Chair Geoff Hood said the group had seen a lot of change over the decades but hadn’t lost its focus.

“Gunnible Landcare has evolved and continued to be environmentally focused and a community social vehicle for those north of the Namoi,” he said.

Mr Hood said while less ground work had been covered in the past 12 months, the “original aims” of the Landcare group of linking remnant vegetation and coordinating drainage were still current, and kept farms “productive and attractive”.

The group has not been idle, though, having a hand in the return of two-way traffic on Chandos Street and continuing work at O’Keefe Avenue and Cohen’s Reserve.

“Hard work and grant funds are now starting to bear fruit, with replanted Silky Oaks and Gum species starting to outgrow the sturdy tree guards along Kelvin Road,” Mr Hood said.

“The Namoi Riverine area underneath Cohen's Bridge and adjacent to the road has been mowed several times throughout the year – a big change to the jungle and rubbish dumping that were there just a couple of years ago.”

Mr Hood said the group had been covering the associated costs of mowing the area but recently sought funding from Gunnedah Shire Council.

At the June meeting, the council resolved to allocate up to $1000 per annum to Gunnible for grass and vegetation maintenance immediately north of the Namoi River. 

Gunnible hopes the reserve surrounding Cohen's Bridge can become an occasional camping area and recently made a submission to the State Review of Travelling Stock Reserves.

Mr Hood said discussion had been held with the council in regards to issues with the northern approach to the bridge. He said issues included the lack of a safe place to turn around, and congestion as drivers took a “sticky beak” at the river when it’s running high. The group would also like to see a pull-off area leading into Cohen’s Reserve.

“If we’re successful with our submission and camping can happen, people will need an area with better visibility, so they can see before they can pull out onto the road,” Mr Hood said.