Water the hot topic in Gunnedah

• Andrew McConville, CEO, Murray–Darling Basin Authority

• Cr Shari Blumer, national president, Murray Darling Association

• Brendan Guiney, executive officer, NSW Water Directorate

• Dr Madeleine Hartley, CEO, NSW Irrigators’ Council

Many thanks to these speakers for travelling such a long way to be a part of this important initial meeting, and also those in attendance including mayor of Inverell Shire Council Kate Dight, deputy mayor of Forbes Shire Council Chris Roylance and Shari Blumer, national president of the Murray Darling Association and Griffith City councillor.

The forum was interactive, and the messaging was clear – we must present a united front to the MDBA, backed with data, on the changes needed in the plan to enable our regions to flourish. And this is the time to do it. This is our once-in-a-decade opportunity.

Council will prepare a comprehensive submission as part of the review, focusing on community stability, economic resilience, local service sustainability and investment certainty. To make your own submission, visit the MDBA website.

Gunnedah Shire is racing into autumn with the 2026 Whitehaven Weeks of Speed. The festival, supported by Gunnedah Shire Council, jumpstarted with the Drag-ens Drag Safari at Gunnedah Airport on Tuesday and there is plenty to see heading into the weekend, including the annual Tractor Trek, Show ‘n’ Shine, hot rod, model aeroplanes and glider display, and the all-day Sinker to Shotgun open carp fishing competition at Lake Keepit.

I look forward to seeing all the visitors in our shops and cafes and I welcome the atmosphere this popular motorsport festival creates as we head into the cooler season. To see the full program, go to the Visit Gunnedah website, pop in and see the team at the Visitor Information Centre, or check the Weeks of Speed Facebook page.

Weeks of Speed is also one of the three items on public exhibition following the February ordinary council meeting:

· Big Bold Swim

· Gunnedah Weeks of Speed

· Revised Medical Professionals Accommodation Support Policy

The Big Bold Swim refers to whether council should support Josie Gallagher as she participates in a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Trials Group, and the Weeks of Speed item is in relation to the Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts’ involvement in Weeks of Speed.

Council’s revised Medical Professionals Accommodation Support Policy is a document that governs the allocation of council-owned accommodation and the provision of rental subsidies; and supports council’s broader objective of maintaining access to essential health services in a rural context where workforce and housing constraints are well recognised.

This is an opportunity for residents to share their thoughts on one of the ways we support medical professionals in our town.

The full details of the three exhibition items can be viewed in-person at 63 Elgin Street and online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Submissions should be received no later than 5pm on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

I’ll leave you with an upcoming highlight for our community – Sunday marks 115 years of International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD, held annually on March 8, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and marks a call to action for advancing gender equality.

The 2026 theme is ‘Give to Gain’ – a worldwide call to contribute by sharing our knowledge and our encouragement. This is key in regional areas and forms foundations for community. In the Shire, we share our resources, our time and our talents to better our community, and there are so many wonderful women to recognise and value.

I hope you will take the time to celebrate the women in your life and the role they play in our families, in our homes, in our workplaces and in our communities.

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