6 August, 2025
Winter has certainly delivered this month! It began with a weekend of mixed emotions sparked by the rare snowfall in our region. After spending Saturday marveling at the snowfall which transformed our landscape and inspired many to enjoy some fun in the snow, I quickly shifted gears (alongside TeamARC and others in our community) to thinking about how best to support people and places impacted by damage and power outages.
Needless to say this has been front of mind this week!
Regional Ramble provides an insight into what has been occupying me as the Mayor. What is my focus? What are we championing on your behalf? Let’s get into it!
Snow delivers excitement and fun - and then challenges
As the excitement of the weekend snow dump turns well and truly to the recovery after the event, I would like to extend my gratitude to TeamARC who were out there all weekend along with the SES, Essential Energy and other emergency services to rescue stranded passengers, clear trees, restore power and much more.
The amount of debris from fallen trees and broken branches is staggering and widespread across the Armidale region. Our open spaces have been impacted with Central Park currently closed and the dog park near Moran Oval.
If you have green waste from the weekend snow event you can take it to either the Armidale or Guyra waste facility for free. If you are unable to transport it to a waste facility and have a kerbside collection service, please complete the online request form located on our website and council crews will pick up for you! (Please only use this pickup service if you can’t take it yourself)
Our teams are very busy at the moment and the waste facility has received 388 loads of green waste and approximately 100 tonnes to yesterday afternoon!
We host it, we should benefit - taking our case to Parliament
I recently attended a parliamentary inquiry, hosted here in Armidale, to speak on behalf of Armidale Regional Council about the future of renewable energy in our region. Our message was clear: if we host it, we should benefit from it.
The New England Renewable Energy Zone (NEREZ) presents a major opportunity—not just for energy generation, but for meaningful regional development.
However, the current approach has focused too heavily on infrastructure for metropolitan energy needs, without fully considering the cumulative impacts on our local communities.
We’ve already taken steps to address this by developing our own community benefit sharing framework and negotiating Voluntary Planning Agreements with industry leaders. We’ve also prioritised water security planning to support future growth.
What we now need is a coordinated, place-based approach from the NSW Government—one that recognises the unique challenges and potential of our region. Renewable energy is harvested here. It’s our resource, and our communities deserve a fair deal.
Love your local parks? Help us make them even better
We’re working on a new Open Space and Recreation Strategy to help guide how we plan and manage parks, reserves, trails, and recreation facilities across the Armidale region.
As our community continues to grow, it’s important that we think ahead about how these spaces can best serve everyone.
This strategy is about making sure our open spaces are safe, accessible, and well-used—and that they reflect what our community needs now and into the future. We’re inviting residents to share their thoughts and ideas to help shape the direction of this work.
If you use our parks, walk our trails, or enjoy time in our reserves, I encourage you to get involved and have your say. Plus, there are some great prizes to be won, including $1000 towards one local sporting club!
Hosting Ron Hoenig, Minister for Local Government in our region
I was thrilled to host the Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, last week. Not only is Minister Hoenig very active in his portfolio but he is a senior member of the Minns government so his visit provided the perfect opportunity to lobby him about what we, as a region, need from the NSW Government.
First up I was joined by Deputy Mayor Todd Redwood and members of the ARC Executive to outline our growth agenda and stress the importance of the NSW Government front running critical infrastructure, particularly water security, housing availability and improved amenity. The Minister understood the critical importance of the proposed ARC water plans not just for our survival as a region but also as a pivotal decision point if the New England Renewable Energy Zone is to be delivered.
Following the briefing I accompanied the Minister on a tour of the Uniplan facility at Acacia Park. As housing is a critical issue throughout regional NSW the Minister was hugely impressed by what the team at Uniplan are doing and the way they do it (and lets be honest who wouldn’t be impressed). Following the tour the Minister met with and addressed the wider councillor group on issues within his portfolio. I want to thank Minister Hoenig for visiting our region and being so generous with his time.
Council careers to be showcased at Farmers’ Market
This Sunday we are showcasing many career choices that are available through a career in Local Government. Join TeamARC at Armidale Farmers’ Market on Sunday 10 August, from 8am to midday, for our Careers Showcase. It’s a great chance to meet the team, learn about the wide range of roles at Armidale Regional Council, and discover how your skills and passion could make a real impact!
Whether you’re just starting out and interested in one of the traineeships or cadetships that are currently available, looking for a change, or simply curious, come along and see what’s possible. From engineering and planning to community programs and corporate services—there’s a place for you in TeamARC!
Volunteerism is at the heart of the community
On June 28, I had the privilege of attending the 79th Rotary Changeover Dinner at Rafters—a night that reminded me of the quiet strength behind Armidale’s resilience: volunteers.
Rotary’s legacy of service shows what happens when people give their time, energy, and heart to something greater than themselves. Volunteers don’t seek recognition—they create impact.
Their efforts build stronger communities, foster trust, and instil pride in our region. But the benefits of volunteering go both ways. It’s a chance to learn new skills, meet new people, improve wellbeing, and find purpose through service.
From emergency response to local events, volunteers are the quiet force that keeps Armidale moving forward.
If you’ve ever considered volunteering, now is the time. The Armidale Regional Council’s Volunteers Register is open to anyone ready to lend a hand.
Ready to get involved? Sign up with the link below and help us build a brighter future—together.
Together, we make Armidale region stronger!
Ask Us Anything!
Join Councillor Rob Taber and I for the next Ask us Anything
Got something on your mind? A question, an idea, or just curious about what’s happening in our region? Come along to the next ‘Ask Us Anything’ session for a relaxed chat over coffee.
Cr Rob Taber and me will be at:
- Armidale Coffee House, Armidale Plaza
- 8:00am – 9:30am, Wednesday 13 August 2025
No need to book—just drop in, grab a cuppa, and say hello. These sessions are all about keeping things open and easy, so feel free to bring whatever’s on your mind.
We’re holding these chats at different cafes around the region, so if you can’t make this one, keep an eye out for the next. Looking forward to seeing you there!
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