Seen an abandoned Coles trolley? To ensure shopping trolleys are kept off the streets and in stores for customers to use, Coles has developed a new method of reporting abandoned Coles shopping trolleys.

To report an abandoned trolley, download the ‘Coles Supermarket’ app from your app store and select the ‘Report an abandoned trolley’ function and follow the prompts.
For more information visit www.coles.com.au/customer-service/abandoned-trolley or phone 1800 876 553.

Gunnedah Shire Council accepted a tender of $11.4 million from Hines Constructions of Bathurst to complete Stage 1a of the Master Plan at the Council Ordinary Meeting on 16 August 2017. Construction started on the project on 16 October 2017 and progress is well underway.

Gunnedah Shire Council is keeping the community updated with regular newsletters on the progress of the project. Hard copies of the newsletter are available at Gunnedah Shire Council Administration Building, Visitor Information Centre and the Heated Pool Complex.

For the latest online version of the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Renewal Project Newsletter click here.

20 December 2017

The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund has turned to crowdfunding to raise additional funds to help support local students in their quest to further their education at university, TAFE or in a trade requiring a Certificate IV or higher.

This is the first time the scholarship committee has considered crowdfunding as a source of funds, and are excited to kick-start the online campaign, just in time for Christmas.

“For many young people growing up in regional Australia, the decision to leave home to continue their education is a big one - and expensive,” Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Chairperson, Councillor Gae Swain said.

“The idea of crowdfunding is new to us, but as a committee we are keen to explore innovative ways to raise as much money as we possibly can so that more scholarships can be awarded and more local students afforded the opportunity to chase their dreams."

“I absolutely love the idea of the community banding together for a great cause and believe our crowdfunding campaign provides a great opportunity for people to make a donation, big or small, and to be involved in a social cause that changes young lives at a grassroots level. It has given us the ability to open the fundraising up to anyone in the community who would like to contribute.”

Since the Fund started 14 years ago, over $300,000 has been raised and distributed to local youth with more than 332 scholarships awarded, with many returning to regional Australia to work and live.

Donations of any value are welcome and can be made on the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund crowdfunding page via www.mycause.com.au 

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

21 December 2017

The contract to design and construct Gunnedah Shire Council’s Curlewis Pipeline Project was awarded to TCM Civil Pty Ltd at last tonight’s Ordinary Council meeting.

The $5.9 million project will improve water quality, storage capacity and water security for the village, and provide opportunities for economic growth, service improvements and wider social benefits for Curlewis.

“The Curlewis Pipeline project has been a priority infrastructure project for Council since 2011, and we are keen to get the ball rolling quickly so that the Curlewis community can begin to enjoy the benefits associated with better water quality and supply”, Acting Director of Infrastructure Edward Paas said.

“The bolstering of key infrastructure will also assist in attracting new families to the village, which will have a positive impact on business owners, the local school and community life in the village”, Mr Paas concluded.

The Shire’s economy is also set to benefit, with TCM Civil Pty Ltd electing to use several local subcontractors and suppliers during the construction period, with an estimated 20-25 jobs created during this phase.

The Curlewis Pipeline Project involves the installation of a 15.8 kilometre pipeline from Wandobah Road, via Blackjack Forest Road, Booloocooroo and Preston roads to Curlewis, the construction of two 500 kilolitre concrete storage reservoirs and a disinfection dosing station.

Gunnedah Shire Council was successful in obtaining $2.6 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund. Council is also seeking funding under the NSW Safe and Secure Water Program for the project.

The project is expected to commence in late April 2018 and construction is projected to take 12 to 18 months.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

20 December 2017

Gunnedah is set to join the vast majority of New South Wales, with Council voting to request approval from NSW Health to commence fluoridation of the Gunnedah water supply at tonight’s Ordinary Council meeting.

The decision to add fluoride to Gunnedah’s town water supply is reflective of national practice and health policy, with 93% of the population of NSW connected to a fluoridated water supply.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey spoke in support of the decision, noting that the move to fluoridate Gunnedah’s water supply had been under consideration since 2009, with substantial amounts of information and data reviewed by Council over this period.

“Water fluoridation is safe and has long been common practice in Australia, with evidence clearly supporting long term health benefits, particularly for the prevention of tooth decay,” Cr Chaffey said.

