First Meeting of the New Term for Newly Elected Council
It has been a busy time for Gunnedah and for the newly elected Gunnedah Shire Council.
In the first meeting of the new term, Council set the direction for economic development for the next five years with the adoption of the Gunnedah Shire Economic Development Strategy 2022-26.
Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the strategy was a document that would serve as a roadmap for economic development, and the document had been developed in close consultation with business and industry stakeholders and the community over the past 18 months.
“It is very exciting to see how our resilient community has not only coped with the challenges of the past few years, but has grown,” he said.
“We have more than 1500 businesses and 5000 jobs, and our unemployment rate has recovered to just 4.3% – back down to pre-Covid levels already.
“Gunnedah’s future is looking incredibly bright, and the Economic Development Strategy will help steer us. It concentrates on four key areas: promoting economic diversification, enabling prosperity through investment in strategic infrastructure, supporting micro-to-medium sized businesses, and promoting our appeal as a place to live, learn and prosper.
“We really look forward to working in partnership with the business and industry sector, the state and federal governments, and the community to help realise the 40 actions included within this strategy.”
You can take a look at the Gunnedah Shire Economic Development Strategy on Council’s website – www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au
Among Gunnedah’s strongest sectors is small businesses, with more than 1100 across the Shire. March is NSW Small Business Month, and Council has a full program of events under way that reflects the theme of “Rebuild, Recharge, Renew”.
“By helping to build the strength of our small businesses, we are building on the strength of our whole economy,” Cr Chaffey said.
“Our small businesses show the absolute diversity of skills and talent we have in our Shire and provide very valuable services and products.
“I encourage everyone who would like to build their business skills and knowledge to take a look at the Gunnedah Small Business Month calendar and make bookings at www.thecivic.com.au under “Live theatre and events”.”
Calling Local Businesses and Services to be part of Youth Expo
Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on local businesses and service providers to be part of the Gunnedah Youth Expo to be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.
The Gunnedah Youth Expo was very successful in 2021, featuring 30 exhibitors including tertiary education providers, health and community services and local businesses.
More than 250 young people visited the Expo, which is a joint initiative of Gunnedah Shire Council, Gunnedah Youth Interagency and NSW Youth Week.
Gunnedah Shire Council Manager of Customer and Community Relations Charlotte Hoddle said the Youth Expo provided the perfect opportunity to showcase the many opportunities that are open to young people who were just starting on their career path.
“There are so many advantages to opening young people’s eyes to the range of options available to them,” Ms Hoddle said.
“The Gunnedah Youth Expo is a great way to bring many of those options together in one place – whether it is further education, joining a service agency or discovering a trade.
“There are also advantages for the businesses who have a presence at the Expo. Whether they have apprenticeships available or are looking to employ people further down the track, it is important to let people know just how many different careers are open to them.
“Last year, we had five TAFE NSW mobile training units providing hands-on examples of industries like hairdressing, beauty, welding, engineering and hospitality.
“This free event is for youth aged 12-25, as well as parents or carers. There are giveaways and prizes to be won.”
Business and organisation who would like to register to be part of the event can complete the online form located at https://gsc2380.wufoo.com/forms/2022-youth-expo-stall-holder-registration-form/ by Friday 25 March 2022 at 5pm.
Exhibiting at the Youth Expo is free, and a trestle table and two chairs will be provided. Powered stalls are available on request.
Youth Expo is the highlight event of Youth Week in Gunnedah Shire. The aim of NSW Youth Week is to celebrate young people and the contributions they make to their local communities. NSW Youth Week 2022 will run from 4 -14 April 2022. The theme for 2022 is ‘It’s up to YOU’th’.
