1. Introduction Page Purpose of this Statement 2 Policy Context 3 Consultation 3 2. Where We Are 4 Our Place 5 Our Community 6 Our Environment 8 Our Economy 9 Celebrating Gilgandra 10 Our Challenges 11 3. Gilgandra: A Vision 12 4. Achieving our Vision 14 Theme 1: A vibrant and connected community Theme 2: A diversified and prosperous community Theme 3: An environmentally conscious and sustainable community 5. Appendix Actions Table 28 This Local Strategic Planning Statement has been prepared by Gilgandra Shire Council with the assistance of NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment. 1 This Statement also gives consideration to the: This Local Strategic Planning • Central West and Orana Statement (‘this Statement’) sets the Regional Plan 2036, framework for Gilgandra Shire’s • the Regional Development economic, social and environmental Framework, the land use needs over the next 20 years, • Destination Country and outlining how we can maintain our Outback NSW Management Plan core community assets and take 2018-2020, and the advantage of new and diverse • Castlereagh Regional Economic opportunities for growth. Development Strategy 2018- This Statement identifies 9 Planning 2022 amongst others. Priorities to achieve Council’s vision for Gilgandra, along with actions and the means for monitoring and reporting on the delivery of these actions. All councils within NSW are required to prepare a local strategic planning This Statement is consistent with statement to act as a link between the Council’s other plans, including: strategic priorities identified at a • Local Environmental Plan (LEP), regional or district level, and more • Development Control Plan detailed planning at a local level (DCP), expressed in council’s LEP and DCP to • Community Strategic Plan (CSP) ensure consistency in strategic • Cultural Strategic Plan, and planning approaches. • Gilgandra Activation Blueprint. Our Community Strategic Plan sets our vision as: Gilgandra Shire is a strong and sustainable rural centre with a caring community that is building a future together. And our values: Integrity, leadership, inclusivity, selflessness, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, respect, professionalism, innovative, proactive, performance, consultative, strategic 2 This Statement has been prepared in accordance with clause 3.9 of the Council prepared this Statement by Environmental Planning and building on the consultation carried Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) out for the Integrated and Reporting requiring that it must include or framework in 2016-2017 as part of the identify the following: Community Strategic Plan. Our close community (population 4,236) means (a) the basis for strategic planning that Council is able to easily give in the area, having regard to information and receive feedback economic, social and from our residents through a variety environmental matters, of channels including face-to-face, written, email, social media, website, (b) the planning priorities for the radio and newspaper. area that are consistent with any strategic plan applying to This Statement also draws on a the area and (subject to any number strategies, ideas and actions such strategic plan) any from a variety of Council and regional applicable community strategic plans which have previously plan under section 402 of the undergone extensive formal Local Government Act 1993, consultation processes. (c) the actions required for This Statement will be made available achieving those planning for community feedback for a priorities, minimum period of 28 days in May 2020 proceeding to Council for formal (d) the basis on which the council adoption before the end of June is to monitor and report on the 2020. implementation of those actions. 3 4 Gilgandra is ideally placed at the Because of our position within the centre of NSW half-way between state highway network, Gilgandra is Brisbane and Melbourne on the central to a number of regional junction of the Newell, Oxley and opportunities for development Castlereagh highways. Gilgandra is including the Commonwealth connected through the state road and Government Inland Rail Project. rail network, within a 45-minute drive to the major centre of Dubbo, and also has direct access through the port of Newcastle. Utilising the highways which intersect the town, Gilgandra is a major transport hub, supporting traffic from the freight industry as well as tourism and the travelling public. 