24 April 2019

A major water meter infrastructure upgrade is beginning in the Gunnedah Shire next week, with the installation of automatic meter devices at Gunnedah, Curlewis, Tambar Springs and Mullaley.

Fully-funded by Gunnedah Shire Council, the project will see automatic water meter devices fitted at approximately 4500 homes and businesses throughout the Shire. Works will commence on Monday, 29 April 2019.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the new devices, provided by Taggle, monitor individual water use by transmitting meter readings to local receivers every hour.

“The automatic water meter devices will be a useful tool for both Council and residents to more accurately monitor water usage and identify issues, such as leaks, faster. There will be no change to water flow or pressure to properties,” Mr Bartlett said.

“While the new water meters will no longer need to be manually read, it is important to note that no jobs will be lost due to this project. The new system will require maintenance so current staff will be trained to undertake that work.

The data collected from the devices, such as daily and target usage, as well as cost per day, will be an important asset in future water infrastructure planning.

“The reporting processes will allow Council to better monitor peak demand and plan for water upgrades, as well as be notified if the water devices are tampered with,” Mr Bartlett said.

“Once all the devices are fitted and tested, Council will look to initiate a web-based tool that can be accessed by customers so they are able to monitor their own water usage.”

The devices will replace existing water meters and need to be installed by hand on every property with access to town water. The device battery lasts for approximately 15 years, and will not incur any costs for the property owner.

Contractors from Dataright will undertake the work and will knock on residents’ doors before commencing the replacement program to ensure the time is suitable, as water interruptions will occur.

For more information contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Customer Relations Team on (02) 6740 2100.

Photo Caption: Acting Manager Water Services Michael Ludlow displays one of the new automatic water meter devices.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

18 April 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling for Expressions of Interest for an operator of a Koala Park and Education Centre to be established in Gunnedah.

Council was awarded $6.48 million for the project under the State Government’s Regional Communities Development Fund and is seeking suitable organisations such as existing wildlife and tourism operations, not-for-profit animal conservation groups, or university and research organisations to assist with the design and then to operate the centre.

“We are seeking established groups or organisations to express their interest in the project and show vision, innovation and experience in their proposals - what we want delivered is a world-class Koala Park and Education Centre that is sustainable for the long-term and is iconic to Gunnedah,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“This project is significant for our Shire and will see benefits in koala conservation, as well as for our tourism, economic development and education sectors.”

Expressions of Interest are now open and documentation can be found at www.tenderlink.com 

For more information contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Customer Relations Team on (02) 6740 2100.

Photo Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking expressions of interest for an operator of a Koala Park and Education Centre to be established in Gunnedah.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

18 April 2019

Council's Business Partner Program awarded seven local businesses with funding under Round Three of the program at a ceremony yesterday afternoon.

Successful businesses included:

• Two Cats Creative - for the establishment of a new and vibrant website-based project which aims to be the go-to-place for locals and visitors to learn about creative business in Gunnedah
• Elysian Performing Arts - for a Raising the Bar project, to assist the studio to move into a more professional venue
• Chatterchinos - for plans to extend their offering and employ more staff, as well as offer GS Kidd School students a chance to take place in a work experience program
• Lash Out Beauty Salon - to expand the business by offering training for specialised treatments, which will attract people from a wider catchment
• CrossFit Training - to expand their programs and increase the general fitness levels of the Gunnedah community
• Country Haulage - to allocate large orders to trucks, keep track of order progression and invoice efficiency
• Gunnedah Serviced Apartments - to assist with the demand for this style of accommodation, update their website, management of softwarw for administration and booking experience for customers

Congratulations to the successful recipients.

More information about Council's Business Partner Program can be found at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au 

18 April 2019

Today the taps were turned on to the reservoirs marking the end of the construction phase for the Curlewis Pipeline Project.

There is still testing and commissioning to take place before water will be turned on to residences and businesses in the township of Curlewis, which is scheduled for end of May.

By connecting Curlewis to Gunnedah's town water supply, it will greatly improve water security and quality for the village.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said, "This major infrastructure upgrade for Curlewis will go a long way to improving the liveability of the town, including economic growth and beautification of the area. Council wants to ensure Curlewis remains a stable part of Gunnedah Shire's future."

