Straight from the Mayor’s Mouth with Mathew Dickerson from Dubbo Regional Council

Will we continue to see the Fowler Steam Engine on the streets of Wellington? Budget discussions start for next financial year. Developers attend a forum in Dubbo.

What is the future for the Fowler Steam Engine located in Wellington? 
News from the latest Developers’ Forum. 
Councillors attend their first workshop to discuss the budget for 2023/2024 financial year. 
Kumon State Combined Athletics Carnival brings thousands to Dubbo. 
Wellington Vintage Fair a great success. 
Macquarie Anglican Grammar School discusses a new podcast. 
Holi Mela Festival of Colours held on Saturday in Dubbo. 
Grand re-opening of Breakthru office. 
Fixing Country Roads announcement for Saxa Road. 
Met with Year 4 student at Council. 
World Day of Prayer at St. Brigid’s. 
Sir Roden Cutler Viewing Platform To Be Demolished. 
Limerick of the Week. 

Do we want a 4th McDonald’s in Dubbo, $5 million road allocation to be spent on which roads, new technology to help parking officers and ARTEXPRESS opens.

How many McDonald’s is too many and what is Council doing about it? 
When will construction start on the Wiradjuri Cultural Tourism Centre? 
Where is Council going to spend the additional $5 million that it received for roads? 
What is going to happen with the severe erosion that occurred at Pioneer Park and at the Duke of Wellington Bridge in Wellington? 
New technology being trialled by Council parking officers. 
ARTEXPRESS features 38 bodies of work by 2022 HSC students from across NSW. 
Who will decide on the tender for the new fluoride dosing system at the Water Treatment Plant? 
A decision has been made on the electricity supply for Council’s large electricity sites. 
A very successful weekend with NSW Touch Junior State Cup being held in Dubbo. 
Limerick of the Week. 

$9.23 million grant to Council for more housing, Dubbo to welcome 7,000 people for the NSW Touch Junior State Cup, new residents welcomed to Dubbo and ARTEXPRESS opens this week.

Thanks to SES after our recent storms and a last update on green waste. 
New residents welcomed to Dubbo. 
Meeting held on-site to discuss 12 Mile Road and Goolma Road. 
City of Dubbo Eisteddfod AGM. 
Wellington Australia Day committee debrief meeting. 
$9.23 million from the State Government to develop 6,000 residential blocks of land. 
Final submissions received for the Macquarie River Masterplan. 
NSW Touch Junior State Cup being held in Dubbo this week. 
ArtExpress opens this week. 
Limerick of the Week. 

Backyard sheds – becoming too large? How did Dubbo survive the recent storms? Seven years after amalgamation will we see water and sewer rates harmonisation? Would you like to donate a Park Bench?

The community suffered significant storm damage on Thursday night. What is Council doing to help the clean up? 
Under Section 226 (d) of the Local Government Act, a Mayor has rarely used powers. Why were these powers exercised recently? 
Would you like to donate a commemorative Park Bench? Council needs a policy for that! 
Backyard sheds are becoming larger all the time. A Development Control Plan is required. 
Minimum lot sizes are going down in various developments in Dubbo. How small is too small? 
Despite the fact that it is almost seven years after the amalgamation, Wellington residents and Dubbo residents are still paying different amounts for water and sewer. Is it time to fix this? 
An update on the progress of the Fluoride Dosing System for the Dubbo Water Treatment Plant. 
What is the plan for the Keswick Estate fence line along the Mitchell Highway? 
Road closure updates for the NSW Touch Football Junior State Cup coming up on 24 – 26 February. 
Dubbo was recently involved in meetings in Canberra. Was anything achieved? 
Limerick of the Week. 

Futuristic flight testing at Bodangora Airstrip, potential location change for future Council meetings, Dubbo Sports Hub going ahead and money for roads.

Why is Dubbo letting surrounding areas snare the big football and cricket matches? 
What futuristic flight testing is taking place at Bodangora Airstrip? 
Why did residents from the Comobella area meet with Council representatives at Comobella Hall this week? 
Is the location for Council meetings about to throw away almost 50 years of history for the sake of efficiency? 
What was achieved at the latest Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone Community Reference Group meeting? 
Is the Dubbo Sports Hub finally going to go ahead after first being announced in 2018? 
What was our share of the $280 million allocated to Regional Roads? 
What was the Limerick of the Week about this week? 

Sandy Beach movement of sand, recap of Australia Day ceremonies in Dubbo and Wellington, Pumped Hydro scheme near Burrendong Dam and Boothenba Road upgraded.

Update on Australia Day ceremonies in Dubbo and Wellington. 
Sandy Beach sand movements being discussed with NSW Fisheries. 
Boothenba Road upgraded at the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets intersection. 
Rural Fire Service Training Centre and upcoming Aerial Firefighting conference. 
Pumped Hydro scheme proposed near Burrendong Dam. 
Council taking part in a trial with NSW Government’s OneRoad system which will feed information directly through to Live Traffic NSW. 
Limerick of the Week. 

Sporting Carnivals in Dubbo, update on roads and funding, Green Energy Hub and details on Australia Day ceremonies.

2023 Swimming NSW Country Regional Meeting currently being held in Dubbo. 
NSW Country Athletic Championships currently being held at Barden Park. 
Council developing a business case for the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone Green Energy Hub. 
New Horseland store opened in Dubbo. 
New Zoo Hospital facility at the Zoo. 
Roads, roads, roads. 
Smokescreen Film Series returns to the Western Plains Cultural Centre. 
Details about Australia Day ceremonies in Wellington and Dubbo. 
Update on Fluoride in the drinking water in Wellington and Dubbo. 
Cricket NSW State Challenge for U14 Boys and U15 Girls being held in Dubbo. 
Latest news on the Old Dubbo Gaol entrance upgrade. 
Expressions of Interest invited for the Villages Committee. 
Reflection on Council in 2022. 
Limerick of the Week. 

Mayor Mathew Dickerson speaks to Councillor Shibli Chowdhury and Councillor Lewis Burns reflecting on a year since the new Council was sworn-in.

While the normal host of Mayoral Memo is taking a break over Christmas, Mayor Mathew Dickerson took the opportunity to interview the Councillors after one year of the new Council. 
 
All Councillors were offered the opportunity to answer the same ten questions and each week two Councillors are featured (in reverse alphabetical order). 
 
The normal podcast will resume when Mark Barnes returns from holidays. 

Mayor Mathew Dickerson speaks to Councillor Jess Gough and Councillor Vicki Etheridge reflecting on a year since the new Council was sworn-in.

While the normal host of Mayoral Memo is taking a break over Christmas, Mayor Mathew Dickerson took the opportunity to interview the Councillors after one year of the new Council. 
 
All Councillors were offered the opportunity to answer the same ten questions and each week two Councillors are featured (in reverse alphabetical order). 
 
The normal podcast will resume when Mark Barnes returns from holidays. 

Mayor Mathew Dickerson speaks to Councillor Damien Mahon and Councillor Richard Ivey reflecting on a year since the new Council was sworn-in.

While the normal host of Mayoral Memo is taking a break over Christmas, Mayor Mathew Dickerson took the opportunity to interview the Councillors after one year of the new Council. 
All Councillors were offered the opportunity to answer the same ten questions and each week two Councillors are featured (in reverse alphabetical order). 
The normal podcast will resume when Mark Barnes returns from holidays. 

Mayor Mathew Dickerson speaks to Councillor Matt Wright and Councillor Pam Wells reflecting on a year since the new Council was sworn-in.

While the normal host of Mayoral Memo is taking a break over Christmas, Mayor Mathew Dickerson took the opportunity to interview the Councillors after one year of the new Council. 
All Councillors were offered the opportunity to answer the same ten questions and each week two Councillors are featured (in reverse alphabetical order). 
The normal podcast will resume when Mark Barnes returns from holidays. 

Launch of the New Resident Guide, Councillors playing Disc Golf, Needs vs Wants and Australian Government changes Citizenship Ceremonies Code.

Geosmin is the cause of the earthy smell in Dubbo’s water. 
The launch of the New Resident Guide for the Dubbo region. 
More information on the outcome of the EOI for The Greens (74 Wingewarra Street). 
Dubbo Masonic Village resident Daphne McLeod turned 100. 
Councillors played Disc Golf as part of their Christmas function. 
Ceremonies for the annual school awards. 
Draft Wellington Street Tree Master Plan. 
EV charger installations in Wellington. 
Weekly Mayoral column: Needs vs Wants. 
Breaking News: Australian Government announces changes to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code. 
Limerick of the Week. 

Australia Day changes, EVs coming to Council, draft Macquarie River Master Plan and the Alliance of Western Councils.

Is Dubbo Regional Council changing the date of Australia Day? 
Has the draft Macquarie River Master Plan silenced the conspiracy theorists? 
Who will be using the former Dubbo City Bowling Club for the next two years? 
Will the new Zero Emissions Fleet Strategy lead the nation in progress to Electric Vehicles? 
Where was the money sourced from to upgrade the Terrabella Bridge? 
Do we need more multicultural services in Dubbo? 
How significant is a CSU Graduation Ceremony for Dubbo? 
Why do we have an Alliance of Western Councils? 
What do we learn about the Clontarf program from the Delroy Clontarf Academy End of Year Awards? 
What happens at the Seniors Christmas Morning Tea events? 
What was the outcome from the annual CEO Performance Review? 
Limerick of the Week. 

Renewable Energy Zone – friend or foe? Was the Tamworth Street bridge reopened just for the Mayor to do parkrun? $30M for a new Zoo facility – how is Council involved?

