July 2026 Council Meeting News Report
Published on 16 July 2026
Bathurst Regional Council held an Ordinary Council Meeting on 15 July 2026. Below is a media release collation from the meeting’s business papers.
8.2.4 BATHURST TAFE HERITAGE PRECINCT STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK - ENDORSEMENT OF VISION, STRATEGIC MOVES AND PROGRESSION TO MASTERPLANING
The Bathurst TAFE Heritage Precinct is one of the most significant heritage and urban renewal opportunities available to Council in the Bathurst CBD. Redevelopment of the precinct will have significant benefits for businesses and property owners in the immediate area but also more widely across the Bathurst CBD.
Council has the opportunity to establish a coordinated framework that protects heritage while enabling future investment. The Strategic Framework in this report establishes the long-term vision and strategic direction for the precinct. It does not determine final building heights, architectural outcomes, land uses, parking arrangements or development applications. Those matters will be investigated through a detailed master planning process supported by technical studies, market analysis and community engagement.
The key challenge is balancing heritage conservation with economic viability. The restoration and adaptive reuse of the heritage buildings will require significant investment that is unlikely to be achieved through public funding alone. New development, therefore, becomes the economic mechanism that enables conservation, activation and ongoing renewal.
The next stage of work is the preparation of a detailed Masterplan. Importantly, the Masterplan will not test every possible development scenario. It will investigate only options that are both strategically appropriate and commercially feasible.
At the 15 July Council Meeting, Council resolved to:
-endorse the Strategic Framework for the Bathurst TAFE Heritage Precinct as the long-term direction for renewal of the site, as summarised in this report;
-endorse the following principles for future planning, redevelopment and public domain improvements:
i) create a civic and public gathering space as the organising element of the precinct;
ii) conserve and adaptively reuse the precinct’s landmark heritage buildings;
iii) establish a graduated built form framework responsive to heritage sensitivity and view lines;
iv) encourage new development toward lower-sensitivity and internal areas of the precinct;
v) strengthen pedestrian movement, laneways and east-west connectivity through the site;
vi) support a diverse mix of uses that activate the precinct throughout the day and evening; coordinate servicing, parking and vehicle access without undermining public domain quality; implement redevelopment progressively through a coordinated long term framework; authorise the preparation of a detailed Masterplan, informed by market analysis, heritage investigations, engineering studies and stakeholder engagement; undertake a public awareness and engagement program, including YourSay Bathurst and targeted stakeholder presentations, to seek community feedback on the Strategic Framework.
8.2.5 UPDATE TO BUSHFIRE PRONE LAND MAP
With input from Council staff, a revised Bushfire Prone Land (BFPL) map has been prepared by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) for the Bathurst Region in accordance with legislative requirements. Bushfire Prone Land (BFPL) mapping is intended to identify land that may be exposed to bush fire hazards so that appropriate considerations can be incorporated into the planning and development process.
It is important to note that BFPL maps are not bush fire risk maps. Their purpose is to identify potential bush fire hazards and trigger appropriate assessments.
This review and recertification process that has taken place ensures that the mapping remains current, accurate and prepared in accordance with the prescribed methodology. Council staff have reviewed the draft map and are satisfied that the map has been prepared in accordance with the guidelines.
A significant update to the current BFPL map is the inclusion of Vegetation Category 3 grasslands. These grasslands cover approximately 80% of the state. While often perceived as lower risk than forested vegetation, grass fires can ignite rapidly, spread unpredictably, and travel up to three times faster than bush fires. The updated mapping identifies extensive areas of grasslands within the Bathurst Region as being bushfire prone where historically they have not been mapped.
The Final Draft NSW RFS map can be viewed on Council’s website via the link below.
Council has received the report on the Draft NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Bush Fire Prone Land Map Endorsement and resolved to:
Once certified and published, the BFPL map will have implications for both the area of lands within the LGA that are classified as bushfire prone and the way in which Council undertakes its planning functions.
8.3.7 56 COLVILLE STREET WINDRADYNE
The land at 56 Colville Street Windradyne, Lot 10 in Deposited Plan 1165068, forms part of Council’s property portfolio and is being considered as part of Council’s ongoing review of its property assets. The review seeks to ensure Council’s property holdings continue to align with its long-term strategic, financial and community objectives.
The property is zoned E1 Local Centre, which permits a range of commercial, retail, business and community uses that support the surrounding neighbourhood. Four options for the future use of the site were proposed, with Council resolving to adopt Option 2 – Sale of the Site, with respect to 56 Colville Street Windradyne.
8.3.9 FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY: BEYOND 2026 – UPDATE
Ernst & Young Parthenon have commenced the critical body of work to support the development of a new Financial Sustainability Strategy “Beyond 2026”. The engagement will inform significant policy, financial, service delivery and community-facing decisions by Council.
The Pathway to Sustainability review is currently undertaking a comprehensive assessment of Council's financial and operational information, supported by analysis of relevant external data and industry benchmarking.
