Media releases

* The Folly by Arlo Mountford is on display until 13 September *

An exhibition currently featured at Western Plains Cultural Centre is giving traditional artworks a new lease of life through the medium of video.

Manager Western Plains Cultural Centre Brigette Leece said ‘The Folly’, a three-channel digitally animated video by Melbourne-based artist Arlo Mountford, is the newest acquisition to the Dubbo Regional Gallery collection.

“Mountford has re-imagined three paintings by sixteenth century Flemish painter Pieter Breughel the Elder, Hunters in the Snow (1565), The Corn Harvest (1565) and The Fall of Icarus (c1558),” Ms Leece explained.

“The artist has brought these paintings to life by making all the characters move and it is intoxicating to watch. So complex, yet so very simple at the same time. The artist has meticulously redrawn the paintings into a Flash animation program, using a computer mouse.

“The story is also simple - the artist is merely trying to promote a return to the simple country village way of life in an age of digital and commercialism, fast paced existence, so the artwork is also very comforting to watch.”

Ms Leece said the Friends of the WPCC Committee had raised the money for this acquisition as a gift to the community.

“It is a beautiful work and is a real coup for the Centre,” she said.

The Folly is a 3 video channel 4 audio channel digital animation which runs for nine minutes.

For further information on this and other exhibitions, contact WPCC on (02) 6801 4444.


MEDIA CONTACT: WPCC manager, Brigette Leece on (02) 6801 4444.
 

Information gained in a survey of Dubbo City Regional Airport users will be used in future collaborative marketing initiatives to promote the City.

The six-minute questionnaire was used to survey 300 passengers during the period 20 April to 1 May 2009.

Covering information such as demographic area and behaviour patterns, the survey was used to measure customer satisfaction with the Council-owned terminal and facility.

Director Corporate Development Megan Dixon said the survey concluded that the major markets were business and leisure travel, with slightly more female travellers.

“The average age bracket of those surveyed was between 41 and 50 for departures and 19 and 30 for arrivals,” she said.

“Surveyed participants were predominantly staying for between two and four nights and would be travelling within the region as far as Walgett, Broken Hill, Bathurst and Parkes.”

Mrs Dixon confirmed that the information can be used as a guide for promotional placements and public relations campaigns.

“Information gathered through this process has the ability to be used by tourism and industry in collaborative marketing initiatives with Dubbo City Regional Airport and the airlines that service the area,” she said.

The passenger terminal was rated as good or above by 98 per cent of respondents. The appearance and cleanliness of the airport was gauged very highly, with most people surveyed stating that they saw the facility as excellent or very good.

MEDIA CONTACT: Director Corporate Development, Megan Dixon on (02) 6801 4000.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING

Dubbo City Council has adopted a master plan for Dubbo’s oldest recreation precinct – Victoria Park.

The master plan ensures that the Victoria Park precinct continues to meet the needs of the community well into the future.

Council’s Acting Director Parks and Landcare Services Murray Wood said in 1867, the park land was formally recognised and dedicated under a gazettal notice as ‘public open space.’

“Since 1867, the park has undergone numerous changes and embellishments to become what we know it as today: a regional park and sports complex,’’ Mr Wood said.

“The further development of the park is still continuing today, with the current installation of the Regional Recreational Precinct well underway.

“This project, together with the Church Street axis, has previously been identified by Council as its number one strategic priority.’’

Mr Wood said the Victoria Park Master Plan would potentially impact a number of sporting organisations.

“Council has received input from the Dubbo City Sports Council which gave the Master Plan its ‘in principle’ support,’’ he said.

“The Master Plan provides Council with a 15 to 20 year strategic approach to the development of the park and ovals to enable the future needs of the Dubbo community to be met.

“While much of the funding may well be sourced from future grant opportunities, it was important from a strategic perspective that a master plan be created to provide direction should any funding opportunities arise.’’

Key features of the Master Plan include:
• Strengthening the Victorian theme of the precinct through plantings, park furniture and building design
• Provision for the construction of club houses at Victoria Park No. 1 and between Victoria Park No. 2 and 3 ovals, and enhancement of the Paramount Tennis Club facility
• Improvements to the park entrances and car parking at Victoria Park No. 1 oval to make them more visually appealing

MEDIA CONTACT:  Council’s Acting Director Parks and Landcare Services Murray Wood, phone (02) 6801 4000.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING

Dubbo City Council has adopted a new Greywater Policy following its public exhibition.

The Greywater Policy is an action identified in Council’s 2006-2009 Environmental Management Plan - Dubbo ALIVE which will allow residential greywater reuse in most sewered urban areas without the approval of Council.

Council’s Sustainability Co-ordinator Debbie Archer said the Policy was developed in consultation with staff from across Council’s operations. It outlines the legislative requirements, public health and environmental issues of greywater use.

“The Policy is essential to ensure the protection of public health, local ground and surface waters and to minimise the effects on saline areas,’’ Ms Archer said.

“The Policy allows residential greywater reuse within the sewered urban area of the City except in areas with known or suspected salinity issues which will not be permitted to dispose of greywater onsite without prior Council approval.

“Greywater or recycled water reuse in larger integrated developments will be permitted but will require assessment by Council on a case by case basis. These development applications will require a full analysis of the treatment and distribution system proposed including a land capability and risk management assessment.’’

Ms Archer said the recycling of greywater reduces the pressure on drinking water supplies caused by drought and urban growth.
“Residents are encouraged to check with Council prior to installing a greywater system on any property,’’ she said.

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

* DUBBO MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL September 26*
Celebrating the rich diversity of Dubbo’s 70 different nationalities is the focus of the City’s upcoming Multicultural Festival.

Dubbo City Council Manager Social Services John Watts said the annual event is now in its fourth year.

“This is a celebration of unity and linguistic diversity,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful way to rejoice our differences and togetherness all at the same time.”

The Dubbo Multicultural Festival will include a dinner and concert where a colourful spectacle of song and dance from around the world will complement the meal’s international flavour.

Included in the entertainment on the night is:

• A group of children from different countries greeting in their own language and singing ‘We are one but we are many’
• The Bhangra Troupe from Platinum Indian Entertainment and Dohl players, singers and dancers
• A group of Polish dancers from Sydney
• local and state performers of all cultures

What: Dubbo Multicultural Festival
Where: Dubbo Civic Centre
When: 6pm on 26 September, 2009
Cost: Adults $20.00   Children (12 years & under) $10.00
Tickets available from 22 September at Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre, 213 Brisbane Street, contact (02) 6882 2100.

Dubbo City Council is a proud supporter of this event and has contributed $15,000 through its Multicultural Festival advisory committee towards running costs.

Dubbo City Council’s installation of road safety devices has begun in Windsor Parade.
Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod said the project would be completed next week.

“Council adopted the traffic management priorities developed by Stapleton Transportation Planning Pty Ltd in their Local Area Traffic Management Plan (LATM), which included traffic calming devices,” he said.
The safety measures being installed include:
- Rubber speed cushions on approaches to the pedestrian refuges along Windsor Parade
- Small medians (and warning signage) installed within the parking lane to prevent cars from driving around the speed cushions
- Adjusting the location of median islands at the Coronation Drive intersection
- A U turning facility south of Coronation Drive
- Centre median turn lane between Coronation Drive and Birch Avenue
Mr McLeod said the improvements will enhance safety for both motorists and pedestrians in what is a high traffic area adjacent to the Orana Mall Marketplace.

“The aim of these devices is to slow the traffic moving along Windsor Parade and to provide a safer environment for residents of the nearby Orana Gardens Retirement Village,’’ he said.

Mr McLeod said the safety features were being installed after thorough consideration.

“This work is following extensive consultation with multiple stakeholders,” he said.
Mr McLeod received a letter of support for the proposal from the Orana Gardens Retirement Village Residents’ Forum.

MEDIA CONTACT: Director Technical Services, Stewart McLeod on (02) 6801 4000.

The production of the Comprehensive Local Environmental Plan (LEP) for Dubbo has moved another step forward, with Council’s Planning and Development Committee this week recommending it proceed to public agency consultation.

Once gazetted, the LEP will be the primary planning document guiding Council’s landuse decisions into the future.

Planning and Development Committee Chairman Cr Allan Smith said a minimum two-month public consultation period would begin after certification from the Department of Planning.

“We expect this process to begin sometime in coming months and it will be widely publicised. Council will also correspond with every land owner in the Dubbo Local Government Area and meet with stakeholders and interest groups as part of this process,’’ Cr Smith said.

“The process still has some distance to travel to completion so there is no urgency for people to get submissions in to Council at this stage.  During this very early stage of the process Council must first seek comments and input from relevant government agencies.
“Only once this has been received can Council proceed to seek approval from the NSW Department of Planning to commence the public exhibition and consultation part of the process.’’

While interested people can access the draft LEP and the associated information considered by the Planning and Development Committee via Council’s website, it should be noted that the formal consultation period has not yet commenced. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

What is a Local Environmental Plan (LEP)?
A Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is the primary instruments which controls what you can and cannot do on your land.

