What's News 17 July 2026
Published on 17 July 2026
Take part in Plastic Free July and reduce your plastic waste.
Join us as we take part in this global movement that helps to make it easier to reduce single-use plastic through simple, everyday choices. For you, it can begin with just one simple swap. From bringing a reusable cup to the cafe, choosing loose fruit and vegetables or keeping a container handy for takeaway food, you can make a difference.
These are the kind of changes that can fit easily into our everyday lives and over time, these small shifts become the new normal. Start the swap today.
Have Your Say on Accessibility and Inclusion
Council is developing the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2027-2031 and we want to hear from you. Share your thoughts on how we can make our city more accessible for everyone. Whether you're a person with disability, a carer, service provider, local businesses or community member, your voice matters.
Hard copies of the survey are also available at the Bathurst Library and Bathurst Civic Centre, including an Easy Read version.
Your feedback will help shape Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2027-2031.
Everyone who provides feedback will go into the draw to win a $50 Buy Local gift card, terms and conditions apply.
If you need help with the survey, please call 02 6333 6523. Additional assistance is available through the Voice Relay: 1300 555 727 or the TTY (Teletypewriter): 133 677.
Survey closes Wednesday 5 August 2026.
Household Chemical Cleanout Event
On 2 August, Council will once again be hosting its annual Household Chemical Cleanout to provide residents with a safe and free way to dispose of a wide range of household hazardous materials. Eligible items for disposal include household cleaning fluids, garden and pool chemicals, batteries, paint, motor oil, fire extinguishers, gas bottles and smoke detectors.
This event is a safe and convenient way to protect our communities and public health. Items can be brought to Harris Park, Mount Panorama on Sunday 2 August from 11am-2pm for free disposal. Please ensure when transporting any chemicals that all containers are sealed, sat upright and aren’t leaking.
Council resolved at its meeting on 17 June 2026 to place the previously adopted 2025 Code of Meeting Practice back on public exhibition for public comment after a disallowance motion was passed in the NSW Legislative Council, meaning the adopted Code was no longer valid.
Council resolved to retain a number of changes introduced under the previously adopted 2025 Code of Meeting Practice. To retain those provisions, an amendment to the Code is required.
Submissions must be lodged by 4pm on Monday 10 August 2026.
Heritage Assistance Grants
Council’s Heritage Assistance Grants are now open for the 2026/27 period. The program offers up to $5,000 on a dollar for dollar basis toward heritage conservation and interpretation projects.
Applications close on Friday 24 July 2026.
Have Your Say - Planning Proposal seeking to amend the Bathurst Regional Local Environmental Plan 2014 at 18 Lambert Street
Council is in receipt of a Planning Proposal in relation to land at 18 Lambert Street, (PP-2025-2557), Bathurst and invites written submissions in relation to the Planning Proposal and DCP amendment. Any submission needs to be lodged with Council by 4:00pm on Monday 20 July 2026 and must include your name and address.
Any submission that you make on the proposal may be included without alteration (including names and addresses) in reports that are available to the public in Council business papers.
The 2025/2026 waste vouchers will expire later this month on 31 July. It's not too late to get the most out of your vouchers!
A maximum of four vouchers (600 kg total) can be used in a single transaction. Standard fees will apply to any weight above the voucher allowance. Credit is not issued, and vouchers must be presented at the time of disposal.
The 2026/2027 waste vouchers will be included in the July rates notice.
Great Western Highway closed in both directions between Little Hartley and Mount Victoria
Traffic on the Great Western Highway is being diverted at Lithgow to travel along Main Street, Chifley Road and the Darling Causeway before rejoining the highway at Mount Victoria due to cracks discovered at Victoria Pass in March 2026. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time. School buses will be diverting away from the area.
Announced late June 2026, Seymour Whyte has been awarded the construction contract. Major works are expected to begin in July 2026, with the current reopening timeline set for mid-2027. The engineering solution will be a new bridge structure built over Mitchells Causeway, supported by deep piling into stable bedrock, with the heritage causeway being stabilised at the same time.
Transport for NSW will be running temporary additional train services and free coach services to support communities like ours impacted by this disruption.
Australia Day Awards | Nominations now open
Nominations are now open for the 2027 Australia Day Awards. Categories include Youth Arts, Youth Service, and Event of the Year, covering Destination Event, Community Event, and Most Outstanding New Event.
Youth Arts and Youth Service nominations close Friday 6 November 2026. Event of the Year nominations close Friday 8 January 2027.