The Gunndah Shire Council Administration Building will be closed from 12.00pm, Friday 20 December 2019 and will reopen again at 8.00am on Monday, 6 January 2020.

For more detailed closure information for other areas of Council please see our 2019/2020 Christmas Closure Calendar.

From all of us at Gunnedah Shire Council we’d like to wish you, your family and friends an amazing Christmas and New Year break. We look forward to seeing you in 2020.

Should you need urgent assistance on the days we are closed, please phone our afterhours service on (02) 6740 2100.

Alterations to Waste Management Services Christmas and New Year

Waste Management Facilities

Please be advised that the following facilities will be closed on Christmas & New Year’s Day

Gunnedah Waste Management Facility

Curlewis Waste Facility

Carroll Waste Facility

Mullaley Transfer Station

Kelvin Mobile Collection Service

RECYCLING COLLECTION - GUNNEDAH

Monday 26 December 2016

Collection will be on Wednesday 28 December 2016.

Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Tuesday evening as collection will begin early on Wednesday.

Tuesday 27 December 2016

Collection will be on Wednesday 28 December 2016.

Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Tuesday evening as collection will begin early on Wednesday.

Wednesday 28 December 2016

Collection will be on Thursday 29 December 2016.

Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Wednesday evening as collection will begin early on Thursday.

Monday 2 January 2017

Collection will be on Tuesday 3 January 2017.

Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Monday evening as collection will begin early on Tuesday.

RECYCLING COLLECTION – CURLEWIS

Monday 26 December 2016

Collection will be on Wednesday 28 December 2016.

Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Tuesday evening as collection will begin early on Wednesday.

Monday 2 January 2017

Collection will be on Wednesday 4 January 2017.

Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Tuesday evening as collection will begin early on Wednesday.

Should you have any enquiries regarding the Recycling collection over the Christmas/New Year period please contact RECYCLIT on 67421522.

THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES TO THE HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND GREENWASTE COLLECTION

Please ensure bins are placed out the night before collection date, as contractors are not obliged to accept late bins

If you have any enquiries regarding these changes please contact Council’s Customer Services Team on 6740 2100

Eric Groth

General Manager

It was the widespread concern of the declining numbers of koalas in the Gunnedah region that prompted North West Local Land Services to contract an independent ecologist to prepare a koala conservation plan. It focusses on what people and communities can do ‘on the ground’ to assist the survival of koalas in and around Gunnedah.

The plan includes a straight forward list of actions for Government departments and authorities, Landcare and community groups and the general public; and therefore these activities can be undertaken by all people who live and work around Gunnedah.

If you wish to be part of the efforts to protect koalas in the Gunnedah region in town or on private property, please contact Angela Baker from North West Local Land Services or contact Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group via email: gulg2380@gmail.com or through the Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group Facebook page.

For more information or comments on the report, please contact Angela Baker from North West Local Land Services by phone: 02 6742 9209 or email: angela.baker@lls.nsw.gov.au 

A higher resolution copy is available upon request.

Funding for this report was provided by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and NSW Government’s Catchment Action NSW.

Gunnedah Shire Council is again calling out to the community to give generously to the Community Christmas Tree Appeal.

Council’s Community Christmas Tree Toy and Food Appeal focuses on the collection of food and toys for distribution by the Salvation Army to local individuals and families who are facing tough times over Christmas.

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This appeal will be boosted by Gunnedah Shire Library’s Food For Fines initiative, which encourages payment of library fines with donations non-perishable food items to the value of the fine.

Mayor Jaimie Chaffey said, “I am excited to get behind these great initiatives which are now in their third year. Residents throughout the Gunnedah Shire have always proven to be extremely compassionate and generous, and both of these Appeals provide a great way for all of us to reach out and help others at what is such a special time of year.”

“The Appeal will complement the wonderful work of the Salvation Army and other local emergency relief and support services during what is normally their busiest time of the year, and I encourage everyone to get involved,” Mayor Chaffey continued.

Residents can show support and give to a child in need this Christmas by placing an unwrapped toy under one of the Christmas trees located at:

• Council’s Customer Service Centre, 63 Elgin Street
• The Civic, 83 Chandos Street
• Gunnedah Shire Library, 291 Conadilly Street

For health and hygiene reasons, pre-loved toys cannot be accepted and only in-date canned and/or non-perishable food can be accepted for donation. To ensure that items are delivered to appropriate recipients, donations should not be gift wrapped.

