Gunnedah Shire signed an official Sister Cities agreement with Kolomotu’a, Tonga, on June 24, 2022.

Gunnedah welcomed Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho, the High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Tonga, to the Commonwealth of Australia to recognise and formalise the relationship between Kolomotu'a and the Gunnedah Shire.

“We are excited, and honoured to welcome Kolomotu'a as our new Sister City. Gunnedah is, in fact, the first to sign a Sister-City Agreement with the Kingdom of Tonga, which is a great privilege,” Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.

“This is a special moment in the history of Gunnedah and our horizons for this wonderful Sister City relationship are endless. We have so much to offer, and so do our friends in Kolomotu’a.

“Both of us have a love of the land and a strong tradition of agriculture. We are both passionate about the future of our homes, and enthusiastic to form a partnership that will further our economies and the cultural richness of our communities.

“There are significant employment opportunities here in Gunnedah, both in agriculture and far beyond, that can provide experience and support for Tongan workers and families. We can share skills, training, culture and tourism.

“I look forward to this relationship growing and strengthening, and exploring all the possibilities it opens to both of us.”

Her Royal Highness shared her excitement at visiting the Shire and said it was wonderful to be able to see and learn first-hand the needs of its people.

“The opportunities Gunnedah is providing for Kolomotu’a is where supply meets demand in areas such as a wide range of administrative, economic, investment, trade, agriculture, tourism, education, cultural, labour  mobility and other activities of mutual exchange benefit. This is also where our friendship begins and our people to people relations are strengthened,” she said.

“We hope that we will positively continue and progress in the spirit of the Sister City friendly relations step by step into the future to learn and help each other.”

Cr Chaffey said Tongans had been part of the Shire community for many years, and they had shown themselves to be hard-working, trustworthy, and a kind, caring and loyal people.

“This loyalty has been further demonstrated in Tonga’s commitment to finalising its Sister City Relationship with Gunnedah, despite numerous requests from other councils in Australia,” Cr Chaffey said.

During their time in Gunnedah, her Royal Highness and the official party visited Li’l Achievers Early Learning Centre and Gunnible Pastoral Company, and enjoyed performances by the Gunnedah Conservatorium, Gunnedah High School, Carinya Christian School, and the Tongan community.  

Gifts of cultural significance were also exchanged between the Shire and the Tongan delegation and a Eucalypt tree was planted at Wolseley Park to signify the lasting friendship established between the two regions.

Gunnedah and Kolomotu’a are pursuing opportunities in four key areas: arts and culture, sports, education, and employment and the economy.

A number of memorandums of understanding are being explored to form the basis of practical partnerships between the two regions.

A group of business and community members represented the Gunnedah Shire at an Employment Expo in Tonga in October 2023. The Expo attracted representatives from a large range of industries, including much-needed skill sets such as early childhood learning, nursing, teaching, and trades such as electrical, carpentry, and mechanics. Close to 200 people registered their formal interest in pursuing employment.

Representatives from Tonga surprised the contingent from Gunnedah Shire just ahead of their departure with the unveiling of a street named “Gunnedah Avenue”.

The Expo followed on a second Gunnedah visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho, who is also the patron of the Sister City relationship, and a delegation from Kolomotu’a in July 2023. The delegation visited businesses and community groups, and attended the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce Gala Ball.

In December 2022, Gunnedah hosted a Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workshop to introduce local employers to the Federal Government program.

The workshop was held by Pacific Labour Facility Regional Manager Fionnuala Dixon, who said that eligible businesses could recruit workers through the PALM Scheme for seasonal jobs for up to nine months or for longer-term roles for between one and four years in unskilled, low-skilled and semi-skilled positions.

To find out more about the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme, visit https://www.palmscheme.gov.au/

On the final day of a visit by Gunnedah representatives to Kolomotu’a in October 2022, Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku'aho presented Gunnedah Shire with a large ceremonial tapa made to commemorate the Sister City Agreement.

The tapa tells the story of the coming together of two regions and two peoples.

• The ngatu/tapa has been specially designed by the women of the Fale Kautaha Hamala (the oldest women's organisation in Tonga) to commemorate the bond between Kolomotu'a and Tonga.
• The main message on this beautiful handmade tapa is Maa’imoa ola which, in the Tongan dialect reserved for royalty, means "successful achievement".
• This particular tapa is called a Fuatanga and is more than 5m long.
• The top half describes the occasion and includes both the Gunnedah Shire thumbprint logo and the Toa-ko-Ma'afu tree on the Tongan hill overlooking the water. The tree, visited by the Gunnedah delegation, is shown in the day time and at night, as it was in a tapa presented to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
• The lower half of the tapa is divided into quarters, representing the four original women's groups of Kolomotu'a, of which only the Fale Kautaha Hamala remains.

On presentation of the tapa, our Kolomotou'an friends noted:

"We acknowledge and thank the women of all the 12 blocks of Kolomotu'a district for their contributions towards the creation of this 'ngatu'. We hope that this masterpiece will be appreciated by the people of Gunnedah to mark this auspicious event of the sisterly bond between our two cities."

The signing of a Sister City Agreement between Gunnedah Shire and Kolomotu’a is a handshake of friendship between the two regions, offering many opportunities.

A delegation of 18 business, community and Council representatives from Gunnedah visited Tonga in October 2022 to explore some of those opportunities and how to progress them.

The five-day visit included an audience with the Acting Prime Minister, a function at the Australian High Commissioner’s residence, meetings with Kolomotu’a Council, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rotary Tonga, the Tonga Institute of Science and Technology, the Australian Pacific Training Coalition and many more organisations.

“This is Tonga’s first Sister City Agreement and with this visit, we saw that Kolomotu’a is just as excited about the possibilities as we are,” Cr Chaffey said.

“We were absolutely blown away by the hospitality of not only Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho, but everyone we met throughout Tonga, from the school children who lost part of their school in this year’s tsunami, to the amazing women of Kolomotu’a and Council and government officials. It was an incredible honour.

“Our delegation went with one key objective – to better understand how to progress this relationship and to achieve our joint vision in signing this agreement. I believe we have done that and are now on the pathway to a bright future for both Gunnedah and Kolomotu’a.

“We are looking at partnerships in four key areas – arts and culture, sports, education, and employment and the economy.

“I congratulate the members of our diverse delegation who committed their own time and resources to seize this opportunity and who made direct links in Tonga that will lead to real benefits. They were wonderful ambassadors for Gunnedah.

“We have made great connections at all levels - with our friend Her Royal Highness the Princess, with the Australian High Commission in Tonga, with the Tongan Government, Kolomotu’a Council, training facilities, schools, sporting and community organisations and businesses.

“There is still plenty of hard work to be done, but we have come back full of drive, full of knowledge, and ready to explore some very practical ways forward.

“We thank the people of Kolomotu’a and Tonga from the bottom of our hearts, and know the two regions will be stronger together.”

2025 Australia Day Awards 

6.30PM, SATURDAY, 25 JANURAY 2025

The Civic Theatre, Chandos Street, Gunnedah

2025 Australia Day Program

16 May, 2022

Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on businesses to ensure they have approval for displaying goods and signage or offering outdoor dining on the footpath.

To support the local economy during difficult times, Council has waived the fee for Street Trading and Outdoor Dining applications since 2019, and has adopted the NSW Outdoor Policy, which waives Council and state government agency fees for businesses that obtain a permit under the policy.

However, a recent audit found that only one of 33 businesses and food outlets engaged in street trading or outdoor dining had a current approval from Council.

Council’s Planning and Environmental Services Director Andrew Johns said under The Local Government Act 1993 and Roads Act 1993, councils were required to regulate street vending and outdoor dining (footpaths) activity in NSW to ensure pedestrians and vehicles were able to move about freely and safely.

“Gunnedah has a buzzing, vibrant CBD, however, it is important that businesses are complying with the legislation that is in place to ensure community safety,” Mr Johns said.

“We recognise that a lot of people with mobility and visual challenges use the building line to navigate the CBD, and Council’s Footpath Occupation Policy supports this objective.

“While we want to encourage our businesses to make the most of the additional trading and dining space that the footpath can offer, we still have a responsibility to ensure that businesses are complying for the safety of their customers and the community.”

Over coming weeks, Council will engage with businesses directly and indirectly to ensure that relevant businesses have the required approval.

In the new financial year, Council’s Regulatory Services team are looking to enforce the legislation and businesses that are not compliant may face further action.

To complete a Street Trading (excluding Footpath Dining), visit https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/council/council-information/all-council-application-forms or contact Gunnedah Shire Council on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au.

To apply for a Street Trading Dining application, visit Service NSW via https://mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au/crsb/od.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

Council works with NSW Police, Gunnedah Shire Crime Prevention Working Group and community groups, sports clubs and other partners to conduct community safety and crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) audits of public spaces. A safety or CPTED audit is an assessment of spaces that considers the intended use of the space and how people move about, lighting, pathways and connectivity, public amenities, maintenance, accessibility, natural surveillance, sightlines, signage and the general perceptions of safety by users of the spaces, to name a few. Audits also consider the level of vandalism, graffiti, illegal dumping and other illicit activity that may be occurring in the space, with audit recommendations used by teams across Council to influence urban planning and to determine how best to enhance safety across the Shire. These audits are a proven method to reduce crime and fear of crime by changing a property's physical environment. If you know of a space where safety could be enhanced, please contact Council’s Community and Social Planner via email on council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

Nominations are invited from interested members of the Gunnedah Shire community for positions on the Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group:

• School based representatives
• Volunteer Groups, such as Service Clubs
• Community Representatives

To initiate, progress, foster and capitalize upon existing and targeted Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships both nationally and internationally. The working group will facilitate this by bringing together local schools, volunteer and cultural groups, business and other interested parties to maximize the benefits arising from existing agreements and to consider the targeted, strategic addition of new alliances.

