5 March, 2026

Welcome to the first Regional Ramble for 2026! Wondering what has been occupying me as Mayor? What is my focus? What is council championing on your behalf? The Regional Ramble is here to help answer those questions. Let’s get into it!

Armidale Autumn Festival - An experience like no other!

I’ve had the pleasure of attending many Autumn Festivals over the years, and no matter how many you go to, there is simply no comparison to the community spirit on display.

The Armidale Autumn Festival is one of our most cherished traditions, and I’m delighted to see it return on Saturday 21 March 2026. Held in Civic Park and throughout the Armidale CBD, this year’s festival will run from early morning through to late afternoon and will once again showcase everything that makes our region special. From the iconic street parade and live entertainment to market stalls, family activities and new heritage‑focused attractions, this year's festival has something for everyone. 

Once again, the team working behind the scenes is taking the Autumn Festival to new heights, quite literally. This year we’re thrilled to welcome Skywhales Across Australia brought to Armidale by the National Gallery of Australia and in partnership with NERAM, with a breathtaking aerial performance over Rologas Fields as the sun rises. Later in the day, the excitement continues as Paul Bennet’s high‑energy aerial spectacular lights up the sky, delivering an unmissable, adrenaline‑charged performance that launches the Autumn Festival Parade in unforgettable style.

Beyond being a great day out, the Autumn Festival is also a major economic driver for our region. Each year it attracts more than 7,000 people into the CBD, making it one of the largest community festivals in the Armidale Region. That influx of visitors provides a significant boost for local businesses, cafés, accommodation providers and retailers, while also promoting Armidale as a vibrant destination for future visitors.

Most importantly, the festival brings people together. It’s a celebration of who we are as a community - welcoming, creative and proud of our region. Events like the Autumn Festival strengthen local connections, support our economy and remind us why the Armidale Region is such a wonderful place to live and visit.

Destination Management Plan adopted

At our February Ordinary Council Meeting, Council adopted the Destination Management Plan 2026-2031 and Insights Report.

The plan was adopted after extensive stakeholder and community consultation, to meet a need identified in the Local Strategy Planning Statement (LSPS) Toward 50,000 that a broader approach to tourism was required. It will guide the sustainable growth of Armidale Region's visitor economy over the next five years - ensuring tourism is managed strategically for long-term community benefit.

Would your organisation or idea benefit from funding?

Armidale Regional Council's Community Grants and Village Grants are open.

If your organisation or idea would benefit from some council funding, this is a pathway. We are keen to keep building the strong community spirit in this place so get on board and don’t let funding be a barrier to what you are looking to achieve!

Local not-for-profit organisations and community groups are eligible to apply for:
◾ Community Small Grants - up to $2000
◾ Community Support Grants - $2000 to $5000
◾ Armidale Regional Village Grants – up to $3500

Community proudly cleans up on Clean Up Australia Day

On Sunday 1 March, I was proud to see our community come together once again for Clean Up Australia Day, with volunteers of all ages caring for the places we share. 

Across Armidale, people rolled up their sleeves to remove litter from our parks, lookouts and waterways, demonstrating real pride in their local environment. Supported by Armidale Regi dayonal Council, cleanup activities took place at Curtis Park, Civic Park, Harris Park, the Armidale Bicentennial Arboretum, Drummond Apex Lookout and surrounding creeklands. 

Clean Up Australia Day is a wonderful example of our community working toward a common purpose. It was encouraging to see residents, students and community groups working side by side to care for our open spaces and waterways for future generations. 

I was especially pleased to see strong participation from The Armidale School, Martin’s Gully Public School, the Armidale Urban Rivercare Group, Ascent, the University of New England, Zonta and many local residents. Their collective effort played a big role in making the day such a success. 

Throughout the morning, volunteers helped improve environmental health while reinforcing the importance of waste reduction and sustainability. Council’s Engagement, Parks and Waste teams supported the event to ensure everyone could take part safely and effectively. 

Every piece of litter removed makes a difference. Council is proud to support Clean Up Australia Day and to work alongside our community to keep Armidale clean, healthy and beautiful. 

Waterfall Way closure

Bellingen Shire Council has extended the Waterfall Way Community Impact Survey until 8 March and I’m encouraging our community to take part. Although the survey is being conducted by our neighbours in Bellingen, the impacts of the landslip are shared across the region, and it’s important that the experiences of Armidale Regional Council residents are clearly represented.

