Cr Charles Impey addressed the club on the current state of Tamworth Regional Council - covering financial health, road funding, Ray Walsh House, water security, mental health, and major projects underway across the region.
Tamworth’s Growth Story
Tamworth continues to grow at roughly 1% per year (800-1,200 new residents annually), with the region tracking toward a population of around 80,000 by 2040. Unlike Wagga, Orange, Dubbo or Bathurst, Tamworth has grown without major recurring government investment (universities, defence, etc). Growth has been driven by diverse business and industry, and by a strong culture of volunteerism.
Council Financial Health
• Local government funding is “fundamentally broken” - 19 of 128 NSW councils have less than three months of unrestricted cash reserves.
• Federal Financial Assistance Grants have fallen from 2% of GDP to 0.4% over 40 years.
• Continued cost-shifting from State and Federal Government to councils (RFS levy ~$850k/year, weed management +$360k recently).
• Tamworth sits just above the financial stress line. An asset review will go before Council in around two months to identify potential sales to fund new infrastructure.
Roads
Tamworth Regional Council manages 3,200 km of roads - the second-largest road network in NSW behind the State Government. The 2022 Special Rate Variation directed 66% of funds to road maintenance, with the balance toward the Regional Aquatic and Health Facility (opening mid-2026).
Mental Health Project
Cr Impey’s signature initiative. A summit held on 26 February drew 130 attendees. A 25-member strategic group is now working on:
• Service mapping and discoverability tools
• Strategic coordination (not duplicating existing programs)
• Workforce and training development - aided by UNE and University of Newcastle establishing in Tamworth (nursing and midwifery undergraduate courses to be announced).
Ray Walsh House
Asbestos was identified in 2012 and managed until fibres began falling in 2022. With no State or Federal funding on offer and an estimated $62-72m to either refurbish or rebuild, Council has adopted a 10-year plan:
• Consolidate the majority of staff into the old Workies Club building.
• Build reserves over 10 years toward a long-term solution.
• Any sale of the existing building would prioritise its preservation and adaptive reuse - avoiding another “Regent Cinema” situation.
Water Security
• Chaffey Dam currently at 88% capacity after two years of average rainfall.
• Cr Impey’s view: Tamworth has sufficient water for the next 20 years if managed well.
• Concern raised over downstream irrigation releases (e.g. 5.5GL release in 2017) being labelled environmental flows.
• Renewable Energy Zones will demand ~14ML/day for construction - infrastructure investment (pipeline, Split Rock connection, or recycled water) will be needed long-term.
• Tamworth pays the highest water price in the state - around 10x the Murrumbidgee rate. Council continues to advocate for postage-stamp pricing.
Major Projects in the Pipeline
• 9 footpath extensions
• 19 pram/kerb construction projects
• 8 bridge upgrades
• Intersection upgrades (Port Stephens Cutting, Nundle Road, Werris Creek Road)
• Essential Energy Academy (1,000 students/year)
• UNE, University of Newcastle and Western Sydney University establishing in Tamworth
• North Tamworth Medical Centre (including 24-hour childcare)
• Hills Plains / Windmill Hill redevelopment (200-room accommodation + retail)
• Goonoo Goonoo Road shopping centre (Woolworths, second Aldi, Anaconda, Priceline)
Q&A Highlights
Members raised questions on the New England Highway upgrade (no funding confirmed yet), water pricing inequity, Ray Walsh House asbestos remediation costs, the Capitol Theatre lease arrangement, and the Goonoo Goonoo Bridge flood height. Cr Impey took several items on notice and committed to following up with the Club.
The Club thanked Cr Impey for a frank and informative address.
Thanks to Pete Dillon for the notes.
