Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy

Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy and Road Design Policies Adopted by Council

At its meeting held Wednesday 21 October 2026, Council resolved to:

1. receive this report responding to submissions in relation to the draft Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy, draft road design policies and the proposed CBD speed limit review;
2. adopt the following strategy and policies:
   1. Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy dated 29 September 2026;
   2. DORAS Implementation Report 1 - Greenfield Sites & Active Transport Requirements;
   3. DORAS Implementation Report 2 – Brownfield Sites;
   4. Bathurst Urban Road Network Plan;
3. commence an amendment to the Bathurst Regional Development Control Plan 2014 and Council’s Engineering Guidelines to implement the relevant findings of each Strategy and Policy;
4. refer to the budget process in years 2027/28 and beyond, consideration of funding to pursue the recommendations of the Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy;
5. notify those who made a submission; and
6. call a division.

The adopted Strategy and road design policies are accessible on Council's website: https://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/Council/Future-Plans-Budget/Public-Documents/Bathurst-Region-Active-Transport-Strategy

Council wishes to thank everyone who provided input into this Strategy.

The exhibition period for the Draft Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy and Associated Road Design Policies has concluded.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. The responses will now be collated, and the feedback will be reported to Council at the meeting to be held on Wednesday 21st October 2026.

Public Feedback Sought: Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy (BRATS) and Associated Road Design Policies

The Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy (BRATS) has been prepared by Bitzios Consulting on Council’s behalf, supported by Transport for NSW (NSW) through a grant under the NSW Get Active program.

Developed with extensive feedback from the Bathurst community, BRATS is intended to be the primary guiding document for prioritising actions to enable the planning and construction of the active transport network (footpaths, shared paths, cycleways and associated infrastructure) within the Bathurst Region, including the Bathurst CBD, over the next decade.

In conjunction with the preparation of BRATS, Council’s Engineering Section has prepared a suite of road design policies to implement the NSW Design of Roads and Streets (DORAS) Manual. These policies complement the future implementation of BRATS.

Council is seeking feedback on the following draft strategy and policies:

• Draft Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy (BRATS)
• Draft Design of Roads and Streets (DORAS) Implementation Reports 1 & 2
• Draft Bathurst Urban Road Network Plan

CBD Speed Limit Review

The draft BRATS recommends that Council commence a speed limit review in the CBD to reduce speed limits of those roads servicing lands zoned E2 Commercial Core.

The draft Urban Road Network Plan outlines a preferred future 30km/hour speed environment for the Bathurst CBD, including some civic spaces as 10km/hour share zones (also identified in BRATS).

Council was recently invited by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to participate in the Regional Local Government Speed Partnership, a TfNSW initiative working with selected regional councils to fast-track the implementation of safer speed limits, particularly in areas of high pedestrian activity and on high-speed rural roads.

Council has confirmed its participation in the project and has nominated the Bathurst CBD and nearby proposed quietways (proposed under BRATS) for a speed limit review in light of the findings of the draft BRATS and draft Urban Road Network Plan.

Feedback received now in relation to the exhibition of BRATS, the draft DORAS Implementation Policies and the draft Urban Road Network Plan, as it relates to future CBD speed limits, will also be considered as part of the speed limit review.

Public Exhibition

The Draft BRATS and associated Road Design Policies have now been placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 24 August 2026 until 21 September 2026.

The following documents are provided in the document library on the right side of this page:

• Explanation Summary of the Draft BRATS and each of the associated Draft Road Design Policies,
• Draft Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy prepared by Bitzios Consulting dated 27th July 2026
• Draft Design of Roads and Streets (DORAS) Implementation Report 1: Greenfield Sites and Active Transport Requirements (draft DORAS Implementation Report 1)
• Draft Design of Roads and Streets (DORAS) Implementation Report 2: Brownfield Sites (draft DORAS Implementation Report 2)
• Draft Bathurst Urban Road Network Plan
• Report to 19 August 2026 Council meeting.

Council invites feedback in relation to the Draft Strategy and Draft Road Design Policies.

Any written feedback needs to be lodged with Council by 4.00pm on Monday 21 September 2026.

Any submission that you make on the Draft BRATS or associated Road Design Policies may be included without alteration (including names and addresses) in reports that are available to the public in Council business papers.

