Media releases

For the month of July, borrowers at the Macquarie Regional Library can return overdue books without fear of the mounting fees – as long as they bring along a charity food donation.

Manager Information Services Lindy Allan said borrowers can return their overdue items at no charge, when they bring an item of non-perishable food to donate to charity.

“When we hold an amnesty, we find many people still feel guilty about having overdue items, so when returning overdue books people are asked to donate an item of food. This way people know they are doing something good for the community,” Ms Allan said.

July is the time to check home bookshelves, search under the bed and scan the DVD shelf for any library items. Macquarie Regional Library lends over 370,000 books each year and there are currently 4,189 books overdue.

“It is really important that people return their books so that other people in the community have the opportunity to use the resources our library has to offer,” Ms Allan said.

“The borrowers benefit the most from our amnesty because once the fines are cleared, people are free to borrow again.

“The Macquarie Regional Library will distribute donated food to the Salvation Army.

The last time we did this we had about eight tubs of food to give to charity.

“We donate to Salvation Army branches in various towns so borrowers can know they are helping people in Dubbo and the surrounding areas who are doing it tough.”

Borrowers will need to present their library cards when returning overdue items and donate an item of non-perishable food. The amnesty begins 1 July and ends 31 July.

MEDIA CONTACT: Manager Information Services, Macquarie Regional Library, Lindy Allan on 6801 4500.

Dubbo City Council is set to receive $453,000 in Federal funding in the second round of Community Infrastructure Program grants.

The funds, announced last Thursday, will see $100m shared between councils across the nation.

Mayor Greg Matthews said that in terms of allocation, it is still early days.

“The funding allocation will depend on guidelines determined by the Australian Government and Council’s decision-making process,” he said.

“Previously, the restrictions related to where funding could be spent and the timeframe in which work was completed.”

Also announced was $120m in strategic grant opportunities, with the Dubbo Showground Grandstand and Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre possibly being two potential projects, but again, guidelines are yet to be released.

A further $25m under the Local Government Reform Fund will also help councils implement national frameworks for asset management and financial planning in this regard.

“The Lower Macquarie Water Utilities Alliance could, under the draft terms, benefit from this grant opportunity,” Cr Matthews said.

The LMWUA is a cooperative joint venture between six Councils in the Macquarie River Valley below Burrendong Dam, including Dubbo City Council.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mayor Greg Matthews, phone 6801 4000.

Pet owners have just five days left to take advantage of Dubbo City Council’s Companion Animal Welfare Scheme.

Manager Environmental Control Amy Nalder said the annual offer allows for substantial discounts on essential pet requirements such as desexing, vaccination and micro-chipping.

“You can receive up to 65 per cent off the cost of these operations,” she said.

The reduced rates are only available during July and registrations close on June 30 – so time is running out.

“This scheme subsidises the procedure by more than 50 per cent so it’s an excellent opportunity,” Mrs Nalder said.

Council has made funds available for the scheme, which is supported by the RSPCA and local veterinary surgeries.

“If your circumstances are such that you would like to have your dog or cat de-sexed, but the financial cost is too great, Council may be able to assist through a reduced fee for the veterinary service,” she said.

An added bonus of the scheme is that the birth of thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens will be prevented.

“The aim is to save ratepayers money by preventing thousands of homeless animals that would otherwise be unwanted,” Mrs Nalder said.

“It also cuts down on the number of strays in the streets or dumped at the animal shelter.”

Applications are available at Dubbo City Council, the Dubbo City Animal Shelter and local veterinary practices. Completed forms can be returned to Council’s Civic Administration Building or PO Box 81 Dubbo.

All applications will be assessed for eligibility.

“Eligible residents will be given a voucher which can be redeemed at a nominated Dubbo veterinary practice. You should then call the vet to make an appointment,” Mrs Nalder said.

For further information, contact Ranger Services on 6801 4000.

MEDIA CONTACT: Manager Environmental Control Amy Nalder on phone 6801 4000.

A performance by the Duntroon Military College Band to over 600 Dubbo residents at the Dubbo Civic Centre earlier this month has raised $3369 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre (DRTCC) Manager Alan Youngson handed the cheque to the RFDS during a presentation at the Dubbo Civic Centre today. RFDS Dubbo Support Group President Terry Clark said the donation would be used to meet the ongoing cost of providing medical coverage for patients in Western NSW.

“The replacement of aircraft is the biggest expense faced by the RFDS,” he said. “RFDS Dubbo Base covers a significant portion of the State, which comes at a large cost. We are greatly appreciative of the support we have received from Duntroon Military College Band and Dubbo Civic Centre.”

DRTCC Manager Alan Youngson said the concert was pulled together in three weeks with the help of local media who put their support behind the project. “We were working on a tight schedule and we would like to thank our media partners who helped make the event possible,” he said.

Concert goers enjoyed a variety performance by the 33-piece band. The audience also heard performances from the band’s smaller ensembles including the Campbell Trumpeters, the Duntroon Lounge Club and the swinging All-Stars Big Band.

Mr Youngson said the strong turnout shows the demand for quality music performances in Dubbo. “Dubbo is lucky to attract an ensemble of this calibre,” he said. “It was great to see 600 people attending this high quality performance whilst also supporting the RFDS which provides an invaluable service to our community.”

In 2006/07, the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service Dubbo Base flew over 499,000 kilometres, landing 1767 times to assist 2227 people.

MEDIA CONTACT: Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre Manager, Alan Youngson, on telephone 6801 4412.

Vacancies are currently available in the Dubbo Family Day Care scheme for any parent in need of childcare services.

Dubbo City Council’s Family Day Care Coordinator Kim Edwards said places were available in locations throughout Dubbo and could be negotiated according to each child and family’s needs.

“We understand that every family’s timetable and needs are different, so we aim to put parents in contact with the carer that is right for their child,” she said.

“Dubbo Family Day Care currently supports almost 300 families. A local network of 50 registered Carers provides child care to over 400 children ranging in age from birth to 12 years.”

The scheme is accredited under the National Childcare Quality Improvement and Assurance System and recently obtained the highest possible ratings in areas of interactions, physical environment, children’s experiences, learning and development, and relationships between Carers and Coordination unit staff.

Family Day Care performed strongly in areas of management and administration, safe environments and nutrition. The service has also exceeded standards for health and safety.

Ms Edwards said accreditation is not easily obtained, with staff and carers required to undergo a four-day validation program and a National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC) board assessment.

“This means that families placing their child with Dubbo Family Day Care can be confident their child is being nurtured in a professional, safe and positive home environment, where their experiences are supported and stimulated to nationally determined standards,” she said.

Parents wishing to utilise the service should contact the Dubbo Family Day Care staff on 6801 4470, or visit the Centre at Colleen Montgomery Cottage in Victoria Park, Darling Street, Dubbo.

MEDIA CONTACT: Dubbo Family Day Care Coordinator Kim Edwards, phone (02) 6801 4470.

Dubbo City Council’s commitment to sustainability principles is evident in its environmental management plan for 2009-13, Dubbo ALIVE (A Living Initiative for a Vibrant Environment).

Public submissions regarding this plan are welcomed but should be received by this Friday, June 26.

“Council’s environmental management plan sets the direction for environmental sustainability objectives,” Sustainability Coordinator Debbie Archer said.

Council aims to achieve a five per cent reduction in energy usage across the organisation by 2013, in addition to increasing community awareness about more efficient gas, fuel and electricity usage.

Council’s existing environmental initiatives include the installation of photovoltaic solar energy panels on Macquarie Regional Library, development of the Greengrove Effluent Refuse Scheme and a stormwater harvesting tank at Apex Oval.

Dubbo ALIVE 2009-13 also aligns with the recently adopted Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo Alliance Regional Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, and incorporates the same six priority themes of water, biodiversity, waste, energy, salinity and pollution.

The Dubbo ALIVE report card is included in the State of the Environment Report which is produced annually.

MEDIA CONTACT: Council’s Sustainability Co-ordinator Debbie Archer, phone (02) 6801 4000.

Monthly Council meeting

Dubbo City Council’s Director Community Services David Dwyer today announced that Council was inviting applications from local community groups for financial assistance for 2009/2010.

Mr Dwyer said each year Council invited community groups to submit applications for financial assistance for worthwhile community projects.

He said applicants would need to demonstrate to Council how the financial assistance would benefit citizens of Dubbo.

“This year, Council will offer two rounds of funding each to the value of $10,000, one in July 2009 and the other in February 2010,’’ Mr Dwyer said.

Groups which have recently received funding from Council include service and community groups, churches, charities, musical groups, groups involving children and youth services, cultural and arts groups.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 31 July 2009, with Council to make a determination on the successful applications in late August 2009.

Download the application form, funding guidelines and eligibility criteria. Alternatively, applications may be collected in person at Council’s Civic Administration Building, Church Street, Dubbo.

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

Monthly Council meeting

Council last night resolved to implement best-practice pricing policies for its Water Supply and Sewerage Services.

Director Technical Service Stewart McLeod said the pricing policies included in Council’s adopted Management Plan Revenue Policy for 2009/2010 were based on the full implementation of best-practice pricing.

For residential properties, the Plan means a $0.94 per kilolitre (kL) charge for water consumption up to 450kL, while consumption over 450kL will attract a charge of $1.75/kL.

“The step in pricing was previously set at a 550kL level,’’ Mr McLeod said.

“The Usage Charge for non-residential properties will increase from $1.08 to $1.12 per kilolitre for all usage.’’

Mr McLeod said Council’s 20-year financial plans for Water Supply and Sewerage Services had also been revised.

“There is a requirement to undertake augmentation works totaling $18.069 million for Water Supply and $40.832 million for Sewerage over the four years commencing 2009/2010,’’ he said.

Council’s financing strategy proposes to utilise long-term borrowing - and funds on hand - to fund the required capital works.

The charge for these services will increase by 3.5 per cent for water and five per cent for sewer in 2009/2010 in order to achieve the required amount of revenue to fund operating and capital costs.

MEDIA CONTACT: Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod can be contacted on (02) 6801 4000.

Hazardous chemicals hanging around the house will be no more, thanks to a cleanup operation to be hosted by Dubbo City Council.

Residents can drop off unwanted and out of date chemicals at the Dubbo Showground between 8.30am and 3pm this Saturday June 20.

Civil Projects Engineer Jaskaran Soni said local residents will have the opportunity to clear out any unwanted or unused household chemicals and hazardous products that can pose risk to both the environment and human health.

“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 held annually and has been previously hailed as a success. Last year 4.5 tonnes of hazardous waste was 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: Civil Projects Engineer Jaskaran Soni on 6801 4000.

The Give Me 5 For Kids “Thank God You’re Here” fundraiser to be held tomorrow evening, promises to be a night of fun and laughter while raising much-needed funds for a worthy local cause.

An ensemble cast of local personalities and talent will join together at the premier event which includes a two-course dinner and live on-stage entertainment with a local twist.

Local businesspeople Craig Thompson (aka Pooka the Clown), Heidi Woodbridge and Adrian Eames, along with Councillor Ben Shields will assist with the entertainment.

The Dubbo Base Hospital Children’s Ward will be the primary beneficiary of the dinner which will be held this Friday June 19 at the Dubbo RSL Club.

The fun begins at 6pm and the $50 tickets are available at the club.