RECYCLING COLLECTION - GUNNEDAH

Monday 27 January 2020
Collection will be on Tuesday 28 January 2020.
Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Monday evening as collection will begin early on Tuesday.

RECYCLING COLLECTION - CURLEWIS

Monday 27 January 2020
Collection will be on Wednesday 29 January 2020.
Residents are requested to place their recycling bins out on Tuesday evening as collection will begin early on Wednesday

Should you have any enquiries regarding the Recycling collection on Australia Day please contact RECYCLIT on 67421522.

THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES TO THE HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND GREENWASTE COLLECTION

Please ensure bins are placed out the night before collection date, as contractors are not obliged to accept late bins.

If you have any enquiries regarding these changes please contact Council’s Customer Services Team on (02) 6740 2100.

Eric Groth
General Manager

17 December 2018

More than 3000 people descended on the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex as it reopened to the public on the weekend after significant upgrades.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey declared the pool open to the public, following a Welcome to Country and Indigenous dance performance.

“I am proud to have been a part of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to open this amazing community asset and see the happiness on our residents and visitors faces as they enjoyed and admired the new facilities,” Cr Chaffey said.

“The Complex supports Council’s vision for creating liveable communities, by providing a modern, family-friendly pool complex which encourages participation in recreational activities and promotes community wellbeing.

“The Gunnedah community now has the state-of-the-art facility they deserve and we saw that in action on the weekend, with more than 3000 people excited to see and use the new facilities on the opening days.

“It is a huge credit to everyone who was involved from start to finish.”

Cr Chaffey said the Complex will provide many benefits for the community into the future.

“As we move forward an asset such as this will have additional economic benefits in tourism and employment,” Cr Chaffey said.

“But not only that, the community now has a facility they can enjoy for many years to come. Many generations grew up learning to swim in the original complex, and now their grandchildren and great grandchildren have the chance to make memories at the new facility.”

A plaque unveiling will be held at the complex on Thursday, 14 February 2019 – 60 years to the day since the original pavilion was officially opened.

For more information on the Complex or the upgrades, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au 

Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex opening hours:
Monday – Friday: 5.30am – 8.00pm
Saturday: 5.30am – 7.00pm
Sunday: 9.00am – 7.00pm
Closed: Christmas Day.

Kinfolk Poolside Café Opening Hours
Sunday – Thursday: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Friday – Saturday: 9.00am – 7.30pm

Photo captions: Photo 1: The first eight to swim the length of the pool line up on the blocks, from left, Ruth Pope, Marie Hobson, Angus Hobson, Tim Walsh, Savannah Lyons, Lauren Robertson, John Hickey and Barbara Williams.

Photo 2: The community makes a splash in the brand new 50m outdoor pool after the “all in” call.
Photos by Paul Mathews Photography.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

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.

Conducting an election is a major public event. During major election events some 5 million electors vote across NSW.

The NSW Electoral Commission offer opportunities to work at state and local government elections. Work is available on election day and throughout the election period, the weeks before and after election day.

Working at an election is a great opportunity to learn new skills and meet people, while you also play a valuable part in contributing to democracy. We look for staff to work as election officials during the election period. Staff receive training, support and a competitive pay rate.

The NSW Electoral Commission is encouraging people to apply to work at the NSW State election. For more information go to elections.nsw.gov.au/working_at_elections.

07 December 2018

This holiday break if you plan on building or landscaping on your property, make sure you are aware of underground pipes and cables before you dig.

Gunnedah Shire Council is part of the Dial Before You Dig campaign to reduce accidents and damages associated with underground infrastructure.

Council’s Chief Engineer Daniel Noble said it is easy to access information about the location of underground pipes and cable networks via the free national service.

"The Dial Before You Dig program can provide assistance to anyone who is doing excavation work, whether you are a homeowner landscaping your yard or large contractors doing major excavation works,” Mr Noble said.

“It is designed to prevent damage to infrastructure and disruption to services, as well as improving public safety.”

Mr Noble said Dial Before You Dig acts as a single point of contact for the public to receive information about underground networks.

“By making it easy for people to get the information they need, they can hopefully avoid the costs, disruptions and dangers associated with unexpectedly digging into underground infrastructure,” he said.

Gunnedah Shire Council recommends obtaining accurate information about a work site to significantly minimise the risk of injury and personal liability.

To use this free service, visit www.1100.com.au, phone 1100 or download the app ‘Dial Before You Dig’ to your mobile device.

Photo: This holiday period, Gunnedah Shire Council Chief Engineer Daniel Noble wants you to be prepared and dial before you dig.

ENDS

Media Contact: Brooke Maisey 6740 2100.

6 December 2018

Gunnedah Shire Library has won the NSW Public Libraries Association Innovation in Outreach Services Award for its ‘Bookends’ initiative at the recent Switch On Conference in Coffs Harbour.
The Library launched ‘Bookends’ in April 2018 as an after school literacy program designed to connect young children with local seniors who can help and encourage the children to develop their literary skills.
Gunnedah Shire Council Librarian Christiane Birkett said the one-on-one assistance makes a big difference in a child’s reading development and is what makes the program so successful.
“Participants can ‘borrow’ a senior for a 20 minute block, and during this period, they will select a number of books from the shelves to read to the senior,” Ms Birkett said.
“Providing children with a one-on-one learning environment enables them to learn at a rate that suits their level of ability and can progress in a fun and safe way.
“Children stay keen to learn with the myriad of activities and engaging stories that feature in the lessons.”
Ms Birkett said the program also provides parents with a way to track the learning progress of their children including the number of books completed and the learning milestones achieved.
“By linking ‘Bookends’ to the ‘1000 Books Before School Program’, children are offered reward incentives for their work,” she said.
The award is highly regarded in the library sphere, with ‘Bookends’ winning by showing its creativity, innovation, effectiveness and commitment to the outreach program.
“The program launched in time for Seniors Week and with the co-operation of the Pensioners’ Guild, GoCo and school teachers, which has allowed us to engage with a number of enthusiastic seniors that are available to interact and assist the youth in our community,” Ms Birkett said.
Council’s Director, Corporate and Community Services Colin Formann is pleased the library staff were recognised for their great work.
“I would like to congratulate library staff, children and the seniors on all their hard work and help with this program,” Mr Formann said.
“In particular I would like to recognise our Librarian, Christiane Birkett, who manages a wonderful and multi-award winning facility for the Gunnedah community.”
The program runs every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 3.00pm until 5.00pm and Friday afternoons from 3.00pm until 4.00pm.
‘Bookends’ seeks to help readers sound words out, build the child’s word bank, enhance fluency, teach children to automatically and accurately read books by building on their comprehension and understanding.
To find out more, book your child in to the program or sign up as a helper, please contact the Gunnedah Shire Library on (02) 6740 2190.

Photo: Gunnedah Shire Library rewarded for ‘Bookends’ initiative. Left to right: Robyn Draper, Librarian Christiane Birkett and Yvonne Reading.

#ENDS
Media Contact: Brooke Maisey 6740 2100.

5 December 2018

Gunnedah Shire Council welcomed four new Australian Citizens at a naturalisation ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Hardeep Singh, of India; Ms Puneet Kaur, of India; Mr Albert Law, of Malaysia; and Ms Ivy Tieh, of Malaysia made the pledge to Australia during a ceremony performed by Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Deputy Mayor Councillor Rob Hooke in the Council Chambers.

Cr Chaffey outlined the responsibilities that follow embracing Australian values.

“This is the biggest privilege as Mayor – to give those people that have chosen Australia, not only as their home, but a place to be proud of and to raise their families, the opportunity to become Australian Citizens,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Citizenship brings responsibilities and duties – to obey the laws, to register on the Electoral Roll and vote, to serve on a jury if called to do so, and to defend Australia should the need arise.

“Citizenship also brings civil and social rights – the right to express your cultural heritage and beliefs coupled with a responsibility to accept the rights of others to express their heritage and beliefs.

“Since 2012, Gunnedah Shire has welcomed 63 adults and 10 children as Australian Citizens and I am proud to congratulate our four newest, and wish them and their families well in their future endeavours.”

All citizens were gifted with native trees from Gunnedah Shire Council to mark the occasion.

Photo: Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke, Ivy Tieh, Albert Law, Hardeep Singh, Puneet Kaur and Mayor Jamie Chaffey.

ENDS

Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.

23 November 2018

Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery will be showcasing a collection of hand crafted potted art works from the Gunnedah Pottery Club members in their upcoming exhibition, ‘Clay Works Past and Present’.

The Gunnedah Pottery Club was granted funds from Gunnedah Shire Council's Arts and Cultural Fund to host a workshop with nationally acclaimed potter Max Powell, in July 2018.

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Supervisor Lauren Mackley said the exhibition will showcase some of the works developed through the workshop as well as others created by the club at workshops held in the Gunnedah Pottery Shed at the Gunnedah Showgrounds.

“The Gunnedah Pottery Club is a committed and creative group in the art scene of the Shire, and its membership is growing every year,” Ms Mackley said.

“It is great to see the result of a creative process in exhibition form where there will be a lot of works for sale by some of Gunnedah’s greatest artists.

“There are several different techniques used in the pottery; from hand, wheel, coil and slab, with some stunning glazes,” she said.

Pottery Club member Anne Pickett has been potting for more than 40 years and still enjoys her craft.

“I’ve potted since the 1970’s and will be potting until I can’t,” Mrs Pickett said.

“I enjoy it; it is peaceful for me and I won’t be giving it up in a hurry.”

Local potter, Jenni Carlin agrees with Mrs Pickett’s sentiments.

“Pottery is great for the soul. I find being in the zone during wheel work is a place of peace and presence," Mrs Carlin said.

The official opening of the Gunnedah Pottery Club exhibition ‘Clay Works Past and Present’ is from 6.00pm on Friday, 7 December at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, Chandos Street Gunnedah. Drinks and light refreshments will be available.

The exhibition continues until Monday, 14 January 2019.

Photo Caption: Local potters Pat Tobin and Anne Pickett will have works on display at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery from 5 December.

ENDS

Media Contact: Brooke Maisey 6740 2100.

22 November 2018

A new hospital is at the top of the wish list as Gunnedah Shire Council moves to advocate for its top priorities in the lead up to the State and Federal elections.

A Mayoral Minute was put forward at last night’s Ordinary Council Meeting, recommending that Councillors endorse the pursuit of a new hospital for Gunnedah as its highest priority ahead of next year’s elections.

In the Mayoral Minute, Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the time for “band-aiding an ageing and inadequate facility was over”.

“Our community, hospital patients, and the medical and allied health care professionals and other staff that work within the hospital deserve better,” Cr Chaffey wrote.

“A new hospital is seen as being of the utmost priority to ensure access to quality medical facilities, services and equipment for our community.”

The Mayoral Minute was presented by Acting Mayor Rob Hooke on behalf of Cr Chaffey and was endorsed unanimously by Councillors.

“To continue into the future as a Shire driving growth, and attracting and retaining residents, we need state-of-the-art medical facilities to match. The hospital is something we will be pushing strongly for,” Cr Hooke said.

Councillors also moved to advocate for increased police numbers, additional phone towers to eliminate black spots, TAFE redevelopment and reinstatement of apprentice courses, road funding and a processing precinct.

Photo Caption: Gunnedah Shire Acting Mayor Rob Hooke in support of advocating for a new hospital at last night’s Ordinary Council Meeting.

ENDS

Media Contact: Brooke Maisey 6740 2100.

19 November 2018

It’s that time of year again - Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on the local community to donate for the Christmas Tree Toy and Food Appeal.

Council’s community Christmas Tree Toy and Food Appeal focuses on the collection of food and toys for distribution by the Salvation Army to local individuals and families who are facing tough times over the Christmas period.

In addition to the Appeal, the Library is once again hosting its ‘Food for Fines’ initiative, where Library members can donate a non-perishable food item to the value of any Library fine they may have accumulated. For the first time, this year Council will also be running an ‘Adopt a Farming Family’ appeal encouraging residents to provide extra support to a local farming family in need.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Christmas Tree Toy and Food Appeal initiative is now in its fourth year and has provided hope to many in that time.

“Each year we receive more and more items, proving once again what an extremely compassionate and generous community we have,” Cr Chaffey said.

“The appeal provides a great way for all of us to reach out and help others, at what is such a special time of year. This year we have decided to also encourage local residents to support our farming families who are going through tough times.”

In a year that has been particularly difficult with the drought, Cr Chaffey said the Salvation Army is a beacon of help to many.

“The Appeal will complement the wonderful work of the Salvation Army and other local emergency relief and support services during what is their busiest time of the year, and even more so now resources are stretched from drought-affected families,” he said.

“I encourage everyone to get involved, however they can, and support those in need this Christmas.”

Residents can give to a child and family in need this Christmas, by placing an unwrapped toy or non-perishable food item under one of the Christmas trees located at Gunnedah Shire Council’s Administration Building (63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah) or Gunnedah Shire Library (291 Conadilly Street, Gunnedah).

For health and hygiene reasons, pre-loved toys cannot be accepted and only in-date canned and/or non-perishable food items are encouraged for donation. The final collection date at both locations will be Friday, 14 December 2018.

For more information or to register to ‘Adopt a Farming Family’, contact Gunnedah Shire Council Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton on (02) 6740 2100 or email council@infogunnedah.com.au

Photo Caption: The Christmas Tree Toy and Food Appeal is now in its fourth year and was launched today by Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton, and Salvation Army’s Major Gaye Day and Captain Richard Day.

ENDS

Media Contact: Brooke Maisey 6740 2100.