Gunnedah Shire residents are being asked to help shape the future of some of the Shire’s best-loved open spaces.

Gunnedah Shire Council is developing master plans for key sporting and recreation precincts, and is seeking the input of the community to make the best possible use of the spaces into the future.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the master plans were the next logical step following the Gunnedah Shire Open Space Strategy, and would set out a long-term vision for these popular areas.

“We are asking the community to fill in surveys about Gunnedah Showground, Wolseley Park, Kitchener Park, and the Donnelly Fields/Namoi Fields/Riverine Precinct/Woolshed Reserve,” Cr Chaffey said.

“These precincts cover some of our most popular playing fields and heavily used community spaces, so it is absolutely critical that we get as much community input as possible.

“There are four simple surveys that ask how people use these spaces and how they would like to them evolve in the future. This will be important information in creating great a master plan for each area.

“Looking at all of these popular areas at the same time is an ideal way to ensure our open spaces cover the broadest spectrum of interests and age groups, and we look forward to seeing these master plans developed and put into action.”

To take part in the surveys go to the following individual links for each precinct;

Gunnedah Showground https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MM69XH6

Kitchener Park https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MMZZHJD

Wolseley Park https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXKLVZ5

Riverside Precinct https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXKPRLZ

Council will also hold a series of pop-up community consultation sessions:

- Tuesday, 5 December in the Smithurst Theatre Forecourt between 1.30-3.30pm and 6-8pm.

- Wednesday, 6 December at the front of the Gunnedah Newsagency between 9am and 11am.