Feedback can be lodged using the tool below.

Alternatively, you can email your feedback to council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or post your submission to Bathurst Regional Council, Private Mail Bag 17, Bathurst NSW 2795.

If you have any queries please contact Council’s Manager Strategic Planning, Janet Bingham or Senior Strategic Planner, Emma Henderson on 6333 6211.

STAGE 2 - PUBLIC WORKSHOP - MEDIUM AND LONG TERM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Council has invited members of the community to a public workshop to discuss a medium and long-term implementation plan for a future active transport network.

The purpose of the workshop will be to outline, discuss and seek feedback on:

• The draft plan for a future collector and arterial active transport network.
• Draft concept improvement plans that show the type of on and off-road improvements being considered across the City and within the CBD to support and deliver that new network.

Representatives from Bitzios Consulting and Council will be in attendance.

RSVPs are essential. Please RSVP by 1 December 2025 to:

• Emma Henderson or Janet Bingham from Council’s Strategic Planning Team on 02 63 336 211, or
• email council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Update on Progress – September 2025

Council has engaged Bitzios Consulting to develop the Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy (BRATS) over the next 12 months.

The first stage of engagement with the community has now been completed with community drop-in sessions and targeted workshops held during August.

Suggestions for improvements to the active transport network on the interactive map have been closed but you can still view the posts that were made below.

Council will be planning a further stage of engagement later this year as draft recommendations for change are developed.

Subscribe to this page to stay informed.

Community DROP-IN Sessions

Council has engaged Bitzios Consulting to develop the Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy (BRATS) over the next 12 months.

The next phase of the project is community engagement to:

• Seek community ideas for improving footpaths, shared paths, cycleways, and associated infrastructure for the current and future active transport network.
• Identify opportunities, threats and current issues and challenges.
• Seek initial community feedback on the draft arterial route mapping (inclusive of how routes might lead into, through and around the CBD).

Council staff and Bitzios Consulting are running community drop-in sessions as follows.

How to participate:

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.

Share the Community drop-in flyer (in the document library) with your friends and family.

Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy – Have Your Say

The Bathurst Regional Council has secured a grant through the Get NSW Active Program (Transport for NSW) to develop the Bathurst Region Active Transport Strategy (BRATS).

What is active transport?
Active transport refers to any form of human-powered travel, such as walking, cycling, or using a wheelchair, scooter, or similar modes. The network also supports micro-mobility users, including electric scooters, wheelchairs, and skateboards.

What is BRATS?
BRATS will serve as the key planning document to guide the prioritization, design, and construction of the Bathurst region’s active transport network. This includes footpaths, shared paths, cycleways, and associated infrastructure. The strategy will build on the success of the Bathurst Regional Community Access and Cycling Plan 2011, which has shaped the region’s active transport infrastructure over the past decade.

BRATS Objectives:

1. Enhance active transport opportunities across the Bathurst region.
2. Focus on connecting new urban developments to the existing city and, in particular, the Bathurst CBD.
3. Support the NSW Government’s Movement and Place Framework and implement the Transport for NSW Design of Roads and Streets Manual (DORAS).
4. Create a map outlining the future Active Transport Network, including plans for city growth areas.
5. Develop concept designs for arterial active transport routes connecting major suburbs to the CBD, and identify upgrade opportunities within suburbs, and the CBD and the region’s villages.
6. Set priorities, actions, and cost estimates for building the network and associated infrastructure.
7. Establish a long-term strategic plan for future priorities and actions.

Council is currently seeking consultants to assist in developing BRATS.

Have Your Say
We want your ideas to shape the future of active transport in Bathurst. Share your suggestions for improving the current network and expanding it to meet future needs.

Your input could include:

• Identifying missing footpath and cycling network links, including pedestrian crossings, refuges, and street access points.
• Highlighting areas not connected to the active transport network.
• Suggesting infrastructure improvements like seating, shade, lighting, bike parking, or signage to make the network safer and more user-friendly.

How to participate:
Log in, drop a pin on the interactive map, and leave a comment describing your improvement ideas.

Spread the word!
Share this link with your friends and family to help us gather as many ideas as possible. Together, we can create a safer, more connected active transport network for everyone in the Bathurst region.