Community consultation on water services

21st Jul 2026

Armidale Regional Council (ARC) is inviting water consumers across the region to take part in a Regional Infrastructure Strategy: Levels of Service and Perceived Value consultation to help inform future planning for water, wastewater and stormwater services.
The consultation, from July 13th to August 13th 2026, forms part of ARC’s development of an Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan (IWCM), a long-term strategy guiding how water and wastewater services are planned, managed and funded over the next 30 years.
Council is seeking community feedback to better understand local values, priorities and preferences, including trade-offs between cost, service levels, infrastructure investment and long-term water security.
This consultation is about planning ahead and ensuring future decisions are informed by community expectations, affordability considerations and what matters most to residents.
ARC General Manager James Roncon said the Regional Infrastructure Strategy is a key priority for Council.
“By understanding community expectations around service levels, affordability and future infrastructure investment, we can make informed decisions that support reliable water and sewer services,” said Mr Roncon.
“Taking part in this consultation helps Council plan ahead for our region.”
Integrated Water Cycle Management considers water supply, wastewater, stormwater and the natural environment as one connected system. It is a NSW Government best-practice approach used by councils to plan sustainable, resilient and affordable water services over the long term.
Council emphasises that this consultation is prioritising the essential infrastructure and the level of service our region needs. It aims to understand community preferences, affordability pressures, and where support or staged approaches may be needed.
Council recognises that cost-of-living pressures affect households differently, and feedback from residents and businesses will play a key role in shaping future planning and investment decisions.
Community members can share their views by completing the online survey via Your Say Armidale, taking part in community forum or attending pop-up sessions throughout the consultation period. A schedule of activities can be found by scanning the QR code below.
Council will gather all the feedback and report back to the community through the IWCM on consultation outcomes and explain how feedback has informed the IWCM planning process.
For more information and
to have your say, visit yoursay.armidale.nsw.gov.au.

Critical works at Water Treatment Plant

Armidale Regional Council advises that critical maintenance works will be undertaken at the Guyra Water Treatment Plant from 21s to 24th July 2026.
During this period, the plant will operate on reduced hours, functioning only between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm each day.
Council confirms that there will be no interruption to the water supply during these works. However, with Level 2 water restrictions currently in effect, the reduced operating hours will place additional pressure on treated drinking water storage levels.
Residents are encouraged to use water wisely and conserve where possible to help maintain a reliable supply of safe drinking water throughout the maintenance period.
Council appreciates the community’s cooperation and understanding while these essentialworks are carried out.

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Community consultation on water services

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