2015/2016 Report to Community
2015/2016 was a year of growth and change for the communities of Dubbo and Wellington, and it is important to recognise the past performance of the former Councils as a new organisation takes shape. This review of the 2015/2016 financial year highlights the achievements of the past year and provides some indication of areas to be improved on as the new organisation evolves to meet the needs of the wider community.
The Administrator of Dubbo Regional Council pays credit to the former Mayors and Councillors who led their respective Councils throughout the majority of this period and the contributions they made to the achievements in this report. As a new organisation Dubbo Regional Council is taking advantage of the strengths of the two previous Councils and building the organisation’s capacity to better serve the community. Over the remainder of the 2016/2017 financial year Council will continue to facilitate growth, improve services and invest in facilities and infrastructure that will underpin the long term growth and prosperity for the region.
Download the 2015/2016 Year in Review (~~~DocAnnotation.type.20579~~~ ~~~DocAnnotation.size.20579~~~)
2015/16 - A year in review
Tourism supports jobs and growth
Our LGA boasts some of the most unique and exciting tourist attractions in NSW, including the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, the Wellington Caves, the Old Dubbo Gaol and Burrendong Dam. With major improvements to the Zoo, Caves and Gaol and a recreational dam facility full to capacity, the future looks bright for tourism and the inherent injection to the local economy it provides.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOSTERS INVESTMENT
A record number of Development applications were approved and developments such as the Wellington Correctional Centre are predicted to boost jobs and growth to the local community. Experts predict that the general housing market in Wellington has the potential to respond to being part of a larger dynamic Regional council.
Environmental management
COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE SERVICES
Council facilities are well patronised and offer a variety of services to the community.
Former Dubbo City Council Projects
Troy Rail Deviation Project Completed – giving road trains and B-doubles access from Newell Highway to Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets, Fletchers International and North Dubbo industrial estate.
New air routes to Brisbane, Melbourne and Newcastle with JETGO and Fly Pelican secured – Dubbo Regional Airport is an economic gateway to the Central, Orana and Far West Regions of the State and is one of the region’s key pieces of tourism infrastructure, as well as being the only regional airport in NSW that offers direct flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Darling Street redevelopment completed – renewed aged infrastructure and created a functional street design that also improved traffic management, pedestrian and cyclist amenity.
Old Mendooran Road Bridge completed – The construction of the new bridge solved the long-term problem of repeated flooding cutting road access.
Construction commenced on South Dubbo Weir Rock Ramp and Fishway – an essential community safety project that will also benefit native fishstock travelling between Dubbo and Burrendong Dam. The project is expected to be complete by 2017.
Construction commenced on Eumungerie Water Supply Scheme – 95 new connections bringing town water to the villages of Mogriguy and Eumungerie.
Dubbo Sewage Treatment Plant augmentation officially opened – increased capacity for 55,000 people which will cater for the projected growth of the city
$3.4 million of funding for airport runway strengthening project – will serve to increase capacity and services at the airport which will in turn drive investment and facilitate growth in the region.
Wheelers Lane level crossing upgraded to four lane dual carriageway – has improved traffic flow and created a link between the Mitchell Highway and the Golden Highway.
Dubbo Branch library renovations – New layout featuring two new meeting rooms, a local studies collection room, and a new children’s and youth reading area.
Victoria Park Tree Replacement Program – replaced the entire avenue of Silky Oak trees along Gordon Tindall Walkway in Victoria Park to retain the long term amenity of Dubbo’s oldest park.
Former Wellington Council Projects
Secured funding for the construction of Dripstone bridge replacement – eliminating detours of up to 40 kilometres for an important livestock freight route, helping drive the local economy. These works are expected to be completed by early 2017.
Completed road repairs, kerb and guttering and reseal in Percy Street – improved road safety, make life easier for residents, contributed to tourism and preserved history of town.
Secured funding for the $870,000 upgrade to Rygate Park included installation of lights and irrigation – which will benefit the economy and health of the community and engage youth with social activities. Stage 1 of this project was completed in September 2016, with plans for Stage 2 to commence in 2017.
Secured funding to the Wellington Caves complex and accommodation facilities – the total refurbishment of cabins and camping area will attract more tourism with more overnight stays having flow on effects for local economy and improved signage luring more visitors to Caves Complex. The accommodation upgrades were completed in October 2016.
#sceneinwello social media campaign to promote community spirit and involvement, which has so far attracted posts about local characters, events and tourist attractions.
Kennard Park $200,000 grant secured – to upgrade facilities for sporting groups
Funding secured for Gundy Bridge reconstruction – will drive greater efficiency in road freight and traffic movement with work scheduled to commence in 2017.
Crime Prevention Plan adopted to help implement a coordinated effort between Council, the police and other agencies to address community concerns around crime.
Future of Dubbo Regional Council
The Dubbo Regional Council area is now home to more than 51,000 people spread across the City of Dubbo, the main centre of Wellington and a broad rural sector stretching across 7,500m2.
Completing major capital works and investing in new infrastructure is a priority for the Council. $9 million in funding from the Stronger Communities Fund will be allocated to major projects and $350,000 Stronger Communities - Community Grants will be distributed in financial year 2016/2017.
Last Edited: 01 Nov 2021