What's News 23 October 2026
Published on 23 October 2026
Take on The Mount Panorama Punish
Hundreds of participants. One shared challenge: The Mount Panorama Punish!
The Punish is tough, but you won’t be doing it alone! Register today to take on this epic running challenge.
-Sunday 25 October, 2026
Enter now at www.panoramapunish.com
Safety Barrier Works – Sofala Road
Transport for NSW will be carrying out safety barrier installation works along Sofala Road, near Ardsley Lane, approximately 4.2km north of the Eleven Mile Drive intersection, from Monday 19 October to Thursday 10 December 2026.
Works will include shoulder re-sheeting and sealing, the installation of safety barriers and the removal of five trees required to accommodate the barriers.
Work is expected to take 15 days to complete, weather permitting, and will occur during the day between 7am and 6pm.
Motorists may experience traffic changes, including a reduced speed limit of 40km/h through the work area. Please allow an additional five minutes of travel time during work hours and follow all signage and traffic control directions.
For more information, contact the Transport for NSW Project Infoline on 1800 167 499 or visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/west-region-projects.
Bugs and Beasts: Halloween in the Museum
The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum will host Bugs and Beasts: Halloween in the Museum, a fun-filled family event on Saturday, 31 October 2026, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
This exciting Kids' Day is packed with spooky fun! Meet creepy-crawly critters, explore live animal and bug displays, and come face-to-face with the roaring dinosaurs from the Dino-Store.
Dress up in your favourite Halloween costume and bring the whole family along for a Halloween adventure you won't forget!
Enjoy Me and Zoo's live animal display from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, followed by Travel Bugs' fascinating display of minibeasts, spiders, and creepy crawlies from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. The Dino-Store's live dinosaurs will be appearing throughout the day.
Kids' Day Admission
-Adults: $10
-Children: $5
Tickets are available for purchase at the door. No other discounts apply.
Come along for a day of dinosaurs, bugs, beasts, and Halloween fun at the Museum!
New Resident Welcome Lunch
NEW TO BATHURST? Save the date for our New Resident Welcome Lunch.
Come along to our New Resident Welcome Lunch in November and:
- Meet new friends
- Connect with the community
- Discover everything Bathurst has to offer
When: Sunday 1 November 2026
Where: Morse Park (next to the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre)
Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm
Register: https://bathurstliveinvest.com.au/.../new-resident.../
Host a Toyo student in 2027 - Registrations Open Now!
Open your home to a student from Japan’s Toyo High School for just 3 nights, 26 February to 1 March 2027, and give them a Bathurst experience they’ll never forget.
Become a host family today!
-Register or find out more: bathurstregion.com.au/homestay-hub/
-1800 681 000
Kaleidoscope Festival - Request for Vendors
Bathurst has been successful in receiving funding from Multicultural NSW which will be used to deliver a new event for Bathurst ‘The Kaleidoscope Festival,’ to be held 7 November at Victoria Park.
To bring the event to life, Council is seeking a vibrant mix of food vendors, market stalls, performers and workshop facilitators that reflect the many cultures represented in our community.
To get involved visit https://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/.../Events.../Be-Involved or email events@bathurst.nsw.gov.au
Australia Day Awards | Nominate Today!
Nominations are open for the 2027 Australia Day Awards. Categories include Citizen of the Year, Living Legends, Youth Arts, Youth Service, and Event of the Year, covering Destination Event, Community Event, and Most Outstanding New Event.
Living Legends, Citizen of the Year, Youth Arts and Youth Service nominations close Friday 6 November 2026. Event of the Year nominations close Friday 8 January 2027.
Apply at yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au.
CAWS Desexing Program
Council is pleased to advise that the CAWS desexing program will run again, starting from Monday 2 November 2026.
The program is available to low-income healthcare card holders and pensioners who are eligible for subsidised desexing of their dog or cat.
Eligible customers can book an appointment by contacting either Stewart Street Veterinary Hospital on 02 6331 1222 or Bathurst Central Animal Hospital on 6332 5800.
Places are limited, so eligible pet owners are encouraged to contact one of the participating veterinary practices to book an appointment.
Public Exhibition of 390 Panorama Avenue Planning Proposal
Council is seeking community feedback on a planning proposal by Skillset Limited to facilitate the development of a hostel for young people, apprentices and essential workers at 390 Panorama Avenue, Mitchell, and we are seeking your feedback.
The Planning Proposal seeks to amend the Bathurst Regional Local Environmental Plan 2014 (LEP) to:
- Add a site-specific Additional Permitted Use (APU) to Schedule 1 for the use of the land as a hostel, in addition to the permitted uses of the land, being: community facilities, education, office premises and public administration.
Detailed information for the Planning Proposal is available via YourSay Bathurst: https://yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/planning-proposal-390-panorama-avenue
All relevant documentation can also be viewed at Council’s Civic Centre, 158 Russell St Bathurst.
The Planning Proposal for land at 390 Panorama Avenue, Mitchell will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days from Monday 12 October and written submissions need to be lodged with Council by 4pm on Monday 9 November 2026 and must include your name and address.
Timber Truss Bridge Strategy Review
Transport for NSW is seeking community feedback on the Timber Truss Bridge Strategy review.
Two timber truss bridges are located within the Bathurst Region, Wallaby Rocks and the Abercrombie, both of which are listed for retention in the strategy review.
Feedback closes Friday 30 October 2026.
For more information or to make a submission, visit Timber Truss Bridge Strategy Review – Have Your Say.
Great Spring Clean Up at Hector Park this Saturday
Join Council for the Great Spring Clean Up and help us create a cleaner, greener environment!
When: 10am-12pm, Saturday 24 October 2026
Where: Hector Park, Mitchell Highway, West Bathurst
What you need on the day:
Sun protection, including: a hat, sunglasses, long sleeves and sunscreen.
PPE, including: sturdy enclosed footwear, long pants and gloves (a limited number of spare gloves will be available).
Hydration: don’t forget your reusable water bottle!
Please note, children 15 years of age and under must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
This is a great opportunity to get some fresh air, meet fellow community members and make a positive impact on the environment.
Let’s work together to keep Bathurst beautiful. We hope to see you there!
RSVP here: https://register.cleanup.org.au/.../hector-park-community...
Write Around the World: Stories That Connect Us (ALIA Program)
Coming up on Tuesday 3 November, join a storytelling and reflection workshop at Bathurst Library led by the editors of the book 'Write Around The World' and a panel of contributors from the book. This event celebrates the diversity of women’s experiences while exploring the universal themes that connect us - family, place, identity, belonging, resilience, kindness and community.
Participants are invited to listen to stories from women of diverse cultural backgrounds while reflecting on their own experiences through guided writing and storytelling activities throughout. Participants will also explore memories of places that have shaped them, moments of connection with people from different backgrounds, and the values and experiences we share.
- 6pm, Tuesday 3 November 2026
- RSVP: 6333 6281
Light refreshments will be available.
For more info, head to the Bathurst Library website: https://library.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/.../Write-around-the...
Media contact: Eliza Schoenmaker Digital Communications Officer
P: 02 6333 65922 M: 0429 040 385 E: eliza.schoenmaker@bathurst.nsw.gov.au