Weekly Wrap

Welcome to the weekly wrap; a look at what’s made news around Dubbo Regional Council in the past week.

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28 February 2026 - 6 March 2026

Welcome to March, where there's a lot happening in Council news this week.

NSW Touch Junior State Cup is back: NSW Touch Football announced they will bring the 2027 NSW Touch Junior State Cup Northern Conference to Dubbo for another year. We have hosted the past four events and had recently submitted a bid for the next three years. NSW Touch Association made the announcement about 2027, saying future years were undecided. Read more about the decision here.

Community survey open online now: Calls as part of the Community Insight Survey are now complete, and our online survey is now open. This survey is your chance to share what matters most, tell us about your experiences with Council’s services and facilities, and help shape how well we’re meeting the community’s expectations. Completing this survey will take approximately 10 minutes, and your feedback is greatly valued. You can take part in the online survey here. The survey closes at 9am on Monday, 30 March 2026.

Read and listen with your mobile device: Join the Wellington Macquarie Regional Library team and learn how to download our free eBooks and eAudiobooks to your mobile device. This is a practical easy-to-follow 45-minute session that is an introduction to these online resources, including downloading apps to mobile devices, searching and borrowing eBooks and eAudiobooks. There are two sessions available on Thursday 5 March from 11am to 11.45am and Tuesday 10 March from 11am to 11.45am These events are free. Register here.

Beginner digital essentials: The Dubbo Macquarie Regional Library is hosting digital essentials workshops during March. These sessions are in friendly small groups over four weeks to help you feel more confident using your device for everyday tasks. Learn basic settings, send emails, search the internet, share photos, create and manage passwords, and recognise common scams. These sessions run on Fridays from 10.30am to 11.30am throughout March. Bring your own device. Bookings essential, click here.

Calling emerging artists: We are looking for the next round of emerging artists to join the HomeGround program. Tina Pech was a HomeGround artist in 2025 and shared the following testimonial as to why artists should apply. “HomeGround was a fulfilling and empowering experience. Seeing the visual culmination of my work in the gallery space was an emotionally awesome moment. I am sincerely grateful for this experience and highly recommend the program,” Tina Pech said. Eligible artists must live within a 200-kilometre radius of Dubbo. HomeGround applications close Friday 10 April 2026. For information and application forms visit Western Plains Cultural Centre's website.

Wambool Park playground closed: Wambool playground in Yarrawonga Estate is closed due to a fire causing significant damage to elements of the playground. We are assessing the damage caused but community should expect the playground to be closed for some time whilst repairs are undertaken. If you have information regarding the vandalism, please report it to the NSW Police.

Fireworks notification: We want to support pet owners in our community with notification of approved fireworks activity. Our webpage features a space for us to add approved fireworks activity when we are aware of it. The next approved fireworks planned for our region will be held on Saturday 7 March 2026 at Dubbo Showground in Dubbo as part of a public event; Monster Truck Mayhem Thrill and Stunt Show. The event runs between 4pm and 8pm.

Share the Dignity Council Cares program: We have joined the Share the Dignity Council Cares program with a period products dispenser purchased to use at community events and at Macquarie Regional Library's Dubbo branch. The portable dispenser holds 16 period packs and is refilled by staff as required. So far 60 products have been distributed from the dispenser both at events and whilst at the Dubbo Library. This is the first dispenser for Council and will act as a pilot program with data on usage to help guide future planning for possible expansion of the program.

Microchipping your pets: All cats and dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks old, or before being sold or adopted. Whichever comes first. Whoever sells, gives away or rehomes the pet must ensure it is microchipped first. Though it is the responsibility of all pet sellers and owners to be informed of requirements. Next steps? Within 28 days after microchipping takes place you can register your pet on NSW Pet Registry. Transfer of ownership or change of address or details can be updated on NSW Pet Registry afterwards to ensure your pet can be returned home to you if lost.

