What's News 19 September
Published on 19 September 2025
Submissions open for Australia Day Awards 2026
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Australia Day Awards.
This includes Bathurst’s Citizen of the Year, our Living Legends, the Youth Arts Awards, and a new award for 2026, the Youth Community Service Award. Nominations for these awards will close Friday 7 November 2025.
The Event of the Year award is also open for nominations. There are three categories to be awarded, including Destination Event of the Year, Community Event of the Year, as well as the most outstanding New Event of the Year. Nominations for these awards can be made up until Friday 9 January 2026.
Nightworks at Evans Bridge on Great Western Highway
Transport for NSW will be carrying out routine bridge maintenance work on Evans Bridge on the Great Western Highway, between Bathurst and Kelso. The work will include rehabilitation of steel expansion joints in the westbound lane of Evans Bridge.
They’ll be working at Evans Bridge near the intersection of Great Western Highway and Havannah Street from 29 September, for four nights, weather permitting.
They will be working at night from 7pm to 6am, Monday to Fridays.
For more information about this work, visit https://www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/249283 or call 132 701.
Nightworks on Mitchell Highway, Vittoria West
Transport for NSW is continuing construction on the Vittoria West safety project on the Mitchell Highway between Bathurst and Orange. A detour for nightwork on the Mitchell Highway between Bathurst and Orange will be taking place from Wednesday 24 September. Work will be carried out at night between 7pm and 5am from Wednesday 24 September. Work is expected to take two nights to complete, weather permitting.
Following the completion of the nightwork, work will continue on the project during our standard day working hours Monday to Friday, 7am - 5pm. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
For more information, visit www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/227808 or download the Live Traffic app.
Council advises that Russell Street between George Street and William Street will be temporarily closed on Sunday 21 September 2025 between 6am and 2.30pm for the 2025 Bathurst Edgell Jog.
2025 Repco Bathurst 1000 Race Week Off Track Events
Council advises that the following closures and changes to traffic conditions will be in place for Race Week Events.
•Closure of Russell Street and Church Street between William Street and George Street from 6am Tuesday 7 October to 6am Thursday 9 October 2025.
•Closure of William Street between Church Street and Russell Street from 4.30pm to 7.30pm Wednesday 8 October 2025.
•No parking on Russell Street and Church Street between William Street and George Street from 4pm Monday 6 October 2025.
•No parking on William Street between Church Street and Lambert Street from 6am to 7.30pm Wednesday 8 October 2025.
•Fencing will be in place along William Street between Russell and Lambert Street from 5am Wednesday 8 October 2025 for pedestrian safety.
•To ensure spectators remain a safe distance from moving vehicles, crowd control barriers will be installed on William Street between Russell Street and Lambert Street from 5am Wednesday 8 October 2025 and will be removed immediately after the parade has finished.
•Temporary relocation of the Russell and Church Street Taxi Ranks to George Street (across from the Western Advocate) on Tuesday 7 October and Wednesday 8 October 2025.
•Disabled parking installed on William Street between Church Street and Howick Street on Wednesday 8 October and on William Street between Church Street and Russell Street (next to the permanent disabled parking space) on Tuesday 7 October 2025.
For a full list of the closures and the most up to date information, visit Council’s website.
JUNKLANDIA – Presented by BMEC & BRC’s Environmental Team
BMEC’s latest production ‘JUNKLANDIA’ is created in conjunction with Council’s Environmental Team and utilises dance, circus and comedy to showcase creative ways we can recycle household items and reduce the waste we habitually throw out. The show is scheduled for 10:30am on Friday 3 October, grab your tickets on the BMEC website below before they sell out: https://www.bmec.com.au/whats-on/junklandia/
Race Week Business Activations
Calling all Bathurst businesses! Race Week is almost here, and we want YOU to be part of the buzz!
We’ve created 4 easy ways for you to turbocharge your business during the 2025 Repco Bathurst 1000. From window displays to giveaways and trackside exposure, there’s something for everyone.
Join us for a range of events and activities this BizMonth!
Wednesday 24 September: In partnership with Regional Development Australia Central West, Council is hosting a Masterclass - Selling Online and Offline. Upstairs Co-working space, 6pm to 8:30pm.
Thursday 25 September: ShopFest. Local retailers have the opportunity to trade directly on the footpath. All you need to do is register your business: https://forms.gle/o2K8RDGdgG2BtzvR9
For more information about all these events, visit: bathurstliveinvest.com.au/events
The Great Spring Clean Up
The Great Spring Clean Up, in partnership with Bupa, is back and happening nationwide in September & October. This initiative will tackle litter in our cities, streets, parks and waterways and improve our shared environment.
This event is particularly important at this time of the year before the severe summer weather season kicks into gear across different parts of the country. Now is the perfect time to get involved with your family, friends, school, local community or work colleagues and do your bit to help Clean Up!
Get your Clean Up crew together and register to host your own local event!
Manning Aquatic Centre Changeroom Upgrades
Upgrade works to the men’s changerooms at Manning Aquatic Centre commenced on 11 August. Works include the replacement of shower and toilet partitioning, installation of new shower heads & taps, basins, waterproofing, new toilets, wall tiling, and a new floor surfacing treatment. Refurbishment is expected to be completed in time for the outdoor pool’s reopening ahead of the 2025 summer season.
Changes will be in place during the upgrade works in order to ensure that changeroom options are provided to all pool patrons utilising the Centre. Signage detailing temporary alternative changerooms will be displayed throughout the Centre.
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Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer