COVID-19 Gunnedah: council to call on state, federal governments for financial support

Gunnedah's councillors unanimously voted to support LGNSW in calling on the state and federal governments to provide funding to councils to help them through the COVID-19 crisis.

Mayor Jamie Chaffey put forward a motion in the meeting's agenda asking for their support, and said it was "critical" that the local government sector received adequate funding and resources.

"Council needs urgent financial assistance from the federal government and NSW state government to maintain infrastructure, services and employment as well as funding to give councils the capacity to provide hardship assistance to the community," he wrote.

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The council will now write to a number of government ministers for: an increase in Financial Assistance Grants payments to one per cent to help councils maintain essential services; the provision of stimulus funding to councils for projects that will help sustain council operations and boost local economies; and increased access to TAFE, VET and other apprenticeship opportunities for council staff to address skill shortages.

It will also commend the other two tiers of government "on their stewardship during this crisis" and will commit to working in partnership with them to protect community health and sustain local economies through the pandemic.

Cr Fuller said during the meeting she was "totally in support" of backing LGNSW.