Strong seasons start with smart drought prep: Drought-ready isn’t a reaction, it’s a strategy. Plan ahead while conditions are still manageable. Taking action today will help protect your home, farm, or business if conditions worsen. Practical templates and resources are available to help you including drought decision making, on-farm drought management and on-farm drought advice and resources. Get started here.

21 February 2026 - 27 February 2026

We're into the last week of the month. Here are some of the things that have made Council's news this week.

New Residents Event: We will be hosting our next resident event on Tuesday 17 March and all established or new residents of our region are invited. Be part of this free welcoming community event at Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, where you can chat with other locals and learn more about what groups and networks are available in our region. RSVP today.

Welcome new citizens: We welcomed 51 Dubbo Region residents become Australian citizens at our two citizenship ceremonies at the Western Plains Cultural Centre. They have come from a a variety of backgrounds and have chosen our region as their home. Welcome!

Celebrating our seniors: NSW Seniors Festival 2026 is happening in March and we’re inviting seniors in the region to get involved! We’re holding a Councillors’ BBQ on Thursday 12 March 12pm – 2pm at the Senior Citizen Centre, Wellington and a Seniors Expo on Friday 20 March 9:30am – 12pm at the Dubbo RSL, Dubbo. RSVP is required for the Councillors' BBQ by phoning 6801 4476. There’s also a range of exciting community activities happening across the region throughout March, including tech help workshops, Carer’s Big Lunch, and the Between the Notes Sing Out Choir cocktail party. To find out more, visit Council’s Customer Experience Centres in Dubbo or Wellington to get your Seniors Festival calendar of events.

Gladys is coming to DRTCC: A sharp, cheeky, and irresistibly toe-tapping new musical comedy is heading to Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre as Watch and Act Productions presents Gladys – A Musical Affair, a riotous look at the rise and fall of one of Australia’s most talked about political figures. Audiences will journey through Gladys’s early life, her polished public persona, her leadership through two major crises, and ultimately her most infamous challenge: the saga of “Dodgy Daryl” from Wagga Wagga. Playing Friday 13 March at 7:30pm. Head to DRTCC's website to find out more and grab your tickets here.

14 February 2026 - 20 February 2026

Here are some of the things that made news this week.

The Visitor’s Centre team are back: After moving to the Old Dubbo Gaol for a few days while the building was painted, the team are back and operating from the Visitor’s Centre building. Visit them if you need assistance with information about the region, great regional produce and visitors guides from other destinations around the state.

FOGO makes the community a scrap-load better: When the whole street works together, we can make our community a scrap-load better. Did you know that when food and garden waste is incorrectly disposed of into landfill, it creates methane - a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than Co2! With your FOGO green bin being serviced each week, it’s important to put all your Food Organics and Garden Organics into the correct bin, so it’s diverted from landfill. Every single scrap on scrap street is turned into professionally-treated compost, supporting our local farmers to grow food, so let’s get our scrap together.

Calling in: Micromex will be calling in from today, Monday 16 February, for our Community Insights Survey. We measure your overall satisfaction with our performance through the Community Insights Survey to understand your priorities and experiences when dealing with Council across the many facilities and services. Keep an eye out for Micromex's phone number (02 7249 4488) over the next 8 to 10 days. Find out more about the Community Insights Survey here.

Community collaboration: We spoke to Neil and Adam from Dubbo Regional Sports Council to find out what being a part of a community-led group means for its members and wider network. The group is used for information sharing, collaboration and building relationships across various sporting codes in the Dubbo Region. We’re forming a similar group for collaboration between industries such as social services and creative practices. Expressions of interest are currently open for the Dubbo Regional Cultural Council until 9am on Monday 17 March. Find out more about the Cultural Council here.

Traffic changes for Junior State Cup: From 20 to 22 February 2026 the Dubbo Region will welcome over 10,000 participants, officials and spectators for the NSW Touch Football Junior State Cup Northern Conference. Residents may experience changes to traffic conditions including road closures to support the increase in traffic for the event. Temporary road closures for the event will be in place from 7pm on Thursday 19 February to 7pm on Sunday 22 February 2025 and include:

Sandy Beach Road from Ian Drake Drive to South Street
Bligh Street from Bultje Street to Macquarie Street
Ian Drake Drive from Bligh Street to Sandy Beach Road
South Street from Bligh Street to Tamworth Street

Temporary road closures between 5am to 7pm (daily) from 20 February to 22 February:

Tamworth Street from South Street to Macquarie Street
Tamworth Street from Macquarie Street to Brisbane Street
Macquarie Street from Cobra Street to Tamworth Street (local residents only).
Sandy Beach car park will be closed from 9am on Monday 16 February to 9am on Monday 23 February 2026.

1000 Books Before School: Spend time sharing books with your child while building early literacy skills with 1000 Books Before School – a free early literacy program for ages 0 to 5 years. Visit your local library to register your child and received a free reading kit including a library bag, a book and your child’s first reading log. Every book that your child completes or actively listens to is then recorded on their reading log and they earn exciting rewards as they make their way towards 1000 books. Pop in and see the team Macquarie Regional Library's Dubbo or Wellington branch or visit www.mrl.nsw.gov.au

Changes to Public Forums at Council Meetings: Following changes to the Code of Meeting Practice by the Office of Local Government at the end of last year, we've had to make some changes to the way we hold our public forums. On Tuesday 24 February, the Public Forum will be held between 4.30pm and 5.15pm at the Council Chambers in Wellington. Speakers must register by 2pm on Tuesday by emailing governance@dubbo.nsw.gov.au or downloading the form. Speakers are only able to address topics on the agenda for the Council meeting. At the Council meeting, a report will be brought to Council to determine the future of public forums.

Travel made easier, with understanding: Planning to travel in 2026? Plan ahead and request your Sunflower lanyard in advance. Our airport is committed to helping our passengers stay connected through safe, inclusive travel through partnership with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. Sunflower lanyards are available on request. Together, we’re making air travel in our region more accessible. Find out more here.

7 February 2026 - 13 February 2026

The second week of February and we are enjoying the relief from those 40 plus days. Here are some of the things that made news this week

New exhibition for Dubbo-based artist: Ruby Davis will showcase her exhibition Rivers Flow to the Sea, to the Sea at the Western Plains Cultural Centre from 7 February to 26 April 2026. Ruby’s exhibition explores the beauty of the local environment, the issues, both environmental and man-made, that plague the Darling Baaka River. You can join the official opening for this exhibition on Friday, 13 February from 6pm. This is a free event, but bookings are essential with light refreshments provided. This exhibition is supported by funding from Create NSW.

Fireworks notification: The next approved fireworks are planned for our region on Saturday 7 March 2026 at the Dubbo Showground as part of the Monster Truck Mayhem Thrill and Stunt Show.

HomeGround applications: The Western Plains Cultural Centre is calling for artists to apply for the next round of HomeGround, a professional development program for emerging artists. HomeGround is designed for artists wanting to expand their skills, have the potential to extend their practice and benefit from the experience of working alongside curatorial staff within a professional gallery. Eligible artists must live within a 200-kilometre radius of Dubbo. HomeGround applications close Friday 10 April 2026. For information and application forms visit the Western Plains Cultural Centre or contact Natasha on 6801 4444.

Annual bitumen reseal program starts: Dubbo Regional Council’s annual bitumen resealing program will begin this month. The work is expected to be completed by the end of April, weather permitting. Resealing will occur in 58 locations across Dubbo, Wellington and the surrounding villages. Road resealing is a critical infrastructure program aimed at improving and extending the life of the Dubbo Region road network. To keep up to date on this project, and view the full list of roads being resealed visit the YourSay page.

Community Survey coming: Council will run the biennial Community Survey once again this year. The Community Insights Survey, a statistically valid phone survey, will run from 16 February and be undertaken by Micromex. The Community Input Survey, available for anyone to undertake online, will run from 2 March.

