Customer Relations, Communications & Lifestyle
21 November 2024
An exciting new addition has been made to Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playground in Gunnedah, with the installation of Livvi’s Library.
This vibrant new outdoor children’s library will provide parents and caregivers with the option of reading to their young ones as they relax and enjoy the space.
“The project was identified as a playground enhancement in 2019, when Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playground was being developed and progressed over time with the help of the Gunnedah Shire Access Working Group,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller said.
“Reading is very important. Children learn words and language skills from listening and engaging in stories, songs and conversations. When we read aloud, share stories and sing along with children, we help them to develop early literacy skills.
“But it is also a fun way to connect and engage with others and to inspire young imaginations to fly.”
Gunnedah Shire Council Director Community and Development Andrew Johns said development of the library had been a team effort.
“This colourful, custom-built little library has been constructed by the Gunnedah Woodworkers and stocked initially by the generous donations of sensory and non-sensory children’s books from Council staff,” Mr Johns said.
"As time goes on, we hope that community members will bring in a children’s book or swap out an old book to help grow the collection.
“The project recognises parents and caregivers often don’t bring a book to the playground and Livvi’s Library provides a good selection of books within easy reach.
“The location of the library in the quiet, nature-play and sensory area of the playground ensures it is also accessible by those in a wheelchair or experiencing mobility challenges. We hope the community will embrace the concept, and see Livvi’s Library as a wonderful addition to what is an already unique playground.”
21 November 2024
Cohen’s Bridge to remain the same width
The NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison has confirmed Cohen’s Bridge will not be widened as part of current works.
Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth had written to Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson seeking his representation to the state government to include widening of the bridge’s deck and carriageways as part of the work. Mr Groth wrote on behalf of residents who had raised concerns about the narrow width of the bridge.
The Minister said due to the bridge’s heritage significance on Transport for NSW’s Heritage and Conservation Register together with the design, type and structural nature of the bridge, widening would not be considered.
Documents on public exhibition
Council has endorsed the following documents for public exhibition:
• Draft Community Engagement Strategy – outlining the approach Council takes to engaging with the community
• Amended Delivery Program 2022/23-2025/26 – A document to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Council, including application for a Special Rate Variation (SRV)
• Amended Resourcing Strategy 2022/23-2025/26 – includes the Long Term Financial Plan, the Asset Management Strategy and the Workforce Management Strategy
• Amended Operational Plan 2024/25 – the Operational Plan has had the SRV action updated to reflect Council’s endorsed application
These documents have been updated following Council’s decision to apply for a Special Rate Variation on 6 November 2024.
They are available on Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or on request at the Customer Service Counter at the Elgin Street office. The public exhibition period will extend until Thursday, 19 December 2024 and people can provide feedback through email council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or mail at PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380.
Community proposals on public exhibition
Gunnedah Shire Council has supported two community proposals which will now be on public exhibition.
The first is financial support of $15,000 over three financial years for a partnership with Jack Newton Junior Golf for the NSW Family Classic, a three-day event at Gunnedah Golf Club anticipated to be a significant economic and social boost to the Shire.
This resolution will be on public exhibition until Friday, December 20.
The second is approval of the placement of a plaque on a park bench in Anzac Park in memory of Norma and Frank Robinson. This resolution will be on public exhibition until Friday, December 13.
These resolutions are available on Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or on request at the Customer Service Counter at the Elgin Street office. People can provide feedback through email council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or mail at PO Box 63, Gunnedah NSW 2380.
20 November 2024
An art exhibition to honour and celebrate Gunnedah Shire’s women will come to the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery for International Women’s Day in March 2025 - and artists are being asked to create something special for the occasion!
The International Women’s Day Exhibition has proven to be a diverse and popular exhibition in the past, with a huge variety of styles and artworks to commemorate the special day.
Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater said the exhibition was a great opportunity for Gunnedah Shire residents to share their artistic ideas.
“International Women’s Day is a celebration of how far we have come, and a move to accelerate an even more gender-equal world in the future,” Mrs Frater said.
“The theme for International Women’s Day in 2025 is #AccelerateAction and one way to do that is to recognise the wonderful things our women achieve and the incredible role they play in our Shire’s everyday life.
“Whether you paint, sculpt, crochet, draw, weave, screenprint or love any other kind of artistic endeavour, it’s time to put that talent to good use. We would really like to see this exhibition reflect the diverse and powerful contribution of women to our region.”
Ready-to-hang entries with a completed submission form are due to the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery on Monday, 24 February, 2025 and the exhibition will open at the gallery at 6pm on Friday, 28 February and continue until Friday, 4 April, 2025.
Submission forms are available here...
Caption: Visitors enjoy the opening of the International Women’s Day Exhibition in 2023.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.
19 November 2024
November 25 is the start of National Asbestos Awareness Week, a great time to remember to be asbestos ready.
Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Community Safety Wade Berryman said asbestos was still present in homes as well as public and commercial buildings across the country, and could be found anywhere in homes built before 1990.
