Building Bathurst’s Future | Laffing Waters Development Application
Published on 04 August 2025
Council has lodged the first Development Application (DA) for construction of the foundational infrastructure of the future Laffing Waters Master Plan development precinct.
Council adopted the Laffing Waters Master Plan in 2019 to support the development of a key urban growth area in the city’s northeast. The initiative gained momentum following Council securing a $20 million grant in late 2024 from the NSW Government’s Accelerated Infrastructure Fund (Restart NSW).
Bathurst Mayor, Cr Robert Taylor, noted the importance of this future development in supporting the rapid growth of our regional city.
“The Laffing Waters Master Plan guides future development to create a sustainable and liveable community to house some 3,000 new homes in the northeast sector of our great, expansive city.
“To ensure this project is supported by specialist expertise, Council has engaged global consulting firm, SMEC to prepare the DA. They offer vital industry knowledge in advanced GIS modelling, Water Sensitive Urban Design and the range of specialist reports required to support the DA. Our collaboration with their team will ensure infrastructure proposals are sustainable and are cohesively integrated into the unique urban landscape we have here in Bathurst.
“Bathurst Regional Council will also make a contribution to this project of approximately $6.6M to be funded from the Water and Sewer reserve, to assist with the construction of this work,” said Mayor Taylor.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said this brings Bathurst a step closer to delivering new homes needed to support the region’s growing population.
“Laffing Waters is an investment in Bathurst’s future which will help keep and attract families and young people.
“The Minns Labor Government is building better communities right across the state, which is why we’ve provided $20 million to help deliver critical infrastructure for the development including stormwater management, new roads and active transport routes,” commented Mr Scully.
The DA for the construction of this initial infrastructure is on public exhibition for a period of 28 days and is available via Council’s YourSay webpage:
The application covers infrastructure planning and design for construction of stormwater management, wastewater and drinking water systems, new roadways, road/intersection upgrades, bulk earthworks and the provision of essential utilities within the Laffing Waters precinct.
Council invites the community to review the document and provide written submissions from 4 August up until 1 September. The application, and any submissions lodged during the public exhibition period, will be considered and assessed by the NSW Regional Planning Panel.
Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer