Dubbo Regional Council's (DRC) draft 2023/2024 budget, delivery program and operational plan will continue to invest in an asset renewal program with key projects identified for Wellington.
"Council's asset maintenance replacement program ensures facilities and parks are accessible to the community in a satisfactory condition," Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council, Mathew Dickerson said.
"It is important to have an ongoing plan to continue to re-invest into the assets in our region that will have a social, physical and economic impact on the community."
Over the next 12 months DRC proposes to allocate $250,000 to upgrade the lighting at Cameron Park and $20,000 for renewing the irrigation system at the Oswano Japanese Gardens in Wellington.
A key focus for Council is to revitalise Pioneer Park in Wellington and rectify the flood damage to this facility. Council was able to secure grant funding from the NSW Government to undertake the following proposed works in the next 12 months in line with the Council's operational plan:
- $661,000 to renew the Pioneer Park pathways that were damaged by recent flooding. Concrete pathways will be installed to better withstand flooding in the future.
- $595,000 to renew the irrigation system at Pioneer Park and rehabilitate the western side of Pioneer Park, this will include replanting native vegetation in the area to help reduce erosion.
- $300,000 to stabilise the bank of the Bell River near Pioneer Park. This will include rock armouring and re-vegetation to protect the river bank from erosion and improve habitat for the local population of platypuses.
"It is hoped that following the extensive work at Pioneer Park a local parkrun will be able to be established in Wellington and provide a free physical activity option on a Saturday morning for the local community."
"Council is supporting the liaison with the Wellington community and parkrun Australia to develop this from an idea to a reality."
DRC is responsible for over 1100 recreation and open space assets in the region which includes sporting facilities, parks and reserves and aquatic facilities.
Over the next eight months Council will also continue repair work with heavy patching to be undertaken as part of the Council's operational plan utilising $5 million in funding from the Regional and Local Repair Roads Program provided by the NSW Government.
"Continuing to repair roads damaged from the heavy rainfall and flooding last year remains a top priority for Council," Clr Dickerson said.
The draft 2023/2024 budget, delivery and operational plan are currently on display with community feedback invited until 5pm, Monday 29 May 2023. View the associated documents and further information at http://yoursay.dubbo.nsw.gov.au or view hard copies at Council's Customer Experience Centres in both Dubbo and Wellington and the Macquarie Regional Library branches in Dubbo and Wellington.
