Gunnedah Shire Council resolved to approve the design for the proposed Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playground at last week’s Extraordinary Council Meeting.

The concept plan was developed by Kathryn Yigman of Stewart Surveys, following extensive consultation with the community and the Inclusive Playground Working Group.

Local mum Ashley Bender began the campaign for the playground by presenting a 300-plus signature petition to Council to consider the concept.

Council also moved to enter into partnership with the Touched By Olivia Foundation, whose purpose is to create inclusive play spaces to give every Australian the right to play, side by side, without discrimination or prejudice and to facilitate social and community inclusion for people with a disability as well as their families and carers.

“Play is the best way for people to connect. Touched by Olivia is thrilled that both the Council and community have agreed to create a place in the middle of town where everyone is welcome and included,” Touched by Olivia Foundation CEO Bec Ho said.

Council will now be seeking grant funding from the Stronger Country Communities Program to add to allocated funds for the Wolseley Park project.

“This project reaffirms Council’s commitment to inclusion in the Shire, following the recent adoption of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and the reformation of the Access Working Group,” Director of Environment and Planning Services Andrew Johns said.

Council’s Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton said Touched by Olivia had created a Facebook Group to enable the community to keep up-to-date with the project – “Friends of Livvi’s Place Gunnedah”.

“We need to demonstrate to those that are assessing our grant application that this project is much-loved and needed in the community” Ms Hilton said.

“We encourage anyone interested in this project to ‘join’ this page to show their support for the project.
“This playground will be a fantastic and imaginative play space for children of all abilities, and will provide extensive recreational, social and community benefits.”

PHOTO: Gunnedah Shire Council Director of Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns and Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey with the concept plan for ‘Livvi’s Place Gunnedah’.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Yesterday it was announced Gunnedah Shire Council was successful in obtaining $2.6 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund for the Curlewis Pipeline Project. The project enables Curlewis to connect to Gunnedah’s town water supply.

The project, worth a total of $5.2 million dollars, involves the installation of a 15.8 kilometre pipeline including the construction of two storage reservoirs and a disinfection dosing station.

The project will provide 600 Curlewis residents with quality water and water security, and will increase the liveability of the village by improving household water for drinking and showering, as well as watering parks and gardens.

Curlewis is a high potential residential, industrial and economic growth area, with affordability and access to services attractive to investors and people looking to reside in the Gunnedah Shire.

“The pipeline is a wonderful outcome for current residents,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.
“It will provide social and economic benefits for Curlewis and the Gunnedah Shire into the future. It has the potential to attract families to the village, creating a flow-on effect for local businesses and the school.

“Gunnedah Shire Council has consulted with Curlewis residents over a long period of time regarding the water quality in the village, most recently during our Community Strategic Plan community engagement and this is a wonderful outcome, allowing us to deliver this solution that will greatly improve the village.”
The pipeline project affirms Gunnedah Shire Council’s commitment and plan to focus on key issues facing villages, such as sustainability, liveability and growth.

Council’s commitment to the villages includes projects such as the recent adoption of a Water Equalisation Proposal, by equalising water charges across the Shire with the aim to create a fairer system; a commitment to the beautification of villages; ensuring villages are vibrant and sustainable; maintaining quality transport links between Gunnedah and villages; and by supporting village hall committees and progress associations.
The support of Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash and the grant allocation means the project has potential to commence in the near future.

Further funding for the Curlewis Pipeline Project will be considered at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on August 16. 

PHOTO: Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Water Services Kevin Sheridan, Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Acting Director Infrastructure Services Edward Paas.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Three members of the Gunnedah Youth Council were joined by the Armidale Regional Youth Advisory Committee to attend a Luminosity Youth Summit in Port Macquarie last week (July 19-21), aimed at supporting youth in their personal and professional development.

The three-day summit saw a variety of speakers inspire and engage with the youth in attendance, including Survivor competitor and founder of mental health organisation LIVIN, Sam Webb; legally blind water ski and Spartan Race competitor Ben Pettingill; Constable Jarryd De Castro, who was the first respondent on scene at the Lindt Siege; hip hop artist and ambassador for cultural diversity, L-Fresh the Lion, who has featured at major music festivals; and Nixi Killick, a country girl who has now taken the fashion world by storm, including designing tour outfits for Lady Gaga.

