Upstream at Wellington, Council has identified a major erosion