Construction of the $11.375 million Gunnedah Memorial Pool Renewal Project is now officially underway, with a sod turning ceremony held on Tuesday afternoon to mark the occasion.

Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Gunnedah Memorial Pool Working Group Chair Councillor Owen Hasler, Deputy Mayor Gae Swain and Hines Constructions Director David Hines turned the first sod on site, marking the start of the 12-month project.

“This week marks a significant occasion for the Gunnedah Shire, with the commencement of physical work on the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Renewal Project,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“We look forward to working with Hines Constructions on the redevelopment of this vital piece of community infrastructure. The finalisation of the project design has been challenging for Council to ensure that this multi-million dollar project provides the best value for money for our community and the generations that will have use of this facility for the next 60 years.

“Financially, this is the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by Council and once completed the quality of the complex and the benefit to the community will be worth the wait.”

The project will include a new 8-lane, 50 metre pool; kids wet play area; pavilion, new filtration and sanitization systems; upgraded heated pool amenities; and improved disability access across the complex.

Demolition works on the 50 metre outdoor pool is first on the construction program and will commence at the end of this week, with excavation works to follow in early December 2017 and construction from early January 2018.

“The renewal of this complex is a major initiative of Council to ensure that high quality aquatic facilities are maintained for the community,” Councillor Owen Hasler said.

“This facility has always been a place of leisure, fun and enjoyment, a legacy that those that served during World War II fought to maintain after it was constructed in the 1950s as a memorial.

“I commend members of the Working Group for their commitment and contribution to the development of this project.”

Photo Caption: David Hines, of Hines Constructions, Councillor Owen Hasler, Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Deputy Mayor Gae Swain turn the first sod on the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Renewal Project.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Gunnedah’s Vibrant Precincts Project was officially opened by Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson on Friday.

Gunnedah Shire Council was one of 20 Local Government Areas to receive funding from the NSW Department of Industry as part of the NSW Government’s Regional Development Framework – Future Towns Project.

The Gunnedah Vibrant Precincts Project was formed with calls on the community to collaborate in projects of activation, and street art and murals to bring vibrancy, action and creativity into Gunnedah’s CBD.

“Conadilly Street in Gunnedah is smoking, there’s no doubt about that,” Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said.

There is life in Conadilly Street, there is life in Gunnedah and we have to continually look at how we promote that and how we activate that.”

The project included four murals in the CBD area; exhibition space in shop window for art and photography; planter box and seating for the front of a local business; a painted shopfront and wheelbarrow of flowers; board games, cushions and blankets installed throughout the CBD; fairy lighting, planter boxes and the Gunnedah Youth Council Dessert Bar; draftsperson and engineer engagement to develop plans for pergolas to increase seating for a local business; bike trailer providing transportable business and table; gardens; and a community noticeboard.

“Our focus was to bring activation to Gunnedah in our own way, but also to maintain and reflect our cultural identity,” Gunnedah Shire Council Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley said.

“After consultation and workshops we provided subsidies to businesses and individuals, through the funding program, to go forth with their own ideas of activation.

“As each project has come to life, Gunnedah is looking more and more vibrant and inviting. People are really excited about this project and the future of arts and culture in Gunnedah.”

Photo Caption 1: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Arts and Cultural Officer Lauren Mackley, Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson and Director Corporate and Community Services Colin Formann.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

GoCo Community Care and Gunnedah Gymnastics Centre have joined forces to present Young Access Gymnastics.

The joint initiative is a supported gymnastics class for children and young adults living with a disability.

“This is a great opportunity for children and youth who have a disability, or need some support in honing gross motor skills to come along and try gymnastics in a supported environment,” GoCo Community Hub Co-ordinator Kate Mackley said.

“This program is aimed to inspire and motivate young people with additional needs to enjoy and gain the many benefits associated with physical activity, such as cognitive, physical and social development.

“Activities will be modified to suit individual abilities and support people are encouraged to come along.”

Classes commence Saturday, 28 October at 11:30am and run for four weeks. The cost is $10 per participant, per week.

To enrol, please contact GoCo Community Hub Co-ordinator Kate Mackley on (02) 6740 2172. Please view the Young Access Gymnastics Flyer or more information.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Gunnedah residents now have two FREE services for the disposal of household chemicals and problem waste. A Chemical CleanOut Event will be held on Friday 10 November, from 9am – 4pm at the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility for household chemicals. Certain problem waste items are able to be dropped off all year round! Please view the Gunnedah Household Chemical Cleanout - Waste Matters Poster for more information.

