January 22, 2025 

The Australian Government is providing up to $55 million for Round 8 of the Mobile Black Spot Program.

This program will co-fund projects to provide new resilient mobile coverage in regional and remote areas of Australia that are prone to Natural Disasters, including bushfires, cyclones, and floods.

The focus on areas impacted by, or at risk of, Natural Disasters reflects the increasing exposure of many regions to these events, and the need for communities.

This Round is funded under the Government's Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia and applications must be lodged by Wednesday 30 April 2025.

Gunnedah Shire Council is encouraging residents to participate in a community survey on mobile phone coverage, which is vital for our local industries and road safety.

This is an opportunity to provide feedback about mobile coverage and inform future policy/program design and we hope you can take a few minutes to complete the following survey by no later than February 2, 2025

Here's the link : https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S7R3DS6 .

20 January 2025

Eight Gunnedah Shire artists will transform the walls of the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery next month with The Art of Still Life exhibition.

Artists Kristie Farquhar, Anne Knight, Julie Laurie, Jenny Mathews, Lyn Pratt, Louisa Riordan, Fonda Shae and Helen Stanley have joined forces to present a vibrant collection of still life art that will open at 6pm on Friday, February 7.

Artist Fonda Shae said the works cross genres of medium from 2D to 3D works including printmaking, painting, drawing, sculpting and pottery.

“Working alongside these talented women has been a joy,” Fonda said.

“Each piece reflects our shared passion for still life, and the process of creating this exhibition together has been deeply rewarding.

“The Art of Still Life is more than an exhibition; it’s an invitation to experience the beauty and depth of still life in all its forms. Visitors are encouraged to explore the works and participate in a series of still-life-inspired events throughout February.”

The exhibition will be held in conjunction with a number of workshops, including a Valentine’s Day Still Life Workshop with Fonda Shae on Friday, February 14 at 6pm.

No experience or materials are necessary, and people are invited to bring a date or a friend, and maybe even a bottle of wine to enjoy with canapes, good company and a fun art session. For $20, participants can create their own romantic-themed still life artwork to take home. Tickets are available at www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1325428

Arts Gunnedah will also host two events - a Helen Stanley Still Life workshop on Saturday, February 8, and a Still Life in the Studio Workshop on Saturday, 22 February with Louisa Riordan. More details will be available on the Arts Gunnedah Facebook page.

The Art of Still Life exhibition will continue at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery until Sunday, February 23. Entry is free and there will be artworks for sale.

Caption: A print by The Art of Still Life contributing artist Anne Knight.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

17 January 2025

At an Extraordinary Meeting held this week, the Gunnedah Shire Council unanimously endorsed an application for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) and associated Minimum Rate increase to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Background

This decision follows several months of consideration and engagement with the community by Council on the SRV, commencing in May 2024 with Council endorsing the draft 2024/25 Operational Plan and Budget. This report contained information that Council’s financial outlook was not financially sustainable and that an SRV needed to be considered.

Council subsequently determined an SRV proposal for a permanent cumulative 38.88% increase to be implemented over two years and undertook community engagement on this proposal during August and September last year. Following consideration of feedback from the first round of community engagement,

Council endorsed a revised SRV proposal for a permanent cumulative 37.67% increase to be implemented over two years. This increase includes the rate peg that would ordinarily apply. The revised SRV proposal caps the increase on Residential, Business and Farmland rate categories at 15% per year (32.25% cumulative) with the balance to be sourced from the Mining rating category. A second round of community engagement was held from Thursday, 7 November 2024 to Thursday, 19 December 2024 where the community was provided the opportunity to make submissions with their views on the revised SRV proposal.

Council received 27 formal submissions, and these were considered as part of the final determination on whether to proceed with applying for an SRV at the meeting. Submissions were received from Whitehaven Coal and the NSW Minerals Council in response to the increased differential, resulting in an 85.13% cumulative increase over two years, that would be placed on the mining category from the revised SRV proposal. While many of the respondents indicated that they did not want an SRV, there was also strong support for levels of service to be maintained or improved, which is not possible without an SRV.

What happens now?

Council will make applications for a Special Rate Variation and associated Minium Rate increase to IPART. Applications for the 2025-26 financial year are required to be submitted by 3 February 2025 and details about the process for SRV applications can be found at the following link - https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/Home/Industries/Local-Government/Reviews/Special-Variations-Minimum-Rates/Special-Variations-and-Minimum-Rates-2025-26 . Following Council’s lodgement of the application by February 3, IPART will undertake further community consultation with a view to a determination in May or June.

Quotes from Mayor Colleen Fuller:

“This has been a difficult but necessary process for Council to undertake.

“Whilst we recognise that, if approved by IPART, an SRV will be an added impost to any households or businesses that are struggling financially, the pressure will be lower in this revised SRV proposal for Residential, Business and Farmland categories and higher for the Mining sector than the original SRV scenario that we considered.

“It is also important to point out to our community that the impact will be partly offset by Council's resolution at its Ordinary Meeting in December 2024, that a freeze be placed on increases to Waste Management and Sewerage Annual Charges during the proposed Special Rate Variation implementation period.

“Council has also resolved to strive to find at least $930,000 through efficiency gains and operational savings over the next three years.”

15 January 2025

Australia is chock full of people with a huge variety of backgrounds, skills and interests, and Gunnedah Shire’s 2025 Australia Day Events Program reflects this diversity.

Whether you live at Piallaway, Emerald Hill, Breeza, Mullaley or in the Gunnedah CBD, there are events to help you commemorate this special day.

“Australia Day has always been a big day on Gunnedah Shire’s calendar and this year continues the tradition,” Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater said.

“It is a day to reflect, respect and celebrate.

“Our Australia Day Ambassador is Patrick Warmoll, Managing Director of world-famous beef producers Jack’s Creek. Patrick will be a guest at this year’s Gunnedah Shire Australia Day Awards which will be held at 6pm on Saturday, 25 January at The Civic.

“This is a great event that celebrates our outstanding citizens, and we invite people to shout themselves a ticket to the ceremony to support these great friends and neighbours.

“There are many events on across the Australia Day weekend, including a community barbecue and entertainment at Emerald Hill, a free community barbecue at Breeza, a community breakfast at Piallaway, and a fishing competition at Carroll supported by Council’s Australia Day Working Group Village Grants.

“Assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council there will be free entry at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex with a free barbecue lunch, and special movies on at The Civic. Community groups and businesses have also planned a host of fun activities.”

A Citizenship Ceremony will be held at The Civic at 5pm on Saturday, 25 January to welcome our newest Australians, followed by the Australia Day Awards Ceremony at 6pm. Tickets are just $10 and include canapes. Tickets can be purchased at www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events

Events on Sunday, January 26 include a triathlon, Aussie Fest 2025, a Rotary Breakfast, open day at the Dorothea Mackellar Centre and the Gunnedah Rural Museum, Australia Day Bowls Triples, a car and bike display, the Australia Day Bake-Off and a variety of other activities.

The full program is attached here and is available at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

10 January 2025

From midnight tonight, Level 1 Water Restrictions will be implemented in the Gunnedah Shire.

The 10-day average water consumption for the Gunnedah and Curlewis Water Supply has exceeded 10ML per day which means that Level 1 Water Restrictions will be imposed as per Council’s Drought Management Plan.

Under this level of restriction, the impact on residences and their gardens is relatively minor with the focus being on general awareness of water consumption in the community, rather than trying to achieve significant reductions in usage.

The key measure is to limit the hours that sprinklers can be used. Level 1 restrictions limit the hours that sprinklers can be used to 2 hours per day (between 6-8pm during daylight savings times, or 5-7pm during all other times).

Further details regarding exactly what Level 1 Water Restrictions mean for the local community can be found here: https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/council/better-infrastructure/water-sewer-services/item/1060-water-services .

“This decision has been made in the best interests of sustainability in Gunnedah. While we are fortunate to have a good supply of quality bore water, we all need to conserve water wherever possible,” said Jeremy Bartlett, Director of Infrastructure Services.

7 January 2025

Gunnedah Shire Council is looking to update the Village Entry signs on approach roads at Breeza, Carroll, Curlewis, Emerald Hill, Kelvin, Mullaley and Tambar Springs in early 2025, replacing the signs that are currently in place.

It has been almost 20 years since this signage has been updated and Council’s plans to give them a facelift have been very positively welcomed by residents in each of our villages.

In recent months Council’s Economy & Growth team have been engaging with locals on site at schools and shops, attending Progress Association meetings and reviewing themes.

A survey for village locals to provide input on the structure and layout of our proposed design is now open https://gsc2380.wufoo.com/forms/village-entry-signs/ and closes on January 15, 2025.

“We want each village to put forward suggestions on what image should be included that they feel best represents their area.

“The survey is seeking information and feedback with Council to approve the final design ensuring a consistent welcoming theme across the Shire,” said Susan Frater, Manager Economy and Growth.

20 December 2024

Revised Master Plans for two of Gunnedah Shire’s best-loved open spaces, Kitchener Park and Wolseley Park are again on exhibition for public submissions through until Monday, 3 February 2025.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the Master Plans had been recommended in the Gunnedah Shire Open Space Strategy 2022-2032 adopted by Council in 2022.

The Master Plans were created following significant community consultation for each site to determine the community’s needs into the future.

“Four Master Plans – for Kitchener Park, Wolseley Park, the Riverine Precinct and Gunnedah Showground – were presented to Council in July,” Mr Bartlett said.

“These plans were placed on public exhibition through until mid-September and were revised following consideration of submissions.

“The revised plans were presented to Councillors last week who endorsed the Kitchener Park Master Plan for exhibition again, as well as Option 1 for the Wolseley Park Master Plan. Further consultation will be undertaken with relevant stakeholders on the Riverine Precinct and Gunnedah Showground Master Plans, with another report to be presented to Council in March 2025.”

The Kitchener Park and Wolseley Park Master Plans can be viewed online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au (under Draft Documents & Exhibition).

Community members are encouraged to look at the plans and include their comments in a submission to Council by 5pm on Monday, 3 February 2025. 

19 December 2024

It is less than a week until Christmas, but the fun has started early for six entrants to the annual Gunnedah Christmas Lights Competition.

The winners of the competition were announced at the Gunnedah Community Christmas Tree last night.

They are:

- Best Decorated House: Kris and Kerry Janson, 5 Sanders Place, Gunnedah
- Santa Street: Hinton Drive, Gunnedah
- Best Christmas Theme in a Village: Steve Warren, 7 Pullaming Street, Curlewis
- Best Nativity Scene: Sarah Farr, 33 Bando Street, Gunnedah
- Best Dressed Shopfront Window: Gunnedah Times, 179 Conadilly Street, Gunnedah
- Judges’ Choice Award: Garry Estilo, 13 Silversmith Place, Gunnedah.

Deputy Mayor Kate McGrath, who was one of the judges for the Christmas Light Competition, said Gunnedah Shire had once again put on a dazzling display.

“The Gunnedah Shire Citizen of the Year Marie Hobson, Cr Cameron Moore and I were impressed by the time, effort and ingenuity our community has put into their Christmas lights this year,” Cr McGrath said.

“Our residents both inside and outside the town of Gunnedah have created wonderful displays with everything from a traditional nativity scene to the latest in light and sound effects.

“Gunnedah Shire has put on a show for everyone – young and old – to make this Christmas just that little bit brighter.

“There were 19 entries for the competition, and some of the categories were hotly contested – including Santa Street. Hinton Drive has won the Santa Street title, with Kurrajong Road also impressing the judges.

“We loved the music at Silversmith Place, a hand-made Christmas tree on a roof in Hinton Drive, the angel wings in the Gunnedah Times window, and the festive and welcoming atmosphere created by those who entered.

“Congratulations not only to the winners, but to everyone who chooses to celebrate the festive season by decorating their home or business.”

The winners were announced at the Community Christmas Tree yesterday afternoon.