Media releases

Streetwise skateboarding clinics will kick off Youth Week for 2009 in Dubbo from 28 March to 5 April.

The clinics – being hosted by Skateboarding Australia – will be held at the new Dubbo Skate Park complex from 9am on Saturday, 28 March and Sunday, 29 March.

Registrations forms are available at Dubbo City Council, the Library and PCYC – only 45 spots available.

The Youth Week calendar of events was planned by the Dubbo Youth Council and a complete list is available from Council’s Customer Service Centre or can be downloaded below.

Council’s Youth Development Officer Paul Hennock said Youth Week aimed to highlight the positive contribution made to the community by young people, and to provide activities and events that cater to youth.

“I encourage young people in the Dubbo area to get behind Youth Week and enjoy the wide range of activities planned, from live music to model quests and BMX jams,’’ he said.

Creative writing, spoken word performances and a poetry word slam will be the highlight of a Midnight Café Workshop from 6pm on Saturday, 28 March at the Dubbo Aboriginal Lands Council.

MEDIA CONTACT: Council’s Youth Development Officer Paul Hennock on 6801 4481.

No literature found.

March 28 to 5 April

Youth Week 2009 kicks off tomorrow with a Midnite Café Workshop starting from 6pm at the Dubbo Aboriginal Lands Council, located on the corner of Darling and Wingewarra streets.

While the Streetwise skateboarding clinics (initially scheduled for 28 March) have been postponed, the Skate and BMX Jam at Dubbo Skate Park on Sunday, 5 April from 11am is shaping up to be a popular event with a DJ and prizes to be won.

Dubbo Youth Council will be out and about at Centro tomorrow from 10am to 1pm, surveying the youth of Dubbo about issues that affect them. They will also conduct the survey next Thursday from 4pm to 6pm at Orana Mall Marketplace.

The Youth Week calendar of events was planned by the Dubbo Youth Council and a complete list is available from Council’s Customer Service Centre or on Council’s website www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au

Council’s Youth Development Officer Paul Hennock said Youth Week aimed to highlight the positive contribution made to the community by young people, and to provide activities and events that cater to youth.

“I encourage young people in the Dubbo area to get behind Youth Week and enjoy the wide range of activities planned, from live music to model quests and BMX jams,’’ he said.

Creative writing, spoken word performances and a poetry word slam will be the highlight of a Midnight Café Workshop tomorrow night.

All events can be found on the 2009 Youth Week Program Guide.

MEDIA CONTACT: Council’s Youth Development Officer Paul Hennock on 6801 4481.

Earth Hour 2009

At 8.30pm on Saturday, 28 March, people from all corners of the world will turn off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour - and cast their vote for action on climate change.

Earth Hour is about taking simple steps everyday that collectively reduce carbon emissions – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.

Anybody can participate and join together with millions of people across the globe celebrating Earth Hour.

Mayor Greg Matthews said Earth Hour 2009 aimed to reach more than one billion people in 1000 cities around the world, asking communities, business and governments to switch off the lights at 8.30pm for one hour tomorrow night.

“In Dubbo, some of our local schools are getting involved this year, with Orana Heights even turning off the lights all day today (Friday) in support of Earth Hour,’’ he said.

“I encourage you to register your home so you can be counted in this global effort to reduce emissions.

“I have been advised that if all 18,000 homes in Dubbo switched off just one light, say 100 watts, for just one hour, our City alone would save 1.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to taking a 4WD vehicle off the road for two months (or 3000km).

“In addition it sends a strong message that Dubbo is concerned about climate change and our future. Turning off ALL our lights would obviously be even better!’’

Visit Earth Hour for more information and to sign up.
MEDIA CONTACT: Mayor Greg Matthews can be contacted on 0418 639 053.

One of Council’s most popular and well patronised community services is continuing to improve its performance and levels of service to the community.

Around 49 per cent of the Dubbo population were registered borrowers at the Dubbo Branch of the Macquarie Regional Library as at 31 December 2008. And in 2007/08, the library lent close to 244,000 items – a 6.9 per cent increase on the previous year.

