The 2016/17 operational plan and budget was the first for the new entity, and comprised both the former budget of Dubbo City Council and Wellington Council.

Slight changes were made to the document after 28 days on public exhibition.

After two submissions were made complaining about a proposed $50 fee per pilot using the Bodangora Aerodrome, administrator Michael Kneipp deleted the pilot fee and the $500 per day fee, going against the recommendations of council staff.

“It’s in the interest of economic development to encourage as much use of that facility as possible,” Mr Kneipp said.

The administrator also determined not to provide Wellington Arts with $40,000 in 2016/17.

“I follow the former Wellington council’s stance that it was one off funding, however when the community grants are advertised next month that can apply under that scheme, and I certainly encourage an application,” Mr Kneipp said.

 In regards to Dubbo, the budget remained mostly consistent from the former council’s document. 

The minimum rates for an ordinary residential property will be $487.60 per separate parcel of land, while for ordinary businesses it will be $641.50.

The Waste Management Service Charge for 2016/17 is $300, while the drainage service charge is $90.27 and the residential sewerage service charge is $725.

For all parcels of land where a water supply is available, the water charge will start at 254.50 for a 20 milimetre water meter.

The base amount for residential rates in Wellington will be $295, and for business it will be $335.

Council adopted an interest rate of eight per cent per annum on overdue rates and charges, which is the maximum amount permissible under the Local Government Act.

There was $195 million in this year’s budget, Mr Kneipp said, plus the $15 million from the NSW government following the amalgamation.

“I’m looking forward to the 2016/17 financial year being a very good one for the whole of the Western plains Regional Council,” he said.

Mr Kneipp said separate systems for Dubbo and Wellington would run this year, but the next 12 months would be spent merging the two former councils and the next budget would be seamless.