29 March, 2023

The Easter School Holiday Program has plenty of activities to keep little bunnies busy.

Gunnedah Shire Library will host Book Buddies and Crafty Creations in Gunnedah and Curlewis, with a focus on Easter handicrafts. Over at The Civic Theatre, catch $10 movies My Fairy Troublemaker and The Super Mario Bros. Movie on April 13 and 20.

Get active with the NetSetGo School Holiday Clinic on Tuesday, 11 April, facilitated by Gunnedah Netball Association, and head along to Gunnedah PCYC for laser tag, multi-sports, Ninja gym and paint ‘n’ shake.

Love card games? Don’t miss the Uno tournament on Thursday, April 13 at The Smithurst. There’s also a free silent disco on Friday, 21 March, with a barbecue and free transport.

On Tuesday, 18 April in the Gunnedah Town Hall, Gunnedah Conservatorium and Arc Circus will present a circus workshop for ages 7 to 13 which will include juggling, basic acrobatics, dance and balancing, and a live theatre performance – A Bee Story – for all ages.

A Bee Story is a physical theatre show that combines circus, acrobatics, dance and live music to tell the story of Queen Bee and Worker Bee who must work together to rebuild their hive after it was destroyed by a bushfire. However, things don’t go quite to plan. Come along on a buzzy adventure from 10am.

Gunnedah Town Hall will also play host to Sydney Youth Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Orchestra on Friday, 14 April from 2pm.

View the School Holiday Program here: https://www.thecivic.com.au/youth

Caption: Arc Circus will present a live theatre show and circus workshop in the Easter school holidays.

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

29 March 2023

The Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Grant Funding Program has opened for people or groups who have ideas to grow Gunnedah Shire’s Sister City partnerships.

Local organisations can access these funds to support new initiatives that help our partnerships to grow.

Gunnedah Shire has Sister City partnerships with Kolomotu’a, Tonga, and Lane Cove and Northern Beaches in Sydney, as well as an international agreement with the Yinzhou District of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.

Mayor Jamie Chaffey said: “It’s an exciting opportunity for local schools, volunteering cultural groups, and businesses, and I’m sure that Gunnedah will embrace this chance to strengthen our community and celebrate cultural diversity within the shire.

“We have wonderful relationships with our Sister Cities, and there are so many opportunities to build on those links. Whether it be in areas such as arts and culture, sports, education, employment or the economy, I urge people to think about the ways we can grow together.”

This new program aims to bring together interest groups in each city, facilitating an understanding between people and cultures and forging mutual opportunities for cross-cultural growth.

Grants are awarded for amounts up to $5,000, with additional funding available for organisations that make a 25 percent or greater co-contribution.

The Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships working group brings together local schools, volunteer and cultural groups, chamber of commerce, businesses and other interested parties to maximise the benefits from existing agreements with an eye to building new community alliances. The Working Group membership enhances community representation and consultation throughout the grant funding process.

 Applications for grants are now open and will close on Thursday, 27 April 2023. Applicants must complete an application form, available here, that can be emailed to council@infogunnedah.com.au

Photo caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Princess Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho from Gunnedah’s Sister City of Kolomotu’a, Tonga, with young Gunnedah locals.

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Media Contact: 02 6740 2100.

23 March, 2023

Gunnedah Shire Council will auction five properties on Friday, 31 March 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 all vacant land, and are in Gunnedah, Breeza, Kelvin, and Emerald Hill. As at 22 March 2023, a total of $21,033.54 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, 31 March 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 Council on (02) 6740 2100.

Caption: The five properties to be auctioned are in Gunnedah, Breeza, Kelvin, and Emerald Hill.

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

March 21, 2023

Art has always pushed the boundaries.

From Manet’s nude at the picnic (Le Dejeuner sur l’herbe) to the digital art of Andy Warhol, art has challenged and provoked people, and delighted them with its daring.

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on artists across the region to create something different for a new exhibition that will open in June this year.

Debatably Avant-Garde aims to push the boundaries of what has traditionally been considered art, and open the doors to ultra-modern expressionism in Gunnedah Shire.

Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Michael Cornford said the exhibition was an opportunity for artists to explore all the avenues of art.

“Debatably Avant-Garde is an opportunity to showcase artists practicing new art forms to our gallery; hidden, emerging and established artists all tasked to break out of traditional confines and create something quite different,” Mr Cornford said.

“There are art forms evolving all the time – digital art, graphic design, innovative sculpture and installation art – there are all kinds of ways you can bend the rules and push the boundaries.

“Art has always made people think and see things in different ways. This exhibition is all about challenging and expanding our views. Let’s throw some light on some off-the-wall or serious subjects.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing just how challenging our artists can be. We’re hoping this will be an explosive artistic experience.”

