22 November 2024

Gunnedah Shire Council has endorsed two important documents showing the breadth of work carried out in Gunnedah Shire over the past few years.

Councillors yesterday endorsed the Annual Report 2023/24, as well as the State of our Shire Report 2021/2024 that documents the progress of implementation and the effectiveness of the Community Strategic Plan during the previous term of Council.

The Gunnedah Shire Council Annual Report 2023/24 includes details of a capital works program of $58.2 million in partnership with the state and federal governments. Council leveraged a total of $30.3 million in state and federal funding to complement $27.8 million in Council funding on capital works during this time.

“It’s been a busy and challenging year for our Shire,” Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Colleen Fuller said. “We have been lucky enough to have had continued population and business growth, and a number of major projects underway.

“The past year has been one of consolidation and building towards greater sustainability.”

Among the major projects are the $22.7 million Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary (98% of which is being funded through grants and contributions, alongside $559,752 in Council expenditure) and the $28 million Gunnedah Regional Saleyards Redevelopment (87% of which is being funded through grants and contributions, alongside $3.7 million in Council expenditure).

Landmark events during the 2023/24 financial year included the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference and the Get Ready and Resilience Expo.

“Our vision is for a prosperous, caring and proud community reflected in the achievements of the people,” Cr Fuller said. “This Annual Report shows our Shire has come a long way towards achieving that vision, and is looking towards a fiscally responsible future in which Council continues to build on the wonderful lifestyle our community enjoys today.

“Through efficiencies over the past few years, Council has managed to absorb some of the ongoing cost creep, cost-shifting and escalating costs all NSW Councils are facing, and through our conversation with the community surrounding a Special Rate Variation, we are looking to ensure we can continue to provide the services and infrastructure our community wants and needs.”

The Gunnedah Shire Council State of our Shire Report 2021-2024 reports on Council’s progress in implementing the Community Strategic Plan during the 2021-2024 term of Council.

The Community Strategic Plan, through Council’s focused Delivery Program and Operational Plans, includes four main themes – engaging and supporting the community, building our Shire’s economy, retaining our quality of life, and protecting and enjoying our beautiful surrounds. Council’s performance is measured against these themes.

The term of government included significant challenges, including the COVID19 pandemic, drought and repeated flooding.

“Despite these challenges, the State of our Shire Report shows Gunnedah Shire has continued to grow in every way,” Cr Fuller said.

Both documents are available to view on Gunnedah Shire Council’s website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au .