Customer Relations, Communications & Lifestyle
11 August 2025
Gunnedah Shire Council is urging businesses in the Local Government Area to complete a short survey on the impact of the August flood event on the business community.
Council’s Manager Economy and Growth Susan Frater said locals were used to coping with supply chain issues, planning for flooding, and getting back to business, but it was important to measure the costs incurred.
“From family farms and service organisations to retail, accommodation, manufacturing and transport, we know this flood event is having far-reaching effects,” Ms Frater said.
“We know many staff couldn’t get to work, some schools were closed, and customers were affected, so we need to be able to quantify these impacts to provide data to the State and Federal governments.
“The information we receive from the business community will help future grant funding applications from our region, may trigger more government support, and may support producers and business owners seeking their own grants and loans for damage and business interruption.
“Council would appreciate businesses taking a few minutes this week to record their estimated or actual costs due to loss of revenue, and damage to crops or inventory. There are more than 1500 businesses in the Gunnedah Shire and we are hoping to hear from everyone.”
The survey will close at 5pm on Friday, 15 August. The survey is available on Council’s website (www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au) or by clicking here: https://gsc2380.wufoo.com/forms/rpkdsq70bp6eew/
Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking feedback from businesses affected by flooding in the Local Government Area. Pictured is Gunnedah in flood taken on Pensioners Hill on 4 August, 2025.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Get Ready for an Emergency
- Know your risk. Think about the area you’re in and how the disaster events may impact your home.
- Plan now for what you will do. Sit down and talk with your family and plan for what you will do if a disaster affects your.
- Get your home ready. Prepare your home by doing general home maintenance and checking your insurance coverage.
- Be aware. Find out how to prepare, what to do if there is a disaster in your area or while you are away on holidays and connect with NSW emergency services or keep on top of news reports if travelling so you can stay informed.
- Look out for each other. Share information with your family, friends, neighbours and those who may need assistance.
For more information, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency
Dealing with a Disaster is difficult. Did you know there is support out there that will help you before, during and after a disaster. Here are some useful apps, plans and numbers to save into your phone for when a disaster may strike. The more prepared you are for emergencies and disasters the less stressful they become.
| Police – Crimestoppers | 1800 333 000 |
| Police – Non emergency | 13 14 44 |
| Traffic NSW Information Line | 13 27 01 |
| Essential Energy | 13 20 80 |
| National Relay Services Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impairment |
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| TTY/Voice Calls | 13 16 77 |
| Speak and listen | 1300 555 727 |
| SMS Relay | 0423 677 767 |
| Translation and Interpreter Service - TIS National | 13 14 50 |
| NDIS participant | 1800 800 110 |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 |
| Gunnedah Family Support | (02) 6742 1515 |
| Support services | 13 77 88 |
| Poisons Information | 13 11 26 |
| Telecommunication faults | |
| Telstra | 13 22 03 |
| Optus | 1800 505 777 |
| Northwest Radio Frequencies | 648AM 99.1FM |
| Assistance with animals | |
| RSPCA | 1300 278 358 |
| WIRES – Emergency advice | 1300 094 737 |
| Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline | 1800 814 647 |
Download a copy of the emergency contacts PDF
Apps to Download
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Live Traffic Live Traffic NSW provides real-time information about roads and changed traffic conditions that affect your journey on roads throughout NSW. |
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Hazards Near Me This app shows current information about local emergencies, including flood, bushfire, and tsunamis, and provide advice on what to do to stay safe. You can select your location and choose to receive notifications when there are new incidents or information. |
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Emergency Plus This app uses GPS functionality built into smart phones to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details to mobilise emergency services. |
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BOM Weather Check for weather forecasts and warnings. |
Users should read applicable Terms of Use and Disclaimers for each app. Gunnedah Shire Council does not accept responsibility for any app limitations.
River Heights
Latest River Heights - North West (NSW)
Disaster Recovery Information
Information and contacts for residents who need assistance following recent flooding can be found by clicking the link below:
Gunnedah Disaster Recovery Information.pdf
NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin announced a Natural Disaster Declaration for the Gunnedah Local Government Area on Friday, 8 August, 2025.
