Council calls for detoxification centre

Part of what makes you put your hand up for a position as councillor is a commitment to working towards the best options and the availability of services for your community.

One of the services that our community has very limited access to is a drug and alcohol detoxification centre. People who need these services often face an extensive wait and a long journey.

Gunnedah Shire Council has written to the New South Wales Premier, the NSW Minister for Health and the Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson to support a call for the soon-to-be vacant Banksia building at the Tamworth Base Hospital to be used as a drug and alcohol detoxification centre.

Our community deserves access to these important services in a timely manner somewhere that is relatively close to their family and support system. It would also alleviate the heavy demand on services in Newcastle and other centres.

Council has joined the voices of those who are calling for this service, including Tamworth Regional Council, and looks forward to the day when this essential service is available closer to home.

One facility that is meeting the needs of our future is the redeveloped Gunnedah Regional Saleyards.

We are looking forward to the official opening of this important complex that has always been one of the state’s top-selling livestock centres.

The $27.2 million upgrade – including $23.7 million in funding from the NSW Government – includes a new administration building and buyers’ facility, new pens, a saleyard roof, and improvements to internal roads, lighting and site access.

The livestock industry has always been an integral part of Gunnedah shire, and this state-of-the-art facility means our region is ready for the opportunities and the challenges of the future.

A big congratulations too to the Kamilaroi Highway Group, including Gunnedah Shire Council, for winning the Borderless Communities Award at the 2025 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.

This important highway links the Hunter Valley with Outback New South Wales, and seven Councils have joined forces to promote the wonderful part of the world this highway runs through.

Council’s tourism team leader Nikki Robertson is secretary of the Kamilaroi Highway Group.

I would also like to congratulate council governance officer Sienna Miller who was a finalist in the Emerging Leader Category. Sienna is a valued member of council’s team and an inspiring role model for other young people.