What's News 8 November 2024
Published on 08 November 2024
With the election of the new Council in October 2024, it's time to update the Community Strategic Plan (CSP).
The CSP is Council and the community's vision for the future of our region.
We'd like to hear from you about what you see as being important, what you love about our community and what your priorities are for the future of our region.
Share your thoughts in our survey below.
Your feedback will help us draft the Community Strategic Plan in coming months - and we will share the draft document back with the community in the new year before it is adopted by Council by June 2025.
BRAG sculpture undergoing repair
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery’s (BRAG) beloved entryway sculpture redjar redbottle, 2013 by Philip Spelman is currently undergoing conservation and repair work to address safety risks posed by active corrosion. It will be returned to the site in early 2025.
The operation and opening hours of the gallery are not impacted during this time.
Visit BRAG: Tuesday – Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday – Sunday 10am-2pm
Community Tree Planting Day
Why not lend us a hand on Sunday 24 November 2024 to help plant native plants along the banks of Queen Charlotte's Vale Creek?
Commencing at 10am off Russell Street near Torpys Bridge, adults and kids alike can help plant native trees, shrubs and grasses that, once mature, will provide habitat for local wildlife and improve the health and ecological function of this important urban waterway. Council will also host a free BBQ lunch afterwards.
No experience is needed, and all plants and equipment are provided. Please bring water, sunscreen and a hat, and wear suitable shoes and clothing for being outdoors.
To ensure safe hygiene practices, we ask that you please bring along your own gardening gloves. Council will provide hand washing facilities.
The event will go ahead in light rain, so please bring a wet weather jacket just in case.
All children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult carer.
For more information, contact Council's Community Environmental Engagement Programs Officer Bill Josh (Habitat Connect) on 0407 256 791 or Council’s Environmental Programs Coordinator on 02 6333 6233.
Temporary Road Closure Bentinck St - Tree Pruning
Tree maintenance works are soon to be undertaken on Heritage listed Elm trees in Bentinck Street.
For these works to occur, the West bound lane of Bentinck Street (between Durham and Howick Street), will be closed whilst tree works are in progress.
Works will be undertaken between the hours of 7am – 3pm on Wednesday 27 November 2024, subject to weather and other operational constraints.
Traffic Control will be in place, with detours set up to ensure access throughout the CBD remains.
National Recycling Week 2024: Join the Cycle
Bathurst Regional Council and Planet Ark are encouraging Bathurst residents to discover new ways to reduce, reuse and recycle during National Recycling Week 2024.
The campaign’s call to action, Join the Cycle, urges councils, workplaces, schools and individuals to engage in improving their recycling knowledge and building better recycling practices, such as repairing and reusing what we already have.
Running from 11-17 November, National Recycling Week provides an opportunity for residents and workplaces to learn simple methods of reducing their environmental footprint and preventing waste.
Mitre & Howick Street roundabout construction
The Mitre & Howick Street roundabout remains under construction but has now re-opened to traffic.
To date, the construction changes to the centre island, centre median islands and pedestrian access ramps have been completed and construction crews have commenced the installation of the kerbside approach islands, which will be installed on all four road approaches to the roundabout.
Traffic control will be in place during the next 2-3 weeks while construction teams continue to undertake the construction of the additional concrete kerb islands to finalise the project work.
With continued favourable weather, it is forecast that all works will be wrapped up by the end of November including the final line marking touches to all road approaches of the newly reconstructed roundabout.
Council thanks both residents and motorists for their patience with the changes, which provide improved safety benefits for the community. The 3-week total road closure of Mitre & Howick Streets , along with the favourable weather conditions allowed Council to accelerate works across the closure period.
As part of Council’s Resurfacing Program, road works will be taking place on Havannah St, between Rocket St and Brilliant St, from the week commencing 11 November.
The work is set to take approximately 1-2 weeks, weather permitting.
While this work is underway, the road will be temporarily closed with access strictly to residents only. The site will be under daily traffic control from 6:30am to 3:00pm.
For any queries, please contact Councils’ Department of Engineering Services on 6333 6100.
Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan
The Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) for the Central West & Orana will be released at the end of 2025. The NSW Government is focused on capturing what makes our region unique and ensuring our transport infrastructure supports every residents’ way of life. They're seeking community feedback on how they can best plan for the future of transport across the region.
For more information and to provide your feedback, please visit:
Share your thoughts by 31 December 2024.
Mitchell Highway Upgrades, Vittoria West
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is carrying out important safety work on the Mitchell Highway in preparation for the Vittoria West safety upgrade project.
From Monday 4 November, TfNSW and their appointed contractor will be removing some non-native trees, shrubs and weeds along the road corridor to allow for future widening work. They will also be carrying out fencing and culvert improvement work. The project is expected to take approximately 4 weeks to complete, weather permitting, and will take place at Vittoria, near Gardiners Road on the Mitchell Highway, approximately 22km west of Bathurst.
Work will take place between 7am and 5pm from Monday to Friday.
For the safety of workers and motorists, several traffic changes will be in place during the work, including:
• reduced speed limit to 40 km/h
All road users are advised to follow the directions of signs and traffic control and slow down on approach. Resident and business access will be maintained during this work.
For the latest traffic updates, call 132 701, or visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW App.
Supercheap Auto Bathurst International
The final Supercheap Auto Bathurst International is taking place from 8-10 November.
Bathurst residents receive free entry on Friday 8 November, with kids under 12 granted free entry all weekend.
Council is seeking community feedback on the recent NSW Government’s Cemetery Reform that has impacted its ability to provide new burial opportunities within the region’s active rural cemeteries.
At its Ordinary Meeting held 16 October 2024, Council resolved in part to temporarily suspend further reservations to the region’s six active rural cemeteries until it determined an outcome following public consultation, and to commence consultation with village groups concerning the possible closure of selected rural cemeteries within the Bathurst Region for future reservations.
Council is seeking comment from residents within the rural community on this important issue.
Submissions can be submitted via the feedback on YourSay Bathurst or can be sent to The General Manager, Bathurst Regional Council, PMB 17, Bathurst NSW 2795, or council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au.
Submissions will be received up until 10am Tuesday, 3 December 2024
Free Workshop for Learner Driver Supervisors
Transport for NSW is holding a free workshop from 6-7:30pm on Thursday 14 November for parents and supervisors of learner drivers.
The workshop will offer practical advice about current driving rules and requirements for L and P platers, how learners benefit from supervised on-road driving and how you can help make learning to drive a safe and positive experience.
Upcoming Village Meetings
Sofala Village Meeting – 6pm, Tuesday, 12 November 2024 - Sofala Community Hall, Sofala.
Road Closure | Hughes & Marsden Lane roundabout construction
Marsden Lane, between Ilumba Way and Sunbright Road will be temporarily closed to traffic from Monday 21 October for approximately 14 weeks for the construction of a roundabout.
Local resident access will be maintained.
For more information call Hynash Constructions on 6332 4343.
National Motor Racing Museum Exhibition
The National Motor Racing Museum has opened a new exhibition, Group C Touring Cars 1973-1984, to coincide with the 40-year anniversary of the end of Group C regulations in Australian Touring Car racing. The Museum has assembled an incredible display of cars from the period, with loans from private collectors taking pride of place alongside vehicles from the museum’s collection.
The exhibition “Group C Touring Cars 1973-1984” is on at the National Motor Racing Museum, 400 Panorama Avenue, Mount Panorama. Open: 9am-4.30pm daily, closed Tuesdays. Open 7 days per week during NSW school holidays.
Australia Day Awards Nominations Open
Do you know of an exceptional individual in the Bathurst community who has contributed to the great city in which we live, or know of an event that highlighted our community spirit? Here is your chance to recognise them.
Nominations are now open for the following awards that will be presented at the 2025 Australia Day Ceremony.
Youth Arts Award (nominations close Friday 6 December 2024)
Event of the Year Awards – destination, community and new (nominations close Friday 10 January 2025)
Bathurst Region Heritage Plan
Council’s Strategic Planning Section is preparing the next update to the Bathurst Region Heritage Plan. The Plan guides heritage management within the Bathurst Region and establishes the key strategic priorities and actions for heritage management over a period of 4 years. The plan is due to be updated in 2025.
Council is seeking to survey a wide range of community members to gauge their opinion and knowledge on heritage matters.
The online survey is now closed; however, a workshop will be held on the evening of 19 November. RSVP is essential through council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au.
Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer