17 March, 2023

Council to put seven motions to National General Assembly

Gunnedah Shire Council this week resolved to submit seven motions to the 2023 National General Assembly of Local Government to be held in June in Canberra.

The motions are:

1. That the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) calls on the Federal Government to remove restrictions preventing the development of Nuclear Energy as a viable option in the production of base load electricity following the decommissioning of coal fired power stations throughout Australia.
2. That the ALGA calls on the Commonwealth Government to conduct an urgent review into the Local Government (Financial Assistance Grant) Act 1995 and the basis on which grant funding for roads is allocated, to create a more equitable approach to allocations and one that recognises the significant infrastructure managed by local government in the rural, regional and remote regions of Australia.
3. That the ALGA calls on the Commonwealth Government to delay any cut or suspension of the current fuel excise tax arrangements until such time as a genuine reform package can be legislated to replace the tax with a mechanism which distributes this vital road maintenance funding across all road users regardless of fuel type.
4. That the Federal Government conducts an audit of Regional Australia to determine which areas have mobile black spots and which areas don’t provide adequate data, so the problem can be identified and fixed.
5. (a) That Conference calls for a constitutional amendment, and policy amendments that mandates that the Board of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) action all motions that are successful at the Annual National General Assembly of Local Government.

(b) That Conference calls for the ALGA Board to except the change of NGA debating rules.

6. That the ALGA calls on the Federal Government to increase funding for Regional Airports.
7. That the ALGA calls on the Commonwealth Government to provide Regional Councils with an additional one-off Roads to Recovery grant equal to 50 percent of the annual funding for the maintenance, repair and renewal of roads.

Draft policies on public exhibition

Gunnedah Shire Council has three draft policies on public exhibition:

• Draft Policy – Councillor Expenses and Facilities
• Draft Policy – Procurement and Tendering and Statement of Business Ethics
• Draft Policy – Council Related Development Applications Conflict of Interest

The Draft Policy – Councillor Expenses and Facilities brings Gunnedah Shire Council’s policy in line with current costs, actual expenditure and similar councils with New South Wales. The policy ensures accountability and transparency in the reasonable and appropriate reimbursement of expenses and provision of facilities to councillors to help them undertake their civic duties.

The Draft Policy – Procurement and Tendering and Statement of Business Ethics is being updated to comply with changes in legislation that govern how Council must conduct procurement and tendering activities. The Procurement and Tendering Policy assists in ensuring compliance with legislation, achieving best value for money and transparency in procurement processes and the Statement of Business Ethics assists in ensuring suppliers are ethical, fair and consistent in their dealings with Council.

The Draft Policy – Council Related Development Applications Conflict of Interest addresses conflict of interests that may arise when Council is the developer, landowner or holds a commercial interest in land that is also regulated by Council. Development applications which fall into this category are proposed to be defined as “council-related development applications” within the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

These policies are available for review at Gunnedah Shire Council’s Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah, or online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

You can provide feedback by:

• Emailing council@infogunnedah.com.au with the name of the plan, policy or item in the subject line. Please include your name and contact details.
• Completing an online form via the Contact Us section of Council’s website.
• Posting your submission to Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah, 2380 or handing it over the counter at Council’s Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday, 14 April, 2023. 

Two names to join Naming and Public Acknowledgement Policy

The names of “Thew” and “Flett” will join Gunnedah Shire Council’s Naming of Public Infrastructure and Public Acknowledgement Policy.

Council received an application to register the name of Thew in honour of Kenneth H. Thew for his contribution to the development of Gunnedah’s retail and services sector. Ken and his wife Barbara and family moved to Gunnedah in 1955 and set up an accounting business. Ken and Barbara were also very involved in community life. Ken was an Alderman for the Gunnedah Municipal Council for 12 years.

Council also received an application to include the name Flett in recognition of Maurice (Tom) and Alice Flett for their contribution to Gunnedah’s infrastructure, farming and sporting sectors and the continued community participation of the family members. Tom drove and trained trotters and the Fletts were farmers who enjoyed farming competitions and sport.

The names will be added to the register but will need separate reports to Council if nominated for the naming of specific infrastructure.

Final funding approved for Pathways Connection Program

Council has approved an additional $520,000 to the Shared Pathways Connection Program for completion of the Riverine Urban Precinct and Riverine Stormwater Precinct pathways.

The Shared Pathway Connection Program has been under construction since January 2023, with extension of the path between the Namoi River and Mullibah Lagoon.

The project has been largely funded by the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program.

Proposed road closure

Gunnedah Shire Council is proposing to close part of the road reserve on Wean Road at Bluevale.

The section of road reserve is no longer used as a road following construction of a new section of Wean Road to smooth out a corner.

The proposal to close the road reserve will be on public exhibition for 28 days and is available on www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

You can provide feedback by:

• Emailing council@infogunnedah.com.au with the name of the plan, policy or item in the subject line. Please include your name and contact details.
• Completing an online form via the Contact Us section of Council’s website.
• Posting your submission to Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah, 2380 or handing it over the counter at Council’s Administration Building at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday, 14 April, 2023. 

Caption: Gunnedah Shire Council held its March ordinary meeting at the village of Tambar Springs.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.