Available Support
Updated 14, August, 2025
Support is now available for residents, businesses and primary producers impacted by the recent severe weather from 31 July onwards.
Gunnedah Recovery Assistance Point
For practical recovery advice and support, residents can visit the Gunnedah Recovery Assistance Point at the Salvation Army Hall (30 Tempest Street, Gunnedah) on:
- Thursday, 14 August, 2pm-6pm
- Friday, 15 August, 11am-4:30pm
- Saturday, 16 August, 10am-2pm
Services available:
- Service NSW
- NSW Health
- Legal Aid NSW
- Australian Red Cross
- Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network
- Salvation Army
- Insurance Representatives
Financial Assistance and Support
Financial assistance and recovery support is available for eligible NSW residents affected by the recent severe weather in New England.
For more information download New England and North West - Community Financial Assistance Fact Sheet.pdf
More information here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery/storm-recovery-updates/grants-payments-and-financial-support
Flood Waste Disposal
Updated 6, August, 2025
Gunnedah Shire Council is offering free waste disposal to help residents clear flood-damaged residential and household goods from their properties.
Fees for the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility
Fees for the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility will be waived for eligible flood-generated waste when residents fill out a Flood Declaration Form.
Download the Residential Flood Declaration Form 2025-2026.pdf or pick one up at the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility.
Anyone who has already deposited flood waste at the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility may be eligible for a refund. Please take your receipt to Council’s administration building at 63 Elgin Street or phone (02) 6740 2100 to determine this.
Skip Bins
Council will be placing seven skip bins in the following locations in Gunnedah:
- Opposite 127 Maitland Street on gravel pad;
- Opposite 100 Maitland Street on town side near vacant lot;
- Opposite 163 Marquis Street near vacant lot;
- Tempest Street opposite white house on vacant lot;
- Out the front of 46 Tempest Street;
- Rosemary Street near Brown's Tyre Service on Brown's Tyre Service side; and
- Warrumbungle Street just past number 20.
Residents can dispose of flood waste in the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility or skip bins at Gunnedah until otherwise advised. Please note that some volume limits apply.
✅ Eligible flood waste that can be disposed of includes sandbags, furniture, whitegoods and general sorted domestic waste.
❌ Ineligible waste includes tyres, chemicals, liquid waste, commercial waste, mixed building waste, asbestos-containing materials and medical waste.
Impacted residents can contact the State Emergency Service on 132 500 for assistance with flood clean-up.
Financial Assistance
For flood-related financial assistance inquiries, contact Service NSW on 137 788 (7am to 7pm Mon to Fri - Sydney time) or visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/financial-assistance-after-a-natural-disaster
It's Local Government Week, so it's the ideal time to launch our new traineeships and apprenticeships!
Ever considered local government as a career path? Now's the time to find out what you can achieve at Council and kickstart your career in local government.
You can:
- be paid while you learn from experienced mentors;
- gain hands-on experience;
- experience a diverse range of tasks and projects;
- earn a nationally recognised qualification that’s valued in the job market; and
- make a positive difference in your community.
Click here to see the great positions on offer in your community: https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/council/council-information/careers-at-council
It's Local Government Week and you're invited to come along to The Smithurst on Tuesday, 5 August from 10:30am to 12:30pm to share in a free barbecue and catch up with Councillors and Council representatives.
Staff will be on hand from a number of departments including Customer Service, GoCo and Waste, so bring your questions, if you have any.
Local Government Week is our chance to share with the community what we do beyond ‘roads, rates and rubbish’, so keep an eye on our Facebook page this week for staff spotlights and interesting facts about our Shire.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for Council's Rural Roads Working Group.
The Rural Roads Working Group is an advisory body of Council established to be responsive to our community’s needs. The effectiveness of the working group depends upon community support.
