, Curlewis and Breeza. As at 31 January 2025, a total of $24,017.70 was owed on these properties by various owners, and this auction will be held to clear the total outstanding amount.

Property owners have until the time of the sale to make arrangements satisfactory to the Council for payment of outstanding rates and charges, otherwise the land will be sold by public auction by Lakeford Real Estate at The Civic, 83 Chandos Street, Gunnedah on Friday, 25 July, 2025 at 11am.

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.

For more information on the properties up for auction, contact Lakeford Real Estate. For more information about paying an outstanding rates bill or Council’s Hardship Policy, please ring Council’s Customer Service Team on 6740 2100.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

20 March, 2025

Council forms Flood Risk Management Committee

Gunnedah Shire Council has formed a Flood Risk Management Committee to support flood studies and plans being delivered in the Gunnedah Local Government Area.

At the March Ordinary Council Meeting, Council endorsed the appointment of Councillors Tammy McAllan and Robert Hooke as representatives of the committee, with expressions of interest for two community member representatives to be called soon.

Councils are primarily responsible for managing flood risk in their Local Government Areas through management studies and plans in accordance with the NSW Government Flood Risk Management Manual.

Gunnedah Mountain Bike Club to receive grant

Gunnedah Shire Council Section 356 Small Grants Programs applications have been assessed by Council’s Section 356 grants committees, with Gunnedah Mountain Bike Club successful in securing $5000.
The grant will go towards the installation of signage at the Blackjack and Sunnyside sections of Gunnedah Mountain Bike Park.

The club was the only eligible application in the Section 356 (Community) Small Grants Program, and the remaining $3,891.64 will be returned to Council’s General Fund.

No funding was awarded in the Section 356 (Arts and Cultural) Small Grants Program, and $11,716.46 will be returned to Council’s General Fund.

New faces for Working Groups

Council has approved a number of new community representatives for Council Working Groups.

Council endorsed:
• Raelee Bruce as a community representative on the Gunnedah Shire Crime Prevention Working Group
• Lewis Donaldson as a community representative on the Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group
• Rhonda Smith, Leonie Harley and Ray Darcey as community representatives on the Australia Day Working Group.

Council to seek nominations for new Youth Working Group

Gunnedah Shire Council will be calling for nominations for a new Youth Working Group.

Council approved the Terms of Reference for the new group at the March Ordinary Meeting.

The purpose of the Working Group will be to:
• Provide appropriate advice and recommendations on matters pertaining to the youth of Gunnedah Shire Local Government Area
• Provide a forum for discussion of youth issues
• Assist young people in developing skills in various areas including leadership, communication, advocacy, governance and administration
• Partner with organisations and community members to assist in the delivery of youth programs and initiatives.

The working group will include: two Councillors, up to 10 community organisation or agency representative appointments; up to 12 school or training provider representative appointments; up to four community representative appointments; up to four First Nations organisation representative appointments, up to 10 youth representative appointments, alongside Council staff in a non-voting capacity. Members will serve two-year terms.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

19 March 2025

The Planning Institute of Australia has confirmed there is a “critical national shortage” of town planners impacting on Councils across the country, but Gunnedah Shire Council says lodgement of comprehensive and accurate applications ensures the process runs as smoothly as possible.

Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Development Assessment Wade Hudson said in the 2023-24 financial year, Council approved close to 150 development applications worth more than $31 million.

“Local government authorities across Australia are well aware there is a shortage of town planners that can lead to delays in approvals,” Mr Hudson said.

“However, the bulk of applications impacted by delays are those that do not include the necessary information and need to be sent back to the applicant for more information.

“The assessment of development applications is a necessarily regulated process, and applications must comply with pre-set criteria included in State Policies and the Local Environmental Plans. Applications cannot be approved unless they meet these criteria.

“We know it can be a daunting task for people who are looking to renovate, build, subdivide or maybe put in a pool, so Gunnedah Shire Council offers a number of services to help get an application right.”

A new system recently introduced by the NSW Government – the “Council League Table” available at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/housing/faster-assessments-program/council-league-table - has placed a heavy emphasis on the number of days the determination of development applications process takes.

Mr Hudson said the “League” system did not take into account the lengthy delays that occurred when applications were missing vital information and needed to be sent back to the applicant.

