Gunnedah Shire Council is celebrating the work of local councils and the people who deliver essential community services as part of NSW Local Government Week, from 3 to 9 August.
One of 128 local councils in NSW, Gunnedah Shire Council employs more than 200 full-time equivalent staff and manages a budget of more than $69 million.
Council is also delivering major projects across the Shire, including the Koala Sanctuary, automation and solar upgrades at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex, expansion of the landfill at the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility and an upgrade of the Sewerage Treatment Plant.
Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller said figures from the 2025–26 financial year demonstrated the breadth of Council’s work.
“GoCo Community Care delivered 5,850 meals and undertook 10,318 community transport trips,” she said.
“They also delivered 60,445 hours of support, and I’m delighted to share that GoCo’s oldest client is 103 years old!
“Council also approved development applications totalling an estimated $8,359,712 in new residential and rural developments, including dwellings and dual occupancies, in addition to an estimated $18,049,239 in new commercial/industries.
“This included 20 new residential development approvals and 12 new commercial/industrial development approvals.”
Fuller said Gunnedah Shire Library remained popular with residents, who borrowed 15,677 items and attended 653 events during the year.
“A highlight for the Library team was winning the NSW Public Libraries Association’s Library Services Award for the intergenerational program Make It!” she said.
“Over in Customer Service, the team created 6,599 Customer Service Requests, and at our waste facilities, 5,919 tonnes of waste were diverted from landfill to recycling.
“I also have a fun fact to share –2,177 Chupa Chups were sold at The Civic’s candy bar.”
Council is marking Local Government Week with a series of short video interviews on Facebook and Instagram highlighting the contribution of staff, the different roles they perform and why they have chosen to work in local government.
“We recognise that our people are our greatest asset, and Local Government Week is a great reminder that we both work and live in this wonderful community and support the Shire to grow and progress into the future,” Fuller said.
Council also invited young people from across the Shire to take part in its Mayor for a Day program.
On Tuesday, St Mary’s College Year 11 student Katie Spinks and The Armidale School Year 12 student Steven Walters met Deputy Mayor Kate McGrath and representatives of the Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce.
They shared morning tea with current and former Council trainees and apprentices, visited Council facilities including the works depot and Gunnedah Waste Management Facility, and toured the Koala Sanctuary.
“Katie and Steven were able to see the Gunnedah Regional Saleyards from the catwalk on sale day, meet our furry friends at the Gunnedah Animal Impound Facility, and plant a eucalyptus tree near the administration building at the Koala Sanctuary,” Fuller said.
“It was a pleasure to host Katie and Steven at Council and give them an understanding of what we do day-to-day to support and grow the Shire.
“Both students expressed their surprise at how many different career pathways there are in councils, and traineeships, apprenticeships and cadetship are a fantastic way to get started in local government.”
Council has engaged 21 apprentices and trainees and is investigating opportunities to offer more traineeships, apprenticeships and cadetships.
Four trainees and one apprentice are funded through the Fresh Start for Local Government arrangement, while Council funds an additional five trainees and one apprentice.
In 2026, three existing operational staff were enrolled as Water Operations trainees and five as Civil Construction trainees.
A new trainee will start at GoCo in August, while a new town planner cadet will join the Community and Development team in November.
“Gunnedah Shire Council is committed to cultivating future leaders and community professionals through training, mentorship and career development opportunities,” Fuller said.
“So come and find your career in your community.”
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