Resident Night Stallholders call out: Dubbo Regional Council will be hosting our next resident event on Tuesday 17 March and are calling for stallholders to register their interest. This is a great opportunity for businesses, local facilities, community groups and sporting organisations to connect with new residents as well as people who are just looking to learn more about what is on offer. It's free to be a stallholder. To register your interest visit the website.

Fresh new look: Painting works are well underway at the Dubbo Visitor Information Centre to give the inside of the building a refresh. Paint works are being undertaken by a local contractor and are expected to be completed by the end of the week with the Visitor Information Centre will return to normal operation from Monday 16 February 2026. Painting the exterior of the building will then take place in late February but will not impact access to the Visitor Information Centre during this time. These works are part of Dubbo Regional Council’s asset maintenance and renewal program.

Cemetery clean up: Teams are out this week cleaning and maintaining regional cemeteries in readiness for any visitors during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. You can assist the team caring for these spaces by following guidelines on permitted placement of flowers and tributes and returning to collect any items again. There will be no vehicle access for visitors to Wellington Cemetery on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 February while a broken water pipe is being repaired due to storm damage. Visitors can still park and enter on foot during this time. We encourage visiting friends and families to tidy plots of loved ones while there, especially after storm events when tributes can be damaged. If you notice anything needing attention you can submit a request or report through our DRC&ME Portal. Find out more about visiting our cemeteries here.

Waste 2 Art entries open: It’s time to transform rubbish into art and channel your creativity into something unique for the annual Waste 2 Art community art competition. This year’s theme is ‘shrink your footprint’ and entries are now open. Find out more here.

31 January – 6 February 2026

Welcome to the second month of the year. Let’s see what made news around the Dubbo Region Local Government area in the past week.

Bodangora Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund now open: The Bodangora Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund is now open. The fund supports projects that deliver social, economic or environmental outcomes to local communities of Wellington and village districts. Applications can now be made by eligible not-for-profit community organisations through SmartyGrants. The Bodangora Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund has been created from Development Contributions arising from the Planning Agreement between Council, Iberdrola Australia and Bodangora Wind Farm Pty Ltd. Eligible community groups include those in the Wellington and Villages Districts of the Dubbo Region Local Government Area. Find out more on our funding page.

Community Funding Program information session: A short information session about the new program and process for applying will be held at 5.30pm on Tuesday, 10 February. People and organisations that are interested in applying for funds under the program should register to attend before 1pm on Tuesday 10 February 2026. The session will be held at Dubbo Civic Administration Building Conference Room, but will also be available to those who have registered via MS Teams online.

Cultural Council: We're seeking six community members to join the Dubbo Region Cultural Council. Community members are encouraged to apply if they can reflect and represent the following stakeholder areas. We are looking for two Social Services Community Representatives which may include stakeholders from health services, community services, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, disability and aged services, and youth services. We are also looking for four Regional Creative Practitioners which may include stakeholders from creative, cultural, or heritage organisations; independent creative practitioners; and event or program managers. Express your interest by 9am on Wednesday 4 March 2026 here.

Flags at half-mast for Peter Milling OAM: Flags were lowered to half-mast on 3 Febraury out the front of the Dubbo Civic Administration Building, in a mark of respect and mourning for the late Peter Milling OAM. Mr Milling was a well-respected leader in the livestock, thoroughbred and property industries and worked with Dubbo City Council and Dubbo Regional Council on a number of projects over the years. He died on 19 January 2026, aged 95, and is remembered by his family and our community. Mr Milling's contribution to our community has made it stronger in so many ways. Read more about his contributions here.

Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets masterplan: The masterplan for Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets is now on public exhibition. This plan will help guide the future direction of the markets, ensuring that the facility and its services remain current and meet the evolving needs of the industry and stakeholders. Residents are encouraged to have their say by 9am on Wednesday 25 February on the YourSay page here.

Update your pet’s details: Moved house recently? Don’t forget to move your pet’s details too - their microchip needs the new address so they can always find their way back home. The NSW Pet Registry is the official place for updating your contact details, updating your pet’s name, address, or status and transferring ownership. Simply visit their website. All cats and dogs in NSW must be registered on the NSW Pet Registry once they are microchipped and before they reach 12 weeks.

