​Central Ward

Vicki Etheridge: It seems in the past the council has sat on its hands and waited for developers or retail chains to come to them. We need to start looking for opportunities and make representation to these companies whether it be residential with retail or just retail and work with them to make it work. No more slammed doors because it doesn't quiet fit. Make it fit!

John Ryan: We need to employ grants officers to bring more money into the DRC so we have resources to address these major problems. We also need to restructure the regional development section of council and make it an independent unit. These departments can never function in-house under a purely bureaucratic and process-driven culture like we have at DRC.

Josh Black: If the Dubbo region is growing, new businesses will want to open up. The council needs to continue to pursue regional development and make Dubbo an attractive, desirable place to do business.

Greg Matthews: While Council can beautify the CBDs, work on additional parking and encourage promotion of the CBD businesses. Much of these area’s futures rely on the landlord’s decisions regarding rent levels and maintenance of the shop fronts and the business’s ability to attract more traffic through promotion and perhaps matching the various malls opening hours.

Kris Stevens: Having spent a number of years living in Newcastle I have seen this problem addressed successfully through an innovative program known as “Renew Newcastle”. This program offers “an avenue for creative cottage industries to surface bringing soul, diversity and entrepreneurship” to the CBD. It has also made a considerable contribution to their economy.

I believe we could investigate expanding our “Ignite” program with a similar model to revitalise the CBD. 

South Ward

Greg Mohr: I believe there needs to be some consolation in exploring whether the main street in Dubbo should be blocked off so a mall-style shopping precinct can be operated.   I’m not saying it should happen but options like this need to be thought through. If we solve the main issue with the CDB in Dubbo, which is parking, then I think this will open other opportunities for people to operate a business.  There needs to be some relaxation of the Section 94 contributions which basically cripple new businesses from starting. Some of these costs can put thousands of dollars on potential businesses before the doors even think about getting opened.

For new businesses which intend to open in the CBD some exemption on rates and charges like DCC use to do for new operators at Dubbo Regional Airport can be put in place so they can have a leg up until they got on their feet.  

Manny Portelli: This is a hard one as people want new houses in newer outer suburbs which causes people to build out from these centres. Then the malls spring up. It would require working with the existing business in these centres to see what can be done to improve the shopping experience and also look at making living in the centre of Dubbo attractive.

Douglas Prior: The CBDs can be enhanced with targeted campaigns run in conjunction with each Chamber of Commerce co-hosting programs and resources.

Kevin Parker: Businesses come and businesses go. Not all premises meet the size as required, it is also important to remember.  Rentals at affordable  prices and the business meets the needs of the city

North Ward

Ben Shields: I have always held the view that bigger, better retail in the CBD is the way to bring more business and people to the CBD. It is for this reason I am a supporter of bringing Kmart to Dubbo, specifically the CBD. We need to gather interested landowners and other stakeholders together to promote the development opportunities in the CBD and find a solution for growth. The council may have to look at ways to reduce restrictions and red tape to help the CBD grow.

Merrilyn Mulcahy: There is a great deal of residential availability above the shops. If more above shop living was available, it would create a whole new life for the CBD and that would certainly assist in encouraging new business.

Jane Diffey: If the council is run efficiently and effectively and continues along its current path of economic prosperity Dubbo will remain attractive to investors. We need to continue to attract new industry and business to Dubbo and Wellington. New industry and business brings new jobs, more kids in schools, more people supporting our small businesses and securing the heart of our towns.

East Ward

Dayne Gumley: Reducing red tape and unnecessary regulations to smooth the process of entering the Dubbo market. The council also needs to work collaboratively with the Chamber of Commerce and other interested parties to create a coordinated strong approach.

Stephen Lawrence: Small business needs to be encouraged. Dubbo has adequate shopping malls. We need to keep the CBD vibrant. Businesses make business decisions. We need to make Dubbo and Wellington dynamic, diverse and exciting places of the future to attract more residents. Key to Wellington’s future is addressing social disadvantage and crime and perceptions around these issues. Then encouraging the growth of boutique industries and businesses. I see Wellington as a perfect place for things like an artist’s colony, boutique bed and breakfasts, Aboriginal led tourism enterprises and the like.  Dubbo needs to build on current progress and not lose momentum.

Cody Jones: There are two things we should do. We need to encourage everyone to buy locally in Dubbo and Wellington. If we can develop our economic base then the council will have a strong case to push when talking with businesses and companies from around the country about setting up business in Dubbo and Wellington. Secondly, we need to continue the push for population growth to attract more residents to the area. A dynamic and diverse council will assist with this. 

Ana Pateman: Young people should be encouraged to develop their entrepreneurship skills by setting up pop-up shops in empty premises. This could be a project for the Dubbo and Wellington Youth Councils. There could also be shopfront display competitions or the shopfronts could be used to promote local events. Locals interested in starting a small business should be given assistance to secure funding, support and advice. There are many avenues from which to source support to open a new business.

Chris Edwards:

To make it viable for retail business to be in the CBDs there has to be enough people (shoppers ) willing to go there instead of doing all their shopping at one of the major shopping malls. There has to be a reason or point of difference for people to go to the CBD in preference to other places. Improvements could be made in Dubbo and Wellington if the area close to the river was made more accessible and attractive and parking was improved.

Wellington Ward

Jacob Perry: In regards to opening up Dubbo CBD the nonsense of not being able to turn right onto Macquarie St for Cobra has to end. The council rates are the result of empty shop fronts and huge rental tariffs imposed by shop owners don't help. That's what's driven businesses out of Wellington. That's what's caused them to close in Dubbo. The council needs to drop its obsession of grabbing every available cent out of a business’s wealth when it’s not prepared to lend assistance. To put it plain and simple rates must be slashed to keep business competitive.

David Grant: In Wellington more jobs bring people to town, which would encourage people to open new businesses. Continue with the main street upgrade, along Lee St and up Maughan St. In Dubbo, more people need to be drawn to the CBD on Saturday and Sunday. The shopping centres are busy but the main street is very quite. We need to work out a way for people to leave the shopping centre and walk up the street. (Markets at the Rotunda is a good start).

Nine candidates had not responded by publication time: Lisa James, Tyler Przerada, Nathan Ellis, Nikki Catelotti, Shayne Stiff, Anne Jones, Mark Griggs, Mike Augee and Adam Ryan.