NSW · North West Slopes · Local council, made simple
Gunnedah Shire Council
A large rural council on the Namoi River in North West NSW — around 13,400 people across Gunnedah town and villages like Curlewis, Carroll, Breeza, Mullaley and Tambar Springs, on an agricultural economy of cropping, livestock and some coal mining. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, parks, development — and sets your rates, which are rising significantly under an IPART-approved Special Rate Variation through 2025–27. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
IPART-approved Special Rate Variation: 37.67% cumulative over 2025–27
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG benchmarks; large rate rise underway (2025–27)
Open →Crime & safetyGunnedah's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
10 of 12 major offences above the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Colleen Fuller (Independent)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 6740 2100
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~13,392 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
11 updatesAuto-collected from Gunnedah Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Waste
NEW Kerbside Collection Changes
NEW Kerbside Collection Changes
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
EVERYDAY LIVINGLife in Gunnedah
EVERYDAY LIVINGLife in Gunnedah
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Water Information & Restrictions
Water Information & Restrictions
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Church & Community Groups
Church & Community Groups
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Recycling & Reducing Waste
Recycling & Reducing Waste
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Waste & Illegal Dumping
Waste & Illegal Dumping
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Livestock & Other Animals
Livestock & Other Animals
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Libraries in the Shire
Libraries in the Shire
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council adopts 2026–27 budget with about $24m in capital works
Following public exhibition, elected members endorsed the 2026–27 Operational Plan at their June 2026 meeting. It projects roughly $66 million in total expenditure, about $24 million of it capital works focused on road resheeting, stormwater asset renewal and pavement work, and a budgeted $2.7 million deficit in the second year of the approved rate variation.
What this means for you: The adopted plan sets out what the council will spend on services and infrastructure in the year ahead, including where road and stormwater renewal work is prioritised.
Source: Gunnedah Times — Capital works of $24m expected in adopted budget
- Policy
$439,815 federal grant for solar upgrades at council facilities
Gunnedah Shire Council was one of 66 local governments nationally selected for the Community Energy Upgrades Fund, receiving $439,815 (matched by the council) toward solar and energy-efficiency works at the Memorial Pool Complex, the Sewerage Treatment Plant and the Number 8 Bore.
What this means for you: About $879,630 of solar and energy-efficiency works at three council-run sites are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, aimed at cutting the council's energy costs over time.
Source: Gunnedah Times — Major boost for shire solar projects
- Policy
IPART approves 37.67% cumulative rate rise for Gunnedah Shire
IPART approved Gunnedah Shire Council's Special Rate Variation application: a permanent cumulative increase of 37.67% over two years (2025–26 and 2026–27) — 32.25% for Residential, Business and Farmland categories and 85.13% for the Mining category. The council cited financial sustainability and the gap between the standard rate peg and rising costs.
What this means for you: Most ratepayers will see a larger-than-usual rates increase phased in across 2025–26 and 2026–27, on top of what the standard rate peg alone would have allowed. It applies to the rates portion of the bill, not the separate waste, water and sewerage charges.
Source: IPART — Media Release: IPART Decisions on Council Special Variation Applications
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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Gunnedah Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.