Council Update

Conversation with the GM

All Aboard, Blayney! Celebrating 150 Years of Community Connection

For 150 years, Blayney Railway Station has been part of our shared story — welcoming travellers, connecting families and helping our town grow. This November, the community is invited to come together at the station to celebrate the people, memories and connections that have shaped this much-loved local landmark.

The anniversary celebration is planned for Sunday 1 November, from 10am to 2pm, with the community gathering for cake cutting and speeches at about 11am. Led by Platform Arts Hub, with support from Blayney Shire Council through the Community Funded Arts Program (CFAP) and Transport for NSW, the day promises to be a relaxed and welcoming celebration for everyone.

Families can enjoy live music, face painting, hands-on community art projects, competitions and prizes, while the Rotary barbecue serves up a classic community favourite. Transport for NSW is marking the milestone with 150 commemorative pins and an anniversary cake — so come early, join in and help make new memories at the station.

Opened on 1 November 1876 with the Main Western railway extension from Bathurst, the station became a major junction in 1888 when the Blayney–Demondrille line opened. Today it is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register, standing as a reminder of the railway workers, passengers, local businesses and generations of residents who made the station a hub of everyday life.

Blayney Shire Mayor Bruce Reynolds said the station and railway reflect Blayney’s rich history and strong spirit of connection. “For 150 years, the railway has helped drive economic growth across Blayney and the Central West, supporting industry, agriculture, mining, trade and local jobs while connecting our community to wider markets,” he said. “As we celebrate this milestone, we honour those who built the railway’s legacy and recognise the important role rail will continue to play in our region’s growth and prosperity.”

The celebrations extend beyond the platform. The Blayney Shire Local & Family History Group will share historic photographs and stories at Bernardi’s Marketplace from Monday 19 October to Monday 2 November, with a smaller display in the station’s Booking Office for the anniversary weekend. Locals are encouraged to visit, reminisce and discover something new about Blayney’s railway past.

Save the date, gather your family, neighbours and friends, and be part of this special chapter in Blayney’s story. Come along to share memories, enjoy the festivities and celebrate 150 years of connection at Blayney Railway Station.

Council Update

Call for Nominations – Financial Assistance Program Committee

Council is seeking nominations for a community representative to fill a vacancy on the Financial Assistance Program Committee. 

Meetings are held every six months with its primary responsibility being the assessment of applications received. The appointment is for the remainder of the current Council term, expiring 31 August 2028.

Please see Council’s Committees of Council page for the nomination form and further information on the role of the committee.

Nominations close 3 November 2026.

Blayney Library Author Talk Event – Wednesday 4 November 2026

Discover more about the Write Around the World community writing project initiated by Barbara Baikie OAM, and managed through to the publication of the book by Barbie Robinson, Richard Scherer and Barbra Baikie. 

It arose out of the desire of women to speak about their commonalities rather than engaging in a discourse of difference and hate. We have more in common that the things that divide us. These stories are objects of hope – one small thing we can do to speak for peace. 

At a time of catastrophic global displacement of people, this kind of storytelling is more important than ever and a powerful tool for understanding. 

Meet Barbra Baikie at the Blayney Library on Wednesday 4 November at 10am
Phone Blayney Library on 6368 2581 to book your spot or book online:
https://tinyurl.com/BlayneyWriteAroundtheWorld2026

Blayney Shire Music Scholarship – Apply Now

Blayney Shire Council in conjunction with Mithcell Conservatorium, Bathurst and Orange Regional Conservatorium are offering music tuition scholarships and encouragement awards for students aged between 7 and 18 years who live in the Blayney Shire and wish to further their music studies.
Applications are available on Council’s Music Scholarship page. Applications close on 6 November 2026.

Junction Reefs Reserve Temporary Closure

Please be advised that Junction Reefs Reserve will be temporarily closed to the public from 13 October to 13 November 2026 to allow for scheduled maintenance and rehabilitation works.

The closure is necessary to ensure the safety of visitors, contractors and workers while heavy machinery and construction activities are being undertaken within the reserve.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while these important works are completed. Visitors are encouraged to make alternative arrangements during this period.

For updates and further information please visit Crown Lands or Council’s website.

Development Proposal

Issued under Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Schedule 1.

Proposed Development: Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) 1500KWh 2 car spaces for an Electronic Vehicle (EV) Charging Station and all ancillary works

Development Site: Lot 1 DP1038633 – 79 Osman Street, Blayney

Applicant: Blayney Shire Council 

Consent Authority: Blayney Shire Council

Blayney Shire Council is in receipt of a Development Application for a proposed Battery Energy Storage System at 79 Osman Street, Blayney. 

The consent authority for the proposed development is Blayney Shire Council.

Development Application 2026/0098 and associated documentation can be viewed at Council's Documents on Public Exhibition page or by visiting Council’s Administration Building, 91 Adelaide Street Blayney, weekdays between 9.30am and 4pm.

Any person wishing to make a submission must do so in writing, stating the grounds for any objection, by 5pm, Thursday 5 November 2026. Submissions must be made in writing and must clearly indicate the following:

• Name and address of the person making the submission, including phone and email address.
• The submission should relate directly to the proposed development and if the submission is by the way of objection, it must state the reasons for objection.

Any submissions that you make to this proposal may be made available to the applicant for comment during consideration of the development application, names withheld.

Correspondence can be sent to:
The General Manager, Blayney Shire Council, PO Box 62, Blayney NSW 2799 Email: council@blayney.nsw.gov.au

Positions Vacant

Council currently has the following position available:

• Administration Officer – Infrastructure Services. Applications close 25 October 2026.

Please refer to Council’s Employment Opportunities page for an Information Package and details on how to apply for this position.

 

Public Exhibition - Proposed Lease of Unused Road Reserve – (Part) Collins Street, Carcoar

In accordance with Section 154 of the Roads Act 1993, Blayney Shire Council hereby gives public notice of its proposal to lease unused road reserve comprising part Collins Street, Carcoar. 

The land proposed to be leased comprises approximately 0.36 hectares, as shown in the plan available on the Blayney Shire Council website. 

Any person is entitled to make a submission to Blayney Shire Council in respect of the proposed lease. 

All submissions must be made in writing and received by Blayney Shire Council no later than 5:00pm on Monday, 2 November 2026.

Submissions should be addressed to: General Manager, Blayney Shire Council, PO Box 62, Blayney NSW 2799 or emailed to council@blayney.nsw.gov.au