A message from the Gwydir Mayor

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR – GWYDIR SHIRE COUNCIL

Published on 25 June 2026

 While in Canberra for the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly this week, I met with the Federal Minister for Communications’ office at Parliament House, alongside General Manager Leeah Daley and Director of Business and Strategy Justin Hellmuth.

This followed an earlier meeting this year with the Minister’s office and our State Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan MP. We were pleased to follow up on those discussions and continue advocating for improved telecommunications outcomes across Gwydir Shire. Council raised the ongoing mobile and internet coverage challenges experienced by our communities and pushed for practical solutions to improve connectivity, resilience and service options.

Importantly, we now have an open dialogue with the Minister’s office, which Council will continue to utilise as we push for stronger ministerial support for Gwydir Shire’s communication needs. Council made it clear that Gwydir is ready to be more than a voice asking for better coverage. We want to be part of the solution. We are actively exploring innovative ways to improve regional connectivity and have advocated for Gwydir to be considered as a trial location for new technologies and practical approaches that could help solve long-standing communication issues in rural Australia.

Our Shire has the right conditions for this kind of work: dispersed communities, long distances, agricultural demand, emergency service reliance and known coverage gaps. That makes Gwydir a strong candidate to help prove solutions that could benefit rural communities well beyond our own boundaries. Council will continue to pursue every opportunity to improve communications infrastructure, so our residents, businesses, farmers and emergency services have the reliable connectivity they need.

Cr Tiffany Galvin, Mayor