March Council Meeting News Report

Published on 20 March 2025

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Bathurst Regional Council held an Ordinary Council Meeting on 19 March 2025.  

Below is a media release collation from the meeting’s business papers. 

8.1 Mayoral Minute – Financial Sustainability and Governance Accountability  

Bathurst Regional Council faces significant financial challenges, highlighted by a second breach of legislative requirements through the inappropriate use of restricted financial reserves. This breach has resulted in the General Fund displaying a negative balance, a serious indicator of financial distress, impacting Council’s immediate liquidity, operational stability, and community trust. 

Councillors noted that they are accountable for revenue of Bathurst Regional Council and need to partner with the executive and act quickly on this matter. 

Therefore, in the interest of financial sustainability and accountability, Council has directed the General Manager to: 

  • provide a comprehensive financial report on the recent general fund deficit event 

  • establish a temporary Financial Sustainability Committee comprising selected senior finance staff, Mayor Cr Robert Taylor, Deputy Mayor Ben Fry, and Crs Cranston and Packham 

  • refer the matter to the Audit Risk Improvement Committee (ARIC). 

9.1.3 REGIONAL PRECINCTS AND PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM STREAM 1 

$1.72m of funding has been awarded to Bathurst Regional Council as part of the Federal Government’s Regional Precinct and Partnerships Program.  

This grant will go towards planning Council’s Connected Regional Neighbourhoods project, which aims to: 

  • Create a more walkable, vibrant, sustainable and smart town centre to revitalise Bathurst’s CBD  

  • Address the needs of Bathurst’s growing population, utilising the combined expertise of Council, Transport for NSW and the NSW Department of Customer Service 

  • Capitalise on local strategies and community engagement to develop concept designs incorporating active transport infrastructure, streetscape enhancements, and smart, sustainable technology. 

This grant funding will support Council’s project intentions of ensuring safe and connected public places are designed for our growing, active community. 

See full Council report, here: REGIONAL PRECINCTS AND PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM STREAM 1 

9.2.5 REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE – 2025 HOCKEY NSW WOMEN’S MASTERS TOURNAMENT 

Council has supported a request by the Bathurst Hockey Association of $12,463 in financial assistance for the 2025 Hockey NSW Women’s Masters Tournament. 

This funding is being provided through Council’s 2024/2025 Section 356 General Donations allocation. 

The tournament will take place from 24-27 July with teams and spectators travelling from across the state to take part.  

Acknowledgement of Council’s support will be showcased through:  

  • Council logo on the William Street banner;  

  • Acknowledgement in the opening ceremony speech; 

  • Acknowledgement included in information packs; and  

  • Signage at the facility 

9.3.1 WATER SUPPLY UPDATE 

Updates on water storage levels for both Chifley and Winburndale Dams are provided to Council quarterly.  

As at 4 March 2025, Bathurst’s Chifley Dam was at 99.5% capacity, with 29,934ML in storage. Chifley Dam has been close to capacity, or overflowing, for over 53 months.  

At the same date, Winburndale Dam’s capacity was at 95.8%, with 1,629ML in storage.  

Over the last 4 weeks, the average estimated water usage for Bathurst is 163L per person, per day.  

Councillors requested a thorough report on water security projects across the region, including Winburndale Flow rates, Water Harvesting, Macquarie Castlereagh Water Sharing Plan Status and Groundwater proposal which will be presented at a future meeting. 

See full Council report, here: WATER SUPPLY UPDATE 

9.4.1 BATHURST VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE – TOYO HIGH SCHOOL CULTURAL TOUR 2025 

Students from Toyo High School in Tokyo, Japan, visited Bathurst from 28 February 2025 to 3 March 2025 on a cultural exchange visit as a part of their ongoing sister-school relationship with Denison College. 

113 Japanese students from Toyo High School participated in this year’s visit.  

The students were accommodated during their stay by 48 Bathurst Host Families, with 39 being returning previous host families and nine being new families opening their homes to the Japanese students. This tour was the school’s 23rd visit to Bathurst and was the largest Japanese student group since before COVID-19. 

Whilst in Bathurst the students enjoyed a weekend of free time with their host families, many of whom took the opportunity to show off local attractions and activities to the students. The weekend concluded with a celebration and concert on the evening of Sunday 2 March at Bathurst High attended by an audience of over 150 made up of host families and of the local community. 

Feedback from students, teaching staff of Toyo High and Denison College and from host families was overwhelmingly positive and emphasised the importance of this ongoing cultural exchange program. 

The visit injected over $50,000 directly into the local economy, including payments made to participating host families. 

 

Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer  

P: 02 6333 6179 M: 0448 685 340 E: genevieve.green@bathurst.nsw.gov.au  

 

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