28 August, 2019

If you have a great idea for Gunnedah’s Cultural Precinct, now is the time to have your say.

The Gunnedah Cultural Precinct Masterplan is underway and as part of that process, you can take part in a five-minute survey and tell us your ideas – no matter how big or how small.

The Cultural Precinct includes Gunnedah Town Hall, the Smithurst Theatre, the Civic Theatre, the Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre, the Visitors’ Information Centre, and now the empty block of land next to the Smithurst - and all the spaces in between.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Corporate and Community Services Colin Formann said the survey can be completed online.

“We want to hear your ideas about how we can make this a space that serves your needs today, and into the future,” Mr Formann said.

“Whether you are a regular user of the precinct or have an idea for something completely different you would like to see happening, this is your space, and we want to know what you think. We want to hear all ideas – no matter how big or small.

“Many important community events take place in the precinct. We would like to see it expand its role in the heart of Gunnedah.”

The masterplan will guide the future development of the precinct. The project Steering Committee and Dunn & Hillam Architects have already held a number of community consultation events that will contribute towards the master plan.

Photo Caption: Gunnedah’s Cultural Precinct – we want to know what you would like to see.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

GOT A GREAT IDEA FOR THE CULTURAL PRECINCT? WE WANT TO HEAR IT!

The Gunnedah Cultural Precinct Masterplan is underway. The Cultural Precinct includes The Smithurst Theatre, The Civic Theatre, The Hall, The Galleries, and all the spaces in between.

We want to hear your ideas about how we can make this a space that serves your needs today, and into the future.

We would love you to take a moment to fill out this 5 minute survey, and help us create a better Cultural Precinct for our whole community.

23 August, 2019

Eleven sporting and community groups will benefit from a total of nearly $40,000 from the latest round of Gunnedah Shire Council’s Section 365 Small Grants Program.

Gunnedah Shire Councillors have approved applications for six community organisations and five sporting organisations, for projects from a new ride-on mower for the Kelvin Hall to new accessible toilets at the Gunnedah Rugby Club.

“It was a difficult decision,” Cr Rob Hooke, who is on the selection panel, said. “There were 20 applications, and while we would like to give everyone a helping hand, we need to be realistic with the funding.

“I’m really pleased we can help 11 worthy projects across the shire that will make a difference in people’s lives.”

Councillors Colleen Fuller and David Moses, who are also on the selection panel, agreed.

“I congratulate all the volunteers on our community and sporting groups on the huge amount of work and unpaid hours they put in. It all helps make Gunnedah the vibrant shire it is with many activities and services on offer,” Cr Fuller said.

Cr Moses said the applications included some great projects.

“It’s inspiring to see the initiatives community and sporting groups have in mind for the future,” he said.

Council agreed to approve total funding of $19,742 for six community organisations:

• $5,000 for Gunnedah Family Support for delivery of the Little Footprints Parenting Program
• $5,000 for Ooranga Family Mobile Association for development of a web-based platform for creation of an Early Childhood Hub
• $3,058 for Kelvin Hall Committee for a ride-on mower for Kelvin Hall
• $3,038.67 for the Curlewis Country Women’s Association for equipment to support the club’s activities
• $2,745.33 for Gunnedah Meals on Wheels for a computer server to support registration and governance obligations
• $900 for Rotary Club of Gunnedah West to help engage a sculptor to produce a 1.25m stone sculpture of Ailsa Iceton with a bronze plaque and installation on Pensioners Hill.

Funding for the five sporting organisations totals $19,777:

• $4,491.09 for Gunnedah Netball Association for upgrades to the clubhouse and new equipment
• $4,322.73 for Gunnedah Poultry Club for safety enhancements to the Poultry Pavilion including a new gravel base flooring
• $4000 for Gunnedah & District Pony Club to purchase a custom-fitted golf buggy for the Safe Rider Program
• $3,481.59 for Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts for electronic hardware and software to support the Hill Climb Championship event
• $3,481.59 for Gunnedah Rugby Club to construct eight new toilet cubicles at the club.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

CHOOSE TO REUSE

Put secondhand first by hosting a garage sale or shopping the Trail.

Reduce the amount of stuff we send to landfill and the number of new products made.

Ultimately, it's about decreasing our negative impact on mother earth and preserving it for future generations to come.

Host a sale to clear your space and make a small profit. Shop the Trail for guilt free retail therapy.

Register to host your own Garage Sale on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October 2019.

It's FREE and anyone can do it, whether you’re a household, community group, a whole street, school or even a local business. You can fundraise for a cause or make yourself a few extra dollars, or simply declutter your space and free your mind.

Register a sale here.

For more information contact Gunnedah Shire Council on 02 6740 2100 or email council@infogunnedah.com.au 

20 August 2019

Saleyard users are urged to have their say on a new draft masterplan for the precinct that advises a way forward for the next 20 years.

Gunnedah Shire Council Chief Financial Officer Damien Connor said the draft Gunnedah Regional Saleyards Precinct Masterplan would be on public exhibition for comment until September 9.

“Gunnedah Regional Saleyards are the fourth largest cattle selling centre in NSW, and the eighth in Australia,” Mr Connor said.

“Over the past 10 years, the saleyards have averaged about 120,000 head of cattle. That’s more than $100 million a year.

“It’s an important facility for Gunnedah Shire and it’s critical that we plan ahead to ensure it not only stays that way, but caters for whatever the future of the industry might hold.

“This masterplan looks at both the short and longer-term phases to keep the saleyards at the top of its game.”

The draft Gunnedah Regional Saleyards Precinct Masterplan notes that in 2017-18, the saleyards were estimated to have generated $16.8 million in industry output for Gunnedah businesses, $9.1 million to Gunnedah’s gross regional product and supported about 60 full-time equivalent jobs, providing $4.6 million in wages and salaries.

The draft masterplan recommends a number of significant infrastructure projects, potentially staged over time including:

• Removal of the sheepyards
• Relocation of the canteen and carpark as part of a multi-use building on the same side of the highway as the saleyards
• Technology improvements to keep pace with advances in the industry
• Lighting, nightwatchman’s office, ramp upgrades and security fencing
• Yard reconstruction and expansion
• Central roof
• Truckwash

“The saleyards have been operating since 1919 and times have changed,” Mr Connor said. “The industry is continuing to change, and planning ahead means we will be well placed to not only adapt, but to take advantages of the opportunities this could present for Gunnedah.”

The draft masterplan is the result of community and stakeholder consultation, economic and industry research.

Gunnedah Shire Councillors voted to adopt the draft masterplan to go on public exhibition at this week’s council meeting.

View the Draft Saleyards Masterplan online here, visit Gunnedah Shire Council’s site at AgQuip, or visit the council offices at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.

The draft masterplan along with all feedback received will subsequently be reported back to Council for consideration and adoption of the final Saleyards Masterplan.

Photo Caption: Gunnedah’s Saleyards in action.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

16 August 2019

Gunnedah Shire Council will trial an early opening of the outdoor facilities at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex this year.

Prompted by public requests and predictions of a hot summer ahead, Gunnedah Shire Councillors this week voted to accept a proposal to open the outdoor pool from Saturday, October 5, 2019 – four weeks ahead of the usual annual date.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the results of the trial would help decide the opening dates for the summer season in the future.

“Over the years, we have received requests for the outdoor pool to open early,” Cr Chaffey said.

“We now have a new, amazing outdoor pool that is ideal for beating the summer heat. Our advice is that the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has predicted a hotter-than-average summer, so we think this is the ideal time to trial this change.

“If people want to see this become a permanent change, we urge them to come along and use the pool complex.

“There are, of course, significant costs associated with having the pool open for an extra month, and we will need to see that people are taking full advantage of this longer outdoor swimming season.”

The new outdoor pool and facilities at the complex were opened in December 2018. The upgrades included a new 50m pool, a children’s wet play area and new dry playground, a new pavilion, new amenities and kiosk, a new water filtration system, refurbishments to the existing amenities in the 25m pool enclosure, and improved disability access across the complex.

Photo Caption: The opening of the new outdoor facilities in December 2018.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

14 August 2019

Gunnedah is once again part of the Garage Sale Trail in 2019, offering an opportunity to be part of a great community program.

The 2019 Garage Sale Trail will take place on October 19 and 20, and Gunnedah Shire residents are encouraged to either hold their own garage sale, or get together for a stall at the Gunnedah Community Markets on October 19.

“The Garage Sale Trail is not only a great day’s shopping, but is a fantastic way to give some of those items a new life with a new owner,” Gunnedah Shire Council Manager Communications and Cultural Services Eliza Gallen said.

“The initiative is Australia’s biggest waste education and re-use program.

“Holding garage sales on the same weekend gives people a chance to attract a greater number of customers, and to register online with the Garage Sale Trail.

“Community groups, neighbours and sporting groups could seize the day to hold a joint fundraising garage sale.

“And for those who like to shop for something unusual, it’s an opportunity to do a whole lot of bargain hunting on the same weekend.”

Registrations for the 2019 Garage Sale Trail are open on www.garagesaletrail.com.au 

To book a stall at the Saturday, October 19 Gunnedah Community Markets, contact Kyle at TRAC on 0439 609 502.

In 2018, the Garage Sale Trail saw:

• 3.2 million kilograms of unwanted items re-used
• 18 million people reached by the re-use education campaign
• 350,000 Australians involved.

Photo Caption: It’s time to make a bit of money out of your unwanted items, help upcycle and join the Garage Sale Trail.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

14 August 2019

What would you like to see in Gunnedah’s cultural precinct in the future?

The Cultural Precinct Masterplan is underway, but Gunnedah Shire Council wants to hear what you need, and your ideas for the future of this space.

Gunnedah Shire Council Director Corporate and Community Services Colin Formann said project Leaders Dunn & Hillam architects would be consulting the public about their ideas for the masterplan with a series of events during AgQuip.

“Gunnedah Shire residents take great pride in our cultural precinct which includes Gunnedah Town Hall, the Smithurst Theatre, the Civic Theatre, the Creative Arts, the Visitors Information Centre, and now the empty block of land next to the Smithurst,” Mr Formann said.

“The precinct has been the home of debutante balls, thousands of eisteddfod performances, great movies and has showcased talented local artists. It’s a hub for community groups and cultural activities.

“It’s time to take a look at how this space could work even more successfully for our community into the future.

“There are opportunities to look at progressive ideas to match the way in which our shire is growing and diversifying. The more input we get from the community, the better our precinct will reflect the needs of Gunnedah.”

The masterplan will guide the future development of the precinct.

Opportunities to come and have a say:

Community Workshop: 4-6pm, Tuesday, August 20th; Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre
All are welcome to attend this open workshop, but people will need to register via here.

NightQuip: 5-9pm, Tuesday, August 20
Stop by the NightQuip stall, and share your thoughts on the major design, and your ideas on what you would like to see in the Cultural Precinct Masterplan.

AgQuip Stall: 9am - 1pm, Wednesday, August 21 - Gunnedah Shire Council Stall
We’re aiming to talk to locals, as well as those from further afield, who may want to access Gunnedah’s Cultural Precinct for events or be part of the arts community.

Pub Chat: 5pm-8pm, Wednesday, August 21 - The Gunnedah Hotel
This is a space for us all, so we’re coming to you. Save the date, and come pull up a chair and let us know how you think we can shape a cultural precinct that serves the whole community.

Online Survey: We will be launching an online survey to make sure we didn’t miss anything. We want to hear your opinions, ideas, and suggestions for creating an updated, inclusive cultural precinct. Keep an eye out for the Community Online Survey link, coming soon.

Photo Caption: The Civic is part of Gunnedah’s much-loved cultural precinct.

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Media Contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

14 August 2019

Gunnedah residents are invited to come to a community meeting with a view to establishing a new multicultural group for the shire.

Gunnedah Shire Council is holding a meeting at 4pm on Sunday, August 25 to hear from the founder of Multicultural Tamworth Eddie Whitham.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said establishing Multicultural Gunnedah could be a great addition to the shire’s voluntary organisations.

“Multicultural Tamworth has become a genuine success story,” Cr Chaffey said.

“It helps support migrants in a range of areas including education, housing, employment and language difficulties, but it also provides a link for people with similar stories.

“Multicultural Gunnedah is a group that could go down the same path, as well as helping to promote harmony and inclusion in our shire.

“Not only would it assist those with different cultural backgrounds, but it would help strengthen our multicultural appeal and celebrate the many cultures that make up our region.”

The event will be held at the Smithurst Theatre in Conadilly Street. People are invited to bring a traditional dish of their choice to share.

For catering purposes, please RSVP to Alexandra O’Keefe on 6740 2152 or email alexandraokeefe@infogunnedah.com.au by Wednesday, August 21.

Photo caption: Come along and help form a new group for the shire – Multicultural Gunnedah.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.

8 August 2019

New South Wales Rural Fire Service has advised that the Bush Fire Danger Period will begin on Sunday 1st September 2019 for the Liverpool Range District.

The Liverpool Range District incorporates the Local Government Areas of Gunnedah Shire Council, Liverpool Plains Shire Council and the Upper Hunter Shire Council.

For more information please view the NSW RFS Liverpool Range Bush Fire Danger Period Media Release here.