Celebrating Local Government Week in Gunnedah Shire

August 4, 2021

This week Gunnedah Shire Council is celebrating Local Government Week and reflecting on the role Council plays in improving Gunnedah Shire as a place to live, work and visit.

Local Government Week, which this year runs from August 2 to August 8, is designed to showcase the wide variety of work councils do in their local communities. This year’s theme, ‘Locally Led,’ explores the important and far-reaching role council’s have as the hubs of their community and as local employers.

Mayor of Gunnedah Shire Cr Jamie Chaffey said though it was disappointing not to be able to run in person Local Government Week events due to COVID-19 restrictions, the week provided an opportunity to learn about the level of government closest to the community.

“Local Government Week provides a chance for people to discover just how much local government does and how they can become more involved in their own council,” Cr Chaffey said.

“In addition to essential services like roads, waste and water, Council operates a free local library, Visitors Information Centre, Cultural Precinct, provides spaces for community groups, administers grants, delivers aged care services through GoCo and maintains playgrounds and sporting fields.

“We also advocate for the interests of our community in planning matters and other issues that affect local liveability, sustainability, safety and amenity.

“Over the past few years Council has been focussed on building resilience following the drought and COVID-19 pandemic. In late 2018 we partnered with the NSW and Federal Governments to introduce a $3.2 million Community Resilience Program, helping fund 20 community projects and stimulate the economy during the drought.

“Last year we also introduced the Invigorate Gunnedah Community Resilience Business Recovery Package. Valued at more than $2 million, this initiative helped support recovery, rebuilding and revitalisation in the wake of COVID-19.

“I am so proud of our community and our Council, who have used Federal and State funding support wisely on projects that have helped to maintain jobs and keep money pumping through the local economy.

“During Local Government Week we will be sharing more about what Council’s teams have been up to, so check out our website and social pages to read more.”

Fast facts from Gunnedah Shire Council’s 2020-21 year:

150 Development Applications determined by Council’s Planning team, including 3 Regionally Significant Developments. 4,250 metres of water main replaced or extended in Gunnedah. 450 housebound deliveries conducted by the Gunnedah Shire Library team. 8,275 transport services conducted across the region by GoCo. 732 venue bookings at the Cultural Precinct. 8,539 visitors to the Civic Cinema, with 390 kilograms of corn kernels popped. Waste into Art was the most popular exhibition at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, with $1,050 in prize money awarded. The Gunnedah Wastewater Treatment Plant is now fully solar powered during daylight hours, following the installation of a 95 kW generator in 2020.

ENDS

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