Councillor Robert Hoddle, Councillor Rob Hooke and Councillor Juliana McAthur will represent Council in the working group, and Councillor Ann Luke will be the alternate. The group will also include up to nine community representatives who will be determined by Council through the expression of interest process.
To read the Rural Road Working Group Terms of Reference, or to submit an EOI, see below:
> Rural Roads Working Group Nomination Form PDF
> Rural Roads Working Group Terms of Reference PDF
EOI close prior to 5pm on Monday, 11 August.
24 July 2025
Trinket the Robot, and his friends, are on their way to Gunnedah.
Based on the tale of Pinocchio, Trinket the Robot is a lively, funny, interactive solo show by Little Wing Puppets that explores the complexity of emotions and offers ways for children to understand different feelings.
The Civic Theatre will play host to Trinket, his inventor Dr Doovalacky, and his assistant, a green caterpillar named Gizmo, on Monday, 4 August at 10am and 1pm.
Trinket the Robot is the story of robot who is created to have feelings like a “real human”, and the audience needs to help him learn about the world. Trinket learns that to become human is not only to feel wonder and joy, but also to feel anger, fear and the sadness of saying goodbye to someone when you don’t want to.
Gunnedah Shire Council’s Cultural Precinct Team Leader Danny Hankinson said the show was aimed at children aged 3-10 and was the ideal outing for daycare centres, preschools and primary schools.
“Trinket the Robot is performed using rod-puppetry influenced by Japanese Bunraku, a 300-year-old tradition in which the puppets are on a table and the puppeteers are visible behind them,” he said.
“The show is highly visual and is peppered with physical comedy, making it easier to understand for those who hearing or sight impairments. It is also interactive, helping children to engage with what they are seeing and hearing.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for young ones to experience a live performance and also help their new friend Trinket the Robot to understand what it means to be ‘real’.”
Trinket the Robot is on Monday, 4 August at 10am and 1pm. The show is 40 minutes, plus a Q and A, and tickets are $15 each. To book, visit www.thecivic.com.au/movie/trinket-the-robot.
Caption: Trinket the Robot is a live puppet show about a robot who longs to become ‘real’.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au
21 July, 2025
Council to join Namoi Water
Gunnedah Shire Council has endorsed a move to join Namoi Water.
Councillor Robert Hoddle will be the delegate for Namoi Water, and Councillor Juliana McArthur will be the alternate delegate.
Proposed road name on public exhibition
The proposed name of a new road on Stock Road will go on public exhibition for 28 days.
Council supported the proposal to call the road at 243-261 Stock Road “Wotton Close”. The proposed road name is from Council’s Naming of Public Infrastructure Register and refers to Roger Corfield Anson Wotton who was a Lieutenant in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force 1940-45, Country Party member from 1968-71 and 1973-1991, and captain of Gunnedah Cricket team in the 1950s, playing at country level.
Mr Wotton was also NSW Cricket Association Vice President for 30 years, Councillor and Vice President on the Royal Agricultural Society from 1961, and Ringmaster at the Sydney Royal Easter Show during the 1980s.
The proposed road name is on public exhibition for 28 days at Council’s office at 63 Elgin Street and online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Submissions should be received no later than 5pm on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
CBD Christmas Activities 2025
Council has resolved to support a $10,000 allocation to decorate the Gunnedah CBD for Christmas this year if grant applications for funding are not successful.
Youth Working Group nomination
Gunnedah Shire Council has endorsed a new member for the Gunnedah Shire Youth Working Group.
The newest recruit is Ben Murray from the Winanga-li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre.
There are now 20 members of the new Youth Working Group and members will continue to be added as suitable nominations are received.
Rural Roads Working Group to be launched
A Rural Roads Working Group will be established to provide an interface between rural road users and Council.
Councillor Robert Hoddle, Councillor Rob Hooke and Councillor Juliana McAthur will represent Council in the working group, and Councillor Ann Luke will be the alternate. The group will also include up to nine community representatives who will be determined by Council through an expression of interest process which will start soon.
