Regional councils in New South Wales face planning and funding challenges

Various regional councils in New South Wales are navigating funding and planning challenges. In Dubbo, the Regional Council has voted to spend up to $100,000 on a scoping report to rezone land at Hampton Park. This move aims to block a proposed solar farm and battery storage facility by attempting to rezone the area from primary production to large lot residential, despite warnings from staff that the proposal lacks strategic merit.

In Tamworth, the local council faces a funding shortfall for a planned $57 million aquatic centre after the state government declined to provide additional financial support. While $15 million has been secured from the state and $9 million from the federal government, rising costs have left a gap that the council had hoped the state would help fill.

Meanwhile, the Bathurst Regional Council is preparing to select consultants to strengthen its bid for a multimillion-dollar funding package for the Mount Panorama-Wahluu racing circuit. The council is seeking federal investment for approximately $15 million in safety upgrades, including track resurfacing, concrete barriers, and lighting.