Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Josh Black will use the National Bush Summit this week to press the case for further investment into the Dubbo Region, with a particular focus on health, housing and infrastructure funding.
The Summit is being held over two days at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre on 26 and 27 August.
During the Summit the Prime Minister as well as state and territory leaders and national industry figures will be in Dubbo, giving the Mayor a direct line to the people who decide national infrastructure funding.
Clr Black said the Summit was an opportunity the region could not afford to miss.
"The Dubbo Region is booming and the Summit is the chance to make sure housing, health, transport and sporting infrastructure keep up with the pace of that growth, not only for Dubbo, Wellington and our villages, but also for the wider Western NSW communities that rely on us as a centre," Clr Black said.
Clr Black will speak with the Prime Minister, NSW Premier and relevant ministers about risks to growth of the area if Council doesn't receive State and Federal help to close the infrastructure funding gap.
"Our North-West Precinct will have the ability to accommodate an additional 15,000 residents, but we also need significant investment in roads, stormwater and community infrastructure before the land can be developed.
"We are looking for federal partnership to deliver the infrastructure, because here in regional Australia the cost of enabling that infrastructure is the barrier to housing affordability, not the availability of land itself," Clr Black said.
The Mayor will also look to raise as a priority the need for the Stage 5 rebuild of Dubbo Base Hospital to be funded, and the delivery of a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Dubbo.
"Dubbo is the capital of regional NSW which sees people being admitted to Dubbo Base Hospital from right across the western area. The General/Medical Ward and Paediatrics Ward are in critical need of an upgrade and are under increasing pressure despite the best efforts of the hardworking hospital staff.
"An Urgent Care Clinic would provide faster treatment for minor injuries and illnesses while easing pressure on our Emergency Department. It's something our community needs, especially with the cost of living the way it is," Clr Black said.
Council will also use the Summit to raise the importance of continued funding for the Dubbo Regional Airport and the additional $25 million required to complete the Dubbo Sport Hub and expand the facility allowing us to host regional, state and national tournaments.
The National Bush Summit was first held in Dubbo in 2019 and returns this year as a two-day program.