Need childcare? Rainbow Cottage Childcare Centre has availability in the Preschool room on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Children eligible for this room are 3.5 to 5 years of age. Rainbow Cottage has a trained Early Childhood Teacher who facilitates the preschool program providing your child the skills to be ready for school. Contact 6801 4480 for more details.

Tree removal at Ollie Robbins Oval: We're removing three trees at Ollie Robbins Oval today to ensure the safety of oval users. New plantings are planned throughout the reserve and will be carried out at the end of the hot summer. The aim is to substantially improve shade coverage across the oval.

Great Southern Nights: Proudly supported by Dubbo Regional Council, Great Southern Nights is kicking off in spectacular style with Live Fest Dubbo, landing at Lazy River Estate on Saturday 2 May 2026. This family-friendly, all-ages, licensed event will bring some of Australia’s most iconic and loved artists to the region including Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, The Cruel Sea, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers and Jess Hitchcock. Dubbo tickets are on sale Wednesday 11 February at 10am (local). Click here for full event information.

New work at Western Plains Cultural Centre showcases Darling Baaka River: Dubbo-based artist Ruby Davies will showcase her new exhibition Rivers Flow to the Sea, to the Sea at the Western Plains Culture Centre from 7 February to 26 April 2026. Ruby Davies grew up regionally and has been creating art since she was a young child and went on to study at the Sydney College of Arts in Balmain. The exhibition is a timely investigation into our vital river systems and the cultural and environmental impact of the Darling Baaka – challenging us in regional communities to become participants in their recovery. The official opening for Rivers Flow to the Sea, to the Sea by Ruby Davies will be held on Friday 13 February at 6pm. This is a free event with light refreshments provided. Bookings are essential. This exhibition is supported by funding from Create NSW.

January 2026

24-30 January 2026

We are 1/12 of the way through the year! Let’s see what’s been making news over the past week.

Australia Day: We recognised Australia Day in Dubbo and Wellington with ceremonies honouring some amazing people in our region. Congratulations to all the award winners. We also welcomed 19 residents who became Australia Citizens at the Dubbo Australia Day event. The citizens came from a variety of backgrounds and we are excited they have chosen our region as their home.

Community conversations: Keen to talk to staff in a face-to-face setting. We are running a number of pop-ups around the region where you can have your say while going about your day! Find us at the Geurie Lions Markets on 31 January from 8am to 1pm, the Tamworth Street Shopping Centre on 20 February from 2pm to 4pm and outside Snares Newsagency on 12 March from 10am to 12pm.

Rates: The third instalment of the 2025/2026 financial year rates notice has been issued, and is due by 28 February 2026. You can make a payment on the notice either Online using Visa or Mastercard at Council’s DRC&ME portal; In person with cash, EFTPOS or myDubboRegion gift card at Council’s Dubbo Office, at Corner Darling and Church streets; In person with cash, EFTPOS or myDubboRegion gift card at Council’s Wellington Office, at Corner Nanima Crescent and Warne Street or Using Post Billpay in-store at local Post Office, via phone on 13 18 16, or online.

Bulky rubbish collection service survey: In July 2024, we introduced a trial of a new, bookable bulky rubbish collection service. We're now seeking feedback from eligible residents who have not used the service, to understand any barriers to booking the service and to inform future decisions about how bulky rubbish collection services are delivered. Take part in the survey via the YourSay page.

Apply today: Applications are now open for our Community Funding Program, which streamlines our grant and funding opportunities. Applications must be submitted via Smarty Grants by 5pm Saturday 28 February to be considered for the second assessment period. Applications are accepted throughout the year with two assessment periods annually. For more information visit the funding webpage.

Calling creatives: It’s time to start thinking about how you can transform rubbish into art for the annual Waste 2 Art competition. This year’s theme is ‘shrink your footprint’ and focuses on what we can do in our lives to help reduce our footprint on the environment. There are several categories including early education, primary and secondary school students as well as community members and professional artists in the Open category. Stay tuned for more details on when the Waste 2 Art competition open.

Temporary relocation: The Dubbo Visitor Information Centre will be temporarily closing from 1 to 15 February 2026 whilst painting is undertaken inside the building. Staff will be relocating to the Old Dubbo Gaol from 2 to 15 February 2026 to assist with visitor enquiries from 9am to 4.30pm. The Visitor Information Centre will return to normal operation from Monday 16 February 2026. Painting the exterior of the building will take place in late February and will not impact access to the Visitor Information Centre. These works are part of Dubbo Regional Council’s asset maintenance and renewal program.

10-23 January 2026

Can you believe it’s almost the end of the first month of January? Let’s see what’s been making news over the past fortnight across among Council news and across our social pages.

Fire along the Tracker Riley Shared Pathway: A fire along a section of the Tracker Riley Shared Pathway in Dubbo temporarily closed the track for a few days. Residents were asked to stay away from the area, on the western side of the river across from Lady Cutler Oval, following a fire that continued to smoulder for a number of days in large gum trees, creating a risk of falling debris. The pathway was closed between the Yabang Gee Bridge at the end of Tamworth Street, the Newell Highway and the footbridge at Sir Roden Cutler Park. For public safety reasons, the area was closed for several days while the risk posed by fire-damaged and unstable trees is assessed and mitigated.

Barden Park welcomed Athletics NSW Championships: Barden Park was temporarily closed for three days when the Athletics NSW Championships were held at the venue. More than 700 competitors and supporters visited the region for the event, which is proudly sponsored by Dubbo Regional Council.

Smokescreen: The first film for the Smokescreen 2026 line-up is Vertigo, the 1958 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The first film will be shown on Saturday, 7 Febraury at the Western Plains Cultural Centre from 4pm, with a run time of 128 minutes. It’s classified PG. You can grab your tickets at 123 Tix.

Book club, for kids: Macquarie Regional Library is launching three new book clubs in 2026 at the Dubbo Library specifically for children and young people. These three new book clubs are free to join and aim to bring young people together, allow them to share their favourite reads and enjoy some fun challenges and activities together. The book clubs are for the following ages: Story Seekers Book Club for ages 9 to 11, meeting the second Tuesday of each month from 4pm to 5pm; Page Turners Book Club for ages 12 to 14, meeting the third Tuesday of each month from 4pm to 5pm; Next Chapter Book Club for ages 15 to 18, meeting the fourth Tuesday of each month from 4pm to 5pm. Children and young people can drop in to their book club session each month - there is no booking required. Find out more visit: www.mrl.nsw.gov.au

Storm damage: A major storm passed through on January 14, causing significant damage to several areas across the region. Council received a high volume of calls to clean up and assess damage. Residents were asked to log tree damage at public spaces via DRC&ME and encouraged to use their household bin or tip voucher to dispose of damaged items or excess green waste.

Ambassadors announced: Australia Day Ambassadors Katie, Maggie and Michael Quach were announced, and we are looking forward to hearing their inspiring messages to the Dubbo and Wellington communities during our Australia Day events this year. Kate, Maggie and Michael Quach are the visionary siblings behind Beyond Best Before, a social-impact enterprise tackling food waste and promoting sustainable living. In 2025, their work earned international recognition with a place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list for Social Impact, highlighting their leadership in sustainability and innovation. Read more.

Cemetery clean up: Our teams were hard at work during this fortnight, cleaning and maintaining regional cemeteries managed by Council, in readiness for any visitors over the public holiday. Residents were asked to assist the team caring for these spaces by following guidelines on permitted placement of flowers and tributes and returning to collect any items again. We encouraged visiting friends and families to tidy plots of loved ones while there, especially after storm events when tributes can be damaged. If you notice anything needing attention you can submit a request or report through our DRC&ME Portal.