Submissions for the exhibition will close at 5pm on Monday, June 5 with artworks to be delivered during business hours to the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre in Chandos Street with a completed form that is available on www.thecivic.com.au.

Debatably Avant-Garde will open at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre at 6pm on Friday, June 9.

Caption: Manet’s Le Dejeuner sur l’herbe pushed the boundaries of art in 1863.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

17 March, 2023

Wolseley Park will come alive for Gunnedah’s Multicultural Harmony Festival on Saturday, 25 March.

The annual festival is in celebration of Harmony Week (20-26 March) which recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from different backgrounds. It highlights inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.​

This year’s theme is “Everyone belongs” and the event is presented by the Multicultural Women's Association, Multicultural Gunnedah and Gunnedah Family Support. It is supported by Gunnedah Shire Council and funded by NSW Government Reconnecting Regional Communities Program.

The festival will officially open at 10am with a Welcome to Country by Gunnedah Shire’s Citizen of the Year, Mitchum Neave, followed by vocal and dance performances throughout the morning, a fashion show and an Easter Egg Hunt in Livvi’s Place.

There will also be a jumping castle, a coconut scraping game and a lantern-making workshop.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Harmony Multicultural Festival was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the myriad of cultures in the Shire.

“The festival promises to be a carnival of colour and brings a vibrant atmosphere to our town,” he said.

“It’s the ideal event to bring your family along to, with interactive workshops and lively performances.

“This is a great opportunity to celebrate all of our community and the wonderful differences that have helped make Gunnedah Shire the great place it is to live in today.”

Keep an eye on Gunnedah Shire Council’s Facebook page and website for updates.

Caption: The Harmony Multicultural Festival will be a fun, family-friendly affair.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

17 March, 2023

As the Gunnedah Airport tarmac is upgraded to ensure it meets federal standards, it opens up the exciting possibility of passenger flights directly to and from Gunnedah.

The tarmac at Gunnedah Airport was reaching the end of its lifespan and required replacement, which will also make it suitable for commercial flights.

Gunnedah Shire is in active discussions with businesses and organisations about a commercial air carrier for Gunnedah.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Shire had changed and grown significantly in the nearly 20 years since commercial passenger flights operated from Gunnedah.

“Gunnedah Shire is a growing and thriving region,” Cr Chaffey said. “We’ve seen many exciting changes in the past five years alone and we are looking forward to the opening of the redeveloped saleyards, the new hospital and the new koala sanctuary.

“We are looking forward to continuing to grow, and are looking to address the transport needs of the future.

“To assist us in showing the demand for this service, we are asking the Gunnedah community and businesses – and their visitors, family and colleagues – to fill in the Gunnedah Air Travel Survey. The survey will show the interest there is in direct flights from our region.

“This is a truly exciting opportunity to form direct transport connections and we need to show the demand is there.

“We need as many people as possible to fill in this survey.”

Funding for the $8.35 million project has come from the State and Federal governments alongside Gunnedah Shire Council.

The project has been on Gunnedah Shire’s priority list since 2017 and was included in Council’s Delivery Program and Operational Plan.

Gunnedah Shire Council awarded the tender for the upgrade to Airport Consulting Group in November last year.

The Gunnedah Air Travel Survey will close on Friday, March 31. It is available in hard copy at Gunnedah Shire Council in Elgin Street, Gunnedah Shire Library, the Civic, and various other locations around the Shire.

To fill in the survey online, visit https://rb.gy/hzgn53

Caption: Gunnedah Shire is in active discussions with businesses and organisations about a commercial air carrier for Gunnedah.

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

17 March, 2023

The Simson Bridge on Clifton Road just north of Breeza has been closed to traffic following an assessment which revealed extensive flood damage.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said recent heavy rainfall had exacerbated flood damage to the bridge’s road approaches.

“Repeated flood events last year left the banks of the Mooki River softened and eroded, with damage to the southern road approach of the bridge,” Mr Bartlett said.

“To allow access to the route while Council sought disaster recovery funding, one lane of the bridge was opened to traffic, but a recent assessment after rain events and heavy traffic has shown tension cracking has now extended across the full width of the road.

“Unfortunately, it is no longer safe to allow traffic access to the route.”

Detour options for through traffic are available via the Kamilaroi and Oxley Highways. There are alternative routes available for affected residents and property owners both to the north and south of the bridge location.

Signage has been placed on Clifton Road and on either side of the bridge to alert road users.

“We realise this closure has come at a difficult time for primary producers,” Mr Bartlett said, “but the damage to the road means this has to be done.

“Council is working with Transport for NSW toward having the required repair funded under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) as Essential Public Asset Reconstruction Works (EPAR). There is no quick fix for this damage.

