By Cr Colleen Fuller

The past couple of weeks have marked some important milestones for Gunnedah shire.

The $27.4 million Gunnedah Regional Saleyards Redevelopment officially opened on June 17, with an impressive yarding of 3,000 cattle on the day.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty officially opened the impressive upgrade to the facility that was funded by $23,708,927 from the NSW Government with Gunnedah Shire Council contributing $3,750,833.

More than 100,000 head of cattle are sold annually through the saleyards, generating more than $120 million. It is an important part of our economy and lifestyle, and this redevelopment ensures we are well placed for that role to continue into the future.

On the same day, Minister Moriarty also turned the first sod for the third stage of the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary. The beautiful sanctuary now features a completed main building with a koala hospital, learning auditorium and cafe, landscaping and koala enclosures.

Stage three will include five safari-style tents, 14 powered sites, picnic areas, caretaker and volunteer accommodation and a bush tucker garden.

The NSW Government is providing $8 million towards this stage.

The $22.664 million project has been made possible thanks to $20,104,248 from the NSW Government, $2 million from Whitehaven, and $559,752 from Gunnedah Shire Council.

At the June Council meeting last week, we also adopted key documents that will guide the way forward for council, including the 2017-2019 Community Strategic Plan, the 2025/26-2028/29 Delivery Program, the Operational Plan 2025/26 and the Fees and Charges 2025/26. Council also endorsed the adoption of the Special Rate Variation as approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

The documents had been on public exhibition for five weeks over April and May, 2025.

Councillors also endorsed Master Plans for Gunnedah Showground and the Riverine Precinct (which includes Donnelly Fields, Namoi Fields and the Woolshed Reserve).

These Master Plans have been developed after extensive community and stakeholder engagement, and provide a clear vision for the future development and operation of those areas.

Council can now seek to secure funding for proposed improvements to the Showground and Riverine precincts.

We are heading towards NAIDOC Week from July 6 to July 13.

This is an important week in the national calendar when Australia celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In Gunnedah Shire, one of the events organised by the NAIDOC Committee is the NAIDOC Unity Street March on Monday, June 30. Everyone is invited to join the march and to create banners of unity to show the spirit of Gunnedah.

The march will gather at 9am at Abbott Street and kick off from 9.30am. People can register by contact the Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council.

This will also mean that there are road closures on that day. Conadilly Street will be closed on Monday, June 30 from 6am to 12pm between Abbott Street and just past Chandos Street. Parts of Abbott and Chandos streets will be included in the closure.

The timing of the march on the Monday will allow schools to take part in this event taking place within the Gunnedah community.

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