Footpath improvements in Wellington: We’re continuing works on footpath improvements in Wellington, with Glasson Street (between Simpson and Thornton streets) having existing kerb and guttering removed. This will prepare the site for new kerb and guttering to be laid throughout February, finishing in March, weather permitting. These works complement upgrades occurring in Parkes Street. Read more.

Business Leaders: The Business Leaders 2026 forum was announced, promising to be a transformative half day experience, crafted to equip business owners and leaders with the knowledge, insights and the tools to thrive in 2026. Keynote speaker will be Gus Balbontin, with other sessions around AI and automation, unlocking the power of your people and a regional leader insights panel. The event will be held from 9am to 1.30pm at the Dubbo RSL on 5 February, 2026. Dubbo Regional Council is proud to support Business Leaders 2026.

Local artists on show: Time is running out to see HomeGround and Dubbo-based artist Jennifer Moore’s first solo exhibition titled, A Journey at the Western Plains Cultural Centre. The exhibition will finish in a month on 22 February 2026. Jennifer’s work is predominately in the field of abstract and lyrical expressionism and has been involved in several group exhibitions and competitions prior to the HomeGround program. HomeGround is a professional development program sponsored by Wingewarra Dental Surgery and supported by Orana Arts.

HomeGround information session: The Western Plains Cultural Centre will be hosting an information session for the next HomeGround program. If you are an emerging artist and are keen to expand your skills and artistic practice, then come along and learn more about this professional development program. Successful Artists will collaborate and work alongside a curator to develop and realise their exhibition. Join us on Thursday 29 January from 6pm.

Red-lid bins are a last resort, not the first stop: Materials added to your residual red-lid bin at home all go direct to landfill. Small habits add up to big change for our community, so take a moment to check if the items you’re putting in could be recycled or composted instead.

Keeping pets safe in Summer: The increase in Summer heat this month brings real risks for your pets. We’re sharing some tips to help your pets stay comfortable. All pets: Ensure constant shade and plenty of fresh water; consider extra bowls or light water play; Avoid the midday heat; choose early morning or late afternoon for outdoor time; Never leave pets in cars; Provide cool, shaded, well-ventilated resting spots. If your pet has signs of heatstroke, move them to a cool area and call a local vet for support. Look for bright red gums, rapid breathing or panting, vomiting, lethargy or collapsing.

Extreme heat predictions: We are closely monitoring the changing conditions over the coming week and remain committed to prioritising community safety and wellbeing. Here’s what you need to know for the week ahead. Changes to services: Bin collection services will be starting earlier in the morning. Please put your bins out the night before your collection date next week; tree clean-up works are continuing across the region however there may be delays due to adjusted operational activities in response to forecast temperatures. Stay cool options: To support the community during the extreme heat, there are several cool and safe space available:

Splash Pad, Elston Park Dubbo – Remember to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide before you head to the park;
Dubbo Region Aquatic Leisure Centres in Dubbo, Wellington, Geurie will be open daily;
Macquarie Regional Library Dubbo and Wellington branches are open and provide a place of relief from the heat;
Wellington Caves. Did you know the caves stay at a constant temperature of around 18 degrees all year round? Local residents receive 50% off the ticket prices to Wellington Caves, you just need to provide your proof of residency;
Western Plains Cultural Centre is great place to escape the heat with free entry to galleries and museums, all in the airconditioned comfort. Creo Café will also be open.

1 - 9 January 2026

Happy New Year! Here’s to another year of working together and celebrating what makes our region a great place to visit, work and live in.

Tipping vouchers: Do you have extra rubbish after the holiday period? You can use your tipping voucher, by accessing it online anytime. Download your voucher before you head to the waste facilities to drop off your additional rubbish. Eligible households are entitled to one voucher per year. Start here.

Sporting boost for region: The region is receiving a major economic boost this summer, with five sporting events projected to inject more than $13 million into the local economy. These events include Cricket NSW Youth Championships in December, the Athletics NSW Country Championships, Cricket NSW Junior State Challenge and Little Athletics NSW Region 3 Championships in January and the NSW Touch Football Junior State Cup in February. Events like these benefit a wide range of areas across the region. These sporting events will see over $13 million flow through the regional economy including hospitality, accommodation, tourism and retail, which is a fantastic outcome for our region. Read more.

