What's News 8 August
Published on 08 August 2025
Public Exhibition - Draft Villages Strategy
Bathurst Regional Council is inviting community feedback on its Draft Villages Strategy, which will be on public exhibition for 28 days from Monday 4 August 2025 to Monday 1 September 2025. The Draft Villages Strategy outlines a long-term vision and key planning priorities for the future of our villages, encompassing the local economy, Council leadership and collaboration, sustainability, and a caring resilient community. Community input is crucial to ensure the Strategy accurately reflects local values and aspirations.
Online at: yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au
In person at: Bathurst Civic Centre, 158 Russell Street, Bathurst
You can submit your feedback: Online at Council’s YourSay portal
By email: council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au
Bathurst Regional Council
Submissions must be received by 4.30pm, Monday 1 September 2025.
For more information, contact Maree Neary from Council’s Strategic Planning team on (02) 6333 6547.
Award-Winning Crime Author Matthew Spencer to Visit Bathurst Library
Bathurst Library is set to host a thrilling evening with acclaimed crime fiction author and former journalist Matthew Spencer, who will be in town as part of his regional tour promoting his gripping new novel, Broke Road. Join us on Thursday 14 August at 6pm for an inspiring literary event.
The evening will feature a live conversation with the author, offering insights into his writing process, his transition from journalism to fiction, and the real-life inspirations behind his stories. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet Spencer and have their books signed before he continues his extensive tour across NSW.
For more information about this event, visit library.bathurst.nsw.gov.au.
Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy – Community Drop-in Sessions
Council has been successful in receiving a grant under the NSW Get Active program for the development of the Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy (BRATS). Council has engaged Bitzios Consulting to develop the BRATS over the next 12 months.
A range of community engagement activities are being prepared, to ensure the strategy reflects the needs of the wider Bathurst Region. Drop-in session dates are as follows:
Community Drop-in Sessions:
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(between Bakers Delight and Farmgate butchers)
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Council encourages members of the community to participate by voicing your ideas for improving footpaths, cycleways, and associated infrastructure and identify any issues that we can amend for our current and future active transport network.
Look out for the Bathurst Region Active Transport stand at the dates, times and locations shown above and drop-in and have a chat to Council’s staff and staff from Bitzios Consulting. Appointments are not necessary.
Visit our YourSay page for more information: yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au
If you require any additional information, please contact Council’s Strategic Planning Section on 02 63 336 211 or contact council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au.
Russell Street - No stopping Saturdays between 8am and 4pm
Following notification of traffic concerns and congestion on Russell Street between Torpys Bridge and Lyal Street on Saturdays during football season, Council proposes the installation of a “No Stopping - Sat 8am to 4pm April-Sept” zone, to address these traffic concerns and to reduce the risk of pedestrian conflict.
Owners, residents and other tenants are invited to provide Council with feedback by post or email as below.
Post: The General Manager Bathurst Regional Council PMB17 Bathurst NSW 2795.
Email: council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au
Submissions close 19 August 2025. Should you have any further enquiries, please contact Council’s Engineer department on 02 6333 6141.
VIV! A Play for Children | BMEC Local Stages
ViV! – is a children’s theatre show about an adventurous, tough and sassy girl who lives with disabilities and her little sister ‘Lil’. ViV! merges digital landscapes, puppetry and choreography with an original score played live.
Local professional playwright and director Catherine McNamara has assembled a stellar team of highly regarded arts industry creatives, locally and from across Australia, to share the story of her real-life nieces ViV! and Lil’ – her inspiration for the play.
The play is running from 21 – 23 August and will be AUSLAN interpreted.
Expressions of Interest: West of Central 2 | BRAG
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) invites artists living and working across Wiradjuri Country to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for West of Central 2, the second iteration of this chaptered exhibition celebrating regional practice.
Exhibition dates: 22 November 2025 – 18 January 2026
EOI closing date: 24 August 2025
Artwork delivery deadline: 27 October 2025
The Regional Songwriting Contest | BMEC Local Stages
Join us as we unearth new and exciting talent from the Central West!
The annual ‘Regional Songwriting Contest – Finalist Showcase,’ is a fabulous night of live entertainment, showcasing incredible local talent, and the 12 finalists have just been announced!
When: Saturday 9 August, 7:30pm
Where: BMEC Showroom, 105 William St, Bathurst
Bathurst Access Improvement Grants 2025/2026
Bathurst Regional Council provides grants to assist small businesses, and non-profit organisations to improve access and inclusion to their place of business/organisation.
Small businesses and non-profit organisations within the Bathurst Region may apply for funding of 50% of project costs, up to a maximum grant amount of $5,000.
Projects must be completed within the 2025/2026 financial year to be eligible to apply for a grant. Retrospective funding can be considered providing the project is completed in the current financial year.
For further details of this fund, please refer to Council’s website: www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au or contact Council’s Community Services Department on 02 6333 6523. Applications open 9 August 2025 and close at 4pm on Friday 5 September 2025.
Manning Aquatic Centre Changeroom Upgrades
Upgrade works to the men’s changerooms at Manning Aquatic Centre are scheduled to commence on 11 August. Works will 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.
Big Oaky Creek Bridge Sofala | Upgrade
Works commenced on Thursday 17 July to complete the road approaches of the newly constructed Big Oaky Creek Bridge. The work will involve the construction of new road to both sides of the bridge including new bitumen spray seal, and the removal and site remediation of the current temporary bypass road.
Works will be conducted Monday to Friday between 7am and 5pm. Saturday work may be required subject to weather conditions or delays. Minor traffic delays may be in place.
Works are anticipated to be completed by 30 September 2025, weather dependent.
Animals for Adoption | BARC
Are you looking for a new furry friend to add to your family?
Bathurst Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC) cares for a range of pets that are looking for their forever homes, and there may be one waiting just for you! Have a look through the animals currently in Council's care via the link below and get in touch with the BARC team to organise a meet and greet with one or a few of their animals: https://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/Services/Animals-for-Adoption
Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer