News Centre

MEDIA RELEASE 5 June 2020

Machattie Lane Works

Machattie Lane will be converted to a pedestrian only walkway to provide easier access from the

CBD to the RSL carpark and to complement the redevelopment of the roundabout at the George and Howick Street intersection. A mid-block pedestrian crossing will also be constructed on George Street. Works are expected to commence on Monday, 15 June weather permitting. There will be minimal impact to traffic on George Street with traffic control measures in place to keep both directions of the street open. There will be some impact to carparking spaces with some to be temporarily removed to allow for traffic flow while works take place.

Heritage Advisory Service to Recommence

Council has a Heritage Advisory Service that operates on a fortnightly basis. The Heritage Advisor and Senior Heritage Planner can meet with you on site, free of charge, to discuss maintenance and provide conservation advice, development options, and signage and colour scheme proposals for older buildings within the Bathurst Region.

On-site meetings will recommence towards the end of June. For an appointment, please phone Council’s Environmental Planning and Building Services Department on 6333 6276. Social distancing measures will be followed at all site visits.

Backyard Rangers

Would you like a free nest box or insect hotel?

Make a pledge to be a Bathurst Backyard Ranger and keep an eye on the living things in and around your yard. Take a photo of birds, bugs, possums, flowers or trees and upload it via the iNaturalist app.

While you are there, join the Bathurst Backyard Ranger project and you can choose your own wildlife habitat box for your backyard. Once you have joined and uploaded your first photos, an insect hotel or nest box of your choice, plus a Backyards for Wildlife Booklet, will be delivered to your door. For more information visit the Sustainable Facebook page.

Waste 2 Art

There’s still time to get creative for the 2020 Waste 2 Art exhibition. Entries have been extended until Tuesday, 9 June. Create your masterpiece using aluminium and steel cans, take three photos of your creation and submit them for the online exhibition.

For more information visit www.bathurst.nsw. gov.au or phone the Waste 2 Art coordinator on 6333 6544.

Bathurst Live Music

As restaurants and cafes begin welcoming back patrons to their business in limited numbers, Council has paired musicians with some venues to help reinvigorate the live music scene.

Talented local musicians will perform live in different venues, which is also livestreamed for those at home, every Saturday in June and July from 7pm.

Visit Bathurst Regional Council’s Event Page to join the fun and for more information.

Date: Saturday 6 June

Time: 7pm

Artist: Momentum

Location: Dogwood

Date: Saturday 13 June

Time: 7pm

Artist: TBA

Location: B-Town Bathurst

Date: Saturday 20 June

Time: 7pm

Artist: Kris Schubert

Location: Elephant and Castle

Date: Saturday 27 June

Time: 7pm

Artist: Gabbi Bolt

Location: Vine & Tap

Bathurst Winter Festival

Drive-In Advertising Opportunities

Promote your business on the big screen this winter. 15 second and 30 second commercial slots, limited spaces available. Contact the Events Team for more information events@bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Bring Winter into your Business

Decorate your shop window, reception area, or even garden to celebrate the Bathurst Winter

Festival. $3,000 advertising prize up for grabs with the best displays and all decorated businesses that are registered to be listed on the Bathurst Regional Council Events Facebook page, giving your display and business great exposure. Register your business now through the Bathurst Winter Festival website.

Bathurst Library Events Online

Invisiblising The Orphans

Tuesday 16 June, 6pm

Spanning across the 19th and 20th centuries, orphanages dominated town landscapes in large buildings across Orange, Goulburn and Sydney, and included St Joseph’s in Bathurst.

But what happened to the buildings and what happened to the orphans when these institutions became sources of shame? Join Jo Henwood for a fascinating presentation and

discussion around an often invisible part of history.

In Conversation with Katherine Firkin

Thursday 18 June, 6pm

Court and crime reporter Katherine Firkin’s debut crime novel ‘Sticks and Stones’ is inspired

by her career covering cases such as the funeral of underground figure Carl Williams and murder of hospitality student Renae Lau. Hear Katherine speak about the nature of crime

in Australia and the vicious cycles of offending that exist in our communities and how this has influenced her writing.

Bookings for these free events can be made on Eventbrite.

ENDS: Media Officer

Media contact:

MEDIA RELEASE 3 June 2020

Two new electric vehicle charging stations

An additional two electric vehicle charging stations have been installed outside the Bathurst Rail Museum taking the total number of stations in the city to twelve.

Six Tesla superchargers and one NRMA fast charger were installed last year next to Bathurst Visitor Information Centre to enable electric vehicle owners to visit Bathurst and explore the region, while one charger is located at Abercrombie House and another two located in Armada shopping centre carpark.

The two new ‘destination chargers’ include one Tesla and one universal charger to cater for visitors travelling from outside the region to visit the new Bathurst Rail Museum. Installing both Tesla and a universal charger ensures that the chargers cater for most electric vehicle drivers travelling to the region.

The charges are free to use, and they are designed for drivers who have arrived at their intended travel destination. They take around 2-3 hours to charge an average electric car from empty allowing visitors plenty of time to visit the Bathurst Rail Museum, Chifley Locomotive, historic Keppel Street and grab a coffee or dine at one of the many nearby cafes and restaurants.

Mayor Bobby Bourke said the installation of the electric charging stations was timely as we get ready to start welcoming people back to our region.

“The electric vehicle charging stations strengthen the city’s reputation as a centre for innovation and is another way of encouraging people to visit our region,” he said.

“Bathurst has some of the finest cultural facilities in the central west which draw people from all over NSW to our city. The chargers provide an extra incentive for people to come and visit.”

ENDS: Media Officer

MEDIA RELEASE 29 May 2020

Council facilities are set to reopen

Some Council facilities are set to open to the public next week with a range of measures in place to protect visitors and staff.

Museum’s Bathurst will open three of its facilities The National Motor Rail Museum, the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum open to the public while Chifley Home and Education Centre will remain closed at this stage. The Bathurst Visitor Information Centre, Library and Art Gallery are also scheduled to reopen.

Mayor Bobby Bourke said our community’s safety is an absolute priority and Council staff have been planning and working to ensure there are measures in place at each facility to protect visitors and staff.

“Some of the measures include limited visitors inside each facility, increased cleaning and disinfecting, providing hand sanitiser, installing signage and practising social distancing,” he said.

“It has become abundantly clear over the last couple of months just how loved our facilities are. I am really looking forward to welcoming everyone back to these venues.”

Dates and times of reopening -

National Motor Racing Museum
Reopening Wednesday, 3 June
400 Panorama Avenue, Mount Panorama

Bathurst Visitor Information Centre
Reopening Wednesday, 3 June
1 Kendall Ave

Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum
Reopening Thursday, 4 June
224 Howick Street Bathurst.

Bathurst Rail Museum
Reopening Friday, 5 June
126 Havannah Street Bathurst

Bathurst Library
Reopening Tuesday, 9 June
Keppel Street Bathurst

Bathurst Regional Art Gallery
Reopening Tuesday, 9 June
Keppel Street

Chifley Home and Education Centre – opening date to be advised.

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer

MEDIA RELEASE 29 May 2020

Heritage Advisory Service to Recommence

Council has a Heritage Advisory Service that operates on a fortnightly basis. The Heritage Advisor and Senior Heritage Planner can meet with you on site, free of charge, to discuss maintenance and conservation advice, development options, and signage and colour scheme proposals for older buildings within the Bathurst Region.

On-site meetings will recommence towards the end of June. For an appointment, please phone Council’s Environmental Planning and Building Services Department on 6333 6276. Social distancing measures will be followed at all site visits.

Backyard Rangers

Would you like a free nest box or insect hotel?

Make a pledge to be a Bathurst Backyard Ranger and keep an eye on the living things in and around your yard. Take a photo of birds, bugs, possums, flowers or trees and upload it via the iNaturalist app.

While you are there, join the Bathurst Backyard Ranger project and you can choose your own wildlife habitat box for your backyard. Once you have joined and uploaded your first photos, an insect hotel or nest box of your choice, plus a Backyards for Wildlife Booklet, will be delivered to your door.

For more information visit the Sustainable Facebook page.

CBD CCTV

Ribbon Gang Lane and the adjacent access to the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum off William Street will be closed from Monday, 1 June to Sunday, 7 June reopening on Monday, 8 June. The closure is for the final stages of the CCTV network installation on the CBD.

Community Animal Welfare Scheme

Council in partnership with the RSPCA is pleased to announce that the next community animal

welfare scheme will commence on Monday 8 June. Please note that this scheme is only open to pensioners and low-income earners who are residents of the Bathurst Local Government area.

The cost for this program is as follows:

Dog

Female $65.00

Male $50.00

Cat

Female $50.00

Male $35.00

The cost of microchipping is included for both dogs and cats. First vaccinations are included for both dogs and cats. Pain relief and hospitalization are included in the cost for both dogs and cats. Places are strictly limited, and bookings are essential at the following veterinary practices. Stewart Street Veterinary Hospital 6331 1222 Bathurst Central Animal Hospital 6334 2009.

Waste 2 Art

There’s still time to get creative for the 2020 Waste 2 Art exhibition. Entries have been extended until Tuesday, 9 June. Create your masterpiece using aluminium and steel cans, take three photos of your creation and submit them for the online exhibition.

For more information visit www.bathurst.nsw. gov.au or phone the Waste 2 Art coordinator on 6333 6544.

Bathurst Live Music

As restaurants and cafes begin welcoming back patrons to their business in limited numbers, Council has paired musicians with some venues to help reinvigorate the live music scene.

Talented local musicians will perform live in different venues, which is also livestreamed for those at home, every Saturday in June and July from 7pm.

Visit Bathurst Regional Council’s Event Page to join the fun and for more information.

Date: Saturday 6 June

Time: 7pm

Artist: Momentum

Location: Dogwood

Date: Saturday 13 June

Time: 7pm

Artist: Matt Boylan-Smith

Location: B-Town Bathurst

Date: Saturday 20 June

Time: 7pm

Artist: Kris Schubert

Location: Elephant and Castle

Date: Saturday 27 June

Time: 7pm

Artist: Gabbi Bolt

Location: Vine & Tap

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer

MEDIA RELEASE 27 May 2020

This year’s Bathurst Winter Festival is planned to proceed in a new format so the community can experience the very best of winter safely.

Mayor Bobby Bourke said the festival will be held 4 – 19 July and plans for the festival are aimed to lift the region’s spirits and support and nurture the local economy.

“The theme is ‘Experience it Differently’ and the new format that is planned includes some of the festival’s favourites and some exciting new elements,” he said.

“Our community’s safety is an absolute priority and Council is planning the festival in accordance with current State and Federal guidelines. The festival format may adapt should these guidelines change.”

Festival highlights include:

• A drive-in cinema at Mount Panorama will replace the McDonald’s Bathurst Ice Rink and the Winter Playground. The types of movies include kids, comedies, retro, and scary.

• Illuminations of the Court House and new sites on George and Keppel Sts. People will be encouraged to view the illuminations from their own car.

• Brighten Up Bathurst Region where residents will be encouraged to have their very own light show. There will be prizes on offer for the best and brightest displays.

• Online markets - market stalls that are usually featured at Brew & Bite will be held online showcasing some of the region’s finest wares.

• Bowman Dental Groove and Grill is back with a twist with local musicians playing live music which will also be livestreamed from a local café featuring a new artist performing at a new venue each day.

