Gwydir Shire Council

ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 30 June 2009

“To be the recognised leader in Local Government through continuous learning and sustainability”

Executive Summary

• Gwydir Shire Council continues as a learning organisation

• The Gwydir Learning Region (GLR) changed its structure during 2008/2009 and set its sights on raising its profile and its influence nationally. 

• The Council is now represented on the Board of the Australian Learning Communities Network Inc.

• The GLR concept has been promoted by various members of Council’s staff at conferences and seminars during the year such as the Rural Education Forum Australia held at Dubbo in September 2008.

• The GLR has developed a very close relationship with the Department of Education and Training and continue to meet regularly with representatives of the Department and the Teachers Federation. 

• Gwydir Shire Council supports the concept of the GLR by example.  During the 2008/2009 period Council signed up its 100th trainee.

New Council

The Local Government elections were held on 13th September 2008.  All six of the inaugural Councillors who stood for re-election were re-elected, with Cr Mark Coulton, Cr John Wearne and Cr Doug Clark retiring.  Mrs Angela Doering, Mr Rod King and Mr Claude Nichols were elected in their place. Mr King was previously an elected Councillor on the former Bingara Shire Council.

The new Council formed was:

Mayor Bob Tremain
Deputy Mayor David Rose
Cr Catherine Egan
Cr Peter Caskey
Cr Clem Gordon
Cr Peter Pankhurst
Cr Angela Doering
Cr Rod King; and
Cr Claude Nichols

Click on the links below for a record of Councillor’s attendance at Council meetings, training and workshops.

Quarter 1: September to December 2008 (pdf - 7.3KB)
Quarter 2: January to March 2009 (pdf - 7.3KB)
Quarter 3: April to June 2009 (pdf - 7.6KB)
Quarter 4: July to September 2009 (pdf - 8.3KB)

This new Council faced many challenges and a degree of inner turmoil over the reporting period. 

On 14th April Cr Gordon resigned.  As a result a by-election was held on 11th July with Cr John Coulton being elected.

In an effort to refocus and move forward positively, Council reaffirmed its strategic direction by readopting its Vision, Values and Mission Statement at its April Ordinary Meeting.  This important document states:

GWYDIR SHIRE COUNCIL’S

VISION STATEMENT
To be the recognised leader in Local Government through continuous learning and sustainability

MISSION
To ensure that the Council's long term role is viable and sustainable by meeting the needs of our residents in a responsible caring way, attract sustainable development while maintaining the traditional rural values, character and culture of our people

COUNCIL’S VALUES

FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND VISITORS:
We will provide a safe, clean and healthy environment in which all people have the opportunity to participate in, and share in the Council's services and facilities.

FOR OUR COMMUNITY COMMITTEES:
We will seek their opinion in relation to the services in which they assist us, offer relevant and timely support, and recognise their valuable contribution.

FOR OUR STAFF:
We will create an atmosphere of team support which encourages frank and honest communication, and the use of common-sense and innovation in a safe and friendly working environment with the aim of efficiency.

FOR OUR COUNCILLORS:
We will treat all Councillors equally and ensure that they are provided with accurate and timely advice and expect that they will treat each other and the staff with due respect.

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