24 April, 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!

Draft 2026/27 budget now on public exhibition

At our Council meeting on Wednesday, we endorsed placing the Draft 2026/27 budget and associated documents on public exhibition. This suite of documents sets out what Council is planning to deliver in the next financial year, including our Operational Plan and proposed fees and charges.

Importantly, the budget delivers a surplus across all Council funds of just under $3 million, reflecting our improving financial position and disciplined approach to planning.

If you’re interested in Council’s work or want to understand what’s proposed for the year ahead, I encourage you to have a look. The draft documents are now on public exhibition and can be viewed on the Your Say Armidale online engagement hub, or in hard copy at the Council buildings in Armidale and Guyra.

Green light for establishment of
a Youth Council

At our Council meeting on Wednesday, we gave the green light to establish a Youth Council for the Armidale Region, and it’s something I’m really excited about.

We already hear from young people in a lot of different ways, but this creates a clear and ongoing space for them to have a seat at the table and genuinely shape Council decisions. The Youth Council will give young people aged 12 to 24 the chance to share their ideas, perspectives and priorities on issues that matter to them and to our broader community.

It’s also a great opportunity to build leadership skills and encourage more young people to get involved in civic life. We want the Youth Council to reflect the diversity of our region – from town and village, Aboriginal young people, and those from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

Young people bring fresh thinking, energy and insight, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the positive contribution the Youth Council will make to our community and to Council’s work.

Long-term water security on the agenda at last month's Regional Cities meeting

I joined fellow members of Regional Cities NSW at our regular March delegation meeting in Sydney last month to engage with government on the key issues facing growing regional cities. We reinforced the importance of sustained investment in connectivity, including road, freight and airport infrastructure, to support regional economies.

We also highlighted the need to unlock land and deliver enabling infrastructure to increase housing supply, and to secure long‑term water security as population and industry demand continue to grow.

These discussions are an important part of ensuring regional cities remain strong, liveable and economically competitive across NSW.

Fact based discussion with rail restoration supporters

At the end of March councillors and the council executive officers met with a group of rail restoration supporters to discuss the future of the rail corridor north of Armidale.  The purpose of the meeting was for all parties to better understand what is possible alongside what is realistic.  I acknowledge that in some quarters the rail corridor is a ‘hot button’ topic but a lot of the heat comes out of the debate when it is grounded in fact.  

The key fact council is working with is that the state government has been very clear they will not be reinstating the rail line and without state government money or state government intent then rail restoration is only possible if the private sector steps in to fund it (estimated to be $2bn+) and over the past 36 years no credible organisation with the financial heft necessary has come forward to do so.

The discussions at the meeting were wide ranging and covered, amongst other things:

• Council support for the return of trains:  this is a given and council wholeheartedly advocates for improved public transport in our region
• Possibility of building the rail trail ‘off formation’: the costings provided by NSW Public Works Authority show this will be between 2x and 3x more expensive depending on the terrain (actual numbers were more detailed than this)
• Possibility of leaving the rails in situ: advice is that should the line be restored for trains, the rails and ballast would need to be replaced.
• Transport for NSW is the authority responsible for the rail line and any rail restoration would need to be done in consultation with them and done to a standard that they would sign off on 
• The group advised they had not received any support from any existing businesses in the region who need rail freight or consider rail freight beneficial to their operations

Community consultation is commencing on 4 May 2026 for the work being undertaken to meet the requirements of the NSW Government's Rail Trail Framework. 

MOU delivers for our region

I'm very pleased that our community, travellers, and visitors to the Armidale region are again enjoying coffee and a snack at Armidale Regional Airport Café thanks to a new arrangement with UNE Life.

The Memorandum of Understanding restoring this important service was finalised at last month's Ordinary Council Meeting.

Cr Todd Redwood and Cr Paul Gaddes caught up with Kim Lawrence, CEO of UNE Life for an early coffee when the café reopened earlier this month. I was not able to be there on day one, but am otherwise a regular!

Armidale Regional Airport draft masterplan on public exhibition

Our regional airport is a vital service, connecting a catchment of more than 75,000 people across the New England area with Sydney, Brisbane and through onward connections around Australia and the world. It is also a critical aerial firefighting base for northern NSW.

At the Ordinary Council Meeting in March, Council endorsed the Draft Armidale Regional Airport Masterplan for public exhibition. This important strategic document required updating and alignment to the Advancing Our Region Community Plan 2025-2034 and Councils Local Strategic Planning Statement Beyond 50,000 in order to guide the efficient ongoing operation of the Armidale Regional Airport and inform the sustainable improvements and development of the airport infrastructure.

This master plan has been informed by consultation and will provide a clear framework for the future planning and development of the airport. Please take a look, and have your say!

Standing up for better rural health

Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, no matter where they live. At Council’s most recent meeting in March, I endorsed a Mayoral Minute highlighting Council's support for the Rural Health Action Plan. Led by the 'Better Care, Closer to Home' campaign, the suggested plan outlines a practical and achievable roadmap to improve health services for rural and regional communities across New South Wales.

Rural communities have long faced unique health challenges. Service closures, workforce shortages and long travel times for care place real pressure on patients, families and health workers. The Rural Health Action Plan acknowledges these realities and focuses on practical reforms that put people first, rather than relying on costly short‑term fixes.

The plan outlines six key actions, including guaranteeing access to a GP in every town, restoring safe local maternity services, reducing reliance on fly‑in locum staff, strengthening local voices in decision‑making, improving coordination across the health system, and creating stronger accountability for rural health outcomes. Together, these reforms aim to deliver better care, closer to home.

As Mayor, I will be writing to the NSW Minister for Regional Health, the Hon. Ryan Park MP, on behalf of Council, to formally advise of our support for the implementation of the Rural Health Action Plan. This correspondence will reinforce the importance of moving from advocacy to action when it comes to rural healthcare.

Council recognises that strong, accessible health services are essential to the wellbeing and sustainability of our communities. We will continue to support ongoing advocacy for improved rural and regional health services that better meet the needs of the Armidale region, and to work with all levels of government to push for meaningful, long‑term reform.

Rail Trail preliminary works

Residents along the old Norther Rail line may have noticed more activity 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.

Specialist teams are 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 well underway 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 with community consultation to commence on the 4 May 2026.

Appetite for action at Regional Energy Accord roundtables

I was pleased to be part of the Regional Energy Accord roundtable discussions in Armidale during March, and glad to be reminded of the valuable collaborative relationships and goodwill that exists in our community.

The Regional Energy Accord is a voluntary framework designed to support regional communities, industry and governments to work together through the energy transition.

In Armidale, the Accord hosted roundtable discussions with local representatives of business, community and young people. I had the great opportunity to gather with mayors from across the broader region. Across each of the sessions, there was clear evidence of goodwill and an appetite for collaboration and action as we move through the energy transition!

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.