• The festival will also provide the opportunity for kids to be engaged through craft packs and initiatives will be run throughout the festival period to support local businesses.

For more information visit www.bathurstwinterfestival.com.au

ENDS

MEDIA RELEASE 22 May 2020

The future of the Bathurst Town Centre Master Plan is looking bright with Council looking at plans to push ahead with the strategy.

In September last year Council and Charles Sturt University entered discussions to formulate a plan to incorporate a new campus in the Bathurst CBD. The aim of the plan was to strengthen the Bathurst Town Centre as the regional business and cultural hub of the city in an era of significant change.

Mayor Bobby Bourke said Council is committed to completing the CBD master plan on time and on budget and is actively exploring a range of partners to implement its findings when they are finalised.

“While unfortunately Charles Sturt University has indicated it no longer intended to have a presence in the town centre, outcomes of the master plan are much bigger and hold a greater significance than just looking at options for a Charles Sturt University presence in the CBD. There may also be other parties that are interested in becoming an occupant of the town centre,” he said.

“The master plan has always been developed in the knowledge that Charles Sturt University, while expressing an interest up until this week, had not made any commitment to a CBD presence, nor the former TAFE building specifically, other than to explore the possibilities.

“I am pleased that the Bathurst Town Centre Master Plan and parallel projects such as the Health and Knowledge Precinct Plan and the Next Generation Performing Arts Review are continuing with Charles Sturt University’s support.”

Community and stakeholder engagement will be occurring again soon on the ideas that have been developed so far with social distancing measures in place.

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer

CCTV

Council would like to advise that Ribbon Gang Lane and the adjacent access to the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum off William Street will be closed from Monday, 1 June to Sunday, 7 June reopening on Monday, 8 June. The closure is for the final stages of the CCTV network installation on the CBD.

Bathurst Live Music

As restaurants and cafes begin welcoming back patrons to their business in limited numbers, Council has paired musicians with venues to bring back the live music scene. Talented local musicians will perform in popular venues, live and livestreamed for those at home. Now is the time to dine in at participating venues, or grab takeaway and enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Don’t miss Bathurst Live Music, Live or at home, every Saturday in June and July from 7pm. Visit Bathurst Regional Council’s Event Page for all the information and links to catch the music Live Date: Saturday 6 June Time: 7pm Artist: Momentum Location: Dogwood Date: Saturday 13 June Time: 7pm Artist: Matt Boylan-Smith Location: B-Town Bathurst Date: Saturday 20 June Time: 7pm Artist: Kris Schubert Location: Elephant and Castle Date: Saturday 27 June Time: 7pm Artist: Gabbi Bolt Location: Vine & Tap

Community Animal Welfare Scheme

Council in partnership with the RSPCA is pleased to announce that the next community animal

welfare scheme will commence on Monday 8 June.

Please note that this scheme is only open to pensioners and low-income earners who are

residents of the Bathurst Local Government area.

The cost for this program is as follows:

Dog

Female $65.00

Male $50.00

Cat

Female $50.00

Male $35.00

The cost of microchipping is included for both dogs and cats. First vaccinations are included for both dogs and cats. Pain relief and hospitalization are included in the cost for both dogs and cats. Places are strictly limited, and bookings are essential at the following veterinary practices. Stewart Street Veterinary Hospital 6331 1222 Bathurst Central Animal Hospital 6334 2009.

National Simultaneous Storytime

Wednesday, 27 May at 11am

The Library will participate in a live Facebook reading of this year’s book ‘Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas’ written and illustrated by Lucinda Gifford. The storytime stars from the library team will be reading the book this year with dramatisation, props and sound effects. The team will start with storytime rhymes and songs at 10.45am and be ready to read chicken divas at 11am sharp.

For more information visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/library

Heritage Assistance Grants

Applications are now invited for small grants for the following funds:

Bathurst Region Heritage Fund

Provides fund for the repair and maintenance of older buildings in the region. The program is supported by the NSW Heritage Branch of the Office of Environment and Heritage.

