Travelling away or going on holidays? Don’t forget to:

• Let your neighbours know and arrange for them to keep watch of your property
• Ask someone to collect your mail regularly
• Make arrangements for your pets
• Leave a spare set of keys with someone you trust i.e. friend or family member
• Cancel any regular deliveries such as newspaper
• Set timers for your TV and lights to switch on and off at regular times
• Before you leave double-check that all windows and doors are secure

There are many simple changes you can make to lessen the risk of crime in and around your home and neighbourhood. Practical steps that residents can take to maximise home security are:

• Ensure doors and windows are locked at all times
• Make sure your house and street number are clearly visible from the street
• Empty your letterbox regularly and make sure it is secured
• Lock all gates, garage doors and sheds when not in use
• Install a monitored alarm system and/or security light to deter intruders
• Ensure doors and windows are fitted with security screens
• Avoid hiding a set of house or car keys outside of your home
• Valuables should be engraved and photographed in case of theft
• Record serial numbers of valuables
• Get to know your neighbours

Residents are able to borrow electronic engravers for a two (2) week period to identify their belongings free of charge from the Shire Library. Engraving your valuables will assist police in the identification of stolen goods so they can be returned. You must be a current library member to hire the equipment.

Library contact details:

Gunnedah Shire Library
Telephone: 02 6740 2190
Conadilly Street Gunnedah NSW 2380

The planning and design of residential houses, places, spaces and buildings can assist in reducing crime by the application of improvements to lighting, fencing, landscaping and surveillance of the area from buildings and land use.

Peoples' behaviour, particularly in terms of the possibility of offending, as well as an individual's perception about their safety, can be influenced by the design of an environment. Good design can reduce opportunities for offending and improve feelings of safety.

Gunnedah Shire Council places a high priority on community safety, and is reviewing its 2018-2022 Crime Prevention Plan. In formulating the new plan, Council will measure how strategies applied since 2018 have changed the perception in the community regarding crime and community safety. The new plan will articulate the the community’s key priorities and concerns for our Shire and sets out a clear path for how Council, in partnership with other government and community organisations, including Oxley Local Area Command, Crime Prevention Working Group and Gunnedah Liquor Accord can work towards achieving a crime-free community. The Plan will also outline how we will deliver on addressing domestic and family violence, alcohol related offences, property crime and anti-social offences, such as illegal dumping, vandalism and graffiti.

Community members are encouraged to become familiar with the Crime Prevention Plan 2018-2022.

For more information contact Council’s Community and Social Planner on (02) 6740 2100 or council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Crime Prevention Plan 2018 - 2022 Under Review - HAVE YOUR SAY!

The Crime Prevention Plan 2018 - 2022 is now under review and Gunnedah Shire Council is encouraging community members to have their say by completing the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crimeandsafety 

Crime Prevention Working Group – Call for Nominations

Interested community members wanting to make a difference in improving the safety amenity of the Gunnedah local government area, while demonstrating a whole of community approach to the reduction and prevention of crime, are encouraged to nominate to be part of the Crime Prevention Working Group.

The Crime Prevention Working Group meets bi-monthly and supports Council in the ongoing implementation of the Shire’s Crime Prevention Plan. Over the years, the Working Group has been a driving force behind the extension of CCTV throughout the CBD, providing input into the ongoing delivery of Council’s obligations for Alcohol Free Zones, and lobbying to state and federal government for changes to domestic violence legislation. The Group has also been involved in the planning and delivery of a number of drug and domestic violence community awareness events including the ‘Say No to Drugs Walk around Wolseley’, ‘Gunnedah Says No to Violence’ messages on Council’s waste and water fleet and the Gunny Get Your Home Secure initiative.

Expression of Interest forms can be obtained from Council’s Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah, or downloaded from www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Completed forms may be dropped off at the Council Administration building, submitted via post to PO Box 63, Gunnedah, NSW, 2380 or via email to council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

For more information contact Council’s Community and Social Planner, Debra Hilton on (02) 6740 2100.

The Gunnedah Crime Prevention Working Group was formed in 2000 and is an advisory group of Council that meets bi-monthly. The Working Group adopts a whole of community approach to enhancing community safety and has been associated with a number of initiatives including the following:

• The adoption, by Council, of the Crime Prevention Plan 2014- 2017 and the implementation of key strategies under the Plan
• Lobbying to state and federal members of Parliament for enhancements to community safety initiatives and policy, in particular domestic and family violence
• Delivery of a range of community consultations including safety surveys and workshops
• Implementation of a CBD CCTV Program in Gunnedah CBD and surrounds
• Input into the ongoing implementation of Alcohol Free Zones
• Input to a range of community safety related grant applications
• Gunny Get You Home Safe and Gunny Get Your Home Secure initiatives

The membership of the Working Group is broad and consists of the following:

• Councillors
• Council Staff
• Aboriginal representatives
• Youth representatives
• Community representatives
• Oxley Local Area Command representatives
• Gunnedah Rural Health Service
• Gunnedah PCYC
• Gunnedah & District Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc.

Check out: 

It is very important that all crimes are reported. Correct information about how many and what types of crimes are occurring in the community helps Police to protect residents, visitors and businesses within our Shire.

1. Police Assistance Line (PAL) – Phone: 131 444 - to report non-life threatening crime
2. Emergency Services – Phone: 000 - For life threatening situations or crimes in progress
3. Crime Stoppers – Phone: 1800 333 000 - to report criminal/suspicious behaviour anonymously
4. Graffiti Hotline – 1800 707 125 - Free call 9am to 5pm (Council and private property related offences) Check out: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/graffiti-hotline 

When you need to report a crime or suspicious behaviour to the police always:

• Try to be calm and speak clearly, take a few deep breaths if you have difficulty speaking
• Follow the operator’s instructions
• Give your name, phone number and address
• State the problem
• Give the location and time of the incident
• Give a description of the persons and vehicles involved.

Being the victim of crime is stressful and can be overwhelming. The Police and telephone operators do understand that you have suffered a shock and may be stressed and have difficulty providing a report. They are there to help.

Under the provisions of Section 644 (B) of the Local Government Act 1993, Council has the authority to prohibit the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol in road-related public areas to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime by proclaiming them as Alcohol Free Zones.

Alcohol Free Zones apply to road-related public areas such as public roads, footpaths or carparks.

There are currently twelve (12) Alcohol Free Zones inclusive of forty-six (46) signs endorsed and allocated within the Gunnedah CBD. Alcohol Free Zones are effective for a four (4) year period by a Council Resolution and are currently effective for the period 01 July 2024 to 30 June 2028.

Alcohol Free Zones are declared in the following areas within the Gunnedah CBD:

• Conadilly Street between Tempest Street and a point of 40 metres east of Henry Street
• Tempest Street between Little Conadilly Street and Little Barber Street
• Chandos Street between Bloomfield Street and Little Barber Street
• Marquis Street between Little Conadilly Street and Little Barber Street
• Elgin Street between Little Conadilly Street and Little Barber Street
• Abbott Street between Little Conadilly Street and Little Barber Street
• Henry Street between Little Conadilly Street and Little Barber Street
• Little Barber Street between Chandos Street and Elgin Street
• Little Conadilly Street between Chandos Street and Elgin Street
• Souris Car Park between Marquis Street and Chandos Street
• Melitis Car Park between Marquis Street and Chandos Street
• Public Walkway between Conadilly Street and Little Conadilly Street

Council may suspend an Alcohol Free Zone for a specific event. An application for Suspension of an Alcohol Free Zone must be lodged with Council at least six weeks prior to the proposed event. Forms are available from Council's Customer Service Centre.

SUSPENSION OF ALCOHOL FREE ZONES

Council may temporarily suspend an Alcohol Free Zone for a specific event. An application for Temporary Suspension of an Alcohol Free Zone must be lodged with Council at least six weeks prior to the proposed event. Temporary suspensions can only be provided via a resolution of Council. Forms are available from Council's Customer Service team.

Under the provisions of Section 632A of the Local Government Act 1993, Council has the authority to prohibit the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol in parks and reserves by proclaiming them as Alcohol Prohibited Areas.

Alcohol Prohibited Areas apply to non-road-related public places such as parks and reserves.

Council has exercised this authority in relation to several parks/reserves where it has been satisfied that alcohol has been a contributing factor in incidents of anti-social behaviour in those areas.

In all of these incidences, the anti-social behaviour has occurred during the evening hours and Council has therefore imposed the prohibition between the hours of sunset and sunrise. Failure to comply with the prohibition could result in the alcohol being confiscated and disposed of by NSW police and possibly other action taken.

The following reserves/parks are Alcohol Prohibited Areas:

• Kitchener Park
• Wolseley Park
  
  

SUSPENSION OF ALCOHOL PROHIBTED AREAS

Council may temporarily suspend an Alcohol Prohibited Area for a specific event. An application for Temporary Suspension of an Alcohol Prohibited Area must be lodged with Council at least six weeks prior to the proposed event. Temporary suspensions can only be provided via a resolution of Council. Forms are available from Council's Customer Service team.

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• mobile devices
• assistive technologies such as screen readers
• various browsers and
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Our website is compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 (Level A).