“By adding fluoride to our water supply, we are able to ensure preventative measures are in place, in a socially equitable way, to safeguard the oral health of our community, particularly our youngest citizens who will benefit most from fluoridated water.

“Councillors have not made this decision lightly, and have considered all submissions tabled on the issue, both for and against. I am satisfied that the community has had the opportunity to present their views, and that the benefits of treating Gunnedah’s water supply is in the best interest of public health.

“I commend my fellow Councillors on the considered and measured approach taken in arriving at this decision, and understand whilst not everyone will agree with the outcome, that Council has a duty to make a decision on the matter and we have not shied away from that responsibility,” Cr Chaffey concluded.

Upon approval from NSW Health to proceed, Council will begin the process of planning for and constructing a fluoride dosing station which will deliver regulated volumes of fluoride into Gunnedah’s water supply.

Fluoridation of the Gunnedah water supply is projected to commence in 2020.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

20 December 2017

A Development Application (DA) to expand Carroll Cotton Gin’s production to 100,000 tonnes per year of raw cotton product has been approved by Gunnedah Shire Council at its December Ordinary Meeting.

Development approval was granted in 1999 for the production of 11,350 tonnes of processed lint cotton per year (28,375 tonnes of raw cotton product), which resulted in the addition of the gin’s fourth stand. A DA was lodged with Council in August 2017 to expand current production and approvals.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the $19,000,000 major upgrade project will not only increase cotton ginning production, but increase the speed of the process, maximising return on investment for growers in the region.

“This is a family-owned and operated business by the Davies family, and their innovation and dedication is a credit to them to be looking to the future with their expansion,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Council has a strong focus on economic development and this upgrade is an investment in the Gunnedah Shire economy.

“The annual production figures for Carroll Cotton Co will increase from approximately $65 million to $110 million – a huge plus for our Shire, local growers and the cotton industry,” he said.

“This will also have a flow-on effect into allied industries.”

Director Planning and Environmental Services Andrew Johns said work on the Carroll-based gin is proposed to begin in 2018 across three stages.

“The DA for Carroll Cotton Co was referred to Council as it is considered a major development. Stage one involves the construction of a farm building for the storage of machinery and other equipment,” Mr Johns said.

“Stage two will see the conversion of a farm building and the construction of another to accommodate the expansion. This stage will also see the installation of new ginning equipment, as well as water storage to support the upgrade. Stage three will see the installation of additional ginning equipment,” he said.

“Council has previously issued approvals for other buildings and structures associated with the gin facility on this site. These structures will be retained and utilised as part of the development.”

Carroll Cotton Co Directors Scott and Trudy Davies welcomed the news.

“This is a culmination of 18 months of work to get us to this point and we look forward to moving on with this project in due course,” Mr Davies said.

“A big thank you to staff and consultants who have worked with us on this process – it is very satisfying to have a positive outcome. There were also 43 submissions in favour of the DA, and we thank everyone for their support.

“The Carroll Cotton Gin has been in operation for 21 years and this will secure our future in the local community and the jobs we provide,” he said.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

19 December 2017

Gunnedah Shire Council will seek to make a decision regarding its current Shade Sail Installation Program at the December Ordinary Meeting (20 December), with proposals to fast track implementation to meet the needs of the community.

Council has allocated $30,000 in its Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) over the next four years (2017/18 – 2020/21) for the installation of shade sails over playground equipment in the Gunnedah Shire.

As part of the program, shade sails were constructed at Kitchener and Wolseley parks earlier this year.

Manager Public Facilities Geoff Phillips said during the consultation process for the Community Strategic Plan, Council received feedback on the need for shade over playground equipment within the parks across the Shire.

“It is important for the wellbeing of children and parents using our facilities to have shade and it also encourages the use of the Shire’s parks and playgrounds,” Mr Phillips said.

“With the program being well-received by the community, it has been recommended to Council to extend the program in this financial year by bringing forward the budget allocation of $30,000 from 2018/19 into 2017/18 and condense the project into a three-year program, with the program completion to be in 2019/20.

“Bringing forward the budget will mean Carroll and Mullaley parks will also see shade sails installed this financial year,” he said.

Council will make a decision on Wednesday night.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

12 December 2017

The Contract for the design and construction of a four (4) megalitre reservoir to be built off Apex Road adjacent to the existing reservoir in Bottlebrush Park was awarded to Hornicks Constructions at the Extraordinary Council Meeting on December 7.

