8 July, 2026

Wondering what has been occupying me as Mayor? What is council championing on your behalf? The Regional Ramble will help answer those questions. Let’s get into it!

Council to confer Keys to the City on Ron Vickress

I was proud to nominate Mr Ron Vickress for the Keys to the City and delighted to see Armidale Regional Council unanimously approve this well-deserved honour.

Coinciding with Ron’s 101st birthday on 28 June 2026, the conferral recognises a lifetime of service, leadership and dedication to our community. His remarkable contributions to education, community development, the arts and social justice have enriched countless lives and left a lasting legacy.

A Second World War veteran, Ron enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy as a teenager and served aboard HMAS Pirie. Following the war, he dedicated himself to strengthening communities through teaching, advocacy, amateur theatre, writing, poetry and his work with Indigenous communities.

Ron is one of Armidale’s most respected citizens. A University of New England alumnus, he received the University’s Alumni Community Award at the age of 98 and was recognised as its oldest alumnus. He has also been named Armidale Regional Council Senior Citizen of the Year.

The Keys to the City are among the highest civic honours Council can bestow and are reserved for individuals whose achievements and service have made an enduring impact on the community. Ron’s extraordinary legacy embodies the very spirit of this honour.

It is a privilege to recognise Ron’s outstanding contribution to Armidale, the New England region and Australia. On behalf of our community, I congratulate him on this remarkable achievement and thank him for a lifetime of service that continues to inspire us all.

Mayoral minute - protecting
our water New England REZ

As your Mayor, I’m focused on one of Armidale’s most critical challenges, water security. The 2017–2020 drought exposed a longstanding deficit, and with the New England Renewable Energy Zone (NEREZ) driving major development, demand on our water supply will only increase.

I believe our community must come first. Council should not allocate water to renewable energy projects until the NSW Government commits to a clear, funded solution to our regional water shortages.

I’m calling on the State Government to prioritise water security through key projects like Oaky Dam restoration, raising Malpas Dam, and regional infrastructure, while working with councils to deliver a coordinated solution.

Securing our water future is essential to supporting both our community and sustainable growth. If you would like to read my Mayoral Minute endorsed at last month's council meeting the link is below.

ALGA National General Assembly

In the last week of June I headed to Canberra with Deputy Mayor Todd Redwood and Councillors Paul Gaddes and Eli Imad to attend the National General Assembly of the Australian Local Government Association.

This assembly is where all councils across Australia come together to formulate policy positions and it is in this context that Armidale Regional Council needs to lend its voice to the matters that concern us - primarily water security, financial sustainability and addressing the impacts of the renewable energy transition.  

New England REZ stakeholder event at UNE

UNE hosted a New England Renewable Energy Zone stakeholder event in mid May.  This was a unique opportunity for government, EnergyCo, renewable energy developers, UNE subject matter experts, industry and councils to come together and work up possible solutions to some of the challenges on the horizon with the roll out of the REZ. Much of the discussion was rooted in the conclusions from the NE REZ Cumulative Impact Studies released by EnergyCo at the back end of 2025 which highlighted significant gaps in critical infrastructure such as water security and supply, workforce accommodation and waste. The panel sessions were very informative in identifying what needs to be done, who should be doing it and when it needs to be done.

This forum also coincided with a visit to the region by the Energy Minister, Penny Sharpe, who announced an initial $60m in benefits to be shared across the NE REZ. There was scant detail on how and where the funds will be allocated but we are assured EnergyCo will be liaising with the community between now and Christmas.  My hope is that the portion that is coming to our LGA is directed toward making our region more liveable.  Look out for details to follow.

Advocating in Sydney for our region's water security and future growth

Recently, I travelled to Sydney alongside Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan, our General Manager James Roncon, and key staff to meet with the Ministers for Planning, Water and Energy.

This was an important opportunity to advocate directly for Armidale and ensure our region’s priorities are clearly understood at the highest levels of government.

Our discussions focused on Armidale’s long-term water security and the critical water and wastewater projects needed to support our growing community. We also outlined the impacts and opportunities associated with the New England Renewable Energy Zone (NEREZ), and what this means for local infrastructure planning.

A key part of the conversation centred on the need for strong inter-departmental alignment across Energy, Water and Planning to ensure regional communities like ours are not left behind as major projects progress.

We emphasised the urgency of securing support and funding for time-critical enabling infrastructure, particularly where growth and development depend on it. We also sought ongoing advocacy from the State Government in unlocking future funding opportunities at both state and federal levels.

These conversations are vital. Armidale is well positioned for growth, but we need the right investment and coordination to make the most of the opportunities ahead.

I will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of our community to ensure Armidale’s voice is heard and our future is supported.

Share your feedback on the draft Vitality Plan

I encourage everyone to take the time to review Armidale Regional Council's Draft Vitality Plan, which is now on public exhibition and can be viewed online at yoursay.armidale.nsw.gov.au

The plan has been developed in response to challenges that have been identified in numerous studies over many years, including CBD vacancies, limited city-centre housing, ageing public spaces and the need for stronger economic activity. Rather than addressing these issues through individual projects, the Draft Vitality Plan brings them together into a single long-term vision for the future of Armidale's CBD.

I know there has been considerable discussion about the proposal to reintroduce limited vehicle access to Beardy Street Mall and other ideas presented within the draft. It is important to understand that these are recommendations within the draft plan only and is not a final Council decision. 

Community views on this issue differ, and that's exactly why the plan is being exhibited. Whether you support the proposal, oppose it, or would like more information before forming a view, Council wants to hear from you.

The exhibition period runs for 42 days, providing plenty of time to read the document and provide feedback. I encourage everyone with an interest in the future of Armidale's city centre to have their say.

Visit to the Central West Orana REZ

I was part of a delegation of councillors and staff from Armidale, Uralla, Walcha and Tamworth who travelled to Coolah, Dunedoo and Mudgee to visit the Central West Orana REZ. My takeaway from it is that we need to have a lot of the critical enabling infrastructure (water, waste and accommodation) locked in with very tight agreements before construction commences – because once it is started there is very little wriggle room for change. 

We visited the ACEREZ workers camp which is being constructed to house 1,200 workers on the transmission line and a nearby wind farm. We also spoke with the management and mayors of Warrumbungle Shire and Mid Western Council (Mudgee) to hear first-hand the challenges they have faced. There is plenty we can learn from them and will continue to do so via the Coalition of Renewable Energy Mayors which I chair.

Ask us anything on 21 July

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 Deputy Mayor Todd Redwood for a cuppa and conversation:
 WHEN: 8am - 9:30am, Tuesday 21 July 2026
 WHERE: The Goldfish Bowl, 160 Rusden Street, Armidale 

'Ask us anything' sessions are scheduled at cafes around the region, and are just one way to connect with local leaders and stay informed about upcoming initiatives.

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