Key changes include: Creating an Office of the General Manager; Reducing the number of divisions from six to five; reducing the number of direct reports to the general manager from seven to six; renaming of divisions to more accurately reflect their areas of responsibility; Aligning processes where they can be used for like functions; Achieve economies of scope and scale under a merged structure through centralising responsibilities, policy and capability in areas such as building asset management and procurement.

The five divisions in the new structure are designed to align with the primary services which council delivers to the community and the organisational functions required.

An office of the general manager has also been created to support continuous improvement and the planning and management responsibility for the transition.

Overall, the new senior staff structure will provide flexibility well into the future as well as support the transition to being a truly amalgamated council. The divisions under the new Senior Staff Structure are: Economic development and business, infrastructure and operations, corporate services, planning and environment, community and recreation.

The next step for council will be recruiting the positions of directors and developing a draft organisational structure below senior staff level. All the work that is being done now will ensure that council can continue to serve the community now and well into the future.

There is a new attraction at the Dubbo Visitors’ Information Centre with the unveiling of the Wiradjuri Medicinal Garden on Friday. The garden features six species of plants that have been used by the Wiradjuri people and are of cultural significance to them.

The garden was created through a collaboration with Elders and was funded by council. The Wiradjuri Medicinal Garden is designed to provide a space where Wiradjuri Elders can share their knowledge and skills with the next generation. I would encourage everyone to take a look at the garden the next time they are down near the VIC. The sign at the garden also features a QR code which when scanned by a phone or iPad will show visitors a Welcome to Country from Wiradjuri elder Di McNaboe.

Those who pass by Lunar Park will be seeing some activity in the upcoming weeks as the redevelopment of the park really starts to progress. Work has already begun but next month will see the installation of new play equipment, the design of which was selected by the community through an online poll as well as a paper-based poll at St Mary’s and Buninyong primary schools and Apollo House.

The redevelopment also includes the creation of an Aboriginal meeting place, replacement of the shade sail, installation of a new bubbler and solar lights, planting of trees and remarking the basketball court. New solar lights have already been installed and the rest of the work will be happening between now through April with expected redevelopment to be completed in May.