Projects, news and current events | 15 October 2025
Aerial magic at Creative Streets Festival 2025
Get ready to look up! Big Top Entertainment is bringing their world-class aerial artists to the opening night of the Creative Streets Festival on Friday 17 October.
From flowing silks and daring trapeze to gravity-defying hoop routines, these performers will soar above the crowd, blending strength, grace, and breathtaking artistry.
And when night falls, the spectacle continues with our Fire & Illuminated Shows! Get ready for a dazzling fusion of flame, LED brilliance, and movement that lights up the street in unforgettable style.
Don’t miss this high-flying celebration of creativity and performance!
📅 17 October 2025 | 📍 East End Mall, Armidale CBD
Don't miss a moment of the Creative Streets Festival 2025 | Program and map now live!
One week to go! The countdown is officially on for Creartive Streets Festival 2025.
🗺️ The festival program and map are now LIVE!
Plan your perfect day, discover incredible local artists, and find your way to every pop-up, performance, and installation across town.
📅 Festival kicks off Friday night, 17 October from 5pm - see you there!
Laneway stories: Have your say
Council is inviting community feedback on a new initiative to make the Armidale CBD more walkable, connected, and welcoming.
The Laneway Stories Project is now on public exhibition, with feedback open until Thursday 23 October 2025 via YourSay Armidale.
The project proposes naming five existing laneways under a historical theme, with names reflecting the heritage and character of nearby landmarks. These names were developed in consultation with local historians and community stakeholders.
Proposed Laneway Names:
- Bank Lane – near former AMP and ANZ banks
- Impies Lane – beside the historic Imperial Hotel
- Wellington Walkway – honouring the former Wellington Hotel
- Old Court House Walkway – site of Armidale’s courthouse
- Barnet Lane – named for Colonial Architect James Barnet
This initiative supports Council’s broader CBD revitalisation plans and aligns with the Property Addressing and Naming Policy!
Nominate a local legend!
Every community has its quiet achievers – the people and groups who give their time, energy, and heart to make life better for others. Now is your chance to recognise them.
We are calling for nominations for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations across our region.
From tireless volunteers and inspiring young leaders to community groups making a real difference, the awards honour everyday people doing great things!
Award categories include:
🧑🤝🧑 Citizen of the Year
👵 Senior Citizen/Elder of the Year
🧒 Young Citizen of the Year
🤝 Community Service Award
🎭 Art, Drama or Music Award
🌱 Environmental Citizen of the Year
🏅 Sports Person of the Year
👥 Community Group/Event of the Year
Celebrate national water week 2025
Join us for Water Week from October 20 - 26 and discover easy ways to save water at home. Visit our customer service centres (Guyra and Armidale) during Water Week to take part in these free activities:
- Exchange your old shower head for a new water-saving shower head.
- Bring your broken garden hose nozzle and swap it for a water-saving nozzle.
- Pick up a free shower timer to help reduce your water use.
- Sign up to the ARC Water Portal for a chance to win a prize.
Water Treatment Plant Facility Tours: Event Times & Locations:
Guyra Water Treatment Plant Tour: Booking required
Meet Up: ARC Council Building-Guyra (Customer Service Area) 158 Bradley Street, Guyra, NSW
Monday, 20 October, 1–3 pm
Tuesday, 21 October, 1–3 pm
Armidale Water Treatment Plant Tour: Booking required
Meet up: ARC Council Building Armidale (Customer Service Area) 135 Rusden Street, Armidale, NSW
Wednesday, 22 October, 11 am–12 pm
Thursday, 23 October, 11 am–12 pm
Local pubs and restaurants take to the street
At Creative Streets Festival 2025, the streets come alive and so do the flavours!
Local pubs and restaurants are taking it to the streets, serving up your favourite bites and brews in the heart of the action. PLUS, a delicious lineup of food vendors will be joining the party with street eats from around the region.
Whether you're after a sit-down meal or something tasty on the go, there’s something for every craving.
Friday 17 October from 5pm, Armidale CBD - come hungry!
Water drops: When Guyra went dry in 2019
From June to September 2019, Armidale Regional Council carted 46,290,700 litres of water from Armidale to Guyra. The implementation of water carting was an emergency measure when Guyra’s dams emptied during the severe drought in 2019.
The Council worked closely with the NSW Government to identify and secure alternative water sources. Residents were encouraged to conserve water and participate in initiatives to save water for essential uses.
The drought highlighted the need for a comprehensive water security strategy, leading to the development of plans to enhance water infrastructure and resilience.
Free Mulch Available Every Weekend in October
Following the recent snowstorm, our community came together to dispose of 2,000 tonnes of green waste, a remarkable effort that highlights the strength and resilience of our region.
