A message from Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey

August 24, 2021

As lockdown continues across regional NSW, I would like to thank Gunnedah Shire residents for their commitment and support for each other as we adjust to life at home.

By following the restrictions we are giving ourselves the best chance of getting through this quickly, helping to ensure the health of ourselves, our families and our region.

This is a difficult but necessary step in safeguarding our community against COVID-19, and on behalf of Gunnedah Shire Council I thank residents for their understanding as Council services remain closed to in-person visitors during this time.

Council will remain in the orange stage of our COVID-19 response strategy while the stay-at-home orders remain in place. Our teams are still working hard behind the scenes and our friendly Customer Service team is available over the phone on (02) 6740 2100 to assist with any enquiries.

I would also like to pass on my appreciation to the community of Gunnedah for coming out in large numbers for testing and clinic staff for their hard work at this busy time. If you have any symptoms at all, please get tested to help keep our community safe.

Pleasingly sewage surveillance testing has now commenced in Gunnedah, and Council’s Water Services team are working with NSW Health to ensure samples are sent to Sydney for analysis on a weekly basis. We were relieved to see the first test results come back with no detection of virus fragments.

Our focus is quickly switching gears as health authorities look to speed up the vaccination rollout. There are multiple options for obtaining a vaccine here in Gunnedah, with our two local pharmacies now on-board taking bookings Monday to Friday. We have also been working with our State Member and Hunter New England Health to secure local vaccination clinics, which will commence this Saturday and continue over the next few weeks in Gunnedah, Carroll, Curlewis and Tambar Springs.

The vaccine is key to our recovery and is the best way to protect yourself and the health of your family and community. Evidence shows us the fastest way back to life without lockdown is through vaccination, and this is vital for our mental, physical and economic wellbeing.  I urge all residents to contact your GP or pharmacist to book in for your vaccination, or make a booking through NSW Health for one of the upcoming clinics on (02) 6741 8000.

Our business community is also feeling the impact of this lockdown and need our support. Whether it's for meal deliveries, shopping, professional services or some maintenance on your home or place of work, consider how you can support your community and go local first.

And finally, we have been living with restrictions, separated from friends and family for some time now and that can take a toll on our wellbeing. It’s important we continue to take care of one another, check in with our loved ones and ask for help if we need it.

For more information about COVID-19, visit or call:

ENDS

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