What's News

MEDIA RELEASE 18 December 2020

New Year’s Eve – Party at your local

Bathurst will welcome in the new year at multiple venues with live music in cafés, restaurants, and pubs. More than 10 venues across town will come alive with sounds from our much loved artists from midday to 9pm. Residents are encouraged to support their local this NYE and enjoy free live music, trivia, games, prizes and laughs with their family and friends.

For those staying home, music will be livestreamed via Facebook Live directly into your living room. Anyone looking to celebrate late into the night can do so at Elephant & Castle and The Oxford. For more information visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Christmas in Bathurst

The Christmas tree has returned to Kings Parade, the Civic Centre has been decorated and Christmas flags have been placed throughout the town. Snap a photo of you and your family and friends in front of the Kings Parade Christmas tree and share it on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #christmasinbathurst for your chance to win one of three $100 buy local gift cards.

Activity packs with hands on projects for kids of all ages are also available. For more information visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Bathurst in a Box

Bathurst Visitor Information Centre has gift boxes available filled with local produce just in time for Christmas. The boxes include Beekeepers Inn honey, jam from Illa Langa Farm, and a choice of Murrungundy Pistachios or Harvest Café and Store Dukkah.

Bathurst in a Box gift packs are $40 including postage around Australia and are available to purchase at www.bathurstregion.com.au/shop/bathurst-in-a-box

Online Lodgement of Planning Applications

The NSW Government is requiring Councils to move toward digital lodgement of planning applications, including development applications, complying development certificates, construction certificates and Section 68 (Local Government Act) approvals.

From 1 January 2021 Council will be requiring these applications to be lodged online. Council has also developed information to assist you with the process of lodging applications. It can be found at the Yoursay Project Page yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/eplanning

This will be updated regularly as more information is being clarified.

Living Legends

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Bathurst Living Legends. The title, Living Legend, recognises

the achievements of individuals and the way they have contributed positively to the community.

They could be proven leaders amongst their peers, promote the positive qualities of Council,

the community and local businesses. To nominate a person you think is worthy of inclusion as a

Living Legend, visit the YourSay Bathurst website. Nominations close Friday, 29 January 2021.

Library Events

Summer Reading Club

The Library is kicking off its annual children’s reading program. Get the kids reading over the summer holidays and register for the Summer Reading Club either in person or online. With big prizes up for grabs and challenges to complete for extra prizes, there’s something for kids at any reading level. Visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/library for more info and online registration.

Speechie Library Talk 6 January 11am

Meet your local Speech Pathologist, enjoy a story and find out more about how you can support your child’s language and literacy development at home. Bookings are essential, please call 6333 6281.

Bathurst Cycling Classic

The Bathurst Cycling Classic will be held 12 – 14 March 2021 and includes the Hill Climb, Criterium and B2B (Bathurst to Bathurst) 100km road race. The event will be held over three days from Friday to Sunday.

Dates: Friday 12, Saturday 13, and Sunday 14 March 2021

Friday 12 March Hill Climb on Mount Panorama twilight event

Saturday 13 March Criterium

Sunday 14 March B2B 100km fully closed roads throughout course

Registration is limited due to current NSW Health advice for more information visit www.bathurstcyclingclassic.com.au

Get Grubby for families

Dirtgirl, Costa the garden gnome and Scrapboy have just launched a new online subscription program called Get Grubby for Families. And, because Council is part of the Get Grubby Program residents are invited to join in the fun for free. Each month, subscribers receive a bumper email, jam-packed with ideas, activities, printables, songs, videos and exclusive resources to help you grow a family garden, make compost and cook the harvest, along with recycling fun, sustainable DIY, nature play and getting grubby outdoors!

Designed for children aged 3–10 and their families, it’s a beautiful resource to help your whole family grow together at home. To activate your subscription, click on this link-https://www.dirtgirlworldshop.com/ggp-family-activate-bathurst and carefully follow the instructions. Once you are activated you will receive your first edition – the welcome pack. Have fun getting grubby!

YourSay

Draft Social Media Policy - Councillors

The Office of Local Government has advised that due to the increased use of social media by elected representatives it intends to introduce a requirement for NSW Councils to develop a Social Media Policy for Councillors. Council has developed a draft Social Media Policy for Councillors which Council is seeking feedback on. Submissions close 4.00pm 29 January 2021.

Asset Management Framework

The Asset Management Policy provides a framework that together with the Bathurst 2040 Community Strategic Plan enables the Asset Management Strategy and detailed Asset Management Plans to be produced. Submissions can be made until 4.00pm Monday 11 January 2021

Rockley and Sofala Village Plans

The Community Strategic Plan & Local Strategic Planning Statement calls for a review of the 2015 village plans to support sustainable growth and vitality within each village.

Engagement with the Rockley and Sofala villages community have commenced and is being planned in a COVID safe way. A background paper has been prepared to seek feedback from the Rockley and Sofala communities. The background paper outlines the existing village character and suggests a future vision and a range of planning strategies to achieve that vision.

Free water program ends

Bathurst Regional Council resolved at its meeting on 9 December 2020 to cease the Free Water for Verified Primary Producers as of 18 December 2020 and to revert to the normal price of $5 per kilolitre for standpipe (bulk) water sales.

The free water for verified primary producers was a drought relief measure adopted by Council to promote a limited free bulk water supply for drought affected rural customers. The scheme has been in place since 5 September 2018 and Council has previously resolved to cease the scheme if the drought declaration was removed from the Bathurst Regional Council area. The LGA is no longer drought declared. More information can be found at www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Find the elf in the shop

Join the fun of the Youth Council Find the Elf in the Shop competition. Grab the clues, find

the elves and snap a selfie with the elf in the background and share on social media with the

#selfiewithelfiebathurst. For more information, clues, rules and entry forms visit the Council website or follow the Youth Council Facebook page. Entries close 21 December.

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer