COUNCIL WATCH Speak now or hold your peace, ‘til 2040
RESIDENTS who want to have a say on the future of Dubbo’s housing, infrastructure, economy, community leadership and liveability, have until Friday, June 8, to give Council their feedback.
The draft Dubbo 2040 Community Strategic plan is currently on public display for feedback.
“This public exhibition period is extremely important because in deciding on the final Dubbo 2040 (plan) and budget to be adopted (which will occur at the June 2018 Council meeting) Council must consider any public submissions that have been made concerning the Draft Plan,” mayor Ben Shields said.
To access the draft plan, Council has set up a free computer facility in its Church Street administration building foyer as well as hard copies for reading; hard copies are also on display at Macquarie Regional Library in front of Meeting 2 – right at the back of the library.
Residents can also make submissions on associated plans including a Delivery and Operational Plan, council Budget, resourcing strategy and the Macquarie Regional Library.
The 2040 plan outlines Dubbo’s demographics in 22 years’ time, including an estimated population increase of 12,288 people, that there will be 12,089 people over 65 years old and around 18,000 people below the age of 19. There will also be about 5000 more homes as there are today.
The 2040 plan acknowledges key points that have emerged from previous consultation with the community.
Among key concerns raised on housing include that red tape should be cut, more rental accommodation be available and residential land be made available between Wellington and Dubbo.
On infrastructure, key areas of discussion are that villages need better mobile coverage, public and council facilities should increasingly use renewable energy and internet speed be to a world standard.
Boosts to the economy include establishing a dedicated truck stop in Dubbo, explore and promote tourism opportunities associated with, for example, Burrendong Way and agriculture, and dedicated programs created to attract appropriately skilled professionals to the region.
Residents expect elected officials to work together for the betterment of the region, continue the sustainable management of Council’s finances to ensure there is no impact to land rates, and that council seeks all relevant grant funding opportunities.
A fifth theme of the 2040 plan is liveability achieved through services such as 24-hour policing, cycle and pedestrian facilities linking Wellington with the Wellington Caves, better support for migrants and master-planning of river environments.
Since the council merger of Dubbo City Council and Wellington Council, this plan is the first of its kind for Dubbo Regional Council.
To view the documents and submit feedback online go to www. dubbo.nsw.gov.au. Hard copies of the Draft Dubbo 2040 documents, including feedback forms, are publicly exhibited at the following locations:
z Civic Administration Building in Wellington
z Dubbo Branch of the Macquarie Regional Library
z Wellington Branch of the Macquarie Regional Library
z Ballimore Inn
z Eumungerie Post Office
z Wongarbon Post Office
z Geurie General Store
z Stuart Town Rural Transaction Centre (RTC)
z Burrendong Hotel