Gunnedah Shire Council is celebrating the important work councils do every day and recognising the people who deliver the services our community relies on in NSW Local Government Week (3-9 August).
Gunnedah Shire Council is one of 128 local councils in NSW and employs a full-time equivalent of more than 200 staff, manages a budget of more than $69 million and is responsible for major projects including the Koala Sanctuary, Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex automation and solar upgrade, Gunnedah Waste Management Facility landfill expansion, and Sewerage Treatment Plant upgrade.
Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller said key statistics from the 2025/26 financial year illustrated the breadth of the work Council undertakes.
"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."
Mayor Fuller said the Gunnedah Shire Library remained popular with residents who borrowed 15,677 items and attended 543 events.
"A highlight for the Library team was winning the NSW Public Libraries Association's Library Services Award for the intergenerational program Make It!" she 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."
This week, Council is recognising the strong significance of staff contributions through a series of short video interviews on its Facebook and Instagram social media channels. These videos explore the different ways staff underpin local government and why they invest in their roles.
"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," Mayor Fuller said.
As part of Local Government Week, Council invited the Shire's young people to join Mayor Fuller for a day of activities through the Mayor for a Day program.
On Tuesday, Year 11 student Katie Spinks from St Mary's College and Year 12 student Steven Walters from The Armidale School met with Deputy Mayor Kate McGrath and the Gunnedah and District Chamber of Commerce, shared morning tea with present and past Council trainees and apprentices, visited Council facilities, including the works depot and Gunnedah Waste Management Facility, and undertook a site tour of the Koala Sanctuary.
"Katie and Steven were able to see the Gunnedah Regional Saleyards from the catwalk on sale day, meet our furry friends at the Gunnedah Animal Impound Facility, and plant a eucalyptus tree near the administration building at the Koala Sanctuary," Mayor Fuller said.
"It was a pleasure to host Katie and Steven at Council and give them an understanding of what we do day-to-day to support and grow the Shire.
"Both students expressed their surprise at how many different career pathways there are in councils, and traineeships, apprenticeships and cadetship are a fantastic way to get started in local government."
Council has engaged 21 apprentices and trainees and is continuing to investigate the potential for more traineeships, apprenticeships and cadetships.
Four trainees and one apprentice are funded under the Fresh Start for Local Government arrangement, and an additional five trainees and one apprentice are funded by Council. In 2026, three existing operational staff were enrolled as Water Operations trainees and five existing operational staff were enrolled as Civil Construction trainees.
One new trainee is starting at GoCo in August, and one new town planner cadet is joining 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," Mayor Fuller said.
"So come and find your career in your community."
Caption: Steven Walters and Katie Spinks try on the mayoral robes. They are pictured here with Mayor Colleen Fuller OAM outside Gunnedah Shire Council.
