What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Gunnedah Shire's direction is set out in its 2017–2027 Community Strategic Plan (reviewed and re-adopted June 2025), 'Together We Achieve Great Things', delivered through a four-year Delivery Program and annual Operational Plan and budget — currently shaped heavily by a major, IPART-approved rate rise aimed at financial sustainability.
The council manages local roads, water and sewer, waste, parks and planning across a large rural LGA on the Namoi River, with an economy built on agriculture (cropping, cattle, sheep, pigs) and coal mining. The Community Strategic Plan is built around four themes: Engaging and supporting the Community; Building our Shire's Economy; Retaining our Quality of Life; and Protecting and Enjoying our Beautiful Surrounds.
Following a permanent, IPART-approved Special Rate Variation (37.67% cumulative for most rating categories over 2025–26 and 2026–27), the council's adopted 2026–27 Operational Plan projects roughly $66 million in total expenditure, around $24 million of it capital works, against a budgeted $2.7 million deficit.
Underway now
Special Rate Variation — financial sustainability
2025–26 and 2026–27 (IPART approved 16 May 2025)IPART approved a permanent, cumulative rate increase of 37.67% over two years: 32.25% (21.80% above the standard rate peg) for Residential, Business and Farmland categories, and 85.13% (64.33% above the peg) for the Mining category. The council said the rise was needed to address financial sustainability and maintain infrastructure and service levels amid the rate peg, cost shifting and rising expenses.
Source: IPART — Media Release: IPART Decisions on Council Special Variation Applications
Community Energy Upgrades Fund — solar for council facilities
Announced Jan 2026, works expected complete by end 2026The Australian Government's Community Energy Upgrades Fund is contributing $439,815, matched by the council, for solar and energy-efficiency projects at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex, the Gunnedah Sewerage Treatment Plant and the Number 8 Bore on Orange Grove Road — about $879,630 of work in total.
Source: Gunnedah Times — Major boost for shire solar projects
2026–27 Operational Plan — infrastructure renewal
Adopted June 2026 (FY2026–27)The council's 2026–27 Operational Plan, endorsed following public exhibition, prioritises infrastructure renewal — road resheeting, stormwater asset renewal and pavement work — within a budget of roughly $66 million total expenditure and about $24 million in capital works, in the second year of the approved Special Rate Variation.
Source: Gunnedah Times — Capital works of $24m expected in adopted budget