It is Council’s principal legal document for controlling development and guiding planning decisions made by the Council to facilitate new development that is compatible and appropriate with the preferred role and character of an area.

Dubbo City Council’s LEPs currently include:

• The Dubbo LEP 1998 – Urban Areas (gazetted on 17 March 2000)
• The Dubbo LEP 1997 – Rural Areas (gazetted on 20 March 1998.

Council is required to prepare a new Council-wide LEP in accordance with the requirements of the Standard Instrument by 2011.

What is the Standard Instrument?
The Standard Instrument (Local Environment Plans) Order 2006 was gazetted by the NSW Government on 31 March 2006 under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. This Order prescribes the form and content of a principal local environmental plan for an area for the purposes of section 33A of the Act.

The Standard Instrument must be used in preparing the new Council-wide LEP that will replace the Urban Areas and Rural Areas LEPs.

Council, at its meeting in November 2008, resolved to proceed with drafting the new LEP for Dubbo; the resolution was the first stage in the formal process of preparing the new Council-wide LEP.

Cr Allan Smith
Chairman Planning and Development Committee
Phone 0428 228 209

* Archibald Prize on display until September 13 *

A unique form of visual technology is enabling students from across the State to have full access to the Western Plains Cultural Centre.

From their seats in classrooms hundreds of kilometres away, students can see exhibitions such as the 2009 Archibald Prize and listen to the experts provide information about the works and their artists.

WPCC manager Brigette Leece described the video conferencing as a way for the Centre to turn the tyranny of distance into a drawcard.

“We had several schools from Sydney link up to see the Archibald Prize this week,” she said.

“It’s this commitment to outreach services that is setting the WPCC apart from all other galleries and museums in NSW.”

Ms Leece said every day the cultural centre is developing new ways of delivering historic and contemporary cultural material to an expanding and disparate audience.

“Now reaching education partners across NSW through new technologies, the WPCC has turned its disadvantages of distance into pioneering modes of cultural participation."

Distance Education Technology Manager David Foley is also impressed with the innovative use of technology.

“The Western Plains Cultural Centre is establishing itself as a major education provider via video conference technology. Students from all over NSW are coming together to have the portraits explained by Dubbo's art experts, educators and curators,” he said.

“Even Sydney schools are taking advantage of being able to directly visit the Archibald Prize from their Connected Classrooms.

“This is a triumph for education and Dubbo.”

MEDIA CONTACT: WPCC manager Brigette Leece, on (02) 6801 4444.

A water and sewerage survey which assesses customer expectations is being conducted by Dubbo City Council.

Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod said the survey, which only takes a few minutes to do over the phone, will assist Council in meeting the needs of local residents in terms of water supply and sewerage service delivery.

“Dubbo City Council encourages residents to participate in this survey,” he said. “All they need to do is respond to a small number of short answer questions which should take no longer than a few minutes.”

Council has been conducting the annual survey since 1996. Its results will assist in determining customer expectations and monitoring changes

“The information gauged is very important for the development and evaluation of the Council’s water and sewerage services,” Mr McLeod said.

MEDIA CONTACT: Director Technical Services, Stewart McLeod on (02) 6801 4000.

Ballimore’s reticulated water connection is underway, with Dubbo City Council’s construction of a supply pipeline marking an important step for the village.

Council’s Manager Water Supply and Sewerage Geoff Bellingham said the project involved the installation of a 19 kilometre pipeline from a water reticulation pipe in Westella Road, just north of Wongarbon, to the proposed Ballimore Reservoir.

“Council accepted civil contractor Padbury Amber’s $1.4m tender to install the pipeline in April,” he said.

“The contractor has now signed all the appropriate paperwork and is scheduled to commence work on-site. The project is ready to go.”
Mr Bellingham expects the Victorian company to start at Ballimore as soon as a prior project is completed.

The pipeline construction is then expected to take at least six months, with completion scheduled for early next year.

Council has also conducted a review of tenders to build the Ballimore Reservoir.

“There was a good range of reputable companies,” Mr Bellingham said, adding that the successful tenderer would probably be decided at the September Council meeting.

When completed, the reservoir will be a 10 metre (high) on-ground storage unit with a storage volume of 300,000 litres and a steel roof. The site will also house a disinfection unit.

It will be located at the intersection of the Ballimore and Kalonga roads.

The NSW Department of Commerce has been engaged by Council to supervise construction of both the reservoir and the pipelines.

MEDIA CONTACT: Manager Water Supply and Sewerage, Geoff Bellingham on (02) 6801 4000.