Gunnedah Shire Council and local residents shared the reuse and recycle message at Council’s mega garage sale on Saturday.

More than 30 stalls registered for the local event and to be a part of the national Garage Sale Trail – a nationwide waste management campaign.

“This is the third year Council has participated in the Garage Sale Trail in conjunction with Northern Inland Regional Waste (NIRW) and it is growing every year,” Gunnedah Shire Council Waste Management Superintendent Sheridan Cameron said.

“The idea behind the campaign is not only for residents to declutter or make some extra money, but to educate people and provide a way for them to keep unwanted items out of local landfills. Garage sales turn someone’s trash into someone else’s treasure and forms part of the reuse movement – the best way to recycle.

“I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who supported the event and made it another success.”

The car boot sale type event attracted plenty of buyers for a range of items, including books, clothes, antiques, toys, furniture and more.

Garage Sale Trail is a grass roots idea that was born in Bondi Beach in 2010 as means to encourage reuse, celebrate creativity and bring local people together.

It’s a giant purpose-driven marketplace powered by 150 Councils and people all over Australia.

Photo caption 1: Gunnedah Shire Council Waste Management Superintendent Sheridan Cameron at the sale.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

The Gunnedah Shire continues to mark its contribution to the state-wide soil collection for the Anzac Memorial Centenary Project.

The Gunnedah Shire Council Anzac Working Group has selected 31 October, 2017 as the date for the soil collection across the Gunnedah Shire given its significance in Australian history, being the centenary of the Battle of Beersheeba. Many of the members of the 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments that were part of the famous charge came from the North West area of NSW.

The Project is the multi-million dollar redevelopment of NSW’s pre-eminent memorial to the contribution of NSW and Australian veterans to the First World War in Hyde Park, Sydney. It will feature an artwork developed by artist Fiona Hall alongside Sydney architect Richard Johnson, displaying soil collected from approximately 1700 locations across NSW, to be completed next year.

“Within Gunnedah Shire, eight locations have been selected to be recognised with plaques and soil samples in the new Hall of Service at the Memorial – Gunnedah, Curlewis, Carroll, Kelvin, Emerald Hill, Mullaley and Tambar Springs,” Gunnedah Shire Council Anzac Working Group Chair Owen Hasler said.

“The Governor of NSW, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley launched the program in the Gunnedah Shire by undertaking the collection at the Gunnedah Cenotaph in September.

“The soil collection ritual allows Gunnedah and surrounding villages to remember their own and then bring together other communities from across NSW in the final artwork for a very moving tribute.

“Descendants of soldiers who participated in World War I from those locations have been asked to participate.”
The place names from which the soil is collected are taken from the database of Great War enlistees, summing up the geographical reach of the call to serve.

The Civic will host a screening of the movie, The Lighthorsemen on Tuesday, 31 October from 5.30pm to commemorate the Battle of Beersheeba and support the Gunnedah Soil Collection Project. Tickets are $10 and are available on the night at The Civic, with light refreshments provided.

Soil collection event schedule

• 9:30am: Curlewis War Memorial, Emerald Hill Hall
• 11:00am: Breeza War Memorial, Mullaley War Memorial
• 12:30pm: Carroll Public School, Tambar Springs Public School
• 2:00pm: Kelvin Hall

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

The countdown is on for Gunnedah Shire Council’s mega garage sale this Saturday.

Council has joined the national Garage Sale Trail and is hosting an event for all community members to join as stallholders or shop for treasures on Saturday, 21 October at the Gunnedah Showground from 9am-2pm.

“The idea behind the trail is to support reuse as the best option for people’s unwanted items so they don’t end up in landfill,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Waste Management Superintendent Sheridan Cameron said.

“It is free to host a stall at the sale this weekend, which is the perfect opportunity for people to have a clean out, or even to find some treasures from other stallholders.

“This has become an annual event and last year was a huge success so we invite everyone to join and be a part of this valuable nationwide campaign.”

To register a stall visit www.garagesaletrail.com.au or pick up a registration form from Gunnedah Shire Council’s Administration Building, Visitors Information Centre or Gunnedah Shire Library.

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Long-serving Councillor, the late Hans Allgayer, was recognised with a road named in his honour at an unveiling on site today.

Allgayer Drive connects the existing Torrens and Mathias roads in an industrial subdivision, owned by Mackellar Excavations. The tribute was unveiled on site by Gunnedah Shire Councillor Owen Hasler and Jo Allgayer.

Mr Allgayer served the community on Gunnedah Shire Council for 15 years and sadly passed away in Gunnedah in late August 2015.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) has announced the 27 batonbearers who will carry the Queen’s Baton through Gunnedah during the 100-day countdown to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

From youngsters to some of Australia’s most accomplished legends, the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) recognises the achievements and aspirations of Australians from all walks of life.

Inspirational cultural contributor and staunch community woman Margaret Amos is a feature batonbearer announced for Gunnedah. Margaret has brought music to thousands of lives in Gunnedah and North West NSW, and facilitated numerous opportunities and experiences for country children and adults. She has been behind a myriad of community fundraising ventures, and convened Gunnedah Eisteddfod.

Across the community, hundreds of people will get the opportunity to engage with the Baton as it travels through Gunnedah on January 31. Community celebration details will be announced on 17 November.

“I am immensely proud of our batonbearers and the role they will take when the Queen’s Baton comes to town. Dedicating their lives to improving the lives of others and realising their dreams will be recognised as they take part in this memorable occasion,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“I encourage everyone to share in the moment as a community on January 31.”

The uniquely designed Baton starts its Australian journey on 25 December 2017, 100 days before the Opening Ceremony.

“We couldn’t be more excited for the batonbearers who will be a part of this rich tradition. We are honoured to have so many great Australians carry her Majesty’s message for Gold Coast 2018 and we look forward to celebrating their stories and inspiring generations to come. For the batonbearers, this will be a rare and unforgettable experience,” GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie AC said.

Batonbearers to relay through Gunnedah:

• Margaret Amos
• Richard Barry
• Noreen Boehm
• Sarah-Jane Bonner
• Sara Carrigan
• Stacey Chisholm
• Ronald Clissold
• Alisha Conomos
• Francis Crump
• Richard Day
• Kathryn Day-McGuirk
• Michelle Dunlop
• Ray Godkin
• Marie Hobson
• Christine Hodges
• Wade Hudson
• Kate Jenner
• Leslie Knox
• Peter Loveridge
• Josie Luckel
• Zara Mannion
• Ron McLean
• Gregory Piggott
• Lauren Robertson
• Isabella Sawyer
• Michael Silver
• Ken Thompson
• Laiken Watts

For a full list of batonbearer names and the communities that they will carry the Baton in, visit www.gc2018.com/qbr 

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Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, and Minister for Disability Services, Ray Williams, visited Gunnedah Shire Council to announce $35,000 in funding to support the Council’s transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The funding will be used to continue to deliver frontline services, improve transparency and increase engagement with local Aboriginal NDIS participants.
Mr Anderson said the community was working hard to ensure local people with disability can access the services they need under the NDIS.

“It’s important the local Council is supported during the transition to the NDIS and can continue to provide services to local people with disability,” Mr Anderson said.

“This is major reform which is why I have been working closely with the Minister and stakeholders to ensure we get the best possible outcomes.”

Gunnedah Shire Deputy Mayor, Gae Swain, said the funding will support GoCo Community Care prepare for the NDIS and improve quality and efficiency in a number of areas to ensure this is a smooth process.

“It is extremely important people living with a disability are able to access the support they need. GoCo will play a vital role in supporting residents with access to NDIS and this funding will ensure all the steps are in place,” Mrs Swain said.

Mr Williams said the NSW Government was committed to supporting local councils, particularly in rural and remote areas, who often provide frontline services.

“The success of the NDIS relies on the growth of a strong and diverse sector, and councils are often the lifeblood of local communities. Congratulations to Gunnedah Council on your successful application for funding,” Mr Williams said.

Twenty-seven local councils providing direct services to people with disability were successful in the $1.27 million Transition Assistance for Local Councils (TALC) program.

NSW is now preparing to fully transition to the NDIS across the state, which will be completed by 30 June 2018.

MEDIA: Hayley Ashburner│Minister Williams│0429 891 159 & Michael Hansen | Mr Anderson | 0405 167 861