Projects, news and current events  |  23 June 2025

New home for weeds management

New home for weeds management in the Armidale region with the same great service. 

Biosecurity and weeds management for the Armidale Regional Local Government area now has a new home at Team ARC after the official proclamation to dissolve the New England County Council known as the New England Weeds Authority (NEWA), occurred on 4 June 2025.

The dissolution marks a significant restructuring of biosecurity and weeds management across the New England as individual councils take that responsibility on. 

Contact for services will be through Armidale Regional Council’s call centre on 1300 136 833 or you can call one of our biosecurity or weeds officers directly. The Armidale team will still be located within the existing NEWA office in Rusden Street, Armidale and the old NEWA phone number and email contact points will still be active with prompts to your local council service.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

A spoonful of magic has swept through the Armidale Town Hall, transforming it into a dazzling wonderland of whimsy and wonder! The historic venue has never looked more enchanting as it sets the stage for an unforgettable performance of Mary Poppins, brought to life by the incredibly talented students of PLC Armidale (Official).

From the moment the lights come on, audiences are whisked away on a musical journey filled with charm, cheer, and chimney sweeps. Bravo to everyone involved for turning this beloved classic into a local theatrical triumph!

The expanded Curtis Park Playground is almost ready!

The expanded Curtis Park Playground is almost ready for visitors - but NOT YET!

Fences are still in place as we give gardens and grass a chance to get established, and put a few final touches in place.

The official opening is coming up very soon! Meanwhile, please stay out of the fenced area.

New air quality sensors now live across Armidale!

We have expanded our network of solar-powered air quality monitors across the region—bringing real-time environmental data to our fingertips.

Seven of the ten Purple Air sensors are already up and running, with the rest coming soon. These smart sensors track fine particles like dust and smoke (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10) and share live data via a global online map.

This is a big step forward in community-based environmental monitoring—helping us all stay informed and responsive.

EV charging stations | Cinders Lane

The planned installation of two new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Cinders Lane is set to commence very soon.

This initiative is part of council's commitment to supporting sustainable transportation solutions.

PLEASE NOTE: During construction, the parking lot at 5 Cinders Lane will be temporarily unavailable. Installation is expected to be complete by the end of July!

Kellys Plains Roadside Drainage - Maintenance Works

Drainage is a vital part of road maintenance, helping stormwater flow safely away from road surfaces and reducing the risk of potholes and pavement damage.

As part of the Kellys Plains Roadside Drainage work, contractors will be removing built-up vegetation and silt from roadside drains, reshaping table drains, and shaving road shoulders. These works are funded through the Roads Emergency Repair Fund (RERRF).

• Minor travel delays and daytime machinery noise are expected.
• Traffic control will be in place, with driveway and pedestrian access maintained at all times.
• Drainage works will begin from the Lynches road netball courts and continue South for approximately 2km.
• Residents will be notified via letter drop before works begin.

Works will commence from Monday 16 June and are scheduled to be completed by Monday 30 June. These improvements will enhance stormwater flow and extend the life of local road assets.

Miller Street Project Update

Wet weather continues to impact progress on the Miller Street upgrade. This week, kerb and gutter works on the eastern side are being finalised, with backfilling, driveways, and service adjustments scheduled for early next week.

Works will shift to the western side late next week, with two-way traffic maintained throughout the next stage.

Water Drop | Oaky River Dam

Did you know this about Oaky Dam?

Oaky River Dam was a hydroelectric dam owned by Essential Energy.

In 2013, its wall failed due to a sensor malfunction, leading to a spillover.

Armidale Regional Council has recognised the potential of Oaky River Dam and purchased it as part of its water security strategy to secure the Armidale Region's water supply for the next 30 years.

In 2024, Armidale Regional Council purchased Oaky River Dam with the intention of rebuilding its walls to its original capacity.

Building a resilient region: Securing Armidale's water future

Armidale Regional Council is making significant strides toward a resilient and sustainable water future for the region. Since the drought ended in 2020, the council has worked closely with the NSW Government to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at securing long-term water supply and reducing the impact of increasingly frequent and severe droughts.

Now, in 2025, with a science-backed plan shaped by expert advice, the council is well-positioned to take decisive action and is actively lobbying for government funding to turn its vision into reality.

Malpas Dam was originally designed and constructed over 50 years ago to serve a much smaller population. Today, it provides around 13,000 megalitres of storage, which is no longer sufficient to meet the region’s growing needs. In fact, with a changing climate and a limited catchment Malpas Dam can only meet about 60% of daily water demand.

Armidale’s current water infrastructure has struggled to meet the needs of our population during times of drought. Without intervention, the region faces increasing vulnerability. The NSW Government has listed our region at the highest risk level for water security.

Council Meetings

The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday 30 June 2025 at 4pm.

All meetings will be held at 4pm in the Armidale Council Chambers unless stated otherwise. The public are welcome to watch the live streaming over YouTube, via the link included below, or attend in person.

The meetings are conducted under the Armidale Regional Council Code of Meeting Practice which can be found on the Council’s Policy page.

You are receiving this e-newsletter from Armidale Regional Council as you have interacted with council using this email address. The purpose of this fortnightly e-newsletter is to keep you informed of council news and events which we hope you will find informative.