“To meet performance criteria, Councils now have to reject or refuse development applications at an earlier stage than we might have done in the past, meaning there is a higher chance of early refusal of an application,” Mr Hudson said.

“To avoid this, we are ensuring we have a number of services in place to help applicants get their application right the first time.”

Council has information and application forms available on our website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au under “Development”, but also offers further services:

• A free Duty Planner Service is available by appointment between the hours of 9am and 1.30pm from Mondays to Fridays to speak with a Duty Planner for general planning enquiries, pre-lodgement discussion and development application lodgement. Appointments are available on request outside of the hours, and can be made on (02) 6740 2100.
• For those who would like written advice and would like to ensure planning, engineering and design issues are addressed before a development application is submitted, Pre-Development Application Services are available for a fee. To fill in a form for this service, you can contact (02) 6740 2100.

“We would like to make this process as easy as possible for applicants, and encourage people to take advantage of the services available,” Mr Hudson said.

People who go ahead with developments without the necessary approvals could face stop-work notices or penalties, and may be forced to remove structures.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

19 March 2025

The Gunnedah Shire community is being asked to have their say about a proposed Bill to split the Hunter New England Health District into two separate districts.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller said the region had faced its share of challenges with health services, with a general practitioner shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the disappointing downscaling of the new hospital.

“In 2004, two health districts were combined to form the Hunter New England Health District,” Cr Fuller said.

“It is the largest health district in New South Wales and includes a population of close to one million people.

“I am advised it is the only rural health district that is administered from a metropolitan base.

“Gunnedah Shire Council intends to put in a submission to NSW Parliament about the Splitting of the Hunter New England Health District Bill, but we are also giving the community the opportunity to tell us their own thoughts and experiences. Unfortunately, there is only a short window of time here, so we urge people to take a look and have their say.”

The Gunnedah Shire Council survey about the Health Services Amendment (Splitting of the Hunter New England Health District) Bill 2025 is available through Gunnedah Shire’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LL5ZVRT

The survey will close at midnight on Sunday, 30 March, 2025.

People and organisations who would like to learn more about the Bill or put in their own submissions can do so through https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/Pages/inquiryprofile/health-services-amendment-splitting-of-the-hunter-new-england-health-district-bill-2025.aspx#tab-submissions

Submissions will close on 17 April, 2025.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

17^th March 2025

A series of waste education and composting workshops will be held from Monday 31 March to Wednesday 2 April in Gunnedah.

Anyone with questions about household waste or looking to upscale their recycling is encouraged to attend these free sessions.

Attendees will be able to check out a pop-up display and chat to waste educators between 10am and 2pm at Coles Shopping Centre, Gunnedah. Or join a composting and worm farming workshop at The Civic Theatre on Wednesday 2 April at 6.30pm.

“Sustainability is such an important focus for communities these days and this initiative is a fantastic opportunity for people to pick up some invaluable tips about household waste management and composting,” said Gunnedah Shire council Manager Waste, Sheridan Cameron.

Spaces are limited for the workshop and registrations are essential. To register go to:

https://gunnedahcompostingwormfarmworkshop.eventbrite.com.au

5th March 2025

Gunnedah Shire Council is now inviting the community to participate in the Gunnedah Rural Waste Services Survey.

The survey, produced by ASK Waste Management in collaboration with the Gunnedah Shire Council), will help guide consultation for the Waste Management Strategy and Rural Waste Facilities Study project.

Council has engaged ASK Waste Management to develop its Waste Management Strategy with the key aims of the project to develop a 10-year Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy, evaluate current facilities, and recommend future actions aligned with the NSW Waste and
Resource Recovery Strategy and Council’s Community Strategic Plan.

The project will be completed in four stages and a ‘Coffee Table’ summary will be created for public exhibition and feedback.

Council currently operates its main site, the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility, and several other smaller, rural waste facilities. It also provides a three-bin or two-bin kerbside service to most residents except for some rural properties that are required to self-haul their waste to Council facilities.

The survey will be live for the next 21 days and can be accessed via this web link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GunnedahRuralWasteSurvey OR printed copies can be obtained from Council’s Customer Service team at the Elgin St office.