Gunnedah’s Young Access Group will resume in March 2017; exploring pottery alongside Gunnedah Pottery Club. Young Access focuses on providing opportunities for young people with a disability to discover, explore and socialise through art and other hobbies in a supported environment.

Each Saturday in March, Young Access will meet at The Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Studio from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm to experiment with different pottery techniques. Pat Tobin will be the facilitating artist with members of the Gunnedah Pottery Club volunteering their time to provide hands-on support and share their skills to create an enjoyable atmosphere for everyone involved.

Young Access is an initiative of Gunnedah Community College, GoCo, and Gunnedah Shire Council, drawing on members of the community to participate in the workshops.

Young Access will resume from 10:00 am–12:00 pm on Saturday the 4th of March and again on the following Saturdays the 11th, 18th and 25th of March 2017 at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Studio Space. Young Access is for young people ages 15 years and over with an enrolment fee of $20 for 4 weeks. For enrolments and information, please contact Gunnedah Community College on 02 6742 5630.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

'Pots and Paints’ is an upcoming exhibition featuring retrospective and new works of active renowned regional artists Judy Baker, Annabel Hoskins and Louise Baker.
This exhibition is a feast for those who enjoy the traditional approaches to art and excellent technical ability as it will contain several different artistic techniques including painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture explored through numerus mediums including oils, pastels, etching, and solar printing alongside vast array of firing and pottery techniques.

Judy Baker is one of Gunnedah’s lifelong members of the Gunnedah Art Society. Judy first exhibited her artwork of her daughter Louise, in the second annual Currabubula Art Show, in 1965 nearly 52 years ago. Judy is still an active within the Gunnedah Arts scene and continues with her arts practice.

Judy’s daughter Louise Baker is one of Gunnedah’s dedicated artists and is a very active member of the Gunnedah Pottery Group as well as Two River Arts Council’s Visual Arts Group. Louise is a prolific artist and lends her hand to any medium.

Annabel Hoskins is a Tamworth based artist who has exhibited in numerous regional shows and galleries. Her paintings capture the activity and essence of her subjects.

‘Pots and Paints’ will be feature a vast collection of works at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery Friday 10th of March, 2017 to the Sunday 2nd April, 2017. The official opening of the exhibition will be conducted by former Gunnedah resident and artistic great, Yvette Hugill at 6:00 pm Friday the 10th March 2017 at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery. For more information, please Contact Gunnedah Shire Council on 02 6740 2100

The opening of the exhibition is an event within the Senior’s Week Program. Go-Co will be providing transport to and from Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery for the opening. For more information and transport bookings please contact Go-Co (02) 6740 2254.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

The North West Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan is a comprehensive document supporting a Regional approach to invasive weed management in the North West Region. The final draft is being put out for public consultation over the next two weeks.

The plan sets about formalising an approach to weed management across the region, enhancing a state wide program for invasive weed control and ultimately contributing to the invasive weed component of the new Biosecurity Act 2015.

A review into weed management carried out by the Natural resources Commission (NRC) identified a number of changes in the way weeds could be managed state wide. One recommended outcome from the review was that weed management programs across the state were inconsistent and that a more strategic approach was needed when carrying out private and public property inspections, capturing and recording data, and importantly, when managing new and emerging incursions of priority weeds.

The majority of the recommendations made by the NRC have been adopted, the most prominent being that of ensuring a regional coordinated approach to weed management, as opposed to individual programs being managed by various State Government agencies.

The North West Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan has been drafted in close consultation with all stakeholders involved in weed management in NSW, and is a document which will form the framework of regional weed management programs in the North West.

A public consultation roadshow headed by the Northwest Local Lands Service commences this week with information sessions being held across the North West.

Gunnedah Shire’s session will be held this Thursday the 16th of February in the training room at Council’s administration building in Elgin Street commencing 9.30am.
For further information contact Gunnedah Shire Council Senior Weeds Officer Lee Amidy on 02 6740 2100.

For information on dates and venues in other locations contact North West Local Land Services

www.northwest.lls.nsw.gov.au  |  www.facebook.com/northwestlocallandservices 

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we’re inviting you to go on a blind date – with a book! Library Lovers’ Day is 14th of February and Gunnedah Shire Library have partnered with GoCo to help you find your true literary love - just think of us as your hardcover cupids.

If you are looking for a long-term reading relationship, local cafes around Gunnedah have Blind Date with a Book Boxes, just pick a book up and take it home. No wining and dining necessary, it’s the perfect date.

If you’re more of the read ‘em and leave ‘em type, Gunnedah Shire Library has a romantic Wishing Well, full of blind date books to borrow. And like a blind date, the books can hide a pleasant surprise; some of them contain a little red heart. Bring the heart back into the library to claim a prize.

You can’t judge a book by its cover, so all books are wrapped with paper. You won’t know what you’re getting until you’ve got it – just like a blind date! Remember, love is blind, and a good time with a good book is the best way to celebrate Library Lovers’ Day.

For more information, or to become a Library Lover, contact Gunnedah Shire Library on 02 6740 2190

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

GoCo Community Transport is pleased to introduce The GoCo Run, a regular transport option servicing Tambar Springs, Mullaley, Premer, Curlewis, Carroll and Breeza.
The GoCo Run will provide a weekly bus run to complement the existing range of community transport services, which include door to door transport for medical appointments, buses for shopping and social events, and half price taxi fares.

GoCo have been providing affordable transport to the Gunnedah community since 1988, and ‘The GoCo Run’ is an extension of this service.

‘The GoCo Run will provide safe, flexible and efficient transport for the residents of the villages and surrounds,’ GoCo Community Transport Coordinator Suzi Beard said. ‘This will be a huge benefit to the community, especially those experiencing transport disadvantage and isolation” she concluded.

The GoCo Run will be operating in each of the villages one day a week:

• TUESDAY- Carroll
• THURSDAY- Tambar Springs, Premer, Mullaley
• FRIDAY- Curlewis and Breeza

Wheelchair accessibility is available and an on board carer can be supplied on request. Return trips are just $10. Bookings are essential to secure a seat.

For more information or to make a booking, contact GoCo Community Transport on 02 6740 2254

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100

Held during March each year, the Weeks of Speed Festival is a unique programme of heart-thumping speed and speed-related activities and great family friendly entertainment.

Organisers plan new events each year and in 2017 the Weeks of Speed programme bursts into action on Saturday March 4 and will continue each weekend thereafter, finishing on Sunday March 26, 2017.

Download the Weeks of Speed Programme 2017, see what’s on and head to Gunnedah for some great action packed, family friendly entertainment.

Gunnedah Shire Council is currently preparing its Disability Inclusion Action Plan and encourages the community to get involved and have their say. The Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan supports the National Disability Strategy and will set out, and prioritise Council’s actions to improve access and participation during the period 2017 to 2021.

“In accordance with the NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014, and with over 1.3 million people in NSW living with disability, the development of the Plan provides us with a great opportunity to actively engage with disability support providers, people with disability and the broader community to identify barriers to the way people with access Council’s services, infrastructure, programs and events. The focus of the plan will be across four key areas; attitudes and behaviours, liveable communities, employment, and the systems and processes adopted by Council in the delivery of its services” said Mayor Jaimie Chaffey.

“Council acknowledges the importance of accessibility and social inclusion, and embraces these principles in its organisational practices. As an organisation we are committed to becoming both a champion and advocate for accessibility and inclusion, and in doing so we look forward to having a conversation with the community and in particular people with disability, to maximise the potential that this Plan will provide, and to develop strategies and actions which embrace the principles of universal design”.

“Council will be working hard to seek out the views and aspirations of the community where access and inclusion is involved, and over the next few months a number of opportunities will exist for people with disability, disability support stakeholders and the broader community to provide their input into the Plan” he concluded.

The draft Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan will be available for public comment by mid-April 2017.

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WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED AND HAVE YOUR SAY

Community Forum
10.30am to 12.30pm | Tuesday 21 March 2017
Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club

Community Forum
5.30pm to 7.30pm | Tuesday 21 March 2017
Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club

Online Community Survey
Open until Friday 24 February 2017, you can take part in the Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan Community Survey here.

Arrange a time to chat with the Plan's Project Team

Debra Hilton | Community and Social Planner | 02 6740 2100 or 0400 921 706

Kate Mackley | GoCo Community Hub Worker | 02 6740 2100 or 0400 282 674

Email

Send your feedback directly to council@infogunnedah.com.au. 

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 02 6740 2100

During the last six months, thirteen Gunnedah residents have become Australian Citizens and have now been officially welcomed into Gunnedah’s diverse community. The new citizens come from a number of countries including Denmark, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Thailand, China, Pakistan and India.

Recent Citizenship Ceremonies conducted by Council saw the new citizens take their oath or affirmation which symbolises the commitment to Australia and its people, the values we share and our common future. It outlines not only their rights, but also their responsibilities. It also symbolises the sense of belonging to the country where a citizen was born or, in this case, where they have decided to make a home. Australian citizenship is a shared identity, a common bond which unites all Australians while respecting our diversity.

The new citizens have decided to make Australia their home for a number of reasons. Some are long-time Gunnedah residents who have chosen to make their citizenship official, and others are new to the area. The contribution made to the community by new citizens extends well beyond the obvious cultural and social benefits. There is a huge economic component; as people come to town, they bring their expertise and skills and are employed in a range of industries across the Shire.

Saranpat Kittikornveraoat and Pawadee Srisawas originally from Thailand, moved to Gunnedah in 2016 to start a day spa business – Chan Supa Thai Massage. The girls had friends who lived in the area and told Miss Kittikornveraoat and Miss Srisawas about the need for a day spa. After living in the city, they decided it was time for a tree change, and saw that moving to Gunnedah would provide them with the opportunity to start a new business.

“When we moved here, we found that people in Gunnedah were very welcoming and really embraced our new business. We are really proud to be new Australian Citizens and make Australia our home” they said.

“The decision to accept Australian citizenship is public recognition of their commitment to Australia. As Mayor, it is an absolute honour and privilege to congratulate and welcome our new official Australian citizens. In Gunnedah, we now have many people from different backgrounds and religions that help to strengthen our community” said Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100

Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking quotations from suitably qualified, licenced and insured companies for the provision of Tender and Contract administration services and project management/ supervision of the proposed construction and revegetation phases of the Blackjack Creek Flood Mitigation Project - Riparian Corridor/ Channel Reconstruction.

The scope of works document and relevant appendices can be found in the COUNCIL > Tenders, Quotations & EOI section of Council’s website, or obtained from Council’s administration building 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.

Quotations should be addressed to the General Manager, and can be mailed to Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380, hand delivered to the Tender Box at Council’s administration building, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah, or emailed to council@infogunnedah.com.au. Quotations will be received until 5.00pm Wednesday, 1 March 2017.

NOTE: The project is subject to a pending Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit application through the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.

For more information regarding this request for quotation, please contact Council’s Project Town Planner, Mr Brendan Williams on 02 6740 2100 or email Council at council@infogunnedah.com.au.

Eric Groth
GENERAL MANAGER

Notice is hereby given of the public exhibition of the draft DisAbility Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021 Enhancing Access: Cultivating Inclusion.

Council’s 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. The draft Plan articulates strategies and actions to enhance access and participation opportunities over the next four (4) years. The Plan includes actions for all areas of Council, and will guide us in ensuring our services, facilities and infrastructure are inclusive to all residents.

Our community can make comment on the draft Plan up to Wednesday, 17 May 2017.

The Plan is viewable in text version on the Gunnedah Shire Council website at www.infogunnedah.com.au and available for inspection at Council's Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah, GoCo, 80 Marquis Street, and the Shire Library, Conadilly Street between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

{rsfiles path="GunnedahShireCouncil/COUNCIL/THE-FUTURE-OF-GUNNEDAH/Exhibition-Draft-Documents/Draft Gunnedah Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021.pdf"}

Persons wishing to comment on the draft DisAbility Inclusion Action Plan should do so in writing and address submissions to:

Eric Groth
General Manager
Gunnedah Shire Council
PO Box 63
GUNNEDAH NSW 2380
E: council@infogunnedah.com.au 

Submissions should be received in writing no later than 5.00pm on Wednesday, 17 May 2017. The Final draft will go before the June Council Meeting.