Bathurst CBD Main Street Improvement Fund

Provides small grants to assist property owners and tenants to improve, repair and maintain buildings within the Bathurst CBD. 

Bathurst Region Interpretation Fund

Provides small grants for the preparation of Conservation Management Plans, historic publications and interpretation projects to promote and interpret the region’s history. 

All applications close Friday 29 May 2020. Applications for funding must be made on the Council’s application form which is available on Council’s website at www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au or from our Civic Centre. For more information call 6333 6211.

Call and Collect available at the Library

Library members can call the library on 6333 6281 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) and arrange to pick up a bundle of books, audiobooks, DVDs or magazines that staff will select based on the member’s preferences. 135 people have already used this service since it was launched on Monday.

Bundles will be available for pick-up at a no-contact collection point in the library foyer from 12-4pm the following business day (Monday to Friday only). Members will need to bring identification. If an item reserved via the library catalogue is available, it will be added to the bundle.

For more information about Call & Collect or other library services, call 6333 6281 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

Waste 2 Art

There’s still time to get creative for the 2020 Waste 2 Art exhibition. Entries have been extended until Tuesday, 9 June. Create your masterpiece using aluminium and steel cans, take three photos of your creation and submit them for the online exhibition.

For more information visit www.bathurst.nsw. gov.au or phone the Waste 2 Art coordinator on 6333 6544.

Shop locally to win

Council is running competition where residents can win a $200 Buy Local Gift Card every week for ten weeks commencing 1 May.

The Buy Local campaign currently has 130 stores involved in the initiative. Customers shopping at any of these businesses go in for a chance to win even if they don’t use a gift card. Customers will receive a unique identifying number when they make a purchase which they need to enter online at www.bathurstbusinesshub.com.au to go into the competition.

For more information visit www.bathurstbusinesshub.com.au

ENDS

Media contact: Media Contact

MEDIA RELEASE 20 April 2020

Council will tonight consider additional stimulus measures to further support local businesses and the community, as part of a Mayoral Minute.

The first round of economic stimulus measures was passed by Council in May which were aimed to help sustain and build the local economy.

Mayor Bobby Bourke said this was the next step to support and bolster local businesses and the community during these unprecedented times.

“Council plays an important role in sustaining and driving our local economy, and these are another range of measures that will help rebuild and grow our region into the future,” he said.

The following are some of the measures to be considered by Council:

• Set the interest rate that accrues on rates and charges that become due and payable at 0% for the period 1 June 2020 to 31 December 2020. Thereafter, the interest rate will be set at the rate specified for the time being by the Minister.

• Provide $18,000 to the Bathurst Business Chamber to assist it in achieving its objectives within the business community.

• Continue with its annual media usage profile with the Western Advocate and Bathurst City Life for the period to 30 June 2021.

• Set the price for water sold (at Council’s standpipes) at an amount of $2.50 per kilolitre for the period 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020.

• Repayments on some community loans be deferred for the year 2020/21 and that interest charges for 2020/21 be waived.

• Waive Community Group Licence fees for 2020/2021 for some community and sporting groups.

• Waive Library Fines from 1 July to 31 December 2020.

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer

MEDIA RELEASE 15 May 2020

YourSay Bathurst

Council is seeking feedback on:

• Vision Bathurst 2040: Bathurst Regional Local Strategic Planning Statement

• Financial Assistance COVID-19 Stimulus Measures

Visit yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Heritage Assistance Grants

Applications are now invited for small grants for the following funds:

Bathurst Region Heritage Fund

Provides fund for the repair and maintenance of older buildings in the region. The program is supported by the NSW Heritage Branch of the Office of Environment and Heritage.

Bathurst CBD Main Street Improvement Fund

Provides small grants to assist property owners and tenants to improve, repair and maintain buildings within the Bathurst CBD. 