5 persons), and Armatree in the north of the Shire (estimated 152 persons). The Gamilaroi, Wiradjuri and Wailwan people are the traditional owners of Gilgandra is located 65kms north of this land. The word Gilgandra is taken Dubbo, one of the largest inland cities from an Indigenous language meaning in NSW. Through Dubbo our residents “long water hole”. to have access to a base hospital, specialist medical services, Today, the Indigenous population of employment opportunities and a Gilgandra is 14% (2016 Census). This regional airport. is significantly more than the state average of 2.9%. The geography of the Shire is flat and highly suited to broad acre farming. Gilgandra was officially declared a Farming is a major contributor to the town in 1888, with the Shire Gilgandra economy. In recent years established in 1906. Gilgandra Shire health, disability services, and aged has a land area of 4,836 kms², with an care have emerged as large estimated population of 4,236. In employers in the community and form addition to the township of Gilgandra, an important part of a diversified the Shire has two villages; economy. Tooraweenah located at the southern entrance to the Warrumbungle National Park (estimated 233 6 7 Gilgandra is located on the Castlereagh River within a vast agricultural landscape, and includes parts of the Warrumbungle National Park. These ranges are a remarkable natural feature of the region and dominate the horizon of many parts of the Shire. In 2018, Gilgandra became part of the first Dark Sky Park in the southern hemisphere. The Dark Sky Park aims to protect the night sky from light pollution and provide ideal conditions for astronomers and researchers Gilgandra is adapting to the change working from the world-class Siding by diversifying its infrastructure. This is Spring Observatory. an environmentally and economically sound renewable energy project that Our climate in Gilgandra is reasonably will provide renewable energy to the mild experiencing frosts in winter and local community as well as exporting a number of hot days in the summer. to the national grid Natural hazards have an impact on our community when they occur (e.g. Gilgandra is at the forefront of waste 2013 bushfires in Warrumbungle management, with community driven National Park). The 1955 flood recycling and innovative waste changed the way in which Council solutions. Our Materials Recovery plans future land use, and the more Facility (MRF) is operated by frequent intensity of droughts Carlginda, an Australian Disability significantly impact on the economy Employment Enterprise for adults with and have an effect on the well-being an intellectual disability. These hard of our community. working staff members provide a great service to the community Building resistance and adapting to sorting our recycling and maintaining natural hazards and climate change a high quality product for sale, which will be a focus for Council with the is re-invested back into our need to develop an Adverse Event community waste management Plan. system. Carlginda also processes The recent approval of the Gilgandra recycling from Bogan Shire. Solar Farm is one example of how 8 Gilgandra Shire Council manages Traditionally agriculture has been the Gilgandra Lifestyles which includes most important industry for Gilgandra numerous aged care services such as Shire. The Agriculture, Forestry and the Cooee Lodge Hostel, Cooee Fishing sector is the main economic Retirement Village, Jack Towney contributor to the Gilgandra Shire, Hostel (Aboriginal Aged Care) and with 546 persons employed in this Community Care and Home Care sector in 2016. The total output of Packages Program. agriculture by the Shire in 2016 was $167m. Agricultural production Gilgandra Shire Council also manages includes wool, beef, legumes, lupins, Orana Living, a National Disability chickpeas, fava beans, wheat and Insurance Scheme (NDIS) approved barley. provider of disability services to adults with intellectual disability aged 18-64 The health and community care years. This service provides industry has grown significantly, now accommodation, supported living, emerging as large employers in activities, and life skills for their Gilgandra. Our town has maintained a clients. Accommodation is purpose public hospital since 1916, as well as built and specialised for the clients supporting three General Practice needs. Five (5) new single/couple (GP) clinics, two dentists and a range independent living accommodation of other allied health care services. for people with a disability will be complete in 2021. 9 to promote better health and social cohesion among our community. Our town is a significant transport hub – Gilgandra sits at the junction of The Cooee Heritage Centre (CHC) three highways (Newell, Oxley and focuses on three main themes: our Castlereagh), alongside the Dubbo- military history, Aboriginal artefacts, Coonamble-Gilgandra rail line. and local history with a focus on rural innovation and pioneering families. The imminent new development of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Gilgandra is known as the Town of will consolidate Gilgandra as a major Windmills because prior to transport hub. Inland Rail is a once-in- construction of the town water supply, a-generation greenfield project every dwelling in the township drew spanning more than 1,700 km and is water from a well in the backyard. It is the largest freight rail infrastructure recorded that over 300 windmills project in Australia. It has a 10-year doted the skyline at its peak. delivery schedule that will see Inland Rail operational in 2025. Gilgandra is known as the Home of the Cooees because of a recruitment In preparation for the Inland Rail drive in 1915 during WWI known as project, the NSW government the Cooee March.