Objectives that the working group aims to:

• Extend the hand of friendship interstate, nationally and internationally to the mutual benefit of all parties;
• Facilitate an understanding between people and cultures;
• Bring together similar interest groups in each ‘city’;
• Provide a forum for the exchange of sister city or friendly relationship experiences and through facilitation maximise the opportunities to capitalise on the agreements;
• Facilitate networking and the making of contacts across a geographical boundaries through all sectors of the community; and
• Develop economic, trade, cultural, educational and other beneficial exchanges.

Only urgent matters with the support of members will be considered without three days notice.

Download a Nomination Form here or obtain on from Council’s Customer Service Team, 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah. Please submit your nomination form to council@infogunnedah.com.au by COB on Friday 29 April 2022.

Further information on the Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Working Group may be obtained from Gunnedah Shire Council by contacting Mrs Tracy McIlveen, Executive Assistant on 02 6740 2100.

March 17, 2022

NSW Councillors to receive superannuation

Gunnedah Shire Councillors will receive superannuation payments following legislative changes that take effect from July 1, 2022.
A report to the March Council Meeting noted it was Local Government New South Wales’ (LGNSW) long-held view that payments made to councillors in NSW did not fairly and adequately compensate them for the work they performed, and the ongoing growth in their roles and accountabilities. LGNSW contributed to the Local Government Amendment Act 2021 (NSW) which allowed for councillors to be paid a superannuation contribution payment in addition to their annual fee.
The report noted the amount of the payment would be at the same rate that applied to Council employees.
Employment Zone changes to go on public exhibition
Changes to the employment zones in Gunnedah will go on public exhibition for community feedback.

Employment Zone changes to go on public exhibition

Employment zone reform by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment has meant the existing “Business” and “Industrial” zones have been replaced by five new employment zones – local centre, commercial centre, productivity support, general industrial and heavy industrial – and three supporting zones – mixed use, working waterfront and enterprise.
Gunnedah Shire Council’s Department of Planning and Environment have revised the current zones and drafted zone changes in the Employment Zones Translation Detail, which will be on public exhibition for six weeks.
The NSW employment zone reform aims to allow greater flexibility in determining the type of business activities allowed on local sites.

New plaque design for CWA

The CWA of New South Wales is celebrating 100 years of service in 2022 and the Gunnedah and Tambar Springs Associations are looking to commemorate the occasion with the installation of four memorial plaques in Gunnedah Shire.

In line with Council policy, the design for the plaques are being put on public exhibition for comment.

The plaques are proposed to be installed at the Tambar Memorial Shelter and Tambar Community Hall, along with two in Conadilly Street on public seating between the Cenotaph and the Town Hall.

To take a look at the design, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Caption: The proposed design for plaques to commemorate the CWA’s 100 year of service.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740 2100.

February 21, 2022

New animal impound shelter approved

The development application for a new animal impound shelter in Gunnedah has been approved.

Gunnedah Shire Council this week approved the application for new facilities at the existing site adjacent to the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility on Quia Road.

The concept design includes shelter and exercise runs for 18 dogs, a dedicated cattery, office space, public reception area, veterinary treatment room and free range exercise yards.

The project will be partly funded through a $388,909 grant in Phase Two of the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LCRI) program. It will create a modern facility to allow Council’s Regulatory Services Team to assist in micro-chipping animals, deliver responsible pet ownership programs and work with rescue organisations to provide more options for animal rehoming.

Support for community organisations, services and events

Gunnedah Shire Council approved a number of recommendations to assist community organisations and events at the February Council meeting.

Council has again agreed to meet the costs of the hire of Donnelly Fields for the COVID-19 testing clinic.
In late 2021, Council met the $4,183.73 costs of hire of Donnelly Fields and Council’s staff assistance for the clinic. Since that time, further costs have been incurred by Laverty Pathology for the same purpose.

Gunnedah Shire Council will also make a contribution of $2,550 to Laverty Pathology to offset costs of hire and staff assistance for October to December 2021, with a further contribution of up to $12,000 for the remainder of the year if needed.

Council will also contribute up to $2,627 of in-kind support for the Gunnedah Show Society’s Annual Country Music Muster. This includes chair hire, bin hire, delivery and collection of chairs, cleaning of hall and the waiving of additional hire of venue for set-up.

The Annual Country Music Muster will be held at the Gunnedah Showground on March 22 to 27, 2022.

Council has agreed to cover up to $1,582 of usage and licence fees associated with Riding for Disabled Association Gunnedah Centre’s activities at the Gunnedah Showground.

This not-for-profit organisation is run by volunteers and provides horse-riding opportunities for disabled children and adults.

At the February meeting, Gunnedah Shire Council also agreed to meet the $588 cost for the provision of traffic management services to allow the RSL Sub Branch to install the 8th Division Memorial Plaques along Eighth Division Memorial Avenue.

The Gunnedah RSL Sub Branch is a not-for-profit organisation, run by volunteers, which provides the ongoing maintenance and preservation of the valued war memorial sites within the Gunnedah District.

Council will provide support of $4,500 towards Gunnedah Rotary’s Heritage Street Plaque Program.

This is a continuation of the program that has already seen a number of plaques installed in Gunnedah. The plaques under consideration recognise the significant buildings in Gunnedah’s central business district.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.