Changes to water, sewer and waste charges are being proposed as part of Armidale Regional Council’s draft 2026–27 budget, now on public exhibition.
The draft Operational Plan, Budget and associated documents were endorsed by Council this week and will be open for community feedback for 28 days.
Among the most significant proposed changes is a shift to a fairer system for water and sewer access charges, moving away from a flat structure to one based on the size of a property’s meter.
Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland said the current system did not reflect actual usage.
“Currently, the way our water and sewer access charges are applied is essentially a one-size-fits-all approach,” he said.
“For far too long, residential water and sewer customers have been paying the same access charges as larger business users. We are proposing to change these so customers with larger diameter pipes pay more for their service. Customers that use more, pay more.”
The draft budget also proposes introducing weight-based charging at the Armidale Waste Management Facility, using certified weighbridges to more accurately calculate fees.
Under the proposal, customers would need to sort waste before arriving, with fees varying depending on the type of waste. Those who separate materials could reduce their costs by weighing waste types individually.
Mayor Coupland said the changes align with broader efforts to improve sustainability and transparency.
“These proposed changes are consistent with state, federal and international best practice for sustainable waste management and support the accurate reporting of waste tonnages to the NSW EPA,” he said.
The budget forms part of a broader suite of planning documents, including the Draft Revenue Policy, Draft Fees and Charges, and a Long Term Financial Plan extending to 2035–36.
Council says the 2026–27 financial year will be a key step in consolidating its financial position while planning for future growth.
The long-term strategy focuses on retaining local residents and attracting new ones, with population growth seen as critical to unlocking major infrastructure investment.
A stronger financial base is also intended to support ongoing investment in essential services and community priorities.
The draft documents are available for public viewing on Council’s Your Say Armidale platform, as well as in person at customer service centres in Armidale and Guyra.
Submissions are open until 20 May.
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