The final collection date will be Tuesday, 20th December 2016.

For more information on how you can get involved contact Gunnedah Shire Council Community & Social Planner Debra Hilton on 02 6740 2100.

Last year the Salvation Army helped over 300,000 Australians in need at Christmas time. In 2015, Salvation Army figures revealed that 55% of disadvantaged people were not able to give gifts to their family and friends at least once a year.

ENDS

Media Contact: Tom Plevey 02 6740 2100

Gunnedah Shire Council has tonight resolved to offer up to $100,000 funding over the next twelve months for the Gunnedah Waterways Wildlife Park. The funds are proposed to cover up to $75,000 for the appointment of a Wildlife Park Manager, and up to $25,000 for the accommodation of the manager who will be instituted at the park as part of a wider strategic plan to enable the park to remain open now and into the future.

The proposal comes as the park has been facing closure for some time, as they have been unable to comply with requirements set by the Department of Primary Industries.
In a bid to stop the looming closure, Councillor Owen Hasler contacted the DPI in September prior to the council elections in order to assert Gunnedah Shire Council’s support for owners Nancy and Col Small and the Waterways Wildlife Park. Since that time, Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Deputy Mayor Gae Swain and General Manager Eric Groth have worked tirelessly with numerous groups including Nancy and Col Small, Peter Long, other wildlife industry stakeholders and the DPI to help find a solution that will allow the park to continue to remain open.

The Wildlife Park Manager is proposed to come from Featherdale Wildlife Park, a respected park within the industry, and will provide expert advice in order to

Resolve concerns about the Park’s current operation;

Meet animal welfare obligations now and into the future;

Ensure appropriate resourcing forth the operation now and into the future.

The park has faced closure before, and the Gunnedah Shire Council and community rallied behind owners Col and Nancy Small to keep the much loved local tourist attraction open.
“Firstly, we really want to recognize the significant work that Nancy and Col and Friends of Waterways have undertaken for decades. They have made a huge commitment- not only to the community, but to the wildlife in the area” Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“The Waterways Wildlife Park is such an important asset to our community, from both an educational and a tourism standpoint. We are really lucky to have the facility in the area and we’re doing everything we can to assist the Smalls to keep the park open. We’re pleased to have been able to work with all parties to come up with a plan to enable to park to remain open for the benefit of the community” Mayor Chaffey concluded.

ENDS

Media Contact: Tom Plevey 6740 2100

Time is fast running out to nominate that ‘special person’ for an Australia Day Award, with event organisers calling for all entries to be submitted no later than Friday, 16th December, 2016.

“I would encourage anyone wishing to nominate a person or group that they believe is a deserving nominee for an Australia Day Award to do so sooner rather than later”, Australia Day Committee Chair, Councillor Colleen Fuller said.

“Nominations do not have to be lengthy and can include a simple one page letter explaining why they believe the person or group is a deserving nominee. Often the best nominations are written from the heart and become a real tribute to the nominee by documenting their amazing influence within the community” Councillor Fuller continued.

The working group will be hosting a drop in session on Thursday, 1st December to answer any questions and offer assistance to anyone who may like some help filling the nomination form out. They will also be accepting nomination forms on the day, so feel free to pop into the Creative Arts Gallery between 11.00am and 1.00pm.

The 2017 Australia Day Awards for the Gunnedah Shire include fifteen (15) categories with winners announced at the Annual Australia Day Dinner on Wednesday, 25th January, 2017.

Categories include:

• Citizen of the Year Award
• Young Citizen of the Year Award
• Eve Turner Perpetual Trophy
• Community Achievement Award
• Cultural Award
• Ossie and Beryl Campbell Memorial Volunteer of the Year
  Award
• Max and Mikkie Maas Good Neighbour Award
• Ivan Towns Memorial Award – Coach of the Year
• Male Sportsperson of the Year
• Female Sportsperson of the Year
• Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year
• Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year
• Junior Sports team of the Year
• Senior Sports Team of the Year

All community members are encouraged to attend the Australia Day Dinner which includes a special address from Gunnedah’s Australia Day Ambassador for 2017.

Award winners will be announced on Wednesday 25th January 2017 during the Australia Day Awards Dinner at the Gunnedah Town Hall.

For table bookings please contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Events Officer, Laurieann Boag on 6740 2100.

Nomination forms can be found here, or can be collected from The Civic in Chandos Street, Gunnedah Shire Council’s Administration Office in Elgin Street, or the Gunnedah Shire Library in Conadilly Street and must be submitted by Friday, 16th December 2016. Unfortunately, no entries will be accepted after this date.

ENDS

Media Contact: Tom Plevey 6740 2100.

The first Putting the Pieces Together artistic workshop was held last Saturday, the 5th of November, with participants from Gunnedah’s Young Access group painting, drawing, and decorating giant puzzle pieces. The members of Young Access created a wonderful and diverse jigsaw pieces, designed to create giant cubes which will tour in a travelling exhibition through the North West, showing how arts and people with disabilities can fit together with the community.

Young Access provides an opportunity for artists and young people with disabilities to explore and socialise through art and other hobbies in a supportive environment. The group is run in conjunction with Gunnedah Community College, GoCo, and Gunnedah Shire Council, and draws on members of the community to participate in the workshops.

“The workshop was wonderful, and I was happy to see that the it was quite well-organised, and designed for people to work with their abilities, which helped increase their self-esteem,” Julie Frend, mother of one of the participants, said.

“Everyone felt included in a happy atmosphere.”

This Saturday, the workshops will continue with young people making their own jigsaw puzzles to take home and enjoy with their families as the final ‘Putting the Pieces Together’ workshop. The workshops will continue on 19 and 26 of November seeing the members creating mosaics.

The touring exhibition Putting the Pieces Together will open in the Mooki Room of the Gunnedah Creative Arts Centre on International Disabilities Day, 3rd December, 2016. The exhibition will include ninety-six jigsaw puzzle pieces that will form sixteen cubes that have been created by young people with disabilities throughout the North West.

For more information regarding participation in the workshop, please contact Gunnedah Community College on 6742 5630.

Tom King-Warren, Julie Frend, Harrison Neader and Chris Frend

Tom King-Warren

Harrison Neader

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Councillor Owen Hasler has been elected to the Executive of the Association of Mining Related Councils at the Annual General Meeting held in Picton and hosted by Wollondilly Shire Council on Friday, 4th November.

Councillor Hasler has been a member of the Executive since 2014 and joins Chairperson Councillor Peter Shinton (Warrumbungle Shire), Vice-Presidents Councillor Lillian Brady (Cobar Shire) and Councillor Chris Connor (Wollongong City Council), and fellow executive members Councillor Hollie Jenkins (Singleton Shire) and Councillor Jim Nolan (Broken Hill City Council).

Councillor Hasler was also returned as the AMRC nominee to the Department of Planning and Environment sponsored Resources Advisory Forum which has been reviewing aspects of the state mining approval processes and community engagement related to proposed mining developments across the state.

"Given the importance of coal mining in our region, I believe that it is important that Gunnedah Shire Council has a strong voice and input into such discussions relating to mining approvals and Government decisions which impact on the industry and our community. Consequently, I am pleased to have received the confidence of my fellow delegates in returning me to both positions as their representative," Councillor Hasler stated.

Much of the discussions at Friday's General Meeting which followed the AGM related to the progress of negotiations about Voluntary Planning Agreements which have been taking place between the association and representatives of the Minerals Council over the past year.

"As a member of the Association's negotiating team I am pleased that the delegates are supportive of the outcomes to date, and they have given us clear instructions as to how to progress further negotiations such that I believe that we should be in a good position to conclude the matter in the first half of 2017," Councillor Hasler explained.
Councillor Hasler was accompanied to Picton by fellow delegate and Deputy Mayor Councillor Gae Swain.

“Councillor Swain and I, and the other delegates, were very appreciative of the excellent tour program, welcome dinner, and business program organised by Wollondilly Shire, and thank Deputy Mayor Robert Khan and fellow Councillors Michael Banasik and Noel Lowry for their council’s hospitality and willingness to exhibit their community for the benefit of the Association’s delegates," Councillor Hasler continued.

“Congratulations should be extended to Councillor Hasler. We’re pleased that Gunnedah will continue to have strong representation with the AMRC,” Acting General Manager Colin Formann said.

Photo: Councillor Owen Hasler (outer right) and Deputy Mayor Councillor Gae Swain (outer left) at Picton.

ENDS

Media Contact: Tom Plevey 6740 2100.

Late yesterday, Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth, Director Infrastructure Services Wayne Kerr and Mayor Jamie Chaffey met with Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson to discuss progress on the promised second rail overpass in Gunnedah.