“There are a number of steps in this process, each of which will take some time, meaning the road is likely to be closed for a number of months.

“While we realise this will cause significant disruption, we ask for patience while we work towards the best solution for this important route.”

Caption: The Simson Bridge was damaged by successive flooding and is closed until repairs can be made.

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

17 March, 2023

Council to put seven motions to National General Assembly

Gunnedah Shire Council this week resolved to submit seven motions to the 2023 National General Assembly of Local Government to be held in June in Canberra.

The motions are:

1. That the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) calls on the Federal Government to remove restrictions preventing the development of Nuclear Energy as a viable option in the production of base load electricity following the decommissioning of coal fired power stations throughout Australia.
2. That the ALGA calls on the Commonwealth Government to conduct an urgent review into the Local Government (Financial Assistance Grant) Act 1995 and the basis on which grant funding for roads is allocated, to create a more equitable approach to allocations and one that recognises the significant infrastructure managed by local government in the rural, regional and remote regions of Australia.
3. That the ALGA calls on the Commonwealth Government to delay any cut or suspension of the current fuel excise tax arrangements until such time as a genuine reform package can be legislated to replace the tax with a mechanism which distributes this vital road maintenance funding across all road users regardless of fuel type.
4. That the Federal Government conducts an audit of Regional Australia to determine which areas have mobile black spots and which areas don’t provide adequate data, so the problem can be identified and fixed.
5. (a) That Conference calls for a constitutional amendment, and policy amendments that mandates that the Board of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) action all motions that are successful at the Annual National General Assembly of Local Government.

(b) That Conference calls for the ALGA Board to except the change of NGA debating rules.

6. That the ALGA calls on the Federal Government to increase funding for Regional Airports.
7. That the ALGA calls on the Commonwealth Government to provide Regional Councils with an additional one-off Roads to Recovery grant equal to 50 percent of the annual funding for the maintenance, repair and renewal of roads.

Draft policies on public exhibition

Gunnedah Shire Council has three draft policies on public exhibition:

• Draft Policy – Councillor Expenses and Facilities
• Draft Policy – Procurement and Tendering and Statement of Business Ethics
• Draft Policy – Council Related Development Applications Conflict of Interest

The Draft Policy – Councillor Expenses and Facilities brings Gunnedah Shire Council’s policy in line with current costs, actual expenditure and similar councils with New South Wales. The policy ensures accountability and transparency in the reasonable and appropriate reimbursement of expenses and provision of facilities to councillors to help them undertake their civic duties.

The Draft Policy – Procurement and Tendering and Statement of Business Ethics is being updated to comply with changes in legislation that govern how Council must conduct procurement and tendering activities. The Procurement and Tendering Policy assists in ensuring compliance with legislation, achieving best value for money and transparency in procurement processes and the Statement of Business Ethics assists in ensuring suppliers are ethical, fair and consistent in their dealings with Council.

The Draft Policy – Council Related Development Applications Conflict of Interest addresses conflict of interests that may arise when Council is the developer, landowner or holds a commercial interest in land that is also regulated by Council. Development applications which fall into this category are proposed to be defined as “council-related development applications” within the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

These policies are available for review at Gunnedah Shire Council’s Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah, or online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

You can provide feedback by:

• Emailing council@infogunnedah.com.au with the name of the plan, policy or item in the subject line. Please include your name and contact details.
• Completing an online form via the Contact Us section of Council’s website.
• Posting your submission to Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah, 2380 or handing it over the counter at Council’s Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday, 14 April, 2023. 

Two names to join Naming and Public Acknowledgement Policy

The names of “Thew” and “Flett” will join Gunnedah Shire Council’s Naming of Public Infrastructure and Public Acknowledgement Policy.

Council received an application to register the name of Thew in honour of Kenneth H. Thew for his contribution to the development of Gunnedah’s retail and services sector. Ken and his wife Barbara and family moved to Gunnedah in 1955 and set up an accounting business. Ken and Barbara were also very involved in community life. Ken was an Alderman for the Gunnedah Municipal Council for 12 years.

Council also received an application to include the name Flett in recognition of Maurice (Tom) and Alice Flett for their contribution to Gunnedah’s infrastructure, farming and sporting sectors and the continued community participation of the family members. Tom drove and trained trotters and the Fletts were farmers who enjoyed farming competitions and sport.

The names will be added to the register but will need separate reports to Council if nominated for the naming of specific infrastructure.

Final funding approved for Pathways Connection Program

Council has approved an additional $520,000 to the Shared Pathways Connection Program for completion of the Riverine Urban Precinct and Riverine Stormwater Precinct pathways.

