Gunnedah Shire Council has taken significant steps at their bumper June meeting to plan for the future, adopting several key documents, finalising long-awaited master plans, and placing a series of community support measures and policies on public exhibition.
At its June Ordinary Council Meeting, Council endorsed its core planning documents for the coming years, including the 2025/26–2028/29 Delivery Program, the 2025/26 Operational Plan, and the 2025/26 Fees and Charges. The adoption of the Special Rate Variation, approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), was also confirmed.
Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller said these documents would provide a clear framework to guide Council’s priorities and decision-making. “The 2017–2019 Community Strategic Plan is a critical document that aligns Council’s priorities with the organisational vision and values that have been set in partnership with our community,” she said.
“This year, we also have the IPART-approved Special Rate Variation that looks to ensure Council’s financial sustainability and continued ability to provide services to the community. This, combined with the concerted effort to identify costs savings that has been ongoing and will continue into the future, is the responsible way to go forward.”
Councillors also adopted the new Development Control Plan 2025, a practical guide for development in the Shire. Developed in consultation with stakeholders including real estate agents, developers, environmental consultants and the Chamber of Commerce, the plan complements the Gunnedah Local Environmental Plan.
In another major decision, Council has adopted final Master Plans for the Gunnedah Showground and Riverine Precincts, following extensive community consultation. These precincts – which include Donnelly Fields, Namoi Fields and Woolshed Reserve – were among four identified for planning in 2023/24, along with Wolseley Park and Kitchener Park.
The final plans were presented to Council this week, incorporating community and stakeholder feedback and selecting “Option 1” for both precincts, as resolved in March. Recommended modifications have also been included.
“These Master Plans consider what is already in place in these areas that are so important to our community, include feedback from the people who use them and identify new opportunities for the future,” Cr Fuller said.
“They will be used to ensure the Gunnedah Showground and the Riverine Precinct are developed in a planned and future-forward way, and to assist when seeking funding for particular projects.”
Key features in the Showground plan include an upgraded main arena, improved netball facilities and a new multipurpose community building.
In addition to adopting strategic documents, Council placed a number of resolutions on public exhibition relating to community support and policy updates.
These include proposed fee subsidies for Gunnedah MS Incorporated for its October Fashion Parade and Christmas Fair; a fee waiver for the Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts’ Weeks of Speed event; and sponsorship of the Gunnedah Golf Club’s Junior Golf Open. All are open for public comment until 17 July 2025.
Council has also placed four revised policies on public exhibition, covering asbestos management, councillor expenses and facilities, meeting procedures, and the code of conduct. Submissions on these are also invited until 17 July.
Meanwhile, Council has endorsed two new members for the Gunnedah Shire Youth Working Group: Chelsea Riley and Yooralahni Griffiths of the Winanga-li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, taking the total number of members to 19.
Looking further ahead, road closures have been announced to support community events. Conadilly Street will be closed for the NAIDOC Community March on Monday 30 June, and Chandos Street will be closed for part of Saturday 21 June for the Multicultural Festival.
Councillors also unanimously supported a motion to write to the NSW Health Minister and local member calling for the urgent reinstatement of the helicopter pad at Gunnedah Hospital to allow air ambulance operations to continue.
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