Draft Gunnedah Shire Development Servicing Plan 2025 on public exhibition
Council’s draft Gunnedah Shire Development Servicing Plan 2025 will go on public exhibition for 28 days. The Development Servicing Plan (DSP) covers water supply and sewerage developer charges for the Gunnedah Shire Council Local Government Area. Stormwater charges are covered under a separate DSP.
The DSP is on public exhibition for 28 days at Council’s office at 63 Elgin Street and online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Submissions should be received no later than 5pm on Monday, 18 August, 2025.
Further action deferred on Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex
Councillors voted to defer further action on pool funding agreements (Council resolution 2.3/25) until the September Ordinary Meeting, pending a staff report on alternative options for the operation of the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex.
Rainbow Serpent Water Feature to be restored
Waterforms International will be engaged to restore the Rainbow Serpent Water Feature in Chandos Street.
Council also resolved to endorse the following:
- the submission of an application for the restoration project under the ClubGrants Category 3 Fund (Arts & Culture);
- the allocation of $27,640 (excluding GST) to meet the shortfall in the 50% co-contribution requirement for local government applicants if the grant application is successful; and
- the allocation of $78,280 (excluding GST) to enable the project to be completed if the grant application is unsuccessful.
Caption: The Rainbow Serpent Water Feature will be restored by Waterforms International. The artwork is a lasting tribute to the Kamilaroi women who are at the heart of its creation. This photo was taken at the official opening in 2020.
ENDS
For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.
14 July 2025
Film lovers are in for a treat as the nation’s largest Australian and international short film festival makes its way to Gunnedah.
Flickerfest is returning to The Civic Theatre on Sunday, 3 August to deliver the best in shorts from Australia and around the world, carefully selected from more than 3,500 entries.
Now in its 34th year, Flickerfest is Australia’s only Academy Qualifying and BAFTA Recognised Short Film Festival, inspiring filmmakers to think outside the box.
Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Danny Hankinson said Flickerfest was breaking ground by encouraging filmmakers to herald both creative and authentic content.
“Flickerfest is a unique concept in that it offers the best of both ‘worlds’ in film,” he said.
“In the space of a few hours, you can immerse yourself in familiar scenes filmed in our own backyard, then undertake a visual journey to explore the unknown in lands further abroad.
“There’s always something new to discover through Flickerfest.”
The Civic Theatre will screen Australian Shorts at 12pm and International Shorts at 3pm on Sunday, 3 August.
Among the 10 Australian Shorts is a heartwarming sculpture film about love and connection, and the outrageous true tale of a man’s efforts to protect the all-important supper at the annual bush dance.
International Shorts will feature eight films including the story of a youth handball team about to participate in their first major tournament, a country boy who spends his savings on his dream of a city hairstyle, and the tale behind the Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle.
Tickets are $15 per session or $25 for both sessions. To book, visit www.thecivic.com.au/live-theatre--events.
Caption: Outrageous short film The Hoist is one of 10 gems from our own backyard.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au
2 July 2025
An unsealed gravel causeway on Kamilaroi Road will be upgraded to a concrete causeway over the next two months.
Gunnedah Shire Council Director Infrastructure Services Jeremy Bartlett said the upgrade would help to solve the ongoing issue of delays for road users during weather events.
“The new concrete causeway will be more resistant to wash-out and reduce the need for repeated reconstruction following extreme weather,” he said.
“This will mean road users can access the road more quickly when water has reduced to a safe level, instead of needing to wait until the causeway can be restored.”
Weather-permitting, work on Kamilaroi Road between Eveleigh Road and Meadow Park Road rail level crossing will start this month and finish in early August.
Work is already under way to upgrade gravel causeways to concrete causeways on Trinkey Forest Road (at a point 2.9km from Wandobah Road) and Barwicks Road (1.4km from Kelvin Road). Work on Prairies Road (0.85km from Kelvin Road) is scheduled to start this month.
These works have been funded through the Regional NSW-Infrastructure Betterment Fund (NSW Betterment Programs).
Caption: Work on Kamilaroi Road between Eveleigh Road and Meadow Park Road rail level crossing will start this month.
ENDS
Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au
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