Council highlights breadth of services in Local Government Week

GUNNEDAH Shire Council has highlighted the breadth of services it delivers to the community as part of NSW Local Government Week last week.

The council is one of 128 local councils in NSW and employs the equivalent of more than 200 full-time staff, manages a budget of more than $69m and oversees major projects including the Koala Sanctuary, Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex automation and solar upgrade, Gunnedah Waste Management Facility landfill expansion and the Sewerage Treatment Plant upgrade.

Gunnedah Shire mayor Colleen Fuller said figures from the 2025–26 financial year demonstrated the range of work undertaken by the council.

“GoCo Community Care delivered 5,850 meals and undertook 10,318 community transport trips,” she said.

“They also delivered 60,445 hours of support, and I’m delighted to share that GoCo’s oldest client is 103 years old.

“Council also approved development applications totalling an estimated $8,359,712 in new residential and rural developments, including dwellings and dual occupancies, in addition to an estimated $18,049,239 in new commercial/industries.

“This included 20 new residential development approvals and 12 new commercial/industrial development approvals.”

The Gunnedah Shire Library also remained a popular community service, with residents borrowing 15,677 items and attending 543 events during the financial year.

“A highlight for the library team was winning the NSW Public Libraries Association’s Library Services Award for the intergenerational program Make It!” Cr Fuller said.

“Over in customer service, the team created 6,599 customer service requests, and at our waste facilities, 5,919 tonnes of waste were diverted from landfill to recycling.

“I also have a fun fact to share – 2,177 Chupa Chups were sold at The Civic’s candy bar.”

The council marked Local Government Week by showcasing its staff through a series of short video interviews on Facebook and Instagram.

The videos explored the different roles staff undertake across local government and what motivates them to work in their community.

“We recognise that our people are our greatest asset, and Local Government Week is a great reminder that we both work and live in this wonderful community and support the shire to grow and progress into the future,” Cr Fuller said.

Young people in the Gunnedah Shire were also given an insight into local government through the Mayor for a Day program.

Year 11 St Mary’s College student Katie Spinks and year 12 The Armidale School student Steven Walters joined Cr Fuller for a day of activities, meeting deputy mayor Kate McGrath and the

Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce.

They also shared morning tea with current and former council trainees and apprentices, visited council facilities including the works depot and Gunnedah Waste Management Facility, and toured the koala sanctuary.

The students said they were surprised by the number of career pathways available through local government, including traineeships, apprenticeships and cadetships.

The council has engaged 21 apprentices and trainees and is continuing to investigate opportunities for additional traineeships, apprenticeships and cadetships.

Four trainees and one apprentice are funded under the Fresh Start for Local Government arrangement, while a further five trainees and one apprentice are funded by the council.

In 2026, three existing operational staff enrolled as water operations trainees and five existing operational staff enrolled as civil construction trainees.

A new trainee will start at GoCo in August, while a new town planner cadet will join the community and development team in November.

“Gunnedah Shire Council is committed to cultivating future leaders and community professionals through training, mentorship and career development opportunities,” Cr Fuller said.

“So come and find your career in your community.”