September 22, 2021 Plans for next weekend’s inaugural Harvest Gunnedah festival remain in full swing, with a new ticketed event format announced to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. A long lunch is now planned, featuring a menu curated by festival ambassador Paul West of the popular television series A River Cottage Australia Harvest Gunnedah Committee Chair Cr Colleen Fuller said the festival was shaping up to be a great event, despite the challenges presented by COVID-19.…

September 17, 2021 The Royal Flying Doctors pop-up vaccination clinics held at Gunnedah, Mullaley and Curlewis over the past five days has proven a landmark success, with 2,784 people rolling up their sleeves to be vaccinated. Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said it was inspiring to see so many people line up to protect their family, their community and their country. “This most recent big push on top of the continuing efforts of our local GP…

September 17, 2021 School holidays are here and Gunnedah Shire Council’s School Holiday Program has a variety of activities to keep kids entertained. The program features an outdoor art workshop with artists Danny Stanley and Sophie Honess, ‘Under the Sea’ themed storytelling and craft at Gunnedah Shire Library and a tennis skills coaching clinic. The Civic Cinema is also hosting $10 screenings of Paw Patrol: The Movie and Ainbo: Spirit of the Amazon at 10:30am…

September 17, 2021 Gunnedah Shire has welcomed five new citizens at an Australian citizenship ceremony as part of Australian Citizenship Day celebrations. The conferees from four countries, including Canada, Mongolia, Fiji and the United Kingdom became Australian citizens at a ceremony at the Smithurst Theatre. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Australian Citizenship Day. Gunnedah Shire Mayor Cr Jamie Chaffey said Australian Citizenship Day was an opportunity for all Australians in their community, whether…

September 16, 2021 This morning NSW Health advised of a positive COVID-19 case in the Gunnedah Shire, with fragments of the virus also detected in a sample taken from the Gunnedah Sewage Treatment Plant on Monday, September 13. Mayor of Gunnedah Shire Cr Jamie Chaffey said while the community awaits further information about the case, it was important to be alert but remain calm. “This case is currently under investigation with information for the community…

September 16, 2021 Council takes action to support main street traders Gunnedah Shire Council has resolved to once again waive application fees for street trading and footpath dining applications in the 2021-22 financial year. This will be the third consecutive year Council has waived the fees in a move that was originally brought in to help businesses during the drought, and then extended to assist businesses impacted by pandemic restrictions. Close to $3000  in fees…

September 16, 2021 Gunnedah Shire Council is working with the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and encouraging operators of underground petroleum storage systems (UPSS) used for heating oil, waste oil or fuel for back up generators to register their system, following changes to an exemption order for their use. UPSS systems are governed under the Protection of the Environment Operations Regulation 2019. The EPA have advised previously issued exemption orders under the regulation expired on…

September 10, 2021 Gunnedah artists Helen Stanley and Brad White will bring a collection of their works together in an upcoming exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery called “A Mix of Marks”. The two are artists of very different kinds who have shared their mutual love of art since their children became friends at preschool. This exhibition is the realisation of a long-held ambition to show their work together. Helen Stanley has honed…

September 10, 2021 Following news that the Gunnedah Shire Local Government Area will be released from lockdown this Saturday, September 11, Gunnedah Shire Council will reopen face to face services and public facilities. Mayor of Gunnedah Shire Cr Jamie Chaffey said the lifting of lockdown would come as a relief to residents and businesses. “On behalf of Gunnedah Shire Council I want to thank the community for complying with the most difficult and necessary restrictions.…

September 9, 2021 Gunnedah’s Koala Sanctuary remains something significant to look forward following the pandemic, but will have new operators at the helm. Gunnedah Shire Council has received notification from tourism operator The CaPTA Group it has been forced to withdraw from the project due to the “huge toll” the pandemic has taken on the Australian tourism industry. The CaPTA Group, which is based in Far North Queensland, advised it had “no choice” but to…