July 21, 2022
New faces for committees
At the July Gunnedah Shire Council meeting, a number of new faces were appointed to committees.
Council resolved to appoint Les Hullick as an independent member of the Audit Committee for the remaining term of Council, and approved the reappointment of Grahame Marchant as the chairperson of that committee.
Both Mr Hullick and Mr Marchant were appointed based on their background and suitability for the Audit Committee, which is a Gunnedah Shire Council committee.
Council also endorsed Jasmine Alloway of Gunnedah Workshop Enterprises as a community representative on the Gunnedah Shire Access Working Group that aims to identify and prioritise options for improvement to access in public areas of the Gunnedah Shire owned and managed by Council. The committee also provides input on access matters associated with Council infrastructure projects, promotes awareness of safe and accessible community amenities, and supports the progression and implementation of the Gunnedah Shire Disability Inclusion Action Plan.
Raelee Bruce has been endorsed as the community representative for the Gunnedah Shire Community Safety Conference Working Group. This group has been established to deliver the Community Safety Conference in Gunnedah.
On the Gunnedah Housing Working Group, Ben Hennessy, John Harford, Rob Walters and Michael Broekman have been endorsed as community representatives. This new working group provides a unique opportunity for representatives to become actively involved in improving housing availability and affordability in the Shire.
Land sale recovers unpaid debts
The recent public auction of land in Gunnedah Shire with unpaid rates has led to the recovery of outstanding rates and charges.
Fifteen properties were sold on Friday, May 22 this year after every effort failed to recover rates and charges that had remained unpaid for more than five years.
The properties were in Tambar Springs, Breeza, Curlewis and Gunnedah.
The sale recovered a total of $151,892.48 in outstanding rates and charges.
As stipulated in the Local Government Act 1993, surplus funds from the auction of properties with outstanding debts are held with Council’s Trust Fund pending discharge to persons having interest in the properties. Where no claim is forthcoming, the balance of sale proceeds is remitted to the State Government in accordance with the Unclaimed Moneys Act.
Management of Feral and/or Infant Animals Policy on public exhibition
Gunnedah Shire Council has placed on public exhibition a Draft Policy for the Management of Feral and/or Infant Animals.
Section 64(2) of the Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW) provides for a Council to adopt a policy in relation to the management of feral or infant animals, specifically relating to the humane euthanasia of seized or surrendered feral and infant animals before the end of any statutory holding period set out in Section 64(1) of the Act.
The policy allows for humane euthanasia in situations where the animal has been severely injured, diseased or requires intensive care that cannot be provided at the time. All other avenues are explored and animals in these circumstances are assessed by an experienced staff member and a vet.
The draft policy is available for viewing here.
It will also be available for 28 days at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or in hardcopy at the Council Administration Building in Elgin Street, the Civic and Gunnedah Shire Library. Feedback can be submitted to council@infogunnedah.com.au with the subject line “Draft Policy for the Management of Feral and/or Infant Animals”.
ENDS
For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s media team on (02) 6740
