Projects, news and current events  |  4 August 2025

Authorisation to repair or replace structures

If you have sustained damage to a structure on your property due to the snowstorm on the weekend residents are now authorised to carry out repairs or replacements to components of buildings including structural components without Council consent, provided the works:

• Reinstate the original structural capacity.
• Do not reduce the structural adequacy or alter the load-bearing design.
• Comply with the Building Code of Australia and SEPP exempt development standards.

For works that exceed these conditions or involve design changes, please contact Mitch Ayre, Council’s Building Surveyor, through Armidale Regional Council’s Customer Service team on 1300 136 833.

Emergency tree removal authorisation

Following the recent heavy snow event, residents are authorised to remove or prune trees that pose an immediate risk to life or property - without prior Council consent- under the following conditions:

• The tree is dead, dying, or dangerous
• It may impact a habitable building or underground utility due to snow damage
• The tree is not on heritage listed land (If you are on heritage listed property, please contact Council )

Residents must submit photographic evidence and location details to Council within 21 days of removal.

Free Green Waste Drop-off | Armidale and Guyra

Free Green Waste Drop-Off – Armidale Waste Management Facility and Guyra Waste Transfer Station.

Due to the damage caused by the recent snowstorm, including fallen trees, residents can drop off green waste for free at the Armidale Waste Management Facility (AWMF) and Guyra Waste Transfer Station.

What to do:
✅ The Council has acted quickly to support the community during the cleanup.
📸 Please take a photo of your green waste: Still on the ground at your property, or already loaded on your trailer at home.
🛑 Show this photo at the AWMF gate or Guyra Waste Transfer Station
📧 Email it to wastebookings@armidale.nsw.gov.au

Help shape the future of our open spaces!

We are developing a new Open Space and Recreation Strategy - and we want to hear from you!

As our community grows, we’re planning for the future of parks, reserves, trails, and recreation facilities across the region. This strategy will guide how we plan, acquire, develop, and manage public open spaces over the next 15 years.

Get involved by filling out our online survey via Your Say Armidale! Prizes to be won, including a $1000 towards one local sporting club!

Call for submissions: Creative Streets Festival

Join us for a dynamic, celebration of art, theatre, innovation, music, dance, culture, and food in the heart of our community! This vibrant Creative Arts and Cultural Street Festival is seeking artists, performers, and creators to take part in a transformative experience that blends tradition, creativity, and contemporary expression in our streets.

We are currently accepting proposals for:

🎭 Art and Light Installations – permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary works
🎶 Live Performances – music, dance, spoken word, theatre, and performance art
🍽 Cultural Cuisine & Food Vendors (standard regulations apply)
🧠 Innovation Showcases – tech-meets-art experiences, interactive design, and creative experiments
🌍 Cultural Showcases – storytelling, rituals, traditional arts, and heritage expression

Whether you’re a solo artist, a collective, a cultural group, or an experimental thinker, we invite your bold ideas that spark wonder, tell a story, or ignite conversation.

Congratulations to our newest citizens!

Last week 44 new citizens pledged their commitment to Australia during a Citizenship Ceremony hosted in Armidale Town Hall.

Citizenship Ceremonies are a highlight in council's calendar, and we are always pleased to celebrate alongside those who are receiving their citizenship, their families and friends.

Water Drops

Do you know that raising the water level in Malpas Dam by 6.49 meters would only yield 80% of the required water during drought conditions? This necessitates finding alternative water sources.

To address this, Armidale Regional Council explored various options, including the restoration of Oaky River Dam. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to diversify the region's water supply and enhance long-term water security.

By investing in multiple sources, council aims to mitigate the risks associated with relying on a single water supply, especially during extreme weather events.

On photo: Malpas Dam during the 2019 drought – a stark reminder of the region’s water challenges.

Miller Street project update

Construction on Miller Street has progressed well, with kerb and gutter installation and driveway access improvements now complete on both the eastern and western sides.

The reconstruction of the road is now well underway and is targeted to be completed over the next couple of weeks.

Upcoming activities following the road reconstruction include a temporary seal to hold the surface until later in the year when the final surfacing will be applied. Final site tidy up will include repairs to Roper Avenue and the park are impacted by the site compound.

The current detour in place is expected to be removed in early this month, weather permitting.

Do you have a community project in mind that could use a little support?

Applications for the next round of Armidale Regional Council grants will open this Friday 25 July 📣

Funding is available for community projects across the region, and also (for the first time in this form) targeted funding for villages:

• Community Small Grants - up to $2000
• Community Support Grants - $2000 to $5000
• Armidale Regional Village Grants – up to $3500

Discover how you can shape the future of Armidale

Join Armidale Regional Council at the Farmers’ Market in Civic Park on Sunday 10 August, 8am - 12pm, for the Local Government Week Careers Showcase.
Explore pathways in engineering, planning, community programs and more. Your next chapter starts here.

Biosecurtiy and Weeds Management

 Regional Priority – Eradication  

Scotch broom and Cape broom are evergreen shrubs with bright yellow, pea-like flowers. These invasive species aggressively outcompete native vegetation and pasture grasses, significantly reducing land productivity.

Scotch broom is toxic to humans and some animals. Its seeds and leaves contain compounds that can cause nausea and high blood pressure if ingested. In large quantities, these toxins may weaken the heart. Contact with the plant may also cause irritation and discomfort.

Identification features include:

• Leaves arranged in groups of three
• Bright yellow, pea-like flowers
• Brown to black, hairy, pea-like seed pods

Note: Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius subsp. scoparius) and Cape broom (Genista monspessulana), including their hybrids, must not be sold anywhere in New South Wales (NSW).

Biosecurity Team – Inspection Areas (August) 

The Biosecurity team will conduct high-risk inspections throughout August at various locations including rest areas, truck stops, landfills, saleyards, and quarries. Targeted private property inspections will focus on priority weed infestations in the following areas:

• Macleay Valley – Tropical Soda Apple
• Rockvale Road & Kelly’s Plains – Serrated Tussock
• Guyra Region – High-risk sites, Travelling Stock Routes (TSRs), and the Tenterdon area
• Aberfoyle & Ben Lomond – Additional private and high-risk inspections

Please note: Inspection schedules may change depending on weather conditions.

Spray Team – Spraying Areas 

The Spray team will be focusing on controlling Broom and Serrated Tussock infestations in the Armidale and Guyra regions over the coming weeks.

Armidale water quality upgrade: Ozone generator installation begins

Starting Monday, 4 August 2025, installation works will begin on the new ozone generator at the Armidale Water Treatment Plant. Ozone generators help to remove any poor taste and odour from our drinking water as part of the treatment process in Armidale.

From Wednesday, 6 August to Saturday morning 9 August, water production will be limited. We kindly ask residents—especially in the Link Road zone (Green & Light Blue) and Ross Street zone (Bluey/Purple)—to conserve water during this period. (Top of map is north)

Please report any water leaks immediately to 1300 136 833 — available 24/7.

The ozone plant may be offline for a day or two, which could cause a temporary change in water taste. Rest assured, the water will still meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines standards and is safe to drink.

Helpful Tips to Get Through the Week:

• Delay non-essential water use (e.g. washing cars, filling pools).
• Keep showers short and efficient.
• Run washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads.
• Fix any dripping taps or running toilets promptly.

Thanks for helping us keep the water flowing and safe for everyone

Stay warm and connected during the power outage

For everyone who is waiting for power to be restored, there are a few places you can visit - to get warm, charge your phone, or have a cup of tea!

Drop in to Armidale Regional Libraries:

• Armidale Library - open today until 5.30pm
• Guyra Library - open today until 5pm

Other options include Armidale City Church which is open today between 10am-1pm (with toys heating, kids' toys, electricity, hot tea and coffee!)

And if you are needing a space to work, NOVA (UNE SMART Region Incubator at 122 Faulkner Street Armidale) has opened up extra free hot desks!

Council Meetings

The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday 27 August 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.