Tamworth Councillor Charles Impey has unveiled an expansive roadmap for 2026, emphasizing mental health initiatives and infrastructure development. Ahead of the upcoming mental health summit on October 5, 2023, Impey expressed his commitment to enhancing community well-being. He believes that a focus on mental health will significantly contribute to the community’s overall success.
Impey is particularly eager about the opening of the new Banksia Mental Health Unit. He sees potential in repurposing the old facility into a rehabilitation centre, specifically for drug and alcohol recovery. “I think a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in this part of the world would be an absolute given,” he stated, highlighting the importance of such services for local residents.
In addition to mental health initiatives, Impey is advocating for educational advancements, particularly the University of New England (UNE) Tamworth campus. He hopes to see significant progress in its development, noting, “That’s been a long, long, long time coming.” This initiative aligns with his broader vision of increasing opportunities for residents to enter the housing market.
Impey believes that the council’s decision to implement postage-stamp pricing for headworks will encourage development across the Tamworth local government area (LGA). “I’d like to see the opportunity for more people to move into the housing market,” he remarked. He is particularly focused on expanding social housing to support both thriving and struggling community members.
Transport infrastructure is another key focus for Impey. He advocates for the construction of more shared cycleways, citing concerns about pedestrian safety on roads like Moore Creek Road. Furthermore, he proposes exploring the potential of the existing rail link between Tamworth and major cities such as Newcastle and Sydney for local services. “I think there’s some merit to that; I’ll do some research there and bring it to the discussion table,” he noted.
Impey is also pushing for significant improvements to Tamworth’s transport infrastructure. He highlighted the need for a series of bypasses to alleviate congestion in the growing city. He envisions a network looping from the New England Highway to Oxley to Manilla Road, which would enhance connectivity and reduce traffic through the city centre. “We’ll never get a 360-degree ring road all the way around because we have a whopping big mountain range in the way, but certainly 270 degrees is possible,” he explained.
His ambitious plans reflect a deep commitment to the community he has known all his life. As a lifelong resident of the New England region, Impey is dedicated to addressing the needs and aspirations of Tamworth’s citizens. His vision for 2026 is not only about infrastructure but also about fostering a community where every member can thrive.
