Media releases

As winter approaches, Dubbo City Council has the solution to frozen water meters.

Water and Sewer Client Services Coordinator Sharnie Attwood said frost covers are now available to local residents.

“Every winter, the possibility of household water meter breakage occurs with the onset of frosty conditions,” she said.

“Ice can swell and burst water meters, resulting in costly pipe damage and loss of water supply. Local residents are invited to collect a free frost cover if their water meter is at risk of being damaged.”

Ms Attwood said many dwellings already have or will not need water meter protection.

She urged homeowners to check whether they have a frost cover before obtaining one from Council.

“Many people don’t realise that they already have a cover. Also, if the water meter is in a sheltered area, they may not need one,” she said.

However, Ms Attwood said some new homes and residential areas where trees and shrubs have been recently removed may be at risk of water meter breakage. Residents can place the protective covers over water meters themselves without needing any tools or equipment. Council will record who collects the covers and the intended address.

Covers can be collected from Customer Services at Dubbo City Council’s Civic Administration Building, cnr Church and Darling streets.

Ms Attwood explained that the meter covers are freely available to at-risk properties connected to the Dubbo water supply scheme.

MEDIA CONTACT: Council's Water and Sewer Client Services Coordinator Sharnie Attwood on 6801 4000

Individuals and businesses have the opportunity to make their mark on the international stage by entering the 2009 savewater! Awards, proudly supported by Dubbo City Council.

Manager Water Supply and Sewerage Geoff Bellingham said the event has emerged as the leading water sustainability awards in Australia.

“Winning at the savewater! awards® has helped many companies and individuals, enabling them to spread the water conservation message and assist other members of the community to use water more efficiently.

“Some companies have even had business and funding opportunities open up as a result of winning an award.”

Now in its seventh year, the savewater! awards® focus on water conservation achievements and also demonstrate a commitment to achieving a range of sustainable outcomes.

Mr Bellingham said the awards can even lead to international acclaim.

“This year, for the first time, Australian product companies will have the opportunity to compete against the rest of the world, with the Product Innovations category opening up internationally.”

Entries close on June 1 in nine award categories:

• Built Environment & Gardens
• Business Award
• Community Action - $1000 prize money
• Educational Institutions
• Government
• International Product Innovations Award
• Photographic Award (three sub categories; Primary, Secondary and General) - $1000 for the winning schools
• Regional and Rural
• Young Achiever - $1000 prize money

Contact Council’s Water and Sewerage Client Services Team on 6801 4000 for more information.

MEDIA CONTACT: Manager Water Supply and Sewerage Geoff Bellingham, phone 6801 4000.

Monthly Council meeting

A plan to introduce 40km per hour speed zones in Dubbo’s Central Business District (CBD) will be placed on public exhibition in the near future.

Council this week resolved to adopt a proposal to extend the 40kmh zone in Wingewarra Street east to the western side of Darling Street, subject to public consultation.

Dubbo Mayor Greg Matthews said that Council also resolved to formally advise all property owners within the CBD about the public exhibition period.

“A report will then be submitted to Council for consideration,’’ Cr Matthews said.

“Final detailed plans will also be submitted to the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) for funding.’’

Cr Matthews said the matter was considered by the Local Traffic Committee at its meeting earlier this month, with unanimous support for the adoption of the recommendation to introduce the 40kmh zone in the CBD.

“Council first considered the matter in 2004. Since that time, Council has been progressively working with the RTA to develop an overall traffic management proposal that would complement the 40kmh CBD initiative,’’ he said.

“The RTA’s 40kmh speed zone initiative for high pedestrian areas require traffic management infrastructure to support the speed zoning. Signage and mid-block pedestrian facilities are required to be installed to help provide a controlled traffic environment.’’

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

2009-2010 Draft Management Plan

Set to be a first class City venue operational seven days a week, the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre will have an expert team of staff to manage its future entertainment line-up when it opens next year. Dubbo City Council Director Community Services David Dwyer explained that the 2009-2010 Draft Management Plan allows for the staged recruitment of staff based on needs during the Centre’s development.

“The DRTCC has only one existing staff member at this time and another staff member is to be recruited to start by at least July 1,” he said.

“Other staff have been budgeted to commence from October 2009 whilst others have been budgeted to start from January 2010.”

Mr Dwyer said that once the centre is open, four additional staff will be hired to make a full-time staff complement of six.

“The staff establishment will comprise a Manager, a Technical and Production Coordinator, an Operations Coordinator, a Front of House Coordinator, a Functions officer and an Administration/Bookings Officer.

“An allowance has also been made for casuals such as ushers, bar staff, security and cleaners.”

Mr Dwyer said the centre will be a seven day a week operation, with many events held on weekends and after hours.

“As such, there is a need for a staff complement to cover this large spread of opening hours.

“The level of specialist expertise in everything from lighting and sound to marketing and electronic ticketing makes the new DRTCC a totally different operation to the current running of the Civic Centre.”