8 April 2018

Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery will play host to ‘Paintbrushes and Pencils’ – an exhibition showcasing the collective works of Liverpool Plains’ artists.

The exhibition will explore the arts practices of 10 artists, including Robbie Duck, Robyn Marheine, Zoe Cartwright, Linda Cheyne, Sienna Cartwright, David Austin, Jean Phillips, Di McNeil, Leanne Fields and Brian Duck.

‘Paintbrushes and Pencils’ explores each artist’s journey of depicting realistic landscapes, elements of nature and the attributes of people and places, and transferring them to canvas, paper and board.

Each artist has enjoyed developing their practice and the qualities of their chosen mediums of oils, acrylic, watercolour, pastels, graphite, silverpoint and coloured pencils.

“I love painting in oil paints with the beautiful colours and textures that can be achieved. I paint mostly traditional country scenes from all over Australia, with the strong colours produced by the Australian sun, soil, water and other aspects of nature,” Quirindi artist Robbie Duck said.

Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley said “this is an exhibition that those who appreciate the refined ability of realism will definitely enjoy”.

The exhibition will be open for public viewing from Friday, 19 April. The official opening will be at 1:00pm on 27 April, 2019 and will continue until Friday, 31 May 2019. Light refreshments will be available at the opening.

Photo Caption: Robyn Marheine, Brian Duck and Robbie Duck are among the artists exhibiting works at the ‘Paintbrushes and Pencils’ exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

11 April 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council officially unveiled a new marketing brand to promote the Gunnedah Shire this week.

Kent Woodcock Creative Solutions was engaged by Council after it was recognised the Shire’s branding had become fragmented over the years. Together they have been developing a blueprint for the last 12 months and the community will now start to see elements of the new brand roll out.

Local business representatives, Councillors, staff and members of the community attended numerous workshops and gave valuable insights to provide a snapshot into the essence of what the Gunnedah Shire represents.

The new look includes a vibrant logo, positioning line “Open New Horizons”, consistent messaging that tells the story of the Gunnedah Shire being open to opportunities.

“This brand will improve our image, give us focus and open up a new way forward in promoting the Gunnedah Shire as a unified entity and a successful place to live, work, invest and prosper,” Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke said.

“A fingerprint is what inspired this design because it is our people who make us unique. The fingerprint represents every individual coming together to create our amazing community.

“Our brand showcases that when you come to Gunnedah to live, work or play, you will open new horizons,” he said.

“We are really excited to see this project roll out further in the coming months and into the future.”

The brand was launched to focus groups involved in the brand’s conception last night and will be revealed to the wider community at Gunnedah Shire Council’s stand at the Gunnedah Show on Saturday, 27 April 2019.

The launch marks the beginning of a comprehensive brand implementation process across the Shire and Council’s assets and services, including buildings, communication channels, and signage.

Photo Caption: Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle and Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke at the brand launch.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

21 March 2019

In November 2018, Council adopted a number of advocacy priorities being a new hospital, increased police numbers, additional phone towers to eliminate black spots, TAFE redevelopment and reinstatement of apprentice courses, road funding and a processing precinct.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey is ecstatic with the progress that has been made, most notably with the commitment made by Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, and supported by all other major candidates, to the redevelopment of the Gunnedah Hospital and associated improvements to health care services.

“The commitment to the hospital is a huge step forward for the Shire and the culmination of a lot of work from a number of groups, such as PRAMS and the Gunnedah Hospital Auxiliary,” Cr Chaffey said.

“I think we have been given a fair hearing and that our collective voices have been heard.”

The recent return of apprenticeship courses to the Gunnedah TAFE, commitments to the upgrade of Rangari Road and funding towards mobile blackspots, along with more police and nurses comes on the back of a successful advocacy program and record infrastructure spend over the last two years.

Some of the recent highlights being:

• Sealing the remainder of Grain Valley Way
• Second Road Over Rail Pass
• Koala Park and Education Centre
• Brand new Gunnedah Police Station
• Bloomfield Street upgrade
• Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playground
• Curlewis Pipeline Project
• Gunnedah Showground upgrades

“A solid commitment of $66 million for Gunnedah this election shows the success of our Council and community in advocating to ensure Gunnedah is at the forefront of the State Election,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Gunnedah is absolutely full of potential and these recent funding commitments backed up by the commitments that have been made during this election, indicates a very exciting future is ahead for the Gunnedah Local Government Area.”

Photo: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

Nominations are invited from interested members of the community for the following positions on Council’s Business Partner Program Working Group.

- A maximum of three members from the community. Inclusion of community members is at the discretion of the Council. Community representatives must be a resident of the Shire and desirably have a background in business management.

Nominations are to be submitted on the Nomination Form which may be obtained from Council’s Customer Service Counter, Shire Administration Building, Elgin Street Gunnedah or can be downloaded here: Business Partner Program Working Group Nomination Form.

The following provides an overview of the Working Group’s structure and operation:

ROLE

The purpose of the Working Group is to assist Council and staff in the assessment of applications lodged under the Business Partner Program. Where appropriate a matter relating to amendment of an approval for funding or administration of the program may be referred back to the Working Group by Council or the General Manager for further consideration and recommendation.

The Working Group has no specific delegations under Section 377 of the Local Government Act, 1993.

MEETINGS

Meetings of the Working Group will be held monthly or as deemed necessary by the Working Group Executive in order to progress the issues at hand,

Only urgent matters with the support of members will be considered without three days notice.

Nominations will be received up to 4:00pm on Wednesday, 3 April 2019.

Further information on the Working Group may be obtained from Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle on 02 6740 2100.

15 March 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council in conjunction with Office of the NSW Small Business Commissioner is hosting a free Visual Merchandising Workshop in Gunnedah, with Retail Revamp specialist Carol Bagaric.

Carol delivers motivational and inspirational workshop sessions for independent retail store operators.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle encourages local business owners and staff to attend the session to enhance their display skills.

“The workshop will give people cost-effective tips and tricks to look at their business from a visual point of view and make simple changes to streetscapes, shop fronts, window displays, floor layout, shelving, and more to make a bigger initial impact,” Ms Hoddle said.

“It will give participants another tool to increase foot traffic and sales through visual strategies.”

The workshop will include:

• Information about what visual merchandising and display can do for your business
• Three easy steps to creating a ‘WOW’ window and in-store display
• Learn how the simplest of ideas can create the greatest experience
• Clever images of displays that won’t break the bank
• Retail Revamp case studies, with before and after photos

Four lucky businesses will be in the running to win a chance for a one-on-one session in their store, with Carol following the workshop.

The workshop will be held at the Gunnedah Shire Council Training Room, 63 Elgin Street on Monday, 25 March from 7.30am-9.30am.

For more information or to book your place in the workshop, contact Council’s Manager Economic Development Charlotte Hoddle on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au

Photo: Register to attend a free visual merchandising workshop.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

7 March 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council is encouraging people to do the right thing when it comes to parking around the Shire’s schools.

Council Rangers have been distributing information leaflets about road rules and parking around schools in a campaign to remind parents and carers of their responsibilities in school zones.

“This is about increasing awareness of the road rules, and making sure our kids get to and from school safely,” Council’s Manager Building and Environment Blake O’Mullane said.

“If your school has a designated ‘kiss and drop’ zone, this will be sign posted as no parking. This means a driver can stop for two minutes and must stay within three metres of their vehicle.

“School zones are inherently busy areas where there are often large volumes of young children who do not always readily understand the dangers of roads and vehicles. Parking signs are planned with children’s safety in mind.”

Council’s tips to driving and parking safely near schools:

• Park safely and legally, even if it means walking further to the school gate.
• Slow down to 40km/h in the school zone and stay aware of crossings.
• Always park and turn legally around the school.
• Never double park as it puts children at risk.
• Manoeuvres such as U-turns and three-point turns are dangerous.
• Never park in a bus zone or in the school bus bay.
• Make sure your children use the safety door (rear footpath side door) to get in and out of the car.
• At a supervised crossing, observe the directions of the school crossing supervisor.
• Model safe and considerate behavior for your child.

The campaign is in collaboration with the NSW Government’s “Towards Zero” initiative – an operation to push the NSW road toll towards zero.

School zone parking offences can attract fines and the loss of two demerit points.

Photo Caption: Council’s Manager Building and Environment Blake O’Mullane and Ranger Ian Chetcuti.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.