NSW Touch Junior State Cup opportunity: We’re getting ready to welcome 10,000 visitors for the NSW Touch Junior State Cup this February and your empty rooms or caravans may be of assistance. If you have a space available you can list your room with Fair Trading, list houses with short term rental website or register caravans on Camplify. Once complete, send your details to the Visitors Information Centre at tourism@dubbo.nsw.gov.au so they can be passed onto attendees for booking.

Reveal Collections websites: Dubbo Regional Council launched the new Reveal Collections website, home to digital records of the heritage and art collections from across our region. The website has a catalogue of objects, documents and artworks from the Western Plains Cultural Centre, Old Dubbo Gaol and Wellington Caves. The project also supported the digitisation of the Dundullimal Homestead - National Trust of Australia NSW collection. Currently there are 126 items available in the digitised collection on the website. The website is an ongoing project with new objects to be added in the future. This project was funded by NSW Government's Create NSW Creative Capital Grant Fund. Visit the website.

Homeground Program: Are you an emerging regional artist wanting to expand your skills, extend your artistic practice, and would benefit from the experience of working with a professional gallery? The HomeGround program could be for you. HomeGround is a professional development program designed for emerging regional artists. Successful Artists will collaborate and work alongside a curator to develop and realise their exhibition. Interested in applying but want to learn more? Join us for our information session on Thursday 29 January from 6pm to learn all about the program. Register for the session here.

FOGO bin: And a reminder – your FOGO bin is only for food scraps, green waste and nothing else. If you have a FOGO bin, it will have a green lid and is a home for all your food scraps and green waste. The food and plants in your FOGO bin are turned into great compost that is used to grow more food for you and your family, so let’s do the right thing and keep all plastic and other household waste out of your FOGO bin.

Looking to keep entertained these holidays? There’s a lot happening across the Dubbo Region.

The Out of Place exhibition at the Western Plains Cultural Centre is the perfect way to keep you cool and entertained. Designed for kids it’s also a great school holiday activity that explores the odd, curious and wonderfully weird.
While at the Western Plains Cultural Centre don’t forget to have a look at the Yayoi Kusama: The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens exhibition also on show. It’s on loan from the National Gallery of Australia.
Want to provide some inspiration for the self-portrait mural project happening at the Western Plains Cultural Centre? The mural aims to depict a living portrait of Dubbo’s young people and will feature on the wall of the Community Arts Centre. To get involved at home simply download the template, get creative and then upload your artwork. Your self-portrait can be vertical or horizontal and use any art materials as long as its two-dimensional. So, get your children and young adults aged between 5 to 18 to get creative. Submissions close Saturday 31 January 2026.
Did you know you get free entry if you are a local at the Old Dubbo Gaol? Proof of residency is required to gain free admission. There are characters in costume each day at 10am and 2pm, escape tours at 11am and 3pm and twilight tours. Escape to the Gaol these holidays!
The Macquarie Regional Library in Dubbo also has a range of activities to keep your kids entertained this January. The Summer of Colour, Beach Baby, Beach Buddies, Tropical Twinkle and Back to School Bling workshops offer fun for students from 5-12 years old. Bookings are essential and can be made by visiting the website or calling 6801 4510. The Dubbo branch also has weekly drop-in sessions with Lego on a Thursday from 3pm to 5pm and and Games from Wednesday from 3pm to 5pm. These sessions are free and bookings are not required.If you are in Wellington, the Big Summer Beads and Gumleaf Mobiles activities will happen during school holidays. The activities are free but bookings essential by calling 6840 1780 or online.
The Get Grubby Program is packed with eco-friendly fun to keep kids entertained all summer long. From planting seeds to cooking simple recipes, it’s learning disguised as play. Dubbo Regional Council provides free access to residents valued at $100, register today.

Last Edited: 06 Mar 2026