Media releases

Dubbo City Council will celebrate Australia Day 2009 in Victoria Park on Monday, 26 January from 9am to 10.30am.

The celebrations will include the annual awards presentation and flag raising ceremony.

Mayor Greg Matthews said nominations were now being called for award recipients in the following categories:

• 2009 Citizen of the Year
• 2009 Young Citizen of the Year
• 2009 Sportsperson of the Year
• 2009 Young Sportsperson of the Year
• 2009 Services to Sports Award

“The nominations will be considered by a panel of past recipients of Dubbo’s Australia Day Awards,’’ Cr Matthews said.

“The winners will be announced on Monday, 26 January 2009 during the City’s Australia Day celebrations.’’

Nomination forms are available from Council’s Civic Administration Building, the Macquarie Regional Library Dubbo Branch, the Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre Inc, Daily Liberal, Radio 2DU/Zoo FM and Orana Mall.

Nominations close: 5pm, Friday, 9 January 2009.

For further information please contact Council’s Australia Day Co-ordinator, Mr Michael Ferguson, on 6801 4000.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mayor Greg Matthews can be contacted on 0418 639 053

Many people will wake up on Christmas morning to find a motorised scooter or bike under the Christmas tree.

Council’s Road Safety Officer Kristine Long said while these modes of transport are great fun, riders need to know where they can use them.

"Generally speaking, most of these devices can only be used on private property," she said.

"There are some retailers who sell these vehicles and fail to warn customers that they cannot be used on roads or in public areas."

In NSW, any device with a motor must be registered for use on a road or road related area unless it is specifically exempt.

"Motorised foot scooters, miniature motorbikes (also known as mini bikes, pocket bikes or monkey bikes) and other motorised recreational devices do not meet minimum Australian design standards for safety and so cannot be registered,’’ Ms Long said.

“This means they must not be used on roads or in any public areas such as footpaths, car parks and parks."

There are heavy penalties for using unregistered and uninsured vehicles.

Police can also seize and take possession of unregistered vehicles.

Further information can be obtained from local police, the Roads and Traffic Authority on 13 22 13 or Council’s Road Safety Officer on 6801 4000.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kristine Long can be contacted on 6801 4000.

Further information

Prohibited vehicles
The following vehicles (irrespective of the power output of the motor) are banned from use on roads or in public areas:

• Motorised foot scooters (with or without a seat) – electric/petrol engine
• Mini bikes or monkey bikes
• Motorised human transporters such as the WheelMan, or SEGWAY
• Motorised skateboards – electric/petrol engine

Exemptions
All devices with a motor that meet national design and safety standards must be registered for use on a road or road-related area unless they are specifically exempt.

Motor assisted pedal cycles with electric or petrol engines are exempt from registration, provided the maximum engine output power does not exceed 200 watts.

These vehicles must have been designed as a bicycle - that is, to be propelled by human power, with the motor attached as a supplementary aid only.

Riders must follow the same road rules as for pedal cycles without motors, including wearing a helmet.

Motorised wheelchairs and other types of disabled persons’ conveyances are exempt from registration and operators of these vehicles must comply with the same road rules as pedestrians. This is provided:

• They are used solely for the conveyance of a person with a disability that substantially impairs the person’s mobility.
• They are not capable of travelling at more than 10km/h.

Further information can be obtained from local police, the Roads and Traffic Authority on 13 22 13 or Council’s Road Safety Officer on 6801 4000.

Recent spring weather has led to much flowering of many weeds along local roadsides and in paddocks.

Due to the recent interest in the noxious weed Blue Heliotrope, Council’s Parks and Landcare Division are confirming the key characteristics of the weed.

Council’s Manager Landcare Services Lynton Auld said that it is very easy to confuse Blue Heliotrope with other plants of the flower same colour.

“As people travel along the roads at speed, it is easy to assume all the weeds of the same colour are same type of plant, however, on closer inspection the difference in the weeds appearance is evident” Mr Auld said. "Many people confuse Blue Heliotrope with Maynes Pest Weed because of their similar flower but the difference is in their leaves."

“Maynes Pest Weed is not a noxious weed and does not pose a significant threat to agriculture or biodiversity it also doesn’t have the hairy leave of the Blue Heliotrope, rather they are dissected, indeed almost fern-like in their leaves."

Mr Auld said that Council controls the noxious weed Blue Heliotrope diligently and monitors its spread.

“Don’t panic when you see purple or bluey purple flowers on our roadsides, it may not be the Noxious Blue Heliotrope. It is more than likely, the benign and harmless Maynes Pest Weed, but if residents are worried stop and look at the leaves, they are the key.

MEDIA CONTACT: Council’s Manager Landcare Services, Lynton Auld 6801 4000

The first meeting of the Central West Regional Algal Coordinating Committee (RACC) was held recently and attended by representatives from Dubbo City Council.

Central West RACC coordinates the routine monitoring of algal events by local government councils, State Water Corporation and the Department of Water and Energy in the Lachlan and Macquarie valleys.

Dubbo City Council’s Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod said the Macquarie catchment included the shire councils of Wellington, Warren and Narromine, and the Dubbo City and Mid-Western Regional councils. The area also includes the Windamere and Burrendong dams.

“Central West RACC has developed an Algal Contingency Plan following the 1998 blue-green algae bloom in the Macquarie River,’’ he said.

“This bloom extended from Burrendong Dam several hundred kilometers downstream. Causes are low river flow, high temperatures and nutrient levels in the riverine environment.’’

Mr McLeod said the RACC provided a way of coordinating the efforts of 10 councils as well as other government agencies, including emergency management services.

“At the first Central West RACC meeting, projected low river flows were recognised as increasing the risk of a blue-green algae this summer,’’ he said.

“Local government councils, including Dubbo City Council, will be prepared if this situation eventuates.

“Council has accumulated stockpiles of activated carbon which is used to treat water containment with blue-green algae, should that become necessary”.

MEDIA CONTACT: Council’s Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod can be contacted on 6801 4000.

The 2020 Vision for the City of Dubbo is a social and economic plan for Dubbo’s future, involving the three tiers of government, business organisations and community groups.

This whole-of-government project contains strategies and targets to enhance Dubbo’s quality of life, economic potential and standing as a service centre for the region.

The latest Report outlines how local agencies have progressed activities to meet the targets and performance indicators outlined in the 2020 Vision for the City of Dubbo document. The report outlines the achievements of the organisations involved and what the Dubbo community can look forward to in 2009.

The community is encouraged to contribute to the strategies identified in the plan, which will be updated and reviewed in line with community input after consideration at whole-of-government committee meetings.

Progress in meeting targets included in the plan will be regularly reported to the community.

The third progress report of the 2020 plan will be distributed to Dubbo households in the coming days.

2020 Progress Report No. 3 (1258 KB)

A 2020 vision for the city of Dubbo (133 KB)

BOD alliance windfall

An alliance between Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo councils has resulted in a $2 million windfall that will see benefits for the local environment.

The BOD Alliance Councils – Bathurst Regional, Orange City and Dubbo City – have developed and recently adopted the Regional Sustainability Action Plan as strategic direction for environmental sustainability across the region.

Dubbo Mayor Greg Matthews said the adoption of a regional Action Plan had formed a strong basis for funding applications.

“The BOD Alliance applied for funding through the Urban Sustainability Program,’’ he said. “As a result, the Action Plan has achieved $2 million in financial support from the NSW Environmental Trust to be shared between the three councils.’’

“The funding will support the “Inspiring and Integrating Change” project which includes joint initiatives to be carried out by the Alliance during the next three years, as well as a major project for each of the three councils. It also includes funding for two staff during 2010 and 2011 who will assist in the delivery of the project.

“While details are still to be finalised, the local project aims to continue Dubbo City Council’s leading example in the field of renewable energy. It may incorporate a renewable energy system at a Council facility.’’

“The project will also include community education components and assist Council with its carbon accounting requirements. It is anticipated that Council's and the region’s progress to sustainability will be enhanced through this project.’’

Inspiring and Integrating Change is expected to be delivered from April 2009.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mayor Greg Matthews can be contacted on 0418 639 053.

This summer 50, 000 children across Australia will be kicking goals and heading into their local libraries as part of the National Summer Reading Club.

Manager of the Dubbo Branch of the Macquarie Regional Library Kathryn Moore said that the Library will join other public libraries from Broome to Hobart participating in the initiative this year.

“We are expecting that children will be bowled over this year by the theme of “Get in the game, READ! – which will be launched next week,” Ms Moore said.

“The National Summer Reading Club continues throughout the summer months to promote reading and reading related activities to children aged from five to 16 years.

“Participants have the chance to score some great prizes simply by being involved – including the major prize of a Nintendo DS Lite” Ms Moore said.

“Public Libraries are essential to the national effort to improve literacy skills in the community and this program is a great example of a program that improves skills through fun activities”.

MEDIA CONTACT: Macquarie Regional Library Dubbo Branch Manager, Kathryn Moore 6801 4510

The façade of the Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC) now features a stunning Christmas light display that only uses 240 watts in total energy.

A light and sound artist from Sydney, Mary-Anne Kyriakou, who is the creator of Flight to Light currently on display in the Gallery’s New Media Space, has weaved her magic yet again.

Ms Kyriakou has created a stunning contemporary ‘lighting treatment’, highlighting the heritage-significant school building and gallery feature window at the WPCC.

WPCC Manager Linda del Bao said the lighting treatment illuminated the building from within in a contemporary context with programmed colour changes on a 10-minute cycle.

“The Christmas light display has been created using low-energy LED lights,’’ she said.

Dubbo City Council’s commitment to Dubbo ALIVE (A Living Initiative for a Vibrant Environment) ties in with the concept of energy efficient Christmas lighting using LED lights.

Ms del Bao said the project identified WPCC’s capacity to address issues affecting the environment.

“Energy consumed by the LED lighting and the associated control box of the public art is approximately only 240 watts total,’’ she said. “LEDs will become common in every household as the conversion from traditional tungsten halogen begins over the next few years.’
’
“LED lights have many benefits, including being energy efficient, having a relatively long and useful life, and they do not contain mercury.’’

“These issues were crucial in the development of the Christmas light display for the WPCC. So make sure you add the Western Plains Cultural Centre to your Dubbo Christmas lights tour!’’

The Christmas light display at WPCC will continue through to 1 February 2009 from 8.30pm to 11pm.

Flight to Light is on display until 1 February 2009 in the Centre’s new media space.

MEDIA CONTACT: Linda del Bao can be contacted on 6801 4430 or 0400 014 342

Finance and Policy Committee

Dubbo’s safety camera system in the central business district is receiving a substantial upgrade by utilising fibre optic technology.

Council’s Finance and Policy Committee last night received an update on the installation project, which will see 11 safety cameras linked to underground optic fibre cabling in the CBD by mid December 2008.

Finance and Policy Committee Chairman Councillor Richard Mutton said that in November 2006, a report from IPP Consulting recommended upgrading the system due to outdated technology and failing hardware.

“Police had also advised priority locations for an additional seven cameras in the CBD, as well as the relocation of one existing camera,’’ Cr Mutton said.

“The police recommendation that an existing camera at Blockbuster Video on the corner of Cobra and Brisbane streets be relocated to a point in Cobra Street, midway between Macquarie and Brisbane streets, has now been carried out.

“It is expected that the Finance and Policy Committee will consider the installation of additional cameras in February 2009, after the completion of this stage of the optic fibre linking project.’’

Cr Richard Mutton
Chairman, Finance and Police Committee
Ph: 0428 228 209

Finance and Policy Committee

Council’s Finance and Policy Committee has recommended projects to be funded under the federal government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

At its meeting tonight, the Committee recommended that $660,000 be allocated to the Regional Recreation Precinct in Victoria Park, and a further $340,000 be allocated to a 2.5km Rail Trail Cycleway along the Obley Road to the future location of a bridge over the Macquarie River.

Committee Chairman Cr Richard Mutton said works excluded from the Parks and Landcare budget arising from the rejection of a two per cent special rate variation may also receive funding up to $62,000, with Council to fund $4000 of this amount from existing budgets.

“The Regional Recreation Precinct at Victoria Park is considered by the Committee as a strategic priority for the funding,’’ Cr Mutton said.

“It would include an equal access playground and Stage Two of the Sports Action area, as an extension to the highly applauded Skate Park built as Stage One of the precinct.

“Other projects set to benefit from the funding include a playground at Jubilee Park, shade cover at Elston Park, an upgrade to barbecues at Macquarie Lions Park, the Lady Cutler cricket pitches and benches and seating for Barden Park.’’

The Finance and Policy Committee also recommended that Council make an application under the Strategic Projects component of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program for funding of $2M toward the restoration of the Dubbo Showground heritage grandstand, at a total estimated cost of $2.2M, with Council contributing $200,000 towards the project from funds retained in the restricted asset for Showground purposes.

The recommendations will now go to Council’s next meeting on 15 December for determination.

Cr Richard Mutton
Chairman, Finance and Police Committee
Ph: 0428 228 209