Media releases

With up to 20 million home computers gathering dust in backyard sheds across Australia, Dubbo City Council’s third annual e-waste collection program is a timely reminder to consumers.

Residents will be able drop-off their e-waste free of charge at the Whylandra Waste Depot during May and June 2009.

Council's Asset Systems Engineer Michael McCulloch said e-waste referred to unused or unwanted computer equipment that had no market or resale value.

“This is the third year of the e-waste collection program in the NetWaste region, with over 2000 monitors, 18 laptops, 516 printers, 887 keyboards, 371 mice and 515 towers collected and recycled,” Mr McCulloch said.

“Dubbo City Council, NetWaste and Sims Metal Management are working together to provide the community with an e-waste recycling service.

“The types of e-waste that can be dropped-off include computer boxes, laptops, monitors, printers, keyboards, fax machines, mice and TVs.”

Mr McCulloch said trying to find an environmentally friendly way to dispose of e-waste was a significant challenge.

“E-waste takes up valuable space when disposed in landfill sites,’’ he said. “The older model computer monitors also contain lead, and when disposed to landfill, the lead can contaminate the soil and groundwater.

“E-waste recycled through this service will have a recovery rate of approximately 90 per cent.”

The service is only available for domestic customers and ends on 30 June 2009. Residents are encouraged to take the opportunity to reduce clutter and help the environment. The Whylandra Waste depot is located on Cooba Rd, west of Dubbo.

MEDIA CONTACT: Council's Asset Systems Engineer, Mr Michael McCulloch, phone 6801 4000.

See and save at an eco-friendly expo jointly hosted by Dubbo City Council and Country Energy in Dubbo next week.

The Expo will be held at the Dubbo Civic Centre from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Monday May 4. Entry is free and there will be more than $3000 worth of lucky door prizes plus giveaways up for grabs.

Council’s Sustainability Coordinator Debbie Archer said the fifth annual Energy and Water Smart Expo would provide residents with the opportunity to speak to industry experts, view the latest technology and source local suppliers.

“The Expo aims to provide the community with the opportunity to speak with the experts on the latest energy and water efficient technologies and appliances available for use in their homes,” Mrs Archer said.

“In addition, Council will have information available on government rebates for energy and water efficient products.”

A highlight of the event will be a composting demonstration to coincide with International Compost Week which runs from 3 to 9 May.

“According to the Waste Management Association of Australia, about 60 per cent of the rubbish Australians put in the everyday mixed-waste ‘garbage bin’ could be put to better use in the garden as compost and mulch or could be returned to agricultural land to improve soil quality,” Mrs Archer said.

Products on display will range from heating and insulation options to information on solar energy, irrigation and lighting. Presentations will be given on the following topics: 6pm, Composting; 6.30pm, Insulation; 7pm, Solar Panels; 7.30pm, Solar Hot Water; 8pm, Lighting.

Mrs Archer outlined the benefits to householders.

“Saving water and energy equates to saving money – which benefits both consumers and the environment,” she said.

Dubbo PCYC will also hold a barbecue held on the night.

MEDIA CONTACT: Debbie Archer, Sustainability Co-ordinator, phone 6801 4000.

Monthly Council meeting

The introduction of a kerbside recycling service in Dubbo by mid 2010 will see 25 per cent of the City’s domestic waste diverted away from landfill. Each year, Council’s recyclables drop-off centres currently receive 1448 tonnes of paper, cardboard, glass, plastics and ferrous and non-ferrous metal containers.

By comparison, a City-wide fortnightly kerbside recycling service would collect about 3900 tonnes of domestic recyclables annually from residential premises alone.

Mayor Greg Matthews said the development phase of introducing an upgraded recycling service for residential and commercial properties had reached a point where Council would consider accepting the services of a tenderer in coming months.

“Council became party to a regional tendering process, managed by NetWaste, and a tender for the Collection and Processing of Recyclables was advertised in November 2008 with two tenders received,’’ Cr Matthews said.

“A Tender Evaluation Panel has prepared a report which recommends that each council decline to accept the tenders, and that fresh tenders be invited in an amended form to address a technical issue. Council, at its meeting on 27 April, adopted the Panel’s report.

Along with Wellington, Dubbo and Coonamble, Narromine Shire Council will be given the opportunity to join in the regional tender process.

“Council’s 2007 Community Needs Survey indicated strong support for the introduction of a kerbside recycling service,’’ Cr Matthews said. “Recycling was rated as the service/activity most in need of attention among 49 services and activities provided by Council.

“The proposed service will greatly enhance the level of service currently available to that of a modern, efficient and more convenient fortnightly kerbside collection service available to all properties currently receiving mobile garbage bin collection.

“For the first time, recycling will be accessible to all rather than just those who have the means to travel to a drop-off centre.’’

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

Local residents are urged to propel their autumn garden clean-up by using Dubbo City Council’s annual kerbside service for prunings and tree trimmings.

However, Council’s Asset Systems Engineer Michael McCulloch said loose green waste such as lawn clippings and leaves would not be collected.

“The free pick-up will cover all built-up areas of the city as well as Wongarbon and Brocklehurst,” Mr McCulloch said.

Dubbo has been split into five zones for the purpose of this service, with the sixth zone covering the two villages.

“Your urban zone will depend on which weekday your wheelie bin is normally emptied,” Mr McCulloch said.

Urban zones 1 and 2 have already been collected but the following dates apply to other residents:

ZONES	Place your trimmings and prunings out by…
Urban Zone 3 (where your wheelie bin is normally emptied on a Tuesday morning)	Sunday, 26 April
Urban Zone 4 (where your wheelie bin is normally emptied on a Wednesday morning)	Sunday, 3 May
Urban Zone 5 (where your wheelie bin is normally emptied on a Friday morning)	Sunday, 10 May
Brocklehurst and Wongarbon	Sunday, 17 May

Mr McCulloch said there were some guidelines in regard to the collection.

“Please remember that only tree trimmings, prunings and (unpainted and untreated) timber off-cuts up to 1.8 m (6’) in length will be collected,” he said. “Large tree stumps must be cut into smaller pieces.”

“There is a limit of the equivalent of one heaped box trailer load (4 m3) per residence. Quantities is excess of this amount will only be removed if requested and at the resident’s full cost.”

For information about this service please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 6801 4000.

Media contact: Council’s Asset Systems Engineer, Michael McCulloch, ph 6801 4000.

Eleven community groups will receive a share of $10,000 in financial assistance from Dubbo City Council.

Mayor Greg Matthews said this financial year, a total of 29 local community groups would benefit from the local government funding, which had been offered in two rounds of $10,000 each.

“Each year Council invites applications from local community groups in need of financial assistance for worthwhile community projects,” Cr Matthews said.

“Successful applicants need to demonstrate to Council how financial assistance would benefit the Dubbo community through their organisation.

“In past years Council has only offered this type of financial assistance annually, but this year however Council offered the total of $20,000 in funding in two rounds.’’

“The funding is designed to assist local community groups in developing initiatives that will benefit members of the wider Dubbo community and encourage involvement in the many community programs within the City,’’ Cr Matthews said.

The groups receiving the financial assistance have met criteria based on merit and benefits to the community and were presented with their cheques at a special function today:

ORGANISATION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Dubbo Health Council	$400
Dubbo Youth Theatre	$1500
The Spastic Centre Rural Therapy Services	$960
Dubbo Chamber of Commerce	$490
Dubbo PCYC Gymnastics	$2500
Midnite Café	$500
Orana Arts Inc	$500
Orana Country Music Association	$500
Uniting Care Burnside	$1300
Kidney Health Australia	$250
Toyota Nationals Car Show	$1100
TOTAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE	$10,000

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

Dubbo City Council is encouraging budding local photographers to enter Australia’s largest digital photo competition – the 2009 savewater! Awards.

All you have to do is take a digital photo relating to water and visit www.savewater.com.au for entry details.

An initiative of the savewater! Alliance, the competition is proudly supported by Dubbo City Council.

Local primary and secondary students who get snapping will automatically go into Council’s own Water Photo Challenge with a chance to win extra prizes and feature in Council’s publications such as the community newsletter.

Council’s Client Services Co-ordinator Sharnie Attwood said winners would be announced during National Water Week in October 2009, after the judging of the savewater! Awards.

Entries close on 1 June 2009. To be eligible for the Council ‘challenge’ and prizes, entries must be submitted online through www.savewater.com.au

“Dubbo City Council is a proud partner of savewater! and would like to encourage school students to consider entering the photographic competition,’’ Ms Attwood said.

“So whether it’s from the tap or in the river, in a glass or in a puddle – it’s time to get creative!’’

Further information will be available at Dubbo City Council’s Energy and Water Smart Expo at the Dubbo Civic Centre from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on 4 May 2009 and at the Dubbo Show in May.

Alternatively, contact Council’s Water and Sewerage Client Services Team on 6801 4000.

The Savewater Alliance is Australia’s leading resource on water conservation information. It is made up of regional and metropolitan water businesses from Victoria and NSW who have joined forces to create a powerful national resource for information about water conservation.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sharnie Attwood, Client Services Co-ordinator, phone 6801 4000.

Making the most of alternative water sources is just one of the benefits of Dubbo City Council’s Integrated Water Cycle Management (ICWM) study, recently endorsed by the NSW Department of Water and Energy.

Council’s Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod said the plan identified ways to improve the management of urban water services such as water supply, sewerage and stormwater in the Dubbo Local Government Area.

“Integrated Water Cycle Management is a way for local water utilities to better manage their water system to maximise benefits for the community and environment,” Mr McLeod said.

“ICWM is important because it helps Council balance the needs of water users and the environment whilst reducing pressure on water resources by ensuring a range of sources are considered, including rainwater, stormwater and treated effluent.”

ICWM is a 30-year strategic planning tool which aims to provide an appropriate and sustainable service.

“It is a key component of the NSW Government’s Best Practice Management of Water Supply and Sewerage Guidelines,” Mr McLeod said.

In formulating the IWCM, Dubbo City Council used stakeholder involvement to ensure the best possible community outcome.

“It aims to meet the community’s needs, protect the public and environment and make best use of regional resources,’’ Mr McLeod said.

The next review has been set down for 2014, at which time it has been stipulated that council work closely with one of the City’s biggest tourist attractions.

“The NSW Government requires that the next review, due in six years’ time, gives greater emphasis to the relationship between the Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Council’s town water supply,” Mr McLeod said.

The NSW Government has also flagged that the next study must also address climate change.

MEDIAC CONTACT: Council’s Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod, phone 6801 4000.

Dubbo City Council has thoroughly revised its water metering practices, including dedicated fire services to properties in Dubbo.

As a result, Council has proposed a change in policy for its fire service metering and charging policies.

Council’s Manager Water Supply and Sewerage Geoff Bellingham said the draft Water Service Connection and Pricing Policy would be placed on public exhibition until 5pm on Friday, 29 May 2009. Submissions are invited.

Mr Bellingham said the proposed Policy contains a number of proposals to commence in the 2009/2010 financial year, including:

• The abolition of the exemption of dedicated fire services from the Access Charge as from 2009/2010 and its replacement with two new fixed annual access charges: the Fire Service Access Charge and the Water Service Access Charge – which together would cover all water connections.
• All water services and all fire services (including those that only supply sprinklers to carpeted areas) be metered with an in-line meter
• There would be no combined services; all existing combined water and fire services would be replaced by separate water and fire services by Council as funds permit. Separate, dedicated services to be installed on all new developments

“The exemption of dedicated fire services from Access Charges under the currently policy is not sustainable and it is recommended the exemption be abandoned and that the new Water Service Access Charge or Fire Service Access Charge be levied for all water service connection, commencing 2009/2010,’’ Mr Bellingham said.

The full Policy may be inspected in the foyer of the Civic Administration Building, Church Street, Dubbo.

For further information, please call Council’s Customer Service Centre on telephone (02) 6801 4000 for further information.

MEDIA CONTACT: Geoff Bellingham can be contacted on 6801 4000.

Customer feedback may see paid, secure parking introduced at Dubbo City Regional Airport, in addition to the free parking that already exists.

Sixty nine per cent of outbound passengers who participated in a user satisfaction survey in March 2007 stated they were likely to use and pay for lock-up security parking if it were made available at the Airport.

A detailed feasibility assessment on the introduction of an automated security car park at the Airport has since been conducted, with a recommendation made to last night’s Finance and Policy Committee by the Dubbo City Regional Airport Working Party.

Finance and Policy Committee Chairman Cr Richard Mutton said the feasibility assessment demonstrated that introducing such a system at the Airport was likely to be viable.

“The investment would be in line with Council’s goal of operating relevant commercial activities that provide a return on investment to the community of Dubbo,’’ he said.

“The fees would only apply to parking in a secure area, which would be gated and undercover.’’

The Dubbo City Regional Airport function plan also identifies the expansion of the free parking area.

The matter will be determined by Council at its ordinary meeting next Monday, 27 April.

Cr Richard Mutton
Chairman, Finance and Policy Committee
Phone: 0428 228 209

Dubbo Mayor Greg Matthews has named three applicants as the winners of a ballot to purchase land from Keswick Estate for a significantly reduced price.

The price of lots 79, 80 and 81 in Stage 2 Release 3 of the Council-owned Keswick Estate have been reduced by $20,000 and will sell for $72,500 to the three successful applicants.

Keswick Estate – located in south east Dubbo - has been given its own distinctive character through landscaping and a carefully planned and designed environment to create a pleasant and safe surrounding for the whole family.

At its February 2009 meeting, Council resolved to significantly reduce the price on three blocks of land in Keswick Estate in an effort to help stimulate the local building industry.

Since the ballot promotion began, Council has experienced strong interest in Keswick, selling an additional 18 lots outside the ballot.

The ballot closed at 10.30am this morning, with 13 applications received.

Cr Matthews drew the winners at a special function held today at Keswick Estate. They are:

• Ms T. West – Lot 79
• Mr M. Cavanagh – Lot 80
• Ms K. Jom – Lot 81

“I would like to congratulate the three entrants who were fortunate to be drawn from the ballot as this is a great investment opportunity, obtaining land for a significantly reduced price,’’ Cr Matthews said.

“And thank you to all those who took the time to participate in the ballot process. Council is overwhelmed by the response and it’s a great indication that there is strong market interest from first home owners.’’

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