What's News 16 January 2026

Published on 16 January 2026

What's News 2026 Tile

Australia Day in Bathurst  

This Australia Day, reflect, respect and celebrate with our community with a range of events scheduled across the Bathurst Region.   

Saturday 24 January 2026  

Outdoor Cinema - Movie screening of Red Dog (PG)  

Time: Movie starts at 7.30pm  

Location: Kings Parade  

Monday 26 January 2026  

Citizenship Ceremony  

Time: 9.30am  

Location: Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre City Hall  

Australia Day Awards Ceremony  

Time: 11.00am  

Location: Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre City Hall  

Australia Day by the Pool  

Time: 11.00am – 5.30pm  

Location: Manning Aquatic Centre  

-$2 entry  

-Free inflatable pool toys  

-BBQ  

-Water activities conducted by pool staff  

Australia Day at the Villages  

Free BBQ and community event/activities  

Time: 9am - 3pm 

Location: Thompson Street Reserve, Wattle Flat 

Sofala’s 7th Annual Jerky Making Competition 

Jerky competition, live music and yabby races 

Time: From 10am 

Location: The Royal Hotel, Sofala 

For updates and further information, head to Council’s website: https://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/Events/Australia-Day   

Museum Selfie Day 

Museum Selfie Day is on again!  

Next Wednesday 21 January, enjoy FREE ENTRY to participating museums in Bathurst for the annual Museum Selfie Day. Strike a pose, take a selfie and tag #museumselfiebathurst 

For the list of participating museums and opening times, visit: https://museumsbathurst.com.au/selfie/  

Barrack Lane closure 

Barrack Lane (off Howick St) will be closed next Sunday 25 January between 9:00am and 1:00pm for emergency sewer works.  

While the work is underway, access to vehicle to Coles and the Coles carpark will be from Durham Street only. Traffic control will be in place. 

Waste 2 Art 2026 

The 2026 Waste 2 Art competition is officially open for entries! 

This year’s theme is ‘Shrink Your Footprint,’ focusing on the growing challenge of reducing humanity’s mass waste footprint. Reflecting this, every artwork this year is required to fit in a shoebox and must be made entirely out of recyclable or reused materials.  

For all the details and to enter, visit Council’s website: https://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/Services/Waste-Recycling/Waste-2-Art   

Entries close 3pm Monday 27 April. 

Realignment of Suburb Boundary - Kelso and Laffing Waters  

Council has undertaken a review of suburb boundaries in the Kelso and Laffing waters suburbs. Following that review it is proposed that the suburb boundary between Kelso and Laffing Waters be realigned so that it is clear of future proposed lots and associated roads. The proposed new alignment follows an existing watercourse that will ultimately become a drainage reserve and public open space corridor. The proposed suburb boundary realignment is on exhibition until 10 February 2026.  

For more information and to lodge a submission please visit Council’s YourSay website https://yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/realignment

Naming of Roads - Roads Act 1993  

Notice is hereby given that Bathurst Regional Council, in pursuance of Section 162 of the abovementioned Act, proposes to name the roads shown hereunder:  

PROPOSED NAME

LOCATION

 

Marshall Close

For the new cul-de-sac off the northern end of Bunyan Drive, Emmett Drive and Foskett Drive created by the subdivision of Lot 179 DP 1304669, Kelso.

The proposed road name is on exhibition from until 10 February 2026. For more information and to lodge a submission please visit Council’s YourSay website https://yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/roadnaming

Scheduled Maintenance Work on Russell Street 

On 1-2 February, UGL Regional Linx will commence scheduled maintenance work on the bridge at Russell Street. The work will involve repairing bridge components to improve its structural integrity. Work will take place from 7am-5pm, with traffic control in place across both days. For more information, contact their team on 1300 661 390. 

Tickets to the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail are on sale! 

Tickets to the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail are now on sale. Watch blacksmiths forge iron, see saddlers at work, and discover trades that are disappearing from modern life.  

Date: 11 – 12 April 2026 

Venue: Bathurst Showgrounds 

NRL Ticket Sales 

Tickets for Round 2 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership between the Penrith Panthers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are on sale! Make sure you get in quick – Grandstand tickets have already sold out! 

The game will take place Saturday 14 March, kicking off at Carrington Park at 7:30pm. For more details on the event week and to purchase tickets, head to: www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/Events/NRL   

Survey Work in the CBD 

Survey work detailing existing infrastructure is currently underway in various locations across the CBD. Work has commenced to detect and map the exact location of underground utilities including stormwater, sewer, water, telecommunications, gas and electricity. As many of the utilities are located within parking and traffic lanes within the CBD, there will be traffic control in place to ensure the safety of workers. There will be some impact on parking as the works occur, usually for around two-hour periods, but impacted businesses will be advised.  

The work is the first project funded through the $1.72 million grant from the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, Sport and the Arts through the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (RPPP), for our Connected Regional Neighbourhoods project.  

All work is expected to be finished by February 2026.  

For more information on the project visit https://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/.../Connected-regional... 

Have Your Say – Regional Integrated Transport Plan 

The NSW Government is paving the way for a transport system that reflects the unique character and needs of the Central West and Orana Region, and your input is needed. 

The Draft Central West and Orana Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan provides a 20-year vision and defines the key transport priorities for the region to support community, land use and transport needs, now and into the future. 

The draft plan is now available for feedback. To view the plan and submit your feedback - https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/.../central-west-and... 

The consultation period has been extended until Friday 30 January 2026. 

 

Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer  

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