According to Council’s Director Community Services David Dwyer, libraries in general are becoming more popular.

“The State Library reports that in 1980, 35 per cent of the population were members of a public library. By 2004/05, it had reached 48.2 per cent,’’ he said.

Surveys are regularly conducted to ensure patrons are satisfied with the Dubbo Library’s performance and items stocked.

“The survey results have generally been pleasing, considering the high volume of residents using the service,’’ Mr Dwyer said.

From free internet searches and fee-based email facilities, to reference materials, events, activities and educational programs, the Dubbo Branch of the Macquarie Regional Library offers a wide range of services for patrons of all ages, backgrounds and interests.

Mr Dwyer said significant strides had been made in library funding over the years.

“While expenditure levels are still below those of similar services in NSW, gains have been made over recent years,’’ Mr Dwyer said.

2006/07 figures indicated that Dubbo would have had to spend an additional $332,280 based on a population of 39,000 to reach the State average per capita expenditure by Councils on library services of $43.32.

“But the additional amount to be spent by Dubbo City Council in 2002/03 to reach the State average was $661,800, so significant strides have been made,’’ Mr Dwyer said.

MEDIA CONTACT: Council’s Director Community Services David Dwyer can be contacted on 6801 4000.

Monthly Council meeting

Dubbo City Airport will have a name change following a recommendation by the Geographical Names Ad Hoc Committee to Council.

Dubbo City Regional Airport was adopted as the new name by Council at its monthly meeting last night.

Following a meeting with representatives from Gowest (Regional Development Board) and Council staff, a request was made that the name of the Airport be changed.

“The reason behind the request was that the Airport services more people than just the City catchment, and serves as a major regional hub in NSW,’’ according to Geographical Ad Hoc Names Committee Chairman Cr Keith Harris.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cr Keith Harris can be contacted on 0408 415 777.

Monthly Council meeting

Council last night resolved to ban alcohol consumption between the hours of 9pm to 9am in most public parks and reserves under Council’s ownership, control and care.

At its December 2008 meeting, Council resolved to invite public comments on the proposal to broaden the ban which had previously only applied to specific parks and reserves.

“Certain incidents have prompted a review of the rules governing the consumption of alcohol in Council’s parks and reserves,’’ Mayor Greg Matthews said.

“The exception to the new regulations is Victoria Park No. 1 Oval, Pioneer Park Hockey Complex and the East Dubbo Sporting Complex (Apex Oval), given the fact that sporting events, which see spectators consume alcohol, often go past 9pm.

“It is acknowledged that there will be occasions when there is a requirement to extend and / or vary the ban at parks and reserves. Council’s General Manager has been delegated the authority to vary the times of the proposed ban for a temporary period – where required.’’

Council also resolved to ban the consumption of alcohol in Lions Park on the western side of the Macquarie River, following feedback from the community and police.

Cr Matthews said on-the-spot fines of $110 could be imposed by police to persons in breach of the bans.

“The aim of the restrictions is to prevent anti-social and criminal behaviour, making it easier for police to regulate,’’ he said.

“Thank you to all those people and organisations which took the time to provide feedback to Council during the public consultation period.’’

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

Monthly Council meeting

At its monthly meeting last night, Dubbo City Council determined to install two additional safety cameras in priority locations identified by local police.

The cameras will be located at the intersection of Victoria Street and the Newell Highway, and at the intersection of Talbragar and Brisbane streets.

Mayor Greg Matthews said the cameras will be installed for a cost of $15,500 to be funded from the safety camera internally restricted asset.

Council currently has 11 safety cameras which were installed in July 2002.

“Council’s safety camera system in the central business district received a substantial upgrade last year, by utilising fibre optic technology,’’ he said.

“These cameras have proven to be reasonably reliable and moving to the fibre optic system will mean less maintenance costs and less down time for the system.’’

Council also determined that future replacements for any of the existing 11 safety cameras be on the basis of the most modern and technologically advanced cameras available, for a cost of about $5000 each.

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

Monthly Council meeting

A master plan that details the future development of the City’s parks and gardens was adopted by Council at its monthly meeting last night.

The City’s Open Space Master Plan examines Dubbo’s current and future demand for open space areas, taking into account the land supply for residential housing and Council’s vision to have a high quality open space system.

Council’s Director Parks and Landcare Ken Rogers said the master plan identified Council’s open space needs for a future population of 80,000.

“With this Master Plan, Council can work with the development industry, confident in its requirements for open space,’’ Mr Rogers said.

He said the Master Plan also introduced the concept of a ‘green web’ – a system of linking the City’s open space areas. It will also see the creation of a Dubbo City Park along the Macquarie River, which links to cultural elements such as Elizabeth Park in East Dubbo.

The Dubbo City Park will include the development of ‘park streets’ and the connection they give to cultural and open space areas within both the urban and more natural City areas.

“Such a park would have a natural open space spine and an urban spine. These spines would cross in the vicinity of the City centre, with the Dubbo Visitors Centre central to the system,’’ Mr Rogers said. “The natural open space spine would be along the Macquarie River, while the urban spines run along Church and Wingewarra streets in the eastern parts of the City. Areas on the western side of the river leading to the Macquarie Anglican Grammar School via park streets along Baird Drive and East Street would also be part of the urban spine for the City Park.’’

“The City Park, other urban parks, open space corridors and park streets will create a City-wide green web in Dubbo.

“Adoption of the green web concept will make Dubbo unique in terms of creating a more sustainable City with high environmental and aesthetic amenity that is more conducive to non-car use of its City road system.’’

MEDIA CONTACT: Parks and Landcare Director Ken Rogers to be contacted on 6801 4000.

Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC) is currently set to embark on extensive research, into the Aboriginal Collection within the Dubbo Regional Museum.

The WPCC is delving into the research project as part of the permanent exhibition People, Places, Possessions: Dubbo Stories. WPCC Manager Linda del Bao said the Aboriginal Social History Project will be an exciting project for 2009.

“WPCC will engage an experienced and qualified Collection Researcher to work with the community to uncover the background of many of the remarkable objects within the current exhibition” she said.

WPCC will be partnering with Central West Catchment Management Authority (Central West CMA) on the project.

“Central West CMA have established trust and a great rapport with aboriginal community groups, particularly through the Central West Aboriginal Reference Group.

“WPCC acknowledges the respect, sensitivity and protocol required to carry out a project of this scale. The project will involve not only WPCC and Central West CMA but key Aboriginal groups, collecting institutes and the Collection Researcher” Ms del Bao said.

Tom Gavel, Chairman of Central West CMA said that the project will provide a public means of respecting the strong Aboriginal history within the Tubba Gah (Dubbo) area and the vast Wiradjuri nation.

“Central West CMA is pleased to be partnering with the WPCC on this very worthwhile project. This will create an invaluable resource for schools, the local community and enjoyment for years to come” Mr Gavel said.

MEDIA CONTACT: Manager, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Linda del Bao 6801 4430 or 0400 014 342.

Council, in partnership with the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), will be hosting a learner drivers workshop, Helping Learner Drivers become Safer Drivers this Thursday, 19 March 2009.

The two hour workshop aims to offer practical advice on effective driving practice.

Council’s Road Safety Officer Kristine Long said that the course covers practical driving practice as well as how to use the Learner Driver Log Book.

“The RTA recognises the important role that parents and other supervisors play in advising and supporting novice drivers and as a result it has developed this course to support and better prepare them for this important task” Ms long said.

“The course will cover topics such as how to use the Learner Driver Log Book, how to plan on road driving sessions, how to deal with difficulties that may arise during driving practice and the importance of giving learner drivers constructive feedback.

“Parents and supervisors who attended the course last year found it boosted their confidence, helped them better plan driving sessions and allowed them to share their experiences with other parents and supervisors” she said.

Bookings for the Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers course are essential and can be made by calling Kristine Long on 6801 4000.