Media releases

Dubbo City Council’s Civic Administration Building in Church Street will be closed over the Christmas / New Year period. The building will close for business at 5pm on 24 December and re-open at 9am on 5 January 2009.

During this period, requests for emergency and essential services may be lodged with Council by telephoning 6801 4000.
Council’s General Manager Mark Riley said like many other local businesses, it made sense for Council to close the building over what is usually an extremely quiet period.

“Emergency and essential services will still be available, however the Civic Administration Building will close its doors over the Christmas / New Year period,’’ Mr Riley said.

“Figures from the past four years show that Council’s normal rate of inquiries are generally down 75 per cent over the festive period and the closure is in line with other service providers.

“Skeleton crews will be available for roads, water and sewerage, and ranger services.’’

MEDIA CONTACT: Dubbo City Council General Manager Mark Riley, phone 6801 4000.

Members of the public are invited to comment on a draft Regional Water Restrictions model, currently on exhibition at Council’s Civic Administration Building.

The consultation period follows a Memorandum of Understanding between Bathurst Regional Council, Orange City Council and Dubbo City Council in May 2008 to further develop co-operative programs, share resources and improve services.

This would foster sustainability across the three Councils, according to Dubbo City Council’s Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod.

Council, at its Ordinary Meeting in October 2008, resolved to place the draft Regional Water Restrictions on public exhibition.
“Following the consultation period, Council will review the feedback and finalise the Regional Water Restrictions,’’ Mr McLeod said.

“Council may then resolve to adopt the Regional Water Restrictions or it may retain the current Dubbo City Council system,’’ Mr McLeod said.

Mr McLeod said the objectives of Regional Water Restrictions were to:

• give residents of each city clearer information about the water restrictions that are in force at Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo;
• provide a regional basis of comparison;
• facilitate water conservation education programs and notification of water restrictions.

“Comments about the proposed Regional Water Restrictions can be made in writing up until 5pm on Friday 19 December,’’ Mr McLeod said.

For more information, contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 6801 4552.

MEDIA CONTACT: Stewart McLeod can be contacted on 6801 4000.

Dubbo, Wongarbon and Brocklehurst residents are reminded that Level 1 water restrictions are in place from today, 1 December 2008.

While the restrictions are relatively mild, watering with sprinklers can only be undertaken between 6pm and 9am. Hand-held hoses, watering cans and buckets may be used any time.

Council’s Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod said Level 1 water restrictions would continue until 28 February 2009.
“Under the restrictions, swimming pools may be topped up with a hand-held hose, and residents are encouraged to use pool covers when the pool is not in use to save water,’’ he said.

“Hard surfaces such as footpaths or driveways are not to be washed down during the water restrictions. Washing of cars may proceed but residents must use a trigger hose and bucket.’’

Mr McLeod said Council would issue a warning notification for the first breach of the Level 1 water restrictions at a property.
“Further breaches will result in a $220 on-the-spot fine,’’ he said.

Commercial, industrial and institutional facilities including commercial car wash facilities and car sale yards are exempt from the water restrictions.

Further information is available from Council’s Customer Service Centre on 6801 4000 or online.

MEDIA CONTACT: Stewart McLeod can be contacted on 6801 4000.

A vital city marketing tool hot off the press has been given a facelift so it stands out in a highly competitive environment.

Mayor Greg Matthews said the latest edition of the Dubbo City Guide featured a bold, clean and fresh look in line with the city’s new brand mark and Council-endorsed City Image Marketing Strategy.

“The new City Guide is designed to appeal to a range of markets, not just the highly competitive leisure tourism market,’’ he said. “Design-wise it is a strong departure from previous editions.

“The front page, which features only bold, eye catching text, will ensure it stands out from the pack when it comes up against hundreds of other city guides in information centres across the State and beyond.

“While it may not appeal to everyone, I have no doubt it will be ‘conspicuous’ in a dynamic way. And that’s what we need to strongly promote Dubbo to potential tourists, new residents and business people.’’

Cr Matthews said other changes to the City Guide included new tabbed sections, larger text, holiday planners and bolder headings.

He said residents would receive a special pack in their mailboxes this weekend containing the Dubbo City Council 2007/2008 Annual Report to Residents and the new Dubbo City Guide.

“I would like to thank all those who participated in a local photographic competition, with five of the winning entries featured in the new City Guide. And of course, thank you to the business community who supported the Guide with advertising, promotion and sponsorship.’’

The Annual Report to Residents and the Dubbo City Guide are also available on Council’s website.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mayor Greg Matthews, phone 0418 639 053.

Want to make a difference?

Council is looking for interested, motivated people from Brocklehurst who want to make a difference in their local community.

Due to the success of a tree planting and working bee held earlier this year, Council plans to give Brocklehurst another facelift.

You are invited to be part of a working bee in the village on Saturday, 29 November 2008.

Council’s Parks and Landcare operations team will bring its mowers, whipper snippers, rubbish bags, stakes and mulch to Brocklehurst.

The working bee will start at 8am with volunteers to meet at the Brocklehurst Fire Shed. Don’t forget to wear sturdy, enclosed shoes, a hat and sunglasses.

A barbeque lunch will be held for volunteers at the Fire Shed from 12 noon.

MEDIA CONTACT: Community Participation Facilitator Kath Oak 6801 4000.

A revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between local government Councils, Regional Arts NSW and Orana Arts was endorsed by Council at its monthly meeting last night.

Orana Arts was established in 2003 as the peak regional arts body to represent the local government areas of Dubbo, Narromine, Gilgandra and Warrumbungle.

While there was no expiry date on the previous MoU, Orana Arts recently presented the member councils with a revised and updated version.

Mayor Greg Matthews said Dubbo City Council had allocated total funds of $75,000 to cover its membership of Orana Arts over the next four years.

Councillor Matthew Dickerson will serve as the Dubbo City Council representative on the Orana Arts Board of Management.
“I am pleased to sign the revised MoU as I feel the goals for Council are achievable,’’ Cr Matthews said.

“Orana Arts plays a significant role in arts and cultural development in the region.

“It’s direction is set by key strategy projects contained in its Strategic Plan 2008-10, which is a response to community needs.’’

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

Dubbo, Wongarbon and Brocklehurst residents are reminded that Level 1 water restrictions will be in place from 1 December 2008.

While the restrictions are relatively mild, watering with sprinklers can only be undertaken between 6pm and 9am. Hand-held hoses, watering cans and buckets may be used any time.

Council’s Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod said Level 1 water restrictions would continue until 28 February 2009.

“Water is a valuable natural resource and this is an opportunity to continue to save water where we can,’’ he said.

“Under the restrictions, swimming pools may be topped up with a hand-held hose, and residents are encouraged to use pool covers when the pool is not in use to save water.

“Hard surfaces such as footpaths or driveways are not to be washed down during the water restrictions. Washing of cars may proceed but residents must use a trigger hose and bucket.’’

Mr McLeod said Council would issue a warning notification for the first breach of the Level 1 water restrictions at a property.
“Further breaches will result in a $220 on-the-spot fine,’’ he said.

Commercial, industrial and institutional facilities including commercial car wash facilities and car sale yards are exempt from the water restrictions.

Further information is available from Council’s Customer Service Centre on 6801 4000 or online.

MEDIA CONTACT: Stewart McLeod can be contacted on 6801 4000.

Council’s first phase of its pedestrian safety campaign will be implemented this week through a series of print and broadcast advertising and parking pole stickers.

Council’s Road Safety Officer Kris Long says that over the next five weeks residents will be made more aware of their rights and responsibilities as a pedestrian through the campaign.

“Messages through broadcast and print advertising are designed to increase people’s awareness about pedestrian and road safety” Ms Long said.

“Every year pedestrians make up approximately 20% of all people killed on NSW roads.

"Between 2003 and 2007, 48 people have been injured or killed in pedestrian crashes in Dubbo. We need to make safer choices when we cross the road. Pedestrian crossings and refuges are the safest choices for pedestrians, " Ms Long said.

"Despite these facilities being provided, I still see pedestrians making unsafe choices - particularly in the CBD. Hopefully our media campaign and the stickers will help promote safer choices and better road safety outcomes for Dubbo."

The Council pedestrian safety campaign which is currently being implemented will also be supported by the further installation of brightly coloured stickers reminding pedestrians where it is safe to cross the roads in the city’s CBD.

Some tips to remaining safe as a pedestrian include:

• Never cross the road within 20 metres of a pedestrian crossing.
• Don’t cross the road between cars and never obstruct traffic - especially in Talbragar and Macquarie Streets.
• Avoid walking on the road. Use the footpath or nature strip. If you must walk on the road, face oncoming traffic and stay close to the kerb.
• Never assume an approaching driver has seen you. Always check that they have seen you before you cross the road.
• Avoid using a mobile phone or portable media players. This will distract you from being aware of the traffic environment.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kris Long can be contacted on 6801 4000 or 0417 667 984.

Works and Services Committee meeting

Council’s Works and Services Committee has recommended that Council widen the road on the intersection of Belmont and Obley roads, just south of Dubbo, to improve safety for local school children.

Works and Services Committee Chairman Cr Allan Smith said Council had investigated safety concerns raised by parents of the 20 or so children who used the school bus stop at the busy intersection.

Cr Smith said as part of the investigation of the site, Council staff met with parents on-site and the proprietor of the bus service that operates on the Obley Road.

A report to the Works and Services Committee recommended the school bus service continues to use the current location, with road improvements to include widening the shoulder area sufficiently to address the identified safety concerns. The Committee also recommended that consideration be given to the construction of a bus shelter.

“This bus stop is located in a relatively high-speed environment that requires a suitable waiting area for the children,’’ Cr Smith said.

“The funding of the shoulder widening could be accommodated within the Rural Road budget in 2008/2009.

“The estimated cost of a bus shelter is $15,000 and Works and Services Committee is recommending that funding for the shelter be referred for consideration in the December 2008 quarterly review of the 2008/2009 Management Plan.’’

Cr Allan Smith
Chairman Works and Services Committee
Phone: 0428 638 210

Finance and Policy Committee meeting

Council’s Finance and Policy Committee has recommended Council establish a working party of key stakeholders to ‘stay informed and involved’ on the heritage grandstand project at Dubbo Showground.

Council commissioned Perumal Pedavoli to work with Council staff to develop a plan for the incremental restoration of the 1893 grandstand.

Finance and Policy Committee Chairman Cr Richard Mutton said the cost of the restoration had previously been significantly underestimated.

The consultants have presented five options for the future of the grandstand, with the Finance and Policy Committee recommending Council undertake a financial feasibility of the Adaptive Recycling option and that a further report be provided to Council by April 2009.

“At this stage the preferred option is estimated to cost more than $2.2 million,’’ Cr Mutton said. “This is well beyond the resources of Council and will require significant external funding to be made available.

“The good news is that this option allows an opportunity to create ongoing income from the adaptive re-use of the grandstand.’’

Representatives from key stakeholders such as Dubbo Show Society and the National Trust will be invited to join Council on the Heritage Grandstand Working Party. Cr Mutton has been nominated by the Finance and Policy Committee as the Council representative on the Working Party.

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