Visions sponsors the 2022 Duval Dam Buster Trail Run (DDB) ...

Visions for Armidale Creeklands Inc is excited to be a Bronze sponsor of the 2022 Duval Dam Buster Trail Run (DDB) which will take place on Sunday December 4, 2022.

We chose to sponsor the event to highlight our passion for the connection between our city’s creeklands and its broader catchment which reaches up to where the trail runners will venture - the very top of Duembandyi (Mt Duval).

The catchment of Armidale’s Dumaresq Creek starts with flows from Duembandyi down to where the run starts - at Dumaresq Dam - which was built in 1898 as Armidale’s first water supply reservoir. The dam wall has recently been strengthened and Armidale Regional Council is currently improving the recreational facilities at the dam.

We have dreams of restoring natural flows of healthy water not only along Armidale’s creeklands, but some of us would like to see beautiful billabongs and wetlands recreated from Dumaresq Dam all the way to the city, 13 km downstream of the dam. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see water flowing over granite boulders? And wouldn’t it be even better if we had a walking/running/bike path all the way between Dumaresq Dam and Armidale?

When the waters get to Armidale’s creeklands, we want to see more water there too! Our association has been pleased to give feedback to Armidale Regional Council on its plans to implement Stage 1 of the Creeklands Master Plan with up to $3m provided by the NSW State Government. Our hope is to enhance plans for better paths and facilities by creating more constructed wetlands and billabongs such as the naturalised Mike O’Keefe pond near Kentucky St.

In the heart of the city, we occasionally see what Civic Park might look like when we experience one of our flood events. Our association has dreams of retaining water in pools, billabongs and wetlands throughout the city without making flooding worse. This will enhance the quality of life, economy and beauty of Armidale.

If you come out to Dumaresq Dam for the DDB trail run - either as a participant or spectator - please make sure you say hello to our committee members present - and pick up a brochure to help spread the word about our Visions!

We welcome new members so please Join us! Together, let’s make it happen!

Many thanks to Terry Cooke for permission to use some of his wonderful images!