To support ongoing recovery and promote water conservation, Council is offering free mulch to residents every weekend throughout October!
Free Mulch Details
Available on weekends only:
📅 October 4–5, 11–12, 18–19, 25–26
📍 Locations:
- Armidale Waste Management Facility
- Guyra Community Recycling Centre
🚫 No deliveries
🚗 Limit of 1 load per customer
💳 Weekday visitors will be required to pay
Council's proud partnership with A Day in the Dale
Earlier this month, NAIDOC Week celebrations continued with a springtime gathering at the Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place
Thank you to the many people from across the community who came along to Day in the Dale 2025 - and enjoyed the free event featuring live music from Terra Firma, a community barbecue, games and cultural activities for all ages.
Community and service organisations were also on hand to share information and resources - while also joining in celebrations!
Council is proud to collaborate with groups and organisations from across the region to deliver this annual NAIDOC Week event, and grateful for NAIDOC 2025 Local Grants support from the Australia Government!
Entries Open for the 2026 Autumn Festival Parade!
It’s that time of year again! We’re calling on schools, community groups, businesses, performers, and creative locals to be part of the 2026 Autumn Festival Parade.
Whether you’ve got a float idea, a marching band, a dance crew, or just a great costume, we want you in the parade. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate our community, showcase local talent, and bring colour and energy to the streets of Armidale
Weed alert - Scotch Broom and Cape Broom
Residents, particularly in Guyra, are urged to be on the lookout for invasive broom species currently flowering in the region. Scotch Broom is now in bloom, displaying bright yellow pea-shaped flowers around 2 to 2.5 cm long. However, hybrids with red-yellow variations have also been spotted along local roadsides. This woody shrub typically grows between 1 to 2 metres high but can reach up to 4 metres. It is considered toxic to humans and some animals.
Also flowering is Cape Broom, an evergreen shrub with smaller, bright yellow flowers measuring 8 to 12 mm. While visually similar, Cape Broom is particularly concerning for landholders as it is toxic to livestock if grazed excessively. Both species pose a serious threat to local ecosystems and agriculture. Residents are encouraged to report sightings by contacting Council on 1300 136 833 and avoid disturbing the plants.
Calling all stallholders
Get ready to bring the Christmas cheer! Christmas in the Mall and the Guyra Christmas Carnival are coming soon!
Save the date: These magical events are happening this festive season, and we’re on the lookout for vibrant, creative, and community-minded stallholders to help make them sparkle! Whether you sell handmade gifts, delicious treats, or something totally unique - we want YOU!
- Christmas in the Mall: 4 December, 2025
- Guyra Christmas Carnival: 5 December, 2025
Want to be part of the festivities?
Email: events@armidale.nsw.gov.au to apply and secure your spot!
Black Gully Festival 2025
The highly anticipated Black Gully Festival is set to kick off on Saturday November 8th at the scenic Black Gully Reserve (behind NERAM on the north and south sides of the creek).
This free, family-friendly event celebrates the vibrant spirit of Armidale as the weather warms up. Live music will take place on two stages from 10.00am to 7.30pm with a maker’s market, food vans, arts and science activities, clothes swap, crafting, and creek bug collecting.
An entertaining experience for all ages, the 2025 festival will present ‘How to Weather Together’, a major exhibition exploring what climate adaptation looks like when guided by the concept ‘weathering’. Music performances will take place all day, livestreamed by 2ARM Community Radio, and showcasing the exceptional talent within the region including local bands, soloists, and small groups with a diverse range of musical styles presented by The Musicians of Armidale.
This year their headline act is The Chads! An exciting new funk, progressive rock band sure to end the night on a high.
Ask us anything
If you have a burning question, a pressing issue, or would like to hear more on the latest from our region, come along to the next 'Ask us anything' session.
Join Mayor Sam Coupland and Cr Eli Imad for a cuppa and conversation!
WHEN: 8am - 9:30am, Wednesday 22 October 2025
WHERE: Guyra
Regional Ramble | October
Regional Ramble is Mayor Sam Coupland's monthly e-newsletter - providing an insight into some of the issues and activities that have been occupying him as the Mayor each month.
Current requests for tender
Explore Council's current tender opportunities currently on offer.
Visit Council's website and search Tenders or click the link below.
Applications on notification
Curious about the latest development applications currently on notification? Our website makes it simple to stay informed about all the developments in your area.
To see what's currently on notification, just click the link below!
Have your say | What's currently on public exhibition
Laneway Stories - Closes 23 October
Current vacancies
- WHS Manager | Closes 19 October
- Chief Finance Officer | Closes 26 October
- Manager Asset Services | Closes 26 October
Council Meetings
The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday 22 October 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.