8.3.10 REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE – 2026 HOMELESSNESS EVENT
Council is in receipt of a request from Wattle Tree House, a service operated by the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, seeking a waiver of the Bathurst Sportsground venue hire fees for their Homelessness and DV Support event, which is scheduled for 7 August 2026.
Wattle Tree House is undertaking this event as part of their community awareness program for DV and Homelessness.
The venue hire charges for this event amount to $2,072. In addition, Wattle Tree House will be required to pay a security deposit of $2,076 and a key deposit of $40, which are refundable when returned to Council’s satisfaction.
Council supported this event in 2024 and 2025 by waiving the venue hire charges associated with the event.
As a result, Council has resolved to waive the Bathurst Sportsground venue hire fees of $2,072 for their Friday 7 August event, with funding to be provided by Council’s Section 356 General Donations allocation.
8.4.1 WATER SUPPLY UPDATE
As at 1 July 2026, Chifley Dam was at 100.1%, with 30,141ML in storage. Chifley Dam has been spilling since early June 2026. Water release from the Chifley Dam outlet pipework is currently 4.35ML/day.
Winburndale Dam was at 98.2% on 1 July 2026, with 1,669ML in storage.
In Bathurst, the estimated residential water usage varies from week to week but currently remains at approximately the equivalent of below Level 6 water restrictions. Over the last 4 weeks, the average estimated water usage for Bathurst was 8.2ML/d, or 110L/per person per day.
8.4.2 QUOTATION 37.00816 - BATHURST FLOOD STUDY UPDATE – PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Stantec Australia Pty Ltd were appointed by Council in 2024 as the consultants for the Bathurst Flood Study Update. Since this time, Stantec has undertaken extensive data collection, reviews and computer-based modelling resulting in the development of a calibrated flood model and the completion of the draft Flood Study Update Report, which can be viewed on Council’s website at the link below.
A significant change from the previous flood study is the inclusion of the City’s key tributaries in a single floodplain model. The draft Flood Study report also provides an upgrade to the existing computer-based flood model for the Macquarie floodplain, last updated in 2007.
The draft flood study considered the impact of climate change upon rainfall intensity, and the subsequent impact to peak flow within the study area. It has found that there would be an increase in flood intensity and an increase in the number of properties affected by both the 1%AEP 2030 (current day) and 1%AEP 2100 (future day) floods compared with the baseline (pre-1990) flood.
Council has received the Draft Bathurst Flood Study Update Report and resolved to commence Public Exhibition by placing the Report on Council’s website and YourSay site, inviting feedback from the community and landholders.
The public exhibition of the draft Flood Study Update is proposed for a period of six weeks, from Monday 20 July to Friday 28 August 2026. Additionally, Council’s Engineering Team, Planning Team and a representative from Stantec have elected to provide one-on-one information sessions, giving concerned residents the opportunity to discuss individual questions. The one-on-one sessions will commence in the third week of the public exhibition period, giving attendees time to familiarise themselves with the contents of the public exhibition prior to meeting with Council.
Responses received across the surveys and one-on-one sessions will be considered and included in the final report where appropriate. Additionally, frequently asked questions will be compiled and published on the Yoursay website during the exhibition period.
Following the conclusion of the public exhibition phase, Stantec will consolidate the feedback received into the final Flood Study report and present it during an ordinary council meeting recommending its adoption, concluding the process of the flood study update. Following this, Council will start to update its Floodplain Management Policy, including a review of its existing Development Control Plan and Local Environmental Plan.
The completed Flood Study will then allow Council to begin the next stage as outlined by the NSW Government’s Flood Risk Mitigation framework, a Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP). The FRMP will evaluate a range of flood mitigation and risk management options. These may include structural measures, as well as non-structural measures. Having an up-to-date Flood Study also strengthens Council's ability to seek grant funding for future flood mitigation projects by providing the evidence base needed to assess and prioritise potential mitigation options.
8.5.2 2026 BATHURST WRITERS’ AND READERS’ FESTIVAL IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE SYDNEY WRITERS’ FESTIVAL LIVE AND LOCAL (19-24 MAY 2026)
The Bathurst Writers’ & Readers’ Festival (BW&RF) is an annual literary event presented through BMEC’s Local Stages program in partnership with Bathurst Library, Arts OutWest, Books Plus Bathurst and 2BS. In 2026, the festival celebrated its 11th anniversary with attendance figures of 1,527 people at BMEC and 175 people at Bathurst Library, representing a combined attendance increase of 5% compared with 2025.
The festival featured an extensive program of local, national and international writers and thinkers, providing regional audiences with access to high-quality literary experiences without the need to travel to metropolitan centres.
The program catered to audiences of all ages and included a range of accessible events and participation opportunities. The festival also incorporated First Nations programming, including cultural activities and sessions led by Indigenous knowledge holders, recognising and celebrating storytelling traditions and local cultural heritage.
BW&RF supported local businesses through sponsorship opportunities and partnerships, including the operation of a pop-up bookstore by Books Plus Bathurst at both festival venues. These activations enhanced the visitor experience while providing economic benefits and increased exposure for local businesses. It also generated social outcomes by encouraging lifelong learning, fostering community connection and creating opportunities for volunteer participation and community ownership.
Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer