Council Progresses Grafton Road Planning Proposal
Published on 28 August 2025
Armidale Regional Council (ARC) has taken a significant step forward in its long-term growth vision by resolving to progress Planning Proposal No. 26 for 241 Grafton Road, Armidale to the Gateway Determination stage. The planning proposal hopes to rezone the land located close to the city to allow for a range of smaller lots sizes.
Armidale Mayor Sam Coupland said this is a major step forward in delivering the vision set out in our Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS).
“Since my return to Armidale in 2012, I’ve always had the sense our region could do better. When I was elected to Council in 2022, I knew that the LSPS was our opportunity to own our story, shape a compelling vision for the future and make our own luck,” said Mayor Coupland.
Over the last Council term, ARC delivered an ambitious strategic planning agenda within approximately two years. This culminated in the adoption of the LSPS: Toward 50,000, which identified employment lands and opportunities to support the creation of over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs across the region. In parallel, ARC developed a Housing Strategy that earmarks land to enable the construction of 4,400 new homes over the next 20 years.
This new term of Council has maintained the momentum with the focus on making tangible progress on delivering the region building infrastructure and enabling the jobs and homes needed to make the Toward 50,000 vision a reality.
“This proposal demonstrates what is possible when a compelling vision is aligned with good strategic planning,” said Mayor Coupland.
“It sends the right signals to all potential collaborators that we are serious partners and know where we are going. This planning proposal, which will deliver more than 250 new homes and more around 50 hectares of public open space, is evidence that partners in the private sector will respond.”
The Gateway Determination is a formal step in the NSW planning system. It allows Council to publicly exhibit the proposal, consult with agencies, and refine technical details before finalising changes to the Local Environmental Plan. It ensures that proposals are strategically sound and consistent with state and local planning priorities.
The proposal will now be forwarded to the NSW Government and then onto public exhibition, and Council encourages community members to engage with the process and provide feedback.