“Six young people from Gunnedah and Armidale had the opportunity of a lifetime, being inspired and empowered to be their best selves and create their ideal futures,” Gunnedah Shire Council Youth Officer Sewa Emojong said.

“These opportunities are so important for young people in our Shire – they are an invaluable capacity building tool to help our young people make positive change in our community and tackle issues they care about for the benefit of society.”

The Summit also provided an opportunity for the Gunnedah youth to connect with other active Youth Councils.

Gunnedah Youth Council meets on Wednesdays from 4:15pm-5:45pm at the Cultural Precinct (The Civic meeting rooms) and is a place to showcase information and opportunities for young people aged 12-25 years, in Gunnedah and the surrounding region.

To find out more about Gunnedah Youth Council or to get involved, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Youth Officer, Sewa Emojong, on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au

Photo (1): Participants enjoy a beats and yoga session at the summit. Photo credit: Lindsay Moller, Luminosity Youth Summit.

Photo (3): Gunnedah Shire Council Youth Officer Sewa Emojong, left, and Gunnedah student Charlene Winsor, right, networking at the summit. Photo credit: Lindsay Moller, Luminosity Youth Summit.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner (02) 6740 2100

St Mary’s College was awarded People’s Choice in Gunnedah Shire Council’s recent biennial ‘Waste into Art’ Exhibition at the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

The Gunnedah community had their say and with the majority votes, St Mary’s College with their art work by the Logical Ark Collective. The wooden assemblage piece titled ‘The Ark of Reason’ has been named as the Gunnedah’s People’s Choice Awards for the 2017 ‘Waste into Art’ Exhibition.

“Every two years, Gunnedah Shire Council asks residents to use their imagination and repurpose waste items in to art,” Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley said.
“It was great to see St Mary’s College students collaborate and be rewarded for their creative efforts.”

Photo caption: St Mary’s College students work ‘The Ark of Reason’ was named ‘People’s Choice’.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Since it started in 1973, Commonwealth Bank AgQuip has provided professionals on the land with comprehensive access to the latest machinery, equipment and services available to Australian primary industry.

It has developed a reputation over the last three decades as the nation's premier agri-showcase. The first AgQuip attracted 69 participants and 30,000 visitors and was held at the Gunnedah Racecourse. Rapid growth in the '70s necessitated a larger site and in 1977 the move was made to a permanent, purpose built site six kilometres west of Gunnedah.

Today, some 3,000 individual companies will be at Commonwealth Bank AgQuip to interact with the 100,000 plus customers who attend. Commonwealth Bank AgQuip is the largest agricultural and rural marketplace in Australia and among the biggest in the world. The giant field days are staged over three days in August in Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia. Participating companies use the field days as a launching pad for new products and services, in the process using unique opportunities offered by AgQuip to make direct contact with their customers.

AgQuip is a great family day out, with lots to see and do. Grab a mouth-watering steak, visit the fashion stores, watch the reptile show, or get a shoe shine. With so many options for a great day out, you may to need to stay a few nights.

Gunnedah has a variety of events while AgQuip is running, such as: The Railway Hotel Billy Boiling Competition, The AgQuip Rodeo – held at the Gunnedah Showground, and the Art and Craft Exhibition – held at the Civic Centre.

Now you can download the AgQuip App to your devices to navigate your way around the massive site or you can visit the Information Stand at AgQuip for your free guidebook which includes a site map - which you can also download below.

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Gunnedah residents also open their homes for visitors to stay for home hosting, call the Visitor Information Centre on 02 6740 2230 for bookings and any information regarding AgQuip.

Photo credit: Namoi Valley Independent

Arts Gunnedah presents 47th Annual Art & Ceramics Exhibition  |  Creative Arts Gallery, Chandos Street

Join us for Opening Night on Friday, 18th August 2017 from 6.00pm  |  Entry is $15 which includes finger food and refreshments

The Exhibition continues until Sunday, 3rd September from 10.00am – 4.00pm daily.

This year the competition has introduced several changes which include more prize money and some new Art sections. These changes have come about from the incorporation of Arts Gunnedah Inc., an independent and dynamic group of artists and art lovers interested in providing a space for bringing our community together through art. We thank members of our business community for coming on board by sponsoring our Exhibition.

Entry forms are available from the Creative Arts Gallery or by emailing visarts.secretary@gmail.com 

Gunnedah Shire Council will host a range of free activities to celebrate Local Government Week with the community. The events and activities aim to showcase the services Councils provide to local communities.

Local Government Week will be held from Monday, 31 July to Sunday, 6 August, with this year’s theme - ‘Discovery, Diversity, Democracy’ – promoting Council working with the community to create a strong, cohesive and vibrant Shire.

“Gunnedah Shire Council is striving towards being an innovative and proactive organisation. The recent community consultation and subsequent adoption of the Community Strategic Plan has highlighted areas of priority. We’re excited about and committed to delivering services that meet the needs of the community. Local Government Week is a time that we can show the community some of the services that are available to them – so be sure to come along and see what’s on offer.” Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth said.

In conjunction with National Tree Day, keep an eye out for Gunnedah Shire Council’s Tree Pop-Up Event at the Smithurst Theatre Forecourt from 12:00pm-1:00pm on Monday, 31 July.

Community members are invited to attend a morning tea with GoCo staff. It’s the perfect opportunity to find out more information on the services they provide, how to access them and the vital role that volunteers play in GoCo. If you’ve got questions about Aged care, disability support, community transport, community hub options or Aboriginal support – this is the place to have them answered.

Young residents in the Gunnedah Shire are invited to a Meet and Greet with Gunnedah Youth Council on Wednesday, 2 August at 4.30pm. It’s a great place to have a chat about options for Young people in the Shire. You can also find out about joining Gunnedah Youth Council and some of the amazing activities on offer for members. There will be pizza to nibble on and plenty of other like-minded young people to chat to. GYC is your chance to make a difference.

Other activities include a Gunnedah Shire Library tour and morning tea on Thursday, 3 August from 10:00-11:00am, and a Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery tour and morning tea on Friday, 4 August from 10:00am-12:00pm. Council’s Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley will host an art class as part of the gallery tour.

Celebrations will conclude with a free movie screening of three-part series War on Waste from 2:30pm on Sunday, 6 August at The Civic Theatre to highlight Gunnedah Shire Council’s focus on correct waste management. War on Waste presenter Craig Reucassel is on a mission to see if the nation as a whole can do better when it comes to waste management. There will also be an intermission with nibbles provided.

A full program of events and activities can be found below and on Council’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/gunnedahshire

For more information or enquiries phone Council’s Customer Service Team on (02) 6740 2100.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner (02) 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey together with the Gunnedah Ministers Fraternal invites members of the community to save the date for the 2017 Mayoral Dinner.

This year, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley, Governor of New South Wales, has accepted an invitation to be a guest at the event and will speak on his life as a Christian in his current role.

For the past 20 years, an Annual Mayoral Breakfast was held for community leaders, however, to welcome the Governor of NSW to the community and to share this rare opportunity, a Mayoral Dinner is behind held at the Gunnedah Town Hall.

“The Mayoral Dinner aims to bring the whole community together, to build relationships, enjoy fellowship and enhance community spirit,” Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“We are very honoured the 38th Governor of NSW has accepted our invitation and we would like to give everyone in the community the opportunity to attend and to hear His Excellency speak.

“Prior to his appointment as Governor in 2014, His Excellency served for 42 years in the Australian Army, with time as Chief of the Defence Force – his life experience will be a welcome addition to our evening,” he concluded.

Former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson will perform the Master of Ceremonies at the event, to be held on Wednesday, 13 September, 2017 from 6:30pm.

Tickets are $30 per head and include a two-course meal. Tickets can be purchased online at ww.thecivic.com.au or in person at Gunnedah Shire Council Administration Office or the Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre. Ticket sales close at 5:00pm on Friday, 1 September, 2017.

For more information or enquiries please phone (02) 6740 2100.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council has started work on plans to create vibrancy in the Gunnedah Shire as part of its Community Strategic Plan (CSP).

Council adopted its 10-year Community Strategic Plan at its June Ordinary Meeting , which highlights the community’s vision to enhance streetscapes and open spaces in Gunnedah and its surrounding villages.
“Council engaged with a number of community groups across a variety of forums on ideas to enhance Gunnedah’s streetscapes and downtown precinct, which were in line with Council’s CSP,” Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle said.

“Some ideas included planter boxes installed in the main street and establishing garden beds at the main entrance points to Gunnedah.

“Council has started work on these projects to see the ideas come to fruition for our community,” she said.
Parks and Gardens staff have designed and installed a planter box at the front of the Northern Inland Credit Union in Conadilly Street, to trial the initiative before more boxes are installed as part of the main street enhancement project between Elgin and Chandos streets.

“We have spoken to local businesses at the location and if we receive positive feedback on the planter box that will give us the green light to install up to 22 more in the downtown precinct,” Manager Public Facilities Geoff Phillips said.

“The boxes are constructed, planted and to be maintained by Council staff and would be installed behind the trees already planted on the roadway, meaning parking in the area will not be impacted. The idea is to predominantly plant flowering perennials to ensure durability and vibrancy throughout the year,” he concluded.

Council has also established garden beds at the three main entrances to town as part of the project, with plans to plant the Elgin Street and Chandos Street roundabouts also in the pipeline. Solar lights will be installed at the entrance points to Gunnedah to showcase the vibrancy at night.

For more information on Council’s Community Strategic Plan visit www.infogunnedah.com.au 

PHOTO CAPTION: Council’s Parks and Gardens staff member Troy Collison worked on the planter box in Conadilly Street.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Council resolved to sign a Memorandum of Understanding at last night’s Ordinary meeting to enter into discussions with Lianyungang Agricultural Development Group Co Ltd on agricultural trade and investment opportunities within the Gunnedah Local Government Area (LGA).

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey recently met with the Director of the large state-owned Chinese enterprise, discussing the company’s desire to investigate opportunities, with a specific focus on the establishment of a multi-species abattoir (beef and lamb) in Gunnedah.

“I am very delighted to receive the support from the Councillors to sign the MoU,” Cr Chaffey said.
“This is just the first step in achieving one of our major goals of creating a more diverse and stable economy by value-adding to some of the rich agricultural products that are produced in our region.

“There is no guarantee that this will come to fruition, however Gunnedah Shire Council will be looking at any opportunities to ensure and sustain growth in our shire. As our community continues to grow it is critical we focus on ensuring there are jobs for all people within our community now and into the future, from young to mature, from skilled to unskilled,” he said.

“We have a strong vision to ensure that all we do in the economic development space will give every opportunity for our youth of today and tomorrow to stay in this great shire to build their lives and futures, and the future of the region.”

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Director Planning and Environment Andrew Johns said with the recent appointment of a Manager Economic Development, Charlotte Hoddle, and alignment with the Namoi Joint Organisation, Council is committed to ensuring the sustainable growth of the region’s economy.

“It is important to discuss all investment opportunities to safeguard the future of our region,” Mr Johns said.
“The potential of bringing an abattoir to Gunnedah would have a huge flow-on effect within the local economy from the farm gate to the retail and residential sector. It is important that we look towards stability within our economy to assist when hard times arise.”

Cr Chaffey said council has been developing concepts and plans and considering all opportunities with the view of value-adding to Gunnedah’s rich agricultural commodities.

“Value-adding specifically in the processing of the raw product guarantees development and jobs into the future,” Cr Chaffey said.

“We have been casting our net not just locally, or throughout Australia, but we are actively looking internationally for investment partners, that will assist us to deliver on our direction.”

Lianyungang Agricultural Development Group Co Ltd has a registered capital of five billion Yuan, 30 subsidiary (holding) companies and more than 1200 employees.

Photo Caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the support of Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth, Director Planning and Environment Andrew Johns and Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.