Have your say on the 2009-2010 Draft Management Plan. Hard copies are available at the Civic Administration Building, Orana Mall Marketplace, Centro Dubbo, Macquarie Regional Library Dubbo branch, Eumungerie Post Office, Wongarbon Post Office, Brocklehurst service station and Ballimore Inn. Submissions close on June 1.

MEDIA CONTACT: Council’s Director Community Services David Dwyer, phone 6801 4000.

Community members are urged to join an upcoming consultation session to discuss the prospect of a Youth Centre for Dubbo.

Council’s Manager Social Services John Watts said the Dubbo Youth Interagency Network intends to investigate the feasibility of a Youth/Community Centre in Dubbo.

A project steering committee has already been formed, with representatives from a range of areas, including Dubbo City Council.

Youth service agencies represented in this proposal are Red Cross, Housing NSW, Dubbo Youth Foundation, GWAHS, Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre, Unitingcare Burnside, Young Carers, Dubbo Police and the Dubbo City Youth Council.

Mr Watts said investigating the need for a youth centre was an action contained with Council’s 2009-2010 Draft Social Plan, currently on public exhibition.

“Dubbo City Council conducted a Youth Recreation Survey, consulting with over 400 young people between 12 and 17 years on their recreational needs,’’ he said.

“This has revealed that young people continue to feel that there needs to be more ‘things to do’ or a youth friendly space where they can ‘hang out.”

Mr Watts said the steering committee has already met once and decided on a consultancy process to gain community input.

“What is needed is input on services provided, a location for equitable access and available support. External funding options would also have to be investigated.’’

For more information contact Council’s Youth Development Officer Paul Hennock on 6801 4481.

Make a submission regarding a proposed youth centre for Dubbo as part of Council’s Draft Management Plan exhibition period. Forms are also available from Council’s Civic Administration Building.

Submissions close at 5pm on Monday, 1 June 2009.

MEDIA CONTACT: Council’s Manager Social Services John Watts, (02) 6801 4000.

2009-2010 Draft Management Plan

Local sporting facilities look set to receive a green boost in Dubbo City Council’s proposed 2009-2010 Draft Management Plan and Operating Budget.

Acting Manager of Sporting Facilities Wes Giddings said more shade areas around the City’s parks and ovals was definitely a high priority into the future.

“An amount of $90,000 has been provided to continue the iconic tree planting program at the Riverbank Ovals, Pioneer Park, Barden Park and No 2 Oval in Victoria Park,” he said.

“It has been previously identified as being of importance – improving shade areas at our sporting facilities is an ongoing initiative.”

Ensuring that Dubbo’s fields and ovals are well-lit is also necessary for their use by various sporting bodies in early morning and evening training sessions all year round.

“Under the sporting lights upgrading program, the South Dubbo Oval ($175,000), Jubilee Oval ($103,161) and Victoria Park No 3 Oval ($100,000) will have new training lights installed,” Mr Giddings said.

Keeping the sporting grounds amply watered is also going be a consideration.

“The irrigation system of the Hans Clavan Oval will also be renewed during the 2011/2012 financial year at a cost of $67,000.”

Hard copies of the 2009-2010 Draft Management Plan can be viewed at the Civic Administration Building, Orana Mall Marketplace, Centro Dubbo, Macquarie Regional Library Dubbo branch, Eumungerie Post Office, Wongarbon Post Office, Brocklehurst service station and Ballimore Inn.

Submissions close on June 1.

MEDIA CONTACT: Wes Giddings, Acting Manager of Sporting Facilities on (02) 6801 4000.

In concert: The Band of the Royal Military College of Australia

Dubbo Civic Centre ▪▪ Saturday, 13 June 2009 ▪▪ 8pm to 10pmThe Band of the Royal Military College of Australia (aka the RMC Band or the Duntroon Band, Canberra) is embarking on a concert series in June 2009 to assist in fundraising for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

The two-hour concert for Dubbo is substantial in logistical effort and musical investment, and will most likely attract generous audience numbers, significant funds and critical acclaim. All proceeds from the performance will be directed to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

"This show promises to be a great display of professionalism, capability and variety," said the Band’s Commander and Director, Major Geoff Grey. "It will be a rare and privileged opportunity to see an ensemble of such high calibre in Dubbo. In addition to experiencing the glorious colours and sounds of the magnificent 33-piece band and military marches, the audience will be treated to the band’s smaller ensembles: the famous Campbell Trumpeters, the very cool Duntroon Lounge Club and the hard swinging RMC All-Stars Big Band.

“This outstanding entertainment unit has initiated this concert series for Orange, Dubbo and Parkes to enhance awareness of, and raise much needed funds for the RFDS. The tour has an equally important aim of bringing excellent music to the region, with a fair amount of fun thrown in, to assist people in this area of Australia, if only for a while, to wash away the stresses of an unpredictable climate and global recession.’’