$30 million for the Taronga Western Plains Zoo to build a Serengeti-like experience and 300-person conference centre. 
Climate Change and Resilience committee meeting. 
DRTCC 2023 Season Launch. 
VRA Commissioner Mark Gibson retires after 50 years of service. 
$123,103.69 given to community organisations. 
Dubbo Day Awards debrief meeting. 
Careers day held for students in Year 7 and 8. 
High Tea held to celebrate the centenary of both the NSW CWA and the Dubbo Branch of the CWA. 
Meeting held for the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone Community Reference Group. 
Christmas lights have now been turned on. 
Limerick of the Week. 

Why do you need to give your DOB when you call Council? Expressions of Interest invited for the former Dubbo City Bowling Club. Blueridge Link Road.

Dubbo Day Awards for 2022. 
Community Leaders’ Breakfast held again with Hon Mark Coulton MP, Hon. Dugald Saunders MP and Councillors. 
Council acquiring land for a Blueridge Link Road to take the pressure off Sheraton Road. 
$1 million allocated to the Regional Roads maintenance budget. 
$60,000 allocated to organisations as part of the Community Services Fund Round One. 
Dubbo Filmmakers member with his latest film on the big screen. 
Expressions of Interest invited for the former Dubbo City Bowling Club building and grounds. 
Green Day held at St Laurence’s Primary School. 
University of Sydney School of Rural Health launch new teaching building. 
Dubbo Regional Sports Awards. 
Date of Birth requirement when you call Council’s Customer Service. 
Limerick of the Week. 

River erosion around the Duke of Wellington, NSW Tourism Awards, Shoyoen Gardens anniversary and Council solving housing issues.

Results of erosion on the approach to the Duke of Wellington bridge. 
Dubbo winners at the NSW Tourism Awards and did the Mayor need to be there? 
Should Council be involved in providing public housing or affordable housing? 
Twentieth anniversary celebrations of the Shoyoen Japanese Gardens. 
The next Community Leaders’ Breakfast is on Saturday 26 November. Should you attend? 
How does the relationship work among Councillors, Council staff and the CEO? 
Should Council refine its focus on profitability outcomes with business units of Council? 
Congratulations to Isaah Yeo and Matt Burton – Rugby League World Cup champions. 
Limerick of the Week. 

e-Scooters in Dubbo, Residents Repairing Roads, Purchasing Green Electricity and Welcome to Dubbo’s Newest Australian Citizens.

Remembrance Day event without COVID-19 restrictions. 
Will you soon see e-Scooters on the streets of Dubbo? 
Can Councils share services to make individual Councils more efficient? 
More information on the North-West Urban Release Area Precinct Plan. 
A brief explanation of the Council Standing Committees. 
Could residents volunteer to do repairs on our roads? 
Has Council gone green with its purchasing of electricity? 
The numbers from the latest Citizenship Ceremony. 
You can be a part of the Shoyoen Gardens 20th anniversary celebrations. 
Limerick of the Week. 

NRL Matches in Dubbo, Roads Congress in Hobart, Shoyoen Gardens Anniversary and Bulky Rubbish Collection.

All the latest information on the poor state of the roads in the region.
Will Dubbo have an NRL match next year? If not, why not? 
Will Dubbo soon be the home of a hydrogen production facility? 
Do you want to run your own café as part of the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets? 
When will bulky rubbish collection occur in your area? 
When will Dubbo be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Shoyoen Gardens? 
When is the next Dubbo Day Awards ceremony? 
What has recently happened at Victoria Park Number 1 Oval? 
Limerick of the week. 

LGNSW Conference, More Flooding, Listener Questions and Council Meeting Outcomes.

Impacts of further flooding on Dubbo. 
Councillors attend the LGNSW Conference. 
Phone calls from the Premier and the Federal Minister for Local Government. 
Listener Question: Sheraton Road. 
Listener Question: Old Dubbo Gaol Plaza. 
Council meeting during the week and the concept of Councillors making decisions. 
Council meeting Outcome: Saxa Road. 
Council meeting Outcome: Renewable Energy Benefit Framework. 
Council meeting Outcome: Event Assistance Funds. 
Job relocation project with the Department of Regional NSW. 
Keswick Estate real estate auction. 
Weekly limerick. 

Rhino Awards, Flooding, DREAM and Keswick Estate auctions.

Chamber of Commerce Rhino Awards. 
Impacts of Flooding and Rainfall. 
DREAM Festival. 
Keswick Estate auctions. 
LGNSW Conference. 
lightsourcebp Solar Farm. 
3D Printing Amenities Block. 
Dubbo Day Awards. 
John Mason book launch. 
Little Wings fundraising dinner. 
Dubbo Rugby League players debuting for Australia. 
Sporting carnivals. 
Weekly Limerick.