Gunnedah Shire Council has endorsed the draft version of the Community Strategic Plan and the document, as well as the Delivery Program and Operational Plan are currently on Exhibition, with Council receiving submissions in relation to the documents until 5.00pm Thursday 15 June.

Council recently completed a wide range of engagement activities to understand the community’s vision for the Gunnedah Shire, now, and into the future. The feedback, discussions and concerns that were raised have been considered and have helped guide many of the key themes that are represented in the plan.

“We’re excited to present a plan that has been developed in consultation with the community. Some examples of key initiatives presented include a water equalisation proposal, shade cloths installation in parks, a reduction in fees and charges for community groups using the Town Hall and Civic, beautification of the entrances to town and the villages. It’s really important that the community have a look at the plan and make a submission, as this plan will be in place for a four year term before it is reviewed,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Director of Business Systems and Governance Colin Formann said.

“We’ve worked really hard to engage the community to listen and understand your ideas for the Gunnedah Shire. While there some common themes, we also received representation from a diverse number of community members groups, which has been fantastic. Council has worked to ensure that we’ve taken a balanced approach to considering all the different ideas that were presented. We want to say a huge thankyou to everyone who has participated, “Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“However, there’s still time for your to have your say. It’s really important we get this right- so please take some time to review the document and make a submission should you have anything you’d like considered. The plan brings community groups and other tiers of Government together, so we’re all working toward a shared vision for the future of our community,“ he concluded.

For more information including all the other ways you can have your say, visit www.infogunnedah.com.au or give us a call on 02 6740 2100.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Access Working Group and concerned community members staged an awareness raising event in Conadilly Street on Sunday, 21 May to highlight the issue of inappropriate use of designated access bays in Gunnedah.

Using wheelchairs parked in non-designated bays, each carried a sign to indicate that 'Laziness is not a disability'. Each sign was accompanied by a range of common excuses such as, ‘But it’s close, I will only be 5 minutes, Nobody is using it, I don't care and Oops’.
"The event was staged as a result of feedback from frustrated parents, carers and the disability support sector during the development of the Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan”, said Working Group Chairperson Councillor Ann Luke.

“We hope to highlight that designated access bays are allocated specifically for those who have a legitimate disability or impairment, and who display a NSW Mobility Parking Scheme Permit or an Australian Disability Parking Permit on their vehicle”.

"This initiative is the first of many to be undertaken by the Access Working Group which has recently reconvened to strengthen Council's commitment to access and inclusion, and to support the delivery of the Shire's Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021" she concluded.

Members of the Gunnedah Shire Council Access Working Group include: Cr Ann Luke (Chair), Gerard McDonald (Community member), Julie Frend (Community member), Rebecca Dridan (Community Member), Peter Jones (Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce & Industry), Sharne Turpin (GS Kidd Memorial School), and Steve Betts (House with No Steps). Council staff include: Andrew Johns, Debra Hilton, Kate Mackley and Richard Baxter.

If you would like more information about the Access Working Group or the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021 contact Debra Hilton, Council’s Community and Social Planner on 02 6740 2100 or email council@infogunnedah.com.au.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Crime Prevention Working Group recently undertook a walking tour of the closed circuit television (CCTV) network in the Gunnedah CBD. The tour was conducted to revisit and review the current locations of cameras and to determine future approaches to maintaining and expanding the network.

Undertaking the tour were members of the Working Group including Chair Cr Colleen Fuller, Mayor Jaimie Chaffey, Cr David Moses, Cr John Campbell, Cr Murray O’Keefe, Inspector Michael Wurth, Senior Constable Damian Wood, Director Planning & Environmental Services Andrew Johns, Council’s, Information Services Manager Wayne Somerville, and Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton.

Council currently has 17 CCTV cameras located throughout the western end of the CBD and recently obtained $44,582 under a Safer Streets Programme grant from the Australian Government to extend the network to the eastern end of the CBD entertainment and shopping precincts, with Council contributing a further $10,000 to the project
“The walking tour’s aim was to finalise the locations under the scope of this project, but it also presented a perfect opportunity to review the existing network to identify gaps and potential for further CCTV installations” Working Group Chair Cr Fuller said.

“Council is committed to supporting local businesses and entertainment venues through the reduction of street crime, illicit activity and anti-social behaviour in the CBD, and by assisting Police with quality footage that facilitates the early apprehension of offenders. Adopting a strategic planning approach with consideration to the next 5-10 years makes good financial sense” Mayor Jaimie Chaffey said.

“It is important that we get the infrastructure right first, as this will reduce costs for Council and the ratepayer down the track, provide us with the flexibility and portability to expand the network across a number of stages, and ensure our maintenance burden is kept to a minimal” he concluded.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

WORKSHOPS WITH GOMEROI ARTIST - JACK CONLON

Arts workshops with Jack Conlon- Schools or Service Providers pay $300.00 and supply materials for 2 x 3 Hour Sessions for young people to work with Gomeroi Artist, Jack Conlon Creating art works to exhibit In the Gunnedah Creative Arts Gallery for NAIDOC Exhibition, 2017

POSTER COMPETITION

The Winner will have their image used for all publicity for the NAIDOC Art Exhibition & $100.00 Prize Money – Judged by local Gunnedah Aboriginal Artists. Submissions due by 5.00pm - Friday, 2nd June 2017 at VIC, Chandos Street.

MEDIA AND VIDEO PROJECT

Video and Media Project - Everybody is asked to record themselves and others on their phones, Speaking language or saying “Our Language Matters” - Please send all submissions to laurenmackley@infogunnedah.com.au for a short film to be created and projected during the NAIDOC Exhibition 2017 - All submissions by 5.00pm – Friday, 2nd June 2017.

FREE DANCE CREW WITH KARWIN KNOX

Monday – Friday, 19th - 30th June 2017
2.00pm to 3.00pm – Winanga-Le Early Learning Child and Family Centre
3.30pm to 4.30pm – School students from all schools and high schools @ Gunnedah Creative Arts Studio
4.30pm to 5.30pm – Community members @ Gunnedah Creative Arts Studio

OPPORTUNITY TO EXHIBIT

Calling for artworks to be submitted to Exhibit In The NAIDOC Exhibition at the Gunnedah Creative Arts Gallery. Artworks that celebrate, share and reflect Indigenous Australian Culture, open to all age. Submissions due by Friday, 16th June 2017 at the VIC, Chandos Street Gunnedah – Official Opening of Exhibition will be held on Friday, 7th July 2017.

For any enquires please call Gunnedah Shire Council's Arts and Cultural Officer , Lauren Mackley 02 6740 2100 or email laurenmackley@infogunnedah.com.au 

‘The Cow Tripped Over the Moon’ is the book that will unite Australia for the 2017 National Simultaneous Storytime. 3500 libraries, schools and childcare centres across Australia will participate in synchronised reading at 11.00am on Wednesday 24, May to celebrate Australian authors and promote early childhood literacy.

Gunnedah Shire Library’s event is set to be exciting, as they have taken leadership of the Gunnedah chapter of ‘Paint the Town REaD’ and will launch the program at their National Simultaneous Storytime event.

The Library is renowned for their amazing decorations and imaginative take on themed months, and true to form those attending will be introduced to the REaD Egg, a magical egg which only grows if it’s read to.

‘Paint the Town REaD is a great initiative, and the library is proud to be stepping up to lead it. We are passionate about reading, and early literacy skills are crucial for a child’s development. Making reading fun and interactive is a great way to engage children, and developing those skills early will hopefully lead to a lifelong love of reading,’ Gunnedah Shire Council’s Paint the Town REaD Co ordinator Liz Ironmonger said.

Councillor Anne Luke will lead the library’s official Simultaneous Storytime reading kicking off at 11.00am, which will be followed by a presentation of 1000 Books Before School Certificates for children who have achieved this impressive reading milestone.

For more information about National Simultaneous Storytime or to be involved with Paint the Town REaD contact Gunnedah Shire Library on 6740 2190.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

The Community Strategic Plan 2017-2027, Delivery Program 2017-2021 and Operational Plan 2017/18 for Gunnedah Shire Council is officially placed on public exhibition and Council will receive submissions in relation to the documents up until 5:00pm Thursday 15 June 2017.

The documents will be available for viewing at the Council Administration Building, Library, Community Care Centre and Visitor Information Centre. Alternately the documents can be downloaded from Council’s website below:

{rsfiles path="GunnedahShireCouncil/COUNCIL/THE-FUTURE-OF-GUNNEDAH/Exhibition-Draft-Documents/DRAFT Delivery Program 2017-2021 and Operational Plan 2017-18 - EXHIBITION.pdf"}

{rsfiles path="GunnedahShireCouncil/COUNCIL/THE-FUTURE-OF-GUNNEDAH/Exhibition-Draft-Documents/DRAFT Community Strategic Plan 2017-2021 - EXHIBITION.pdf"}

This is an opportunity for members of the public to lodge submissions in relation to the items considered and strategies applied in the Draft Community Strategic Plan and Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan. Council will meet again on Wednesday 21 June 2017 to consider all submissions, formally adopt the documents.

Should you have any enquiries, please contact Council on 02 6740 2100.

Eric Groth
GENERAL MANAGER

NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair is asking people to splash some colour on a nail this week to help improve awareness around food allergies and the risk they pose.

Mr Blair said a key component to reducing risk is making people allergy aware - one way of doing this is to paint a nail to represent the one in ten babies born in Australia with a food allergy.

"That statistic alone shows how important this issue is for the entire community, allergy awareness is everyone’s responsibility.

"Some food allergies can range from being merely unpleasant and inconvenient but sadly in the worst cases they can be fatal.

"More than half a million Australians manage the difficulties that come with a food allergy every day.

"Keep an eye out for a splash of colour on people’s fingernails this week – it’s a simple way to help raise awareness and support people with a food allergy right across our State."

The NSW Food Authority is the key front line agency and plays a vital role in educating both industry and consumers when it comes to food allergies.

In NSW, all food businesses are required to provide information about the most common allergens, gluten and sulphites through correct labelling and information.

Food Allergy Week 2017 runs from 14-20 May. People can access information and resources from www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au. 

Gunnedah Shire Council recognises that people with disability are valued members of our community and is committed to fostering a community in which people with disability and their carers live with optimum quality of life, independence and participation, and where the equal participation, access, rights and equity principles of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 are respected.

Our vision for an Inclusive Community is to be recognised as both an advocate and champion for the rights of people of all abilities in our community ensuring all of our residents are treated equally and respectfully and have opportunities to enjoy the benefits of full participation in a caring, proud, prosperous and inclusive community. To achieve this vision include Council encourages the business community to diversify their workforce and to create meaningful opportunities for persons with disability to obtain and maintain employment.

NSW Business Chamber

The NSW Business Chamber has developed a range of easy read resources and fact sheets to assist employers to diversify their workforce - visit www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au for more information.

Business Australia is the state's peak business organisation and is an independent not-for-profit organisation. Business Australia provides advocacy, advice and affordable solutions for businesses throughout the State, acknowledging that starting, managing and growing a business is as challenging as it is rewarding. Business Australia's mission is to offer the network, advice and solutions that businesses and employers need to succeed. See more at www.businessaustralia.com.

Expressions of Interest are now being called from suitably qualified consultants to provide internal audit services. The consultant will be required to revise the 2014 – 2017 internal audit plan and provide internal audit services as per the revised plan.

Further information can be obtained below or by contacting Colin Formann, Executive Manager Business Systems and Governance on 6740 2111.

{rsfiles path="GunnedahShireCouncil/COUNCIL/COUNCIL-INFORMATION/Tenders-Quotations-EOI/Current-Tenders-Quotations-EOI/Expression of Interest - Provision of Internal Audit Services.pdf"}

Expressions of Interest should be directed to the General Manager, Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah or to council@infogunnedah.com.au by close of business on Wednesday 31 May 2017.

Eric Groth
General Manager
Gunnedah Shire Council