Tickets are available from Snare's Newsagency, Dubbo, phone 6882 1191, and are priced at:

Adult: $18 Child (U/16)/Concession: $12

Family of four (2 adults and 2 children under 15): $40

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Major Geoff Grey CSM
Officer Commanding and Music Director Manager
Band of the Royal Military College
geoff.grey@defence.gov.au
Mobile: 0417 295 394

Alan Youngson
Dubbo Civic Centre
alan.youngson@dubbo.nsw.gov.au 
Mobile: 0427 464 407

2009-2010 Draft Management Plan

Dubbo City Council’s Parks and Gardens Improvement Program is set to continue, with projects totalling $637,416 scheduled to be undertaken during the next four years.

The works are contained in Council’s Draft Management Plan – currently on public exhibition until 5pm, Monday, 1 June 2009.

Included in the Parks and Gardens Improvement Program is the Regional Recreation Precinct Project which includes an equal access playground at Victoria Park.

Parks and Landcare Services Director Ken Rogers said these projects, which have attracted federal funding under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program, were scheduled for completion by 30 September 2009.

“An amount of $110,000 has also been provided over the next three financial years to continue the special tree-plant initiative at Victoria and Elizabeth parks,’’ Mr Rogers said.

“The 2009-10 draft annual operating plan and budget provides for the previously adopted maintenance service levels for parks to be continued in the 2009/10 financial year.

“However, both operational and capital asset maintenance items have been reduced due to funding shortfalls and this will impact on maintenance service levels beyond 2009/10.’’

Council is the co-ordinator for the City’s 11,200 street trees and in excess of 120,000 trees planted on community land throughout the City.

Mr Rogers said the Parks and Landcare Services Division also managed 856ha of parks, gardens and recreational areas, with these areas set to increase by 191% in the next few years.

“The new public space was to be funded by a 2% special rate variation, however this was rejected by the Minister for Local Government in July 2008,’’ he said.

“The ever increasing area of land being placed under the control of Council, together with the increasing maintenance requirements of aging infrastructure, has resulted in a shortfall of $1.68 million of essential works from the next four years’ budgets.’’

Have your say about Council’s 2009-10 Draft Management Plan.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ken Rogers, Director Parks and Landcare Services, phone 6801 4000.

The City’s newest cultural landmark has reached an important milestone.

The development of Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre is now at the halfway mark, with its six-storey flytower visible on the skyline.

Mayor Greg Matthews said Dubbo City Council’s $18.5m project has rapidly progressed since construction began in September 2008.

He confirmed the Darling St development was on schedule for completion next year.

“It is quickly moving ahead,” he said.

“By this time next year, we will be enjoying this wondrous facility.”

Many features of the facility are now becoming evident including the all-important auditorium. By the end of July, the theatre’s main building is set to be enclosed and Council’s DRTCC working party will shortly consider curtain and seating colours.

“The orchestra pit and soon-to-be stage are taking shape behind what will become the 500-seat tiered theatre,” Cr Matthews said.

An exciting aspect of the setting is that it will become a multi-functional building when finished.

“Once operational, the theatre and convention facility will be linked to the existing Dubbo Civic Centre, making for a first-class all-purpose venue that will intertwine 1960s chic with modern architecture.”

While the performance schedule is yet to be released, Cr Matthews was excited to reveal that the centre will become a destination for Playing Australia, featuring some of the best entertainment on the national touring show circuit.

“From theatre to music and opera, Dubbo and regional audiences will be wowed by an ongoing bevy of cultural experiences in a venue that features comfortable tiered seating and top quality sound and lighting.”

“Dubbo City Council can also proudly say that while the theatre is a very specialist construction, 95 per cent of the building workforce is local.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Dubbo Mayor Greg Matthews, phone 6801 4000.

2009-2010 Draft Management Plan

The public consultation period for Council’s Draft Management Plan closes in one week, at 5pm on Monday 1 June 2009.

Mayor Greg Matthews said the exhibition of the 2009-10 Draft Management Plan was an opportunity for the local community to have a say about Council’s proposed direction for the coming four years.

“The Plan also includes Council’s forecast annual operating plan and $123.8 million budget,’’ Cr Matthews said.

He said that Council’s four-year budget did not contain proposals to seek additional funding outside of rate pegging limits. This additional funding was previously identified as being needed to implement the comprehensive asset management strategies that have been developed to ensure the City’s infrastructure continues to meet the needs of the community into the future. Accordingly, this problem has not been solved.

Cr Matthews said that given the level of income, Council had reduced the amount of capital works being undertaken in the short-term and is aiming to maintain service levels as best it could with the resources available.

“Not withstanding this, Dubbo City Council’s proposed operating plan and budget contains many features and initiatives that are very much aimed at achieving the City’s vision of being a vibrant City of lifestyle and opportunity,’’ he said.

View the 2009-2010 Draft Management Plan online or find a hardcopy at:

• Council’s Civic Administration Building
• Dubbo branch Macquarie Regional Library
• Centro and Orana Mall Marketplace
• Local villages

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