Robert Hoddle
Councillor
   02 6740 2100
   0417 201 488
roberthoddle@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Cameron Moore
Councillor
   02 6740 2100
cameronmoore@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Linda Newell
Councillor
   02 6740 2100
   0410 491 455
lindanewell@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Colleen Fuller
Mayor
   02 6740 2100
   0467 402 412
colleenfuller@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Kate McGrath
Deputy Mayor
   02 6740 2100
   0401 393 880
katemcgrath@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Juliana McArthur
Councillor
   02 6740 2100
   0412 051 061
julianamcarthur@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Updated 18 September, 2024

In 2022/23, construction commenced on the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a 50-acre bushland site on the Oxley Highway.

Council secured $12.1 million in funding from the NSW Government to build a large wildlife centre and hospital.

Council also secured $8 million from the NSW Government's Regional Tourism Activation Fund and $2 million from Whitehaven Coal Mining to complete the next stage of the sanctuary, which will include tourist accommodation and animal attractions. The sanctuary will include animal enclosures, wildlife sanctuary walking trails, accommodation, a caretaker's residence and picnic areas.

This stage of the project is due to be completed during the 2024/25 financial year.

The sanctuary entry  will be through Hunts Road and thousands of trees have already been planted at two plantation sites to provide food for the park’s koalas.

Once completed, the sanctuary will provide both tourism and conservation benefits for koalas and the shire.

Fast facts:

• 10,000 trees are being planted to support the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary
• Adult koalas eat between 200 and 500g of leaves a day
• Oxley Highway frontage with entry on Hunts Road to minimise impact on traffic flow
• The animals will be protected with predator-proof external fencing
• The plans are green-friendly with extensive rainwater collection and solar systems.

Council's Works Section is responsible for the construction of new Council road and bridge structures as well as the rehabilitation and/or reconstruction of any pre-existing assets. The Rural and Urban Roads teams comprise of Council's own labour staff, supplemented by specialised contractors when required. Typical work includes reconstruction of failed road pavements, provision of new kerb and gutter and replacement of timber bridges.

The Works Department, and subsequent Rural & Urban Roads Teams also undertake works associated with the development of private land or subdivisions. Council's three-year Management Plan identifies the road and bridge projects on which it intends to undertake work within this time frame. Implementation of these works is subject to available funding and resources.

Council currently maintains 9 bridges, 3 of which are of timber construction. All of these structures have been load tested with the low level structure on Mooki River Rd at Breeza being the only load limited bridge. Council has a Timber Bridge Replacement Programme which typically sees these ageing structures replaced with concrete ones in a timely manner in accordance the service requirements of the road.

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