Gunnedah council to lose millions in revenue as COVID-19 pandemic, drought rocks local economy

Gunnedah Shire Council has already seen a loss of $220,000 in revenue and $1.4 million in costs, with countless services no longer running. The pool, cinema, tourism and events have already been closed or cancelled.

In his mayoral minute, set for Wednesday's council meeting, mayor Jamie Chaffey is calling on councillors to back Local Government NSW to lobby the state and federal governments to provide financial support for councils.

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Cr Chaffey said that if funding was not provided by the other two tiers of government, the "council may be forced to cut services, infrastructure maintenance and staff".

"The well-being, safety and livelihoods of our communities, customers, and staff is our top priority," he said.

"It is critical that the local government sector receives adequate funding and resources to coordinate and deliver the goods and services needed as we navigate through, and recover from, natural disasters and the new challenges presented by COVID-19 and its massive impacts on people and our local economies."

Cr Chaffey recommends measures could be provided, including increasing financial assistance grants payments to one per cent "to help councils maintain essential functions and services ... as well as giving councils capacity to provide hardship assistance to businesses and residents".

He's also suggested "providing stimulus funding to councils for projects that will help sustain council operations and boost local economies".

"This could be achieved through increasing or bringing forward funding under existing funding programs or introducing new programs," he said.

Cr Chaffey also wants to see an increase in access to TAFE, VET and other apprenticeship opportunities "that council staff can undertake to address skill shortages, especially for staff in non-essential services."