Blog posts

“We continue to hope that one day, Armidale Regional Council will realise that improving the creeklands precinct with more healthy flowing water is the key to improving so much about our city, its beauty and its attractiveness to visitors and residents”

Reflecting on these stories of the Armidale creeklands is really inspirational to our association!

Over 50 years ago, the then Mayor (Ald. John Failes) was instrumental in creating interest in improving the creeklands.

Read about what happened on that day in May 1972.

We suggest that “It’s Time” to see if we can move things forward to develop exciting and imaginative Visions for our creeklands.

Many residents in Armidale may not be aware of our largest off-stream water storage, Lake Zot, located at the University of New England. During the most recent drought it was remediated and expanded to provide environmental benefits and water for irrigation of the Consett Davis playing fields at SportUNE. The 70-years long story of Lake Zot is told to help the community understand how large off-stream water storages and wetlands can be created for the benefit of the environment and city without impacting on flooding.

Nature play areas are of great benefit to children - both for their enjoyment and development. This blog explains the concept, gives some examples and invites us all to imagine one or more such areas along Armidale’s wonderful creeklands precinct.

Clean-up Australia Day in the Armidale creeklands could have been so much better than it was. The experience makes us think about how we can come up with better ways of improving the creeklands so that their beauty and health will inspire us all not to throw rubbish into them. Obviously, we need to involve the next generation - and we will!

Our recent sponsorship of the Duval Dam Buster Trail Run got us thinking about the connection between our city of Armidale, its creeklands, and the top of our catchment - Duembandyi (or Mt Duval).

Congratulations on funding success to secure Armidale’s drinking water supply. But there is still more to achieve if we are to see environmental flows restored along Dumaresq Creek.

Our association is concerned that NSW State Government Planning for water in our region will be swamped by coastal considerations. ALL regions in the State and nation, including inland cities and towns, need to be treated with equity in the provision of water for the support of communities and the environment. Why can’t we get Federal, State and Local governments to work in a non-political way with communities across Australia to come up with long-term water planning that will result in practical and appropriate outcomes for each region? If we did that, perhaps we would find sensible long-term solutions not only for dry regions of Australia but also for areas that have been devastated by flooding. Good planning is essential!

As we seek an agreed path forward for our region and community, our association reflects on the visions of our new Mayor, Sam Coupland, and makes a plea to consider past efforts to assemble community visions.

We were delighted to learn of the success of the Armidale Urban Rivercare Group (AURG) in securing State Government funding for its ‘Weedy Wasteland to Wildlife Wetland’ project - as reported recently on NBN News.

Three questions for candidates for the Armidale Regional Council elections …

We are growing our supporters with the help of social media …

A survey of our members shows how we have ranked a range of watery images as Visions for parts of our creeklands …

Did you know about Armidale’s first hospital adjacent to Dumaresq Creek?

Visions for Armidale Creeklands are delighted about recent progress towards more beautiful and healthy creeklands ...

Our association’s responses to the draft Creeklands Master Plan …

Great news! Armidale Regional Council has released its draft Armidale Creeklands Master Plan for comment - by September 17, 2020.

After a record drought - and during a global pandemic - we reckon it is time to plan for more water along the Armidale creeklands - to beautify our city!

Our proposal, in brief, is for the development of our city and region according to our overarching WEL vision: “Water Equals Life”. This will see us develop into the region with the best quality of life (for all organisms) in Australia!