“As people approach home renovations of older houses, it is critical to keep in mind that asbestos affects one in three homes nationwide,” Mr Berryman said.
“There are significant health risks associated with asbestos exposure, and where there is any chance it is present, it is important to contact a licensed asbestos professional.
“There are strict guidelines about asbestos handling, removal and disposal to remove any risk to health. People can find out more about asbestos on Gunnedah Shire Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au under Environment/Asbestos.”
Mr Berryman said while the dangers of asbestos had been known for decades, there was still a level of complacency about its presence.
People can also report concerns or complaints regarding the inappropriate handling of asbestos, illegal dumping of material containing asbestos, and handling of material containing asbestos at non-work sites to Council.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.
18 November 2024
The famous poet Dorothea Mackellar, who spent many hours at her family’s home in Gunnedah, wrote of the beauty of our part of Australia.
Gunnedah Shire’s Poetry Precinct in South Street not only celebrates Mackellar with a statue, garden and plaques, but now also has a new way to take in our Shire’s serenity.
The Poetry Precinct Open Space Activation Project has added to the appeal of the precinct with a new path, gardens and mini-amphitheatre.
The beautiful outdoor space, which will be officially opened at a small community event at 4pm on Thursday, 21 November, lies alongside the Dorothea Mackellar Centre, the Gunnedah Shire Band Hall and the Water Tower Museum, adding a new dimension to an area that already pays respect to Gunnedah Shire’s heritage and culture.
Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the Poetry Precinct Activation Project had been made possible by the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program.
“This NSW Government funding has made it possible add to what is already a popular precinct,” Mr Bartlett said.
“Council has created a place that can be used for quiet reflection in natural surroundings, or as a gathering place for people who want to play music, or even perform a small-scale outdoor play.
“It’s not a large space, but it is an important one in building on opportunities to enjoy our lifestyle – and our landscape.”
NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program Funding for Gunnedah Shire included three projects under the Gunnedah Public Spaces Activation Program - the Shared Pathways Connection Program, the Wandobah Road Open Space Enhancement Project and the Poetry Precinct Open Space Activation Project.
What: Official opening of Poetry Precinct Activation Program
When: 4pm, Thursday, 21 November 2024
Where: Poetry Precinct, Behind Gunnedah Shire Band Hall, South Street, Gunnedah.
Caption: The winding path that has been added to the Gunnedah Shire Poetry Precinct.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.
The Gunnedah Shire community is invited to attend the 2024 Lighting of the Christmas tree at 7.30pm on 29 November.
Gunnedah Shire’s community Christmas tree stands in Brock’s Court in Chandos Street each year as a symbol of the festive season, and each year, the turning on of the lights on the tree signifies Christmas is nearly here.
“We are very happy to be able to present this small but special event to our community in partnership with the Gunnedah Conservatorium, who provide the seasonal music and singing,” Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Colleen Fuller said.
“It’s a lovely opportunity for families to come along, see the tree light up and join in a carol or two.”
The event is being held on the same night as the Christmas Fair to allow people to go from one event to the other and make the most of the festive season activities.
13 November 2024
Following last week’s difficult but necessary decision to proceed with a Special Rate Variation (SRV) to address its financial sustainability and maintain essential community infrastructure and service levels, Gunnedah Shire Council is now welcoming written submissions from the local community. These can be provided to Council until Thursday, 19 December 2024.
Council’s original SRV proposal was for a permanent cumulative 38.88% increase over two years with a 24% increase in year one and 12% increase in year two. The community feedback indicated that the year one increase was too high.
Council considered a range of scenarios in response to the community feedback and has determined to proceed with a permanent Special Rate Variation over two years that is 37.67% cumulative but caps the increase on Residential, Business and Farmland rate categories at 15% per year (32.25% cumulative).
The balance of the revised SRV of 37.67% cumulative is to be sourced from the Mining rating category.
This week Council formally notified IPART that it intends to submit a Special Rate Variation application for the 2025-2026 financial year.
Council's Integrated Planning & Reporting (IP&R) documentation will be updated to meet the SRV application requirements, and the amended IP&R documents will be presented to a future Council meeting for the purpose of being endorsed by Council for public exhibition.
Council will convene an Extraordinary Council meeting in January 2025 for the purpose of receiving any submissions on the revised IP&R documentation and to endorse the SRV application prior to the submission to IPART by February 3, 2025.
Council also resolved to strive to achieve $930,000 through efficiency gains and operational savings over the 3-year period 2025 to 2028 with a report to council by May 30th annually during this period.
Members of the community can measure how they will be directly affected by the Special Rate Variation by accessing the rates calculator now available on the dedicated SRV page on Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.
General enquiries on the Special Rate Variation can be made to Council’s customer service team on 6740 2100 or council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au
Written public submissions will be accepted until December 19, 2024, and can be made via post:
The General Manager,
Gunnedah Shire Council,
PO Box 63,
Gunnedah NSW 2380
Or
Email: council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au and webform https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/council/keep-in-touch/contact-us .
13 November, 2024
Every year, Gunnedah Shire residents add another layer of special to Christmas with their spectacular Christmas light displays.
Gunnedah Shire Council is challenging our community to make 2024 the brightest and most beautiful Christmas of all!
The Christmas Lights Competition opens today, with six categories including the always hotly contested title of Santa Street for the street that glows the most. Last Christmas, the title went to Kurrajong Road.
The categories are:
* Best Decorated House (a prize of a $200 Gunny Money Gift Card)
* Best Nativity Scene ($50 Gunny Money Gift Card)
* Best Christmas Theme in a Village ($150 Gunny Money Gift Card)
* Santa Street (winners’ plaque and $200 Gunny Money Gift Card)
* Judges’ Choice Award ($50 Gunny Money Gift Card)
* Best Dressed Shopfront Window ($100 Gunny Money Gift Card).
Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller encouraged people to spread the joy of Christmas by decorating their home or business.
“There are some really beautiful Christmas displays in our Shire every year,” Cr Fuller said. “It’s time for people who have thought about doing this before to seize the season and have a go.
“Christmas displays really add to the excitement our whole community enjoys at Christmas time.”
To be eligible for judging, people must fill out a competition form. They are available on the Civic website here. Entries close at 5pm on Friday, 6 December, and judging will take place on Wednesday, 11 December and Thursday, 12 December, depending on the number of nominations.
Winners will be announced at the Christmas Tree in Brock’s Court at 5.30pm on Wednesday, 18 December.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.
12 November 2024
New food safety requirements will apply to school canteens, childcare centres, supermarkets, coffee vendors selling food and boarding schools across Gunnedah and the rest of New South Wales from next month.
National standard mandating staff training and risk management procedures have been enforceable for most food businesses since 8 December, 2023, however, some business types in NSW received a 12-month extension, and now have just weeks left to prepare.
These rules apply only to businesses that sell or serve ready-to-eat unpackaged food that needs to be kept hot or cold to stay safe. Packaged food, and products like confectionary and cakes, are generally not included.
Most outlets are required to arrange formal Food Safety Supervisor training for at least one person in the business and ensure all food handlers have general food safety skills and knowledge.
Higher-risk businesses must also be able to show they are managing key food safety risks.
Gunnedah Shire Council Acting Director Community and Development Wade Berryman said the standard put in place further measures to prevent people becoming sick from eating unsafe food.
“Residents, visitors and workers in Gunnedah Shire expect and deserve a high level of food safety at the places they eat at every day,” Mr Berryman said.
“We know the vast majority of our local food businesses take food safety seriously. These new measures will further strengthen practices and processes to ensure people can continue to enjoy their food secure in the knowledge that it is safe to eat.”
Mr Berryman said Council would take an educative approach with local businesses as they transitioned to the new requirements.
For more information about the new requirements, visit the NSW Food Authority website foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/safetytools
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.
12 November 2024
They have already proven popular with walkers, runners, families, pets and cyclists, and Gunnedah Shire’s newest pathways will officially open this Saturday.
Community members are invited to bring their bikes and their helmets down to the Woolshed Reserve in Maitland Street at 9.30am on Saturday morning to help celebrate the opening of the Shared Pathways Activation Project and the Wandobah Fence Enhancement Project.
Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the Shared Pathways Activation Project was a great project in making Gunnedah Shire and even better place to live.
“Time outdoors has become even more important as our lives get busier, and creating safe and enjoyable ways to walk, run and cycle allows people to make the most of our beautiful environment,” Mr Barlett said.
“The Riverine Stormwater Precinct Shared Pathway connects Mullibah Lagoon to the Namoi River, and is part of the creation of a connected cycleways loop that includes 3,970 meters of cycleways and shared pathways.
“Pathways now run from Cohen’s Bridge along Maitland Street to the Carroll Street end of Mullibah Lagoon, connecting to the existing pathway at the Namoi River. The Geoff Morgan Playing Fields are linked through Mullibah Lagoon. The pathway includes a stormwater bridge at the Osric Street stormwater head and is lined with solar lighting.
“This project helps people get out and close to nature, whether it is with their families, friends or pets.”
The project has been largely funded by the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program, a NSW Government program that encouraged councils to submit a plan to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment on how they would accelerate local projects and include a proposal to deliver an open and public space project.
Funding for Gunnedah Shire included three projects under the Gunnedah Public Spaces Activation Program - the Shared Pathways Connection Program, the Wandobah Road Open Space Enhancement Project and the Poetry Precinct Open Space Activation Project.
As part of the already completed Wandobah Road Open Space Enhancement Project, low fencing, intergenerational seating and rubbish bins were installed along the 2.16 kilometres of popular footpath on Wandobah Road.
The Stock Road pathway between Links Road and Winder Place has also had a facelift with new surfacing.
What: Official opening of the Shared Pathway Project
When: 9.30am, Saturday, 16 November, 2024
Where: The Woolshed Reserve, Maitland Street, Gunnedah
Caption: A family enjoys an evening stroll near Mullibah Lagoon.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.
