Essex Wildlife Trust purchase the former Dunton Hills plotland estate as a nature reserve. The estate, mainly comprising the four avenues, First, Second, Third and Fourth along with Hillcrest Avenue was bought from owners The Commission for the New Towns (CNT) as part of a larger area to be known as Langdon Nature Reserve. A visitor centre and Warden accommodation was later established at Third Avenue. The land purchase totalling in excess of 460 acres was made possible through a substantial endowment and bequest made in memory of conservationist Herbert Langdon Dowsett, (/07/1904 - 15/01/1983).

The A127 Nevendon boot sale established. Held between early March and November on Sundays, Bank Holidays and from 2004 mid-season Thursdays at Stevenson's Farm adjacent to the A127 Nevendon flyover, it is known locally as "The Big One" and has often featured on the television show "Boot Sale Challenge". Such was its popularity that at its height traffic on the A127 would get severly congested and it had even been deemed necessary to deploy a policeman to direct traffic on the entry/exit point on the A132 Nevendon Road. It never missed a season for 23 years but following the last fair on 14/10/2012 and the earlier sale of the main site area (east field) for a Dogs Trust Centre permission was denied by Basildon Council to hold it on what had been the 'overspill' west field, purchased in 2006 to expand the original site, a decision which was eventually overturned following an appeal by site operator Peter Stevenson and the boot sale returned in 2015 through to the close of season 2022. In February 2023 the boot sale was cancelled following the operators announcement of their retirement.

A new double roundabout and duel carriageway link road to replace Roundacre roundabout becomes fully operational. The original roundabout was opened in 1959 but had become a congestion black spot despite being gradually reduced in size to allow greater road space. All four original subways were replaced with a wider design and the addition of a fifth subway linking Laindon Link with Nethermayne. A small portion of Gloucester Park was lost to the new road layout as both Broadmayne and Upper Mayne required realignment. The former roundabouts name was preserved when the short link road was named Roundacre.

John Rosser is appointed as the fourth Town Manager of Basildon District Council. He succeeds Robert Mitchinson who held the post from April 1974.

7th January

Markhams Chase Sports Centre in Markhams Chase, Laindon opens. Basildon born international long distance runner Eamonn Martin carried out the opening duties. The council run facility offered a wide range of sporting activities and the main hall was often hired out for events such as computer fairs. In the 2000s Basildon Pentecostal Church used the facility for their Sunday services. It closed on 27th March, 2011 amid much controversy following Basildon Council's decision to build a "Sporting Village" in Gloucester Park. It was sold to property developer Bellway Homes who after its demolition built a residential development called Hawks Park. Known over the years as either Markhams Chase Sports Centre or Markhams Chase Leisure Centre, at the time of closure its nameboard read simply Markhams Chase Centre.

February

The Armillary Sundial set in the centre of the paved walkway in the new Southernhay/Laindon Link/Nether Mayne roundabout unveiled. Sir Gordon Roberts CBE. J.P. representing the Commission For The New Towns performed the unveiling. The sundial, which stands around 3 metres high, is made from Stainless Steel and designed by renowned artist Wendy Taylor, CBE. She was also responsible for the Animal Frieze in concrete that adorns the two inner walls of the subway link to Gloucester Park.

23rd May

H.R.H. The Princess Royal (Princess Anne), making her first visit to Basildon, is the special guest of honour at the Ford New Holland Tractor Plant, which is celebrating 25 years of production at the Cranes Farm Road site. The plant, which covers a 100 acre site, was originally a solely Ford enterprise but was renamed following a takeover of Sperry New Holland in 1986.

7th July

H.R.H. Prince Edward visits the Eastgate Business Centre in Basildon. His visit, on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, was organised by owners Norwich Union and included a tour of the centre where he unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

14th November

The Basildon Centre in Pagel Mead (now St. Martin's Square) is officially opened. The Rt. Hon. Dr John "Jack" Cunningham, Labour MP for Copeland in Cumbria, carried out a commemorative plaque unveiling ceremony. Council staff vacated offices from three locations, these being: Keay House in Town Square, Church Walk House and their original 1960s 'temporary' base at Fodderwick as part of the move.

16th November

Basildon is officially twinned with the German town of Heiligenhaus. The town of Heiligenhaus is in the district of Mettmann, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It lies between Düsseldorf and Essen. This completes the association between the two towns which dates back to 1964. Heiligenhaus is also twinned with the English town of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire.

5th December

The new Basildon Library is opened by the Chairman of Essex County Council, Councillor Paul White (later Lord Hanningfield). Now permanently housed within the new Basildon Centre, the central library, as it was known, was previously housed in two separate locations in temporary buildings at Fodderwick dating back to 1964.