Rob Richardson writes that any amalgamation of councils around Armidale should not be initiated by Armidale.
Armidale Regional Council
Posted inQuick Word
QW: trains
Rick Banyard from Warratah West says the rail industry’s $38.8 billion contribution to the economy highlights a missed opportunity for the Armidale Regional Council area, arguing the local economy cannot afford to ignore the potential of freight and passenger trains.
Posted inRegional
Spending money to make money
Deni McKenzie writes that Armidale Regional Council’s ideas of investing in the future seem to be out of whack.
Posted inLetters
Letter: Railway renewal as political spending equity
I refer to the Siri Gamage article; Merits of Regional Rail Renewal vs a Rail Trail: Failures of Decision-Making in New England (14 November 2025). I continue to be amazed by the antics of the elected Armidale Regional Council (ARC) Councillors spending up big on developing a ”bike path to nowhere to see nothing” at […]
Posted inLetters
Letter: Critical Questions for the GM, ARC About His Rail Trail Plans
Recently Armidale Regional Council (ARC) General Manager James Roncon stated that he wants to “get the rail trail back on track.” In light of this, there are a number of important questions that need to be asked of the General Manager: Expenditure of Ratepayers’ Funds How much ratepayers’ money has been spent to date on […]
Posted inQuick Word
QW: Roncon should go now
I know it wasn’t in your paper but I don’t think the Express would run this letter if I sent it: but how off the charts delusional was that puff piece about Armidale Regional Council GM James Roncon? The relationship between town and council is as toxic as ever, staff seem to be even more […]
Posted inEditorial
On psychosocial risk and politics
EDITORIAL: We’ve had to change the way we cover councils because it has become too toxic, so we’re joining the call for more funding for councils.
Posted inLetters
Letter: Make The Mall viable again! Council has no problem with ‘inner city housing’.
With towns as popular as Katoomba feeling the pinch due to online shopping, they too have to cope with vacant shops in their Main Street. We have a similar problem.
Posted inRegional, Social
Is the tourism dollar the holy grail?
Much is made by all Councils and State Governments of the benefits of tourists. The Tourism Dollar seems to be the ‘holy grail’…but why?
Posted inRegional
Armidale vs the city
Gayle Davies is relocating back to Armidale and says the rates are more than double what she paid in North Sydney, and this is not ok.