The meeting came about on the back of Gunnedah Shire Council’s October meeting where it was resolved that clarification be sought on the timeframe for the construction of the NSW Government’s proposed second rail overpass in Gunnedah. Initially, the project was given a completion date in 2016, and aside from the roundabout, further works are yet to commence.

During the meeting, Mr Anderson stated that he remained committed to delivering the project at an affordable cost to the community and the state. Mr Anderson will make representations to RMS and Minister Gay on behalf of the Gunnedah Shire Council and community.

Yesterday afternoon, prior to the meeting, Councillors participated in a discussion where all 9 Councillors were unanimous in their strong view that the project must be delivered for the benefit of the community, as promised on numerous occasions since 2012. “We’re disappointed at the lack of action, but look forward to working with Mr Anderson to ensure the project is completed” Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

The second road over rail bridge will provide an unrestricted Higher Mass Limit (HML) freight route through Gunnedah and will improve local traffic efficiency and road safety. The new route replaces the existing New Street level crossing which will be permanently closed as part of this project.

If the project does not go ahead, there will be a number of quite serious impacts for the Gunnedah community and users of state highways. Future impacts may include the closure of level crossings, banking of traffic through the town and the town being spilt in half every 30 minutes with only one access point between the northern and southern sides of town. This will mean significant wait times and raises concerns about access for emergency vehicles.

“The rail line splits the town into two during regular train movements. No other option will gain a second access over the rail line and deliver an outcome that supports our growing community” Councillor Chaffey continued.

When the commitment was made, The State Government proceeded to construct a roundabout worth more than $3million dollars, and undertook a range of technical, environmental and social investigations and concept designs at significant cost.

“A lot of money has been spent already on the project. Why throw that away? The unsubstantiated cost increase was created to stop the overpass construction proceeding as per the design that was promised to the community. I called on Mr Anderson to gain access to the complete cost justification from the RMS and suggested a third party review of the cost justifications. It’s quite simple really, I’m asking the State Government to pull the dollars back into line with the reality of the actual project and just build it” Mayor Chaffey concluded.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.

Late yesterday, Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth, Director Infrastructure Services Wayne Kerr and Mayor Jamie Chaffey met with Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson to discuss progress on the promised second rail overpass in Gunnedah.

The meeting came about on the back of Gunnedah Shire Council’s October meeting where it was resolved that clarification be sought on the timeframe for the construction of the NSW Government’s proposed second rail overpass in Gunnedah. Initially, the project was given a completion date in 2016, and aside from the roundabout, further works are yet to commence.

During the meeting, Mr Anderson stated that he remained committed to delivering the project at an affordable cost to the community and the state. Mr Anderson will make representations to RMS and Minister Gay on behalf of the Gunnedah Shire Council and community.

Yesterday afternoon, prior to the meeting, Councillors participated in a discussion where all 9 Councillors were unanimous in their strong view that the project must be delivered for the benefit of the community, as promised on numerous occasions since 2012. “We’re disappointed at the lack of action, but look forward to working with Mr Anderson to ensure the project is completed” Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

The second road over rail bridge will provide an unrestricted Higher Mass Limit (HML) freight route through Gunnedah and will improve local traffic efficiency and road safety. The new route replaces the existing New Street level crossing which will be permanently closed as part of this project.

If the project does not go ahead, there will be a number of quite serious impacts for the Gunnedah community and users of state highways. Future impacts may include the closure of level crossings, banking of traffic through the town and the town being spilt in half every 30 minutes with only one access point between the northern and southern sides of town. This will mean significant wait times and raises concerns about access for emergency vehicles.

“The rail line splits the town into two during regular train movements. No other option will gain a second access over the rail line and deliver an outcome that supports our growing community” Councillor Chaffey continued.

When the commitment was made, The State Government proceeded to construct a roundabout worth more than $3million dollars, and undertook a range of technical, environmental and social investigations and concept designs at significant cost.

“A lot of money has been spent already on the project. Why throw that away? The unsubstantiated cost increase was created to stop the overpass construction proceeding as per the design that was promised to the community. I called on Mr Anderson to gain access to the complete cost justification from the RMS and suggested a third party review of the cost justifications. It’s quite simple really, I’m asking the State Government to pull the dollars back into line with the reality of the actual project and just build it” Mayor Chaffey concluded.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.