Bathurst Region Interpretation Fund

Provides small grants for the preparation of Conservation Management Plans, historic publications and interpretation projects to promote and interpret the region’s history. 

All applications close Friday 29 May 2020. Applications for funding must be made on the Council’s application form which is available on Council’s website at www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au or from our Civic Centre. For more information call 6333 6211.

Public Art Community Peers Register

Council is seeking suitably qualified and passionate individuals to join its Public Art Community Peers Register. Community Peers will assist Council to develop a strategic approach to the creative activation of the region’s public spaces.

Members of the community with professional expertise or interest in public art / visual art / the built environment / heritage / community engagement are encouraged to nominate. Three Community Peers will be appointed to the Public Art Program Committee, with other Community Peers called upon to provide professional advice and expertise as required. To nominate as a Public Art Community Peer, please visit: www.bathurstart.com.au

Submissions Close: 5pm Friday 22 May 2020 Enquiries: Director, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery

6333 6555 email: brag@bathurst.nsw.gov.au.

Call and Collect available at the Library

Library members can call the library on 6333 6281 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) and arrange to pick up a bundle of books, audiobooks, DVDs or magazines that staff will select based on the member’s preferences. 135 people have already used this service since it was launched on Monday.

Bundles will be available for pick-up at a no-contact collection point in the library foyer from 12-4pm the following business day (Monday to Friday only). Members will need to bring identification. If an item reserved via the library catalogue is available, it will be added to the bundle.

For more information about Call & Collect or other library services, call 6333 6281 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

Online Author Talk

‘Booming; A life changing philosophy for ageing well’

Thursday 21 May - 6pm

Ageing

It’s an inevitable part of living and not always looked at in a favourable light. But what if we all had the ability to age well? Join author Marcus Riley for an insight into this wonderful new book labelled- ‘an aspiring, achievable and essential guide for people of all ages.’ Register online through Eventbrite.

Waste 2 Art

There’s still time to get creative for the 2020 Waste 2 Art exhibition. Entries have been extended until Tuesday, 9 June. Create your masterpiece using aluminium and steel cans, take three photos of your creation and submit them for the online exhibition.

For more information visit www.bathurst.nsw. gov.au or phone the Waste 2 Art coordinator on 6333 6544.

Shop locally to win

Council is running competition where residents can win a $200 Buy Local Gift Card every week for ten weeks commencing 1 May.

The Buy Local campaign currently has 130 stores involved in the initiative. Customers shopping at any of these businesses go in for a chance to win even if they don’t use a gift card. Customers will receive a unique identifying number when they make a purchase which they need to enter online at www.bathurstbusinesshub.com.au to go into the competition.

For more information visit www.bathurstbusinesshub.com.au

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer

MEDIA RELEASE 14 May 2020

Clavier for Carillon arrives in Bathurst from UK

The clavier for the Carillon has arrived in Bathurst all the way from Taylors Foundry in England the same company that manufactured the memorial’s original bells in 1928.

The arrival of the clavier marks the next phase of the upgrade which commenced in 2018 with the installation of new higher octave bells.

Mayor Bobby Bourke said the upgrade would not have been possible without the support of the State Government contributing $300,000.

“I would like to thank the Paul Toole MP and NSW Premiere Gladys Berejiklian for supporting this important project,” he said

Paul Toole MP said the Carillon is the centrepiece of Bathurst and the project will see the Carillon completed in the way it was originally intended.

“The Carillon has stood in the centre of Bathurst since 1933 and was built to honour the men and women of the region, that served and died during WWI. Today it also represents the sacrifices of those in all wars and peacekeeping missions,” he said.

Representative from the Carillon Trust, Richard Steele, said the clavier is a large wooden instrument that is commonly played with clenched fists.

“It will be scheduled to be installed by experts from Taylor's Bell Foundry when travel restrictions are lifted,” he said.

“I would like to acknowledge the many individuals and organisations that have helped make this project possible.”

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer