Media releases

Free household chemical clean-up

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:35:00 GMT

Household chemical disposal will be safe and easy for local residents, thanks to a clean-up operation to be hosted by Dubbo City Council on 21 November.

Unwanted and out of date products including paint, acids, batteries and old TVs can be dropped off at the Dubbo Showground between 8.30am and 2.30pm this Saturday.

Civil Projects Engineer Jaskaran Soni said Dubbo City Council is one of 14 councils in the Central West participating in the household hazardous chemical collection program, partnering with NetWaste and Chemsal to offer a safe and easy disposal service to residents for household chemicals.

“The program is also being held with significant support from the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW),” Mr Soni said.

The main reason for the chemical collection is so that unwanted or unused household chemicals and hazardous products that can pose a risk to both the environment and human health are disposed of properly.

“Items that can be dropped off include paint, pesticides, used motor oil, batteries, gas bottles and pool chemicals. Up to 10 items of e-waste and one old television set will also be accepted per customer,”

The free clean-up is biannual and was last held in June 2009 where five tonnes of chemicals and three tonnes of e-waste were collected for recycling or re-treatment and safe disposal.

Residents are reminded that liquids and hazardous products should never be placed in their household wheelie bins and ensure that chemicals are securely stored for transport to the drop-off site.

Access to the collection site at the Showground is via the Wingewarra Street entrance only.

For more information, contact Council’s Customer Services Centre on 6801 4000.

MEDIA CONTACT: Dubbo City Council’s Civil Projects Engineer Jaskaran Soni, (02) 6801 4000.

Water Leakage Management Program

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:01:00 GMT

As part of the Council's Water Leakage Management Program, works will be undertaken to identify potential leaks in the water supply system for the areas of Apollo, Eastridge and Equus Estates in East Dubbo.

This work will be carried out from 17 to 19 November during the hours of 9.30pm to 1am. Any disruptions to customer service are expected to be minimal.

The program involves detecting and repairing leaking pipes and controlling the amount of water pressure in the distribution system.

The Water Leakage Management Program is expected to save up to one megalitre of water everyday – or about seven per cent of the City’s average daily water consumption.

MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact Dubbo City Council’s Water/Sewer Operations Engineer Mike Wilson on (02) 6801 4000.

For further information, please contact Dubbo City Council’s Water/Sewer Operations Engineer Mike Wilson on (02) 6801 4000.

DRTCC almost complete, on-time within budget

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:49:00 GMT

Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre (DRTCC) is 80 per cent complete and weather-permitting will open as scheduled in April 2010.

City councillors and the media were given a tour of the $18.5 million facility today and were told construction work should be concluded by the end of February.

The symbolic building ‘lock-up’ will take place at the end of November and commissioning is expected two months into the New Year.

Mayor Allan Smith told media representatives that everything about the DRTCC is state-of-the-art and residents will be very proud of what is claimed to be one of the leading entertainment and convention facilities in regional Australia.

“It is difficult to single out features which impress, but for example when you enter the theatre, the foyer has a great feel and ambience to it,”

“The stage area, which is now taking real shape is the equal of any regional theatre in the country, with ultra-modern sound, acoustics and computer-managed lighting equipment to handle most types of performing arts and entertainment, from rocks shows to musical comedy to drama,” said Cr Smith.

“As ratepayers will see when the DRTCC is open, this is not your normal building and the tradespeople who have worked on the project have gained great experience,”

“Labour has been 90 per cent local with only a few specialist tradesmen being brought in; and by the end of the project an estimated $7.5m in wages will have come into the City,” Mayor Smith said.

“The material purchased in Dubbo over the life of the project is expected to be $3.5m and the whole project has been an economic stimulus, which will benefit the community for decades.”

Councillor Smith also paid tribute to the builder, David Payne Constructions of Dubbo and the team of tradespeople who have created the building.

MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact Mayor Allan Smith on (02) 6801 4101 or 0418 639 053.

Kerbside service approval highlights recycling opportunities

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:20:00 GMT

Dubbo City Council’s acceptance of JR Richards & Sons tender to provide kerbside recycling in 2010 opens a door for all members of the community to fully engage in the practice.

Mayor Allan Smith encouraged residents to increase recycling rates by diverting more household waste in the lead-up to next year’s kerbside service.

“Kerbside recycling is expected to herald a new era of waste minimisation across the whole community,” Cr Smith said.

“The new service is expected to not only foster greater recycling at home but also in public places and in the way local businesses operate.”

Cr Smith said the kerbside service starts on 1 July 2010 so local residents should continue to use the existing drop-off centres.

November 9 – 15 is National Recycling Week. For more information and recycling tips, visit Planet Ark's website www.recyclingweek.planetark.org/

To find out more about the services available in Dubbo, call Dubbo City Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 6801 4000.

MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact Dubbo City Council Civil Infrastructure and Solid Waste Asset Systems Engineer Michael McCulloch on (02) 6801 4000.

Reuse, recycle practices reduce waste

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:16:00 GMT

Recycle: to convert waste material for reuse

While 46,000 tonnes of waste was dumped at the city’s landfill in 2008/09, the recycling initiatives of Dubbo City Council are going a long way towards creating a better environment for the local community.

Council’s Sustainability Coordinator Debbie Archer said the 2009-2013 environmental sustainability plan, Dubbo ALIVE – A Living Initiative for a Vibrant Environment – aimed to minimise waste, improve conditions and educate local people on the practices of waste reduction.

“Waste management is one of the most significant challenges for the community today,” Mrs Archer said.

“Local Government is in a strong position to not only provide waste management infrastructure and services, but also play an integral role fostering behavioural changes in the community.”

Dubbo City Council is set to adopt kerbside recycling in 2010 and already provides the following for the public:

Recycling drop-off centres
Waste recycling facilities
DrumMUSTER
Hazardous waste collection
Sponsorship of the annual Waste2Art competition

Internally, Council staff members have participated in:

The Friday File Fling
Staff clothing swap day
Stationery amnesty
Office recycling collection for paper, aluminium, plastic and glass

November 9 -15 is National Recycling Week. For more information and recycling tips, visit www.recyclingweek.planetark.org/ or www.recyclingnearyou.com.au

To find out more about Dubbo services, call Dubbo City Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 6801 4000.

~ DUBBO ALIVE – A Living Initiative for a Vibrant Environment ~Covering six major themes: Biodiversity, Pollution, Water, Waste, Salinity, Energy

Covering six major themes: Biodiversity, Pollution, Water, Waste, Salinity, Energy

MEDIA CONTACT:

MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact Council’s Sustainability Coordinator Debbie Archer on (02) 6801 4000.

Community Needs Survey set to start

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:45:00 GMT

A Dubbo City Council survey involving some 300 participants is set to gather information on the community’s overall satisfaction with local facilities and services.

Consultancy firm Micromex has been appointed to conduct the survey, which will start on Monday, 16 November.

Council’s Director Corporate Development Megan Dixon said the purpose of the study is to provide Dubbo City Council with an assessment on community attitudes and perceptions towards current and future services and facilities.

“Using the 2007 report as a benchmark, the report will be used to predict overall satisfaction, identify issues and rate satisfaction levels of contact between Council staff and residents,” she said.

“Dubbo City Council will own the data and information in this report, which will enable it to be used as a benchmark for trend analysis against the previous and future surveys.”

The 2009 survey will be conducted via telephone and feature a sample size of 300 residents from a wide cross-section of the community.

The information will be used by Council in planning and decision-making regarding resource allocation.

MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact Council’s Director Corporate Development Megan Dixon on (02) 6801 4000.

Boldrewood literary awards

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:51:00 GMT

The 2009 Rolf Boldrewood Literary Awards have been presented to writers of Australian prose and poetry.

The awards are named in honour of Rolf Boldrewood, the Dubbo-based author of the famous 19th century Australian novel, Robbery Under Arms, and are collaboration between the Macquarie Regional Library and the Outback Writer’s Centre.

Library Director John Bayliss said over 200 entries were received in this year’s awards and the work came from all States and New Zealand.

“The number of entries and the standard of writing were very pleasing, and a cash prize of $300 was awarded to the first place winners in both competition categories,” said Mr Bayliss.

“Brett Garling, from the Garling Gallery at Wongarbon, also created a bronze limited edition bust of Boldrewood, which was presented to both winners.

“The Boldrewood Awards are very important to Australian literature as they foster excellence in local writing and acknowledge the author of what is considered one of Australia’s three great colonial novels.”

2009 Winners.

Prose
1st Place – John Millett, Fox – Fire

2nd Place – Warwick Sprawson, The Indefatigable Gentleman

3rd Place – Fleur Hunt, The ‘Table’

Highly Commended – Kate Rotherham, Butterflies and Dragons

Highly Commended – Mike Cooper, Uses of Seaweed

Highly Commended – Jacqueline Winn, Crumbs of Wisdom

Highly Commended – Michelle Brock, Vanishing
Poetry

1st Place – Max Merckenschlager, Mosquito, The Black Bushranger

2nd Place – Max Merckenschlager, Says Martin Cash

3rd Place – Caroline Glen, Tasmanian Tiger

Highly Commended – Mark Miller, Variations on Rain in the Time of Drought

Highly Commended – Mike Cooper, The Midges

Highly Commended – Gordon Shrubb, Flying

MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact John Bayliss, Director Macquarie Regional Library on (02) 6801 4500 or 0418 634 735.

Mayor calls for support for combined celebration

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:48:00 GMT

Dubbo City Mayor Allan Smith says this weekend’s double celebration of the anniversary of both the Minokamo Sister City Relationship and the Shoyoen Sister City Garden is a real milestone in sister city arrangements.

The Minokamo link is a 20th anniversary and the garden in East Dubbo is celebrating its 7th birthday.

Cr Smith said both anniversaries will be marked by an entertainment packed program on Saturday afternoon/evening at the Shoyoen Garden.

“The two-decade long relationship with Minokamo has proven especially rewarding for our City, it has grown into an annual student exchange program with young people from both Dubbo and Minokamo offered the opportunity to stay with host families, attend school and experience a whole new culture and way of life,” said Cr Smith.

“We also have the benefit of the Shoyoen Garden and Tea House, which are maintained by Council staff and a very dedicated group of volunteers.

“The complex is a valuable tourist attraction for Dubbo and the establishment of the Friends of Shoyoen, who are the driving force behind hosting the annual anniversary events and visitor assistance in the gardens on weekends.”

The entertainment program at the Shoyoen Sister City Garden will run from 4.00pm-8.00pm this Saturday 14 November with traditional Japanese tea demonstrations presented throughout the evening.

MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact Mayor Allan Smith on (02) 6801 4101 or 0418 639 053.

Challenge set for Friday File Fling!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:35:00 GMT

Dubbo City Council is issuing a corporate challenge to other businesses across the City to recycle their unwanted files this Friday, 13 November.

Employers and their staff are urged to join the Friday File Fling as part of National Recycling Week (9 – 15 November).

Dubbo City Council Civil Infrastructure and Solid Waste Asset Systems Engineer Michael McCulloch said the activity is a novel way of getting rid of unnecessary files while also helping the environment.

“Office paper has a low recycling rate because so much of it gets stored in files that will never be read again,” he said.

“This is a great opportunity for office workers to clean up their desks while at the same time help get good quality paper back into circulation.”

“Put aside some time in your diary between 4pm and 5pm this Friday to clear out your unused personal files on 13 November and let’s see how much office paper can be collected for recycling in Dubbo.”

Mr McCulloch said there is a range of re-use and recycling options for recovered office paper.

“The re-use options have a higher environmental benefit since you avoid buying more paper,” he said.

“One re-use option is to make Friday File Fling Notebooks branded with your company logo from the single-sided paper you recover. Not only does this make good use of resources, it helps to promote your organisation’s commitment to sustainability.”

For more information and recycling tips, visit www.recyclingweek.planetark.org/

To find out more about the Friday File Fling, call Dubbo City Council’s Customer Services Centre on (02) 6801 4000.

MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact Dubbo City Council Civil Infrastructure and Solid Waste Asset Systems Engineer Michael McCulloch on (02) 6801 4000.

Federal Minister opens projects for Dubbo’s young and younger set

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:06:00 GMT

The Australian Government’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Anthony Albanese today opened the Victoria Park Regional Recreation Precinct.

The precinct was made possible after Dubbo City Council received a federal Community Infrastructure Program grant.

The $1.1m funding included $660,000 for two projects in Victoria Park – the Action Sports Park, which includes the Skate Park and the Equal Access Playground.

A third project, the 2.5km extension to the Tracker Riley Cycleway, received a grant of $340,000. Minister Albanese said the Community Infrastructure Grants were designed to stimulate the economy and provide improved facilities for councils across Australia.

Dubbo City Mayor Cr Allan Smith thanked Minister Albanese for visiting the City to open the new projects and said they would be lasting endorsements of the Community Infrastructure Program.

“These projects in Victoria Park have been extremely well patronised since they were completed and I believe the Action Sports Park, with its state-of-the-art skateboarding facility, is the most popular attraction for the youth of Dubbo,” said Cr Smith.

“The Equal Access Playground is also a very valuable addition to Dubbo City Council’s facilities and a particularly valuable resource for the increasing number of young families moving to Dubbo.”

The funds granted to Dubbo under the Community Infrastructure Program funded a variety of work at the Action Sports Park including the Rage Cage and the Skate Park ramps and in the Playground; the Soft-fall Ground Mat, Net Climber and play equipment were all paid for with federal funding.

“These two projects and the lengthening of the Tracker Riley Cycleway injected more than one million dollars into the local economy and that is great for our community,” Cr Smith said.

“Economics aside, at the end of the day our City has three excellent new recreation facilities, which will benefit Dubbo for years.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

For further information, please contact Mayor Allan Smith on (02) 6801 4101 or 0418 639 053.

Council to contract with DCDC as interim measure

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:14:00 GMT

EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING

At an extraordinary meeting tonight, Council rejected a motion to rescind a Council resolution to contract Dubbo City Development Corporation (DCDC), for a six month interim period to undertake the provision of economic development services for Council.

During the contract term, for which the Corporation will be paid a fee of $130,000, Council will consider its future directions in respect of the delivery of economic development services.

The decision to award the contract followed considerations at Council’s 2 November meeting following the receipt by Council of correspondence from the Department of Local Government (DLG).

The correspondence, relating to enquiries by the Department in July this year in respect of Grow Dubbo, follows the Department’s receipt of a number of complaints regarding Council’s involvement in the funding of the Corporation.

Council ceased funding the DCDC pending advice from the Department.

Dubbo Mayor Cr Allan Smith said Council at its meeting on Monday last adopted a 12-point motion in respect of the issue.

“Following legal advice and communication from the DLG, Council will comply with the Local Government Department’s suggestion that any future involvement with DCDC be on a contract basis,” Cr Smith said.

“Several councillors expressed the view that the economic development program should continue, in the City’s interest, during the six months interim period and that DCDC was best placed to provide those services.”

Council also voted against a rescission motion to provide the DCDC with transcripts of past Council meetings relating to discussion about the corporation.

MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact Mayor Allan Smith on (02) 6801 4101 or 0418 639 053.

Talent partnership pays off

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:46:00 GMT

Singer/songwriter wins $500 prize in Lovin’ Talent promotion

The sponsorship of local education and training provider Western College for this year’s Lovin’ Talent promotion has earned local talent Jo Hyndes the $500 prizemoney.

The singer/songwriter received the cash prize after performing at the Lovin’ Dubbo Festival. She was among a group of amateur entertainers who put their hand up to be part of a talent showcase at the Cyril Flood Rotunda during the nine-day event.

Lovin’ Dubbo event manager, Dubbo City Council’s Lana Willetts congratulated Ms Hyndes on her success and said it would not been possible without the generosity shown by Western College.

“The amount of support shown for this event has been outstanding,” she said.

“Without our business sponsors and community support, the festival just wouldn’t have been possible.

“Thank you Western College and congratulations to Jo, I hope she will be able to use this as a platform for future successes.”

Western College Deputy CEO, Erifili Davis said the training institution was proud to be a supporter of the Lovin’ Dubbo Festival.

“For us, it’s about supporting local projects and the local community. Western College seeks to encourage development in all areas of our community and economy,” Mrs Davis said.

“Arts and culture is an integral part of regional development and this was a logical way to contribute.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Western College marketing assistant, Louise Lewis on (02) 6884 2899.

Council decides not to proceed with CBD 40kmh zone proposal

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:38:00 GMT

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING

Dubbo City Council has voted not to introduce a 40kmh speed limit in the City’s Central Business District (CBD).

The decision came at Monday night’s monthly Council Meeting in which a rescission motion rejecting the rezoning was passed.

Dubbo Mayor Cr Allan Smith confirmed the proposal to provide a 40kmh speed zone generally bounded by Bligh, Cobra and Darling streets was not adopted.

“Plans were submitted to the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) earlier in the year and the proposal went on public display,” he said.

“However, councillors have voted against the implementation citing it as unnecessary expenditure in what is already a heavy traffic area.”

MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact Dubbo Mayor Allan Smith on (02) 6801 4101.

Council approves guest house project

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:44:00 GMT

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING

Council has voted to approve the development of a guesthouse at 70 Darling Street, North Dubbo.

The single-storey construction will follow the demolition of an existing residential dwelling and the developer adhering to conditions imposed by Council.

The original two-storey development proposal submitted to Council was not considered to be consistent with surrounding development and the existing streetscape.

Mayor Allan Smith said the new plans submitted were in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

“The scale and style of the development has been re-designed to better conform with the local amenity of the neighbourhood,” Cr Smith said.

“The project was given the go-ahead at Monday’s Council meeting after the new plans were submitted changing the original two storeys to one.”

When completed the guesthouse is expected to provide accommodation for itinerant workers coming to the City and a stop-off point for backpackers.

An in-house manager will reside on the premises.

MEDIA CONTACT: For further information, please contact Mayor Allan Smith on 68014101 or 0418 639 053.

Council accepts tender for recyclables

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:48:00 GMT

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING

Council has voted to accept a tender for a contract to provide the collection and processing of domestic recyclables in Dubbo City.

Managed by NetWaste, the tendering process attracted one bid from JR Richards & Sons as a result of the fresh invitations of tenders which closed on 4 August 2009.

New tenders were called which included the option of processing recyclables at a facility remote to the local area. Council accepted the 10-year tender which will involve JR Richards & Sons collecting recyclables at the kerbside and processing them at the Visy Materials Recoverable Facility at Smithfield in Sydney.

“One option in the tender, to construct an Educational Resource Centre at JR Richards & Sons’ Fitzroy Street site, was not accepted, but otherwise kerbside recycling is on the way,” Cr Smith said.

“Twenty-five per cent of the City’s domestic waste is expected to be diverted from landfill with the introduction of the fortnightly service in the Dubbo Local Government Area by 1 July 2010.’’

Cr Smith said in the 2007 Community Attitude Survey, local residents rated recycling as the service most in need of attention among 49 other services provided by Council. He said this support had also been reflected in other biennial customer surveys conducted specifically on Council’s waste management functions.

The Mayor said that in addition to accepting a tender for the service, Council had also resolved, following the public consultation process in October 2009, a maximum amount of $247 per domestic service be included in Council’s draft 2010/2011 Revenue Policy.

“$106 of this maximum amount relates to kerbside recycling - $141 relates to the weekly kerbside collection of general waste.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

For further information, please contact Mayor Allan Smith on 6801 4101 or 0418 639 053.