The Shared Pathway Connection Program has been under construction since January 2023, with extension of the path between the Namoi River and Mullibah Lagoon.

The project has been largely funded by the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program.

Proposed road closure

Gunnedah Shire Council is proposing to close part of the road reserve on Wean Road at Bluevale.

The section of road reserve is no longer used as a road following construction of a new section of Wean Road to smooth out a corner.

The proposal to close the road reserve will be on public exhibition for 28 days and is available on www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

You can provide feedback by:

• Emailing council@infogunnedah.com.au with the name of the plan, policy or item in the subject line. Please include your name and contact details.
• Completing an online form via the Contact Us section of Council’s website.
• Posting your submission to Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah, 2380 or handing it over the counter at Council’s Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday, 14 April, 2023. 

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council held its March ordinary meeting at the village of Tambar Springs.

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For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.

9 March, 2023

Australia’s leading Academy-qualifying and BAFTA-recognised short film festival, Flickerfest, is on its way to The Civic Gunnedah.

The Best of International Shorts will screen at 7.30pm on Friday, 17 March and the Best of Australian Shorts will screen at the same time on Friday, 24 March.

Residents will see a familiar face in White Lies when New England MP Barnaby Joyce makes his screen debut as a well-intending father whose lies escalate out of control at his daughter’s religious school.

Now in its 32^nd year, Flickerfest attracted 3,200 entries and the cream of the crop have been hand-picked for the 2023 tour which was launched in Bondi in January.

Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Michael Cornford said Flickerfest was a vibrant showcase of creativity and vision, both at home and away.

“Flickerfest screenings are a fantastic way to dive into the fresh imaginings of budding filmmakers and screenwriters, some of whom are making their debut,” he said.

“Flickerfest is a vital part of the fabric of the film industry and we are delighted to continue featuring the best national and international films each year at The Civic.

“This year, the Best of Australian Shorts will feature the award-winning Katele (Mudskipper), comedic flick Married at First Fleet and animation An Ostrich Told Me The World is Fake And I Think I Believe It.

“The Best of International Shorts includes Oscar-nominated Canadian animation The Flying Sailor, UK comedy Dream Big, and a powerful new drama, IVALU, produced by a Danish Academy Award-winning team.

“Book your tickets for 17 and 24 March on The Civic website and join us at the flicks.”

Flickerfest 2023 at The Civic

Best of International Shorts: 7.30pm, 17 March 2023

Book tickets: https://ticketing.oz.veezi.com/purchase/4076?siteToken=jnnwp7qschbnhzvfrcche1asp4

Best of Australian Shorts: 7.30pm, 24 March 2023

Book tickets: https://ticketing.oz.veezi.com/purchase/4077?siteToken=jnnwp7qschbnhzvfrcche1asp4

Caption: Flickerfest 2023 will kick off at The Civic Gunnedah on Friday, 17 March. Image: Flickerfest.

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

7 March, 2023

Gunnedah’s International Women’s Day Exhibition 2023 promises an eclectic collection of creative art works at its opening on Friday, March 10.

The bi-annual exhibition will open at 6pm at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery with a black and white dress theme and will feature a variety of mediums including photographs, paintings and book paper folding.

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader Michael Cornford said International Women’s Day was the ideal opportunity to celebrate the Shire’s strong community of creative women.

“There are so many talented, skilled and artistic women in our community and this exhibition is just one way we can celebrate all they have to offer,” he said.

“One of the special things about this exhibition is the collaborative art works submitted by groups of women including Gunnedah Wood Workers Club and The Sisterhood of the Couch Surfing Canvas Collective,” Mr Cornford said.

The exhibition opening will include an interactive book paper folding demonstration by local artist and Librarian Christiane Birkett. A book paper folding installation features in this year’s exhibition, along with Gunnedah’s Travelling Junk Journal, launched by local artist Jade Punch in August 2021 in response to COVID-19 lock-downs.

Ms Punch wanted to help Gunnedah’s creative women stay connected and utilise their talents and ideas in a time when the art world was at a standstill.

She started things off by taking a deleted hard cover novel from Gunnedah Shire Library and repurposing it as a journal that could be handed from one artist to another. The journal was a great success and will now feature in the International Women’s Day Exhibition as an interactive display, and women who attend the exhibition are encouraged to add a page or two of their own.

“Come along and discover the unique ideas of our Shire’s women illustrated in ink, paint, paper and film,” Mr Cornford said.

Gunnedah’s International Women’s Day Exhibition 2023 will continue until Sunday, April 16.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader Michael Cornford and The Civic’s Jade Punch with some of the works in Gunnedah’s International Women’s Day Exhibition 2023, including the Travelling Junk Journal.

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