The survey is a valuable tool to demonstrate the real and ongoing effects of the road closure on individuals, families, businesses, and service providers. It helps quantify how disruptions to Waterfall Way are affecting access to essential services, travel times, community wellbeing, and the ability of local organisations to deliver support. 

Your input will help strengthen the case for a long‑term solution. The more comprehensive the feedback, the stronger the evidence base for state and federal decision‑makers.

The survey is open until 8 March, and I encourage anyone affected by the closure, directly or indirectly, to take a few minutes to share their experience.

Rail Trail preliminary works

Residents will soon see more activity along the rail corridor as Council moves into the next phase of work required under the NSW Rail Trail Framework. Following the decision of Council late last year, we are now undertaking a series of detailed studies that must be completed before any further decisions can be considered.

Over the coming weeks, specialist teams will be on the rail line carrying out environmental assessments, Aboriginal heritage impact studies, and a range of other investigations needed to meet state‑level requirements. You may also notice public invitations for community members to participate in aspects of the Aboriginal heritage work. Broader opportunities for community consultation and feedback will follow as the process continues.

This work has been anticipated for some time, but with on‑ground activity now beginning, I want to ensure our community is fully informed. These studies are routine, necessary steps in the framework, and there is no cause for concern, though people may notice more movement along the corridor than usual.

Council will continue to keep the community updated as the project progresses.

Community Benefit Sharing Framework continues to deliver

At its most recent meeting, Council resolved planning agreements for four major Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects, reinforcing the Armidale Region’s position as a key contributor to Australia’s clean energy transition, and ensuring our communities share in the benefits.

Battery energy storage is a critical enabler of renewable energy. By storing excess power when generation is high and releasing it when demand peaks, these systems improve grid reliability and help unlock the full potential of future Renewable Energy Zones planned across the region. Together, these projects are laying the groundwork for a more resilient energy network that supports long‑term investment and economic growth.

The agreements endorsed by Council demonstrate a strong and consistent approach to securing value for the community. For the proposed Ebor Battery Energy Storage System, a 100 MW / 800 MWh State Significant Development, Council negotiated annual capacity‑based payments for the life of the project, along with targeted one‑off funding for local priorities including an electric vehicle charging station, town hall upgrades and sportsground improvements in Ebor.

For  the Armidale East Battery Energy Storage System, the agreement included a benefit‑sharing model that involves a significant upfront contribution at the commencement of construction, followed by CPI‑adjusted annual payments over the project’s life. This structure ensures early investment while delivering long‑term returns to the community.

Similar annual capacity‑based contributions were also secured for the Wongalea and Holloway Battery Energy Storage Systems, providing ongoing funding streams that can be directed toward improving amenities and services across the Armidale region.

Importantly, these outcomes reflect Council’s proactive stance. Rather than taking a back seat, Council is working to ensure large‑scale energy projects contribute meaningfully to local communities. By setting strong precedents now, Council is ensuring that as renewable energy development accelerates, the Armidale Region is not just hosting infrastructure, but sharing in its benefits for generations to come.

Review of EnergyCo Regional Major Infrastructure Studies

Recent REZ‑wide studies commissioned by EnergyCo have confirmed several critical infrastructure pressures that our Council has been raising with the NSW Government for some time. What’s different now is that these challenges have been quantified at a regional scale, giving us a clearer picture of what the Renewable Energy Zone will mean for our communities.

The findings show that our existing water and wastewater networks do not have the capacity to support the scale of construction and long‑term operation proposed. Similarly, local landfill and waste management facilities are not equipped to handle the significant increase in waste streams associated with the REZ.

The studies also highlight that the current local workforce and accommodation options are insufficient, meaning large numbers of non‑local workers and substantial new housing or temporary accommodation would be required. Finally, our local and regional supply chains lack the scale and readiness to meet the demands of REZ delivery without major external inputs.

These insights reinforce the need for strong, coordinated planning and meaningful investment from the NSW Government to ensure that the REZ strengthens, rather than strains our region. Council will continue advocating for the infrastructure, services, and support our communities need to manage this transition responsibly and sustainably.

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.