Last Tuesday, a record budget allowance of 315.7 million for the Northern Tablelands was announced by Adam Marshall. Viv May, the interim administrator of Armidale Regional Council, said a highlight of this funding was the new Fire Control Centre at Armidale Airport while UNE vice-chancellor and CEO Brigid Heywood was delighted with the Boilerhouse Discovery project millions earmarked.

Armidale Regional Council has certainly been moving through the agenda items at its monthly meetings recently with Mr May pushing projects along - particularly in the Guyra area. Last week residents were asked to have their say on two street art concepts to brighten the main street.

Tattersalls Hotel in Armidale was named the best designed hotel in Australia on Thursday which can only be good publicity for the region.

The judging panel said the art deco hotel brings big-city style to country Armidale, revealing a heritage gem in a surprising location.

But one of the biggest harbingers of change was the news today that Armidale Regional Council would be reinstated. Office of Local Government (OLG) Minister Shelley Hancock said strict controls and expert supervision are part of the proposed Performance Improvement Order (PIO) she announced this morning.

There's a long road ahead to regain the trust of the community, councillor Peter Bailey said.

ARC councillors have seven days to make submissions on the order which will be considered alongside interim-administrator Viv May's final report that's due on November 27.

The other milestone to happen this week was possibly the most important one - it certainly was for the Kelly family who were granted an exhumation warrant by the State Coroner to further the investigation into the death of Lewis "Buddy' Kelly 37 years ago. A smoking ceremony and memorial service was held in Armidale Cemetery on Sunday ahead of the grave being opened this week.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great week. If you have a news tip, let us know by contacting the Express at armidaleexpress@austcommunitymedia.com.au.

Vanessa Arundale

Acting Editor