Momentum maintained for creeklands vision

A Mayoral Minute presented at the January Council meeting on the Armidale Creeklands Master Plan, included a number of adopted recommendations seeking to achieve continuation of momentum towards the vision to rehabilitate and enhance the area that connects the city of Armidale.

In 2018 a master plan was developed in consultation with the community. Considerable interest and feedback from the community, in particular Prof Jim Scott and the group known as the Visions for Armidale Creeklands Inc deserve praise and recognition for their long-term efforts in achieving this milestone. The final plan was placed on public exhibition in 2020 and adopted by Council.

The plan, which encompasses the creeklands west to Markham Street and East to Taylor Street aims to provide a vibrant civic space for community events and festivals. Restore the creek to a more natural environment, provide ecological integrity to urban fauna and opportunities for people to enjoy the water safely.

Council will now make representation to State and Federal Parliament for financial support to engage experts to review Council’s 2004 Armidale Creeklands Environmental Management Plan, undertake soil testing within the area and provide an updated management plan to ensure environmental and human health safeguards can be effectively implemented and managed for any works that disturb the soil.

Mayor Tiley said it was critical to maintain momentum on this significant project to ensure it is identified as a priority project for Council and the Armidale community.

“Seeking funding for the necessary implementation works is the first step to making this project a reality,” said Mayor Tiley

“This is a significant project with an estimated total cost in excess of $14 million. Clearly Council does not have the funds. However now that the plan is adopted it is in my view important that Council seek to achieve some plan implementation for this exceptional project.”

The adopted Armidale Creeklands Master Plan is available to view on Council’s website under the menu ‘Our region’.

Published on 15 Feb 2021