17 April, 2025
Bill to split the Hunter New England Health District
Gunnedah Shire Council will call on the New South Wales Minister for Health to review the performance of Hunter New England Health Services in light of a recent survey conducted by Gunnedah Shire Council.
Council conducted a survey seeking feedback relating to the Health Services Amendment (Splitting of the Hunter New England Health District) Bill 2025 to seek community feedback about the move to split the Hunter New England Health District into the Hunter Local Health District and the New England North West Local Health District.
The survey resulted in 72 responses, with more than 83% of respondents describing Gunnedah Shire’s health services as unsatisfactory, with 77.7% believing health services had “somewhat declined” (31.94%) or “significantly declined” (45.83%) over the past five years. 73.61% of respondents said the believed the health district should be split in two.
Council’s call for a review will be accompanied by the results of the survey.
Changes to working groups
Council has endorsed three new faces for the Sister Cities & Friendly Relationships Working Group. Mark Kesby from Rotary Club of Gunnedah West will join as the volunteer group representative, and Prue Kesby and Bill Ashford will join as community representatives.
Community representation on the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Working Group will also be increased to include an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representative position.
Engineering Design Minimum Standards for Subdivisions and Developments
The Engineering Design Minimum Standards for Subdivisions and Developments is now on public exhibition.
The document sets minimum standards for the appropriate design and construction of infrastructure created as a result of subdivisions – which often becomes Council assets.
It replaces the current Engineering Guidelines for Subdivisions and Developments 2013 with changes to reflect current industry practice, ensure minimum standards are met, ensure a qualified person is preparing the plans, and other changes.
The document will be on display for 28 days until 5pm, Friday, 16 May, and is available on Council’s website or at the Council Administration Building in Elgin Street.
Additional funding priorities sent to be sent to candidates
Council will write to the candidates for the Federal Seat of Parkes outlining a number of funding priorities in addition to the Australian Local Government Association’s Put Our Communities First priorities already supported by Council.
Council endorsed three additional priorities:
- Increased investment for community aged care services to ensure local providers can remain viable, especially in rural, regional and remote areas
- $5 million in federal funding towards progressing the Gunnedah Youth Space Master Plan
- $30 million in federal funding towards progressing the Gunnedah Cultural Precinct Master Plan.
Internal Audit Charter on public exhibition
Council’s draft Internal Audit Charter is on public exhibition until Friday, 16 May.
Under the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, Council must adopt an Internal Audit Charter setting out how the Council will exercise its internal audit functions.
This document is available to view on Council’s website, or on request at the Council Administration Building in Elgin Street.
Caption: Council will write to the candidates for the Federal Seat of Parkes outlining a number of funding priorities including the Gunnedah Youth Space Master Plan.
ENDS
For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.
