R&H Suburb Profile GUNNEDAH

Gunnedah is a town and local government area in north-eastern NSW with a population of almost 8000. It is located on the Oxley and Kamilaroi Highways, 475km to Sydney and 75km from the nearest regional centre, Tamworth. It is also linked to Sydney by rail, with the daily Countrylink Xplorer service between Sydney and Moree.

Gunnedah offers residents a relaxed lifestyle in a resilient economic area. The major industry is agriculture, with 80% of the shire area devoted to farming. Gunnedah's primary exports are cotton, coal, beef, lamb and pork, and cereal and oilseed grains. Gunnedah is also home to AgQuip, Australia's largest annual exhibition of agricultural equipment.

The Gunnedah area is also noted for an abundance of native wildlife, including kangaroos, echidnas and koalas. Koalas can often be found in trees within the town, as well as in the surrounding countryside, with the help of signs placed by the local tourist centre.

The shire has a modern hospital providing general medical and surgical services, dental care and physiotherapy. Gunnedah Hospital has a helipad and can access Childflight services to Newcastle. Further specialist care is available in Tamworth. Other health facilities include ambulance, baby health, Community Health Centre, X-Ray facilities and a pathology service. The Air Ambulance and Child Flight Neonatal Helicopter serve the community on request.

In regards to aged care, Gunnedah has some the most modern and comfortable accommodation for senior in the region, with a variety of accommodation options. Home and Community Care provide frail aged care, home care service and community transport. Meals on Wheels is also available.

Gunnedah has a diverse range of sporting, cultural and recreational activities available year-round, with a variety of established sports and sporting facilities provided by over 50 sporting clubs.

Service clubs include Rotary, Lions and Apex as well as Quota, View, Toastmaster, CWA and Freemasons.

A high standard of education is available in Gunnedah, with a choice of either public or private schools. Children are catered for from early pre-school learning through to tertiary education and training. There is also a school for children with intellectual and physical disabilities. All schools are supported by daily bus services. There are several boarding schools nearby in the cities of Armidale and Tamworth providing education from kindergarten to year 12 (boys and girls).

At the tertiary level, the New England Institute of TAFE - Gunnedah Campus offers a wide range of Government accredited and locally designed courses. It shares a resource base with other institutes throughout the region. The University of New England is one of the largest tertiary institutions outside the metropolitan area and is located in Armidale, about two hours away. About 35% of adults in the Gunnedah Shire have tertiary qualifications varying from trade certificates to degrees.