By Cr Colleen Fuller, Gunnedah Shire Council mayor
We’re amidst the busiest week in the year for Gunnedah Shire as the final day of AgQuip – the nation’s largest premier primary industry field days – unfolds.
Now in its 52nd year, ACM Rural Events’ field days draw thousands of visitors to our Shire to see the latest in technology and innovation.
AgQuip couldn’t be better placed – the Liverpool Plains is the heart of agriculture in the North West and we are very proud of what our region contributes to the nation and to the world.
I officially opened AgQuip on Tuesday alongside ACM’s general manager Craig Chapman, and it was great to see the crowds starting to pour in for this year’s event.
AgQuip is a key driver in agri-business and a welcome boost for our Shire’s economy as visitors fill our hotels, motels and caravan parks, and eat in our pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants.
While visitors are here, we hope they have taken the time to pop into our shops and boutiques, and explore our tourist attractions including the award-winning Dorothea Mackellar silo art.
Due to the influx of traffic, council has put in place a number of temporary road changes and council thanks local residents for their patience and understanding during this busy period. I would also like to thank council staff who have been working towards the event for some weeks by preparing the AgQuip site and Gunnedah Showground camping grounds, planning and organising traffic control, and repairing roads following the recent flood.
While we are on the topic of the flood, I’d like to thank NSW Reconstruction Authority for mobilising services so quickly to assist affected residents in the Gunnedah Local Government Area (LGA).
NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin announced a Natural Disaster Declaration for the Gunnedah LGA on August 8, which means support is now available for residents, businesses and primary producers affected by the recent severe weather from July 31 onwards.
Numerous services set up at the Gunnedah Salvation building in Tempest Street over three days last week to practically help and support locals who needed it.
I’d also like to thank Gunnedah Trade Waste for jumping on the task of delivering skip bins swiftly to flood-affected areas to aid residents in cleaning up.
Council’s economic impact survey is open until tomorrow, so I urge businesses in the Gunnedah LGA to complete the short survey on the effects of the August flood event on the business community.
The information council receives from the business community may help future grant funding applications from our region; trigger more government support; and support producers and business owners seeking their own grants and loans for damage and business interruption.
Council would appreciate businesses taking a few minutes this week to record their estimated or actual costs due to loss of revenue, and damage to crops or inventory.
There are more than 1500 businesses in the Gunnedah shire and we are hoping to hear from everyone.
The survey will close at 5pm on Friday, August 22 and is available on council’s website: www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.
