COMMUNITY SERVICES
The Gwydir Shire supports its community through services that allow the highest quality of life for all residents. The Gwydir Shire Council has an impressive range of services for all ages in our community. These services encourage all to participate in the community through learning,volunteering, cultural and recreation activities.
There is a real sense of family within our community and everyone is encouraged to participate as a volunteer or beneficiary.
For the older members of the community, people with disabilities and their carers, there are a range of services available to assist these people to live independently. There are Home and Community Care programs in Bingara and Warialda which work closely with Health and other agencies. The HACC programs run Meals and Wheels, social support and transport services which are supported by a committed group of volunteers. NSW Homecare service also offers assistance to frail aged and young disabled people and their carers. The Council manages a number of accommodation facilities for older people who are able to care for themselves. These one bedroom units are base in both Bingara and Warialda. For older people needing more assistance there are high quality residential care facilities at both Bingara and Warialda.
In Bingara the Neighbourhood Centre hosts a range of services such as an agency for the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, Centrelink as well as Youth Services, Family services and Community Services. There is information on services available and computers for the community to use. There are many different groups that meet at the Neighborhood Centre and tea and coffee facilities are available.
The Shire also has the services of an Early Intervention Family Worker through the NSW Families First program. The Family Worker assists families with young children in their role as parents to ensure that they are coping and are able to access services in the community. The Family Worker assists families throughout the Shire visiting the townships and rural areas.
Health Services: Warialda has a 25 bed hospital consisting of 10 acute care beds and 15 nursing home beds served by three Visiting Medical Officers. Bingara has a 21 bed hospital consisting of seven acute care beds and 14 nursing home beds served by three Visiting Medical Officers. Both Health Services are currently undergoing planned upgrades. Other services provided include an Optometrist, a Podiatrist, a Geriatrician, a Physiotherapist, Ante Natal Classes, Community Nursing, Day Care, Early Childhood Health Service Pre-school Screenings, a Dietician, Mental Health, Women’s Health Issues and a Speech Therapist. Both Warialda and Bingara have modern Medical Centres and 24 hour Ambulance services for the residents of the Shire.
The Hunter New England Area Health Service model of care has as its core community hospitals and primary health care, which includes general practice, community services, public health and health promotion.
Supporting these services are the area’s five District Hospitals and the Non Metropolitan Referral (Base) Hospitals in Tamworth and Armidale. For tertiary referral hospital services, New England residents travel outside the area, most frequently to Sydney or Newcastle with people in the north of the area accessing tertiary hospital services in Brisbane.
Police: Bingara, Warialda and Gravesend have manned Police Stations.
Emergency Services: S.E.S, Ambulance, Town Fire Brigades and Rural Fire Brigades.
Public Transport: The Council controlled light plane airstrips at both Bingara and Warialda are suitable for use by Air Ambulance and private light aircraft. Daily domestic air services to Sydney and Brisbane are available from Moree, Narrabri, Inverell and Tamworth. Daily Country Link coach/rail connections to Sydney are available from Warialda and Bingara. Coaches to other destinations are also available from Moree, Inverell and Narrabri.
Sporting Facilities: Golf, Tennis, Bowls, Squash, Cricket, Football, Basketball, Netball, Swimming Pool, Cross Country Jumping Course, Archery, Skate Park, Showgrounds, crown land and Travelling Stock Routes (TSR) used for Horse Riding.
Churches: Anglican, Presbyterian, Catholic, Christian Outreach
Banking: National, Westpac, Commonwealth, New England Credit Union and multi card auto tellers and eftpos.
Post Offices: Warialda, Bingara, Gravesend, agencies at North Star and Croppa Creek.
If you require further information on local services please contact Council.