The new reservoir is required to address current water security issues and to cater for the predicted population growth within the town of Gunnedah. The project cost is $2.5 million and will be fully-funded by Gunnedah Shire Council.

“Since the planning stages, significant work has been undertaken for this project, including land acquisition and consultation with the local Aboriginal community,” Gunnedah Shire Council Chief Engineer Daniel Noble said.
“As a result of this consultation, Council has discussed providing a symbol of recognition at the site of the traditional owners of the land.”

The project involves the construction of a concrete reservoir, which will be approximately 27.5 metres in diameter and approximately eight metres high. The reservoir has been designed to have the same roof level as the existing reservoir and will incorporate aesthetic improvements, including white roof sheeting to reduce glare to surrounding residences.

“The reservoir has been designed to minimise the overall impact on local residents, including obstruction to their views. As a result, significant earthworks are needed to accommodate the new reservoir. This will require the excavation and removal of approximately 2300 cubic metres of rock,” Mr Noble said.

The expected construction phase of the project is 36 weeks, with works planned to start in February 2018. Working hours will be undertaken between 7:00am and 6:00pm, Monday to Friday and between 8:00am and 1:00pm on Saturdays.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

13 November 2017

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton will officially open Simson Bridge at Breeza on December 19 after major upgrade works have been completed.

Simson Bridge is located approximately 2.9 kilometres north of Breeza, over the Mooki River on Clifton Road. The bridge was a wooden/concrete composite, single lane structure linking Carroll and Breeza, and was well towards the end of its serviceable life.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Acting Director Infrastructure Services Edward Paas said the upgrade project has involved constructing a new dual lane concrete bridge to facilitate increasing productivity for heavy vehicles, including higher mass loads and reduced travel times.

“The opening of the new Simson Bridge over the Mooki River at Breeza ticks all the boxes for what road users want in an infrastructure project. It is a quintuple win for the community in terms of better safety with the widened bridge, improved flood immunity, reduced travel times, improved freight efficiency and increased load limits,” Mr Paas said.

“The works have come in on time and under budget and are a tribute to the team of bridge contractor Murrays Constructions and Council staff involved in the design and construction of the new road approaches. The agricultural and freight industry along Clifton Road, between Carroll and Breeza, will now have significant improvement in their operations as a result of this project.”

Photo: Simson Bridge was officially opened on December 19 by Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey. Councillors, Council Staff and local families were also in attendance.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

13 November 2017

Sporting groups in Gunnedah will soon have the option to play under lights at Donnelly Fields after Gunnedah Shire Council awarded the contract for the supply and installation of lighting to REES Electrical Pty Ltd at the Extraordinary Council Meeting on December 7.

The $770,000 project will be fully-funded by Gunnedah Shire Council after the need for lighting at Donnelly Fields was identified in Council’s Community Strategic Plan and the Riverine Landscape Masterplan for the Namoi River Foreshore and Parklands in Gunnedah Shire.

“The project is necessary to accommodate the needs of current sporting groups and to create an opportunity for increased use by organisations that will soon be able to utilise the facility under lights,” Gunnedah Shire Council’s Chief Engineer Daniel Noble said.

“The project will improve the grounds for a variety of sports including touch football, softball, and night cricket.”

The project involves the installation of six, 30 metre high lighting poles with the entire playing area expected to be under light.

The lighting phase forms part of the overall Riverine Landscape Masterplan. The Masterplan has already seen the installation of a Gross Pollutant Trap, shelters on Namoi Playing Fields, a cycleway, bollards to restrict vehicle access to the river, an extension of Donnelly Fields by 22 metres, irrigation upgrades to automatic systems, kerb and guttering and road upgrades, sealing of road entrances, tree planting, extensions to Donnelly Fields amenities, top dressing to level both fields, picnic shelters, provision of car parking and bins, and a new turfed cricket wicket.

Council has also purchased a vacant block on the corner of Tempest and Bloomfield streets for potential sports field developments in the future.

The construction phase of the project is approximately 20 weeks, with work to upgrade the current electrical supply scheduled to commence in February 2018. The project is expected to be completed by July 2018.

Photo Caption: Manager Public Facilities Geoff Phillips and Chief Engineer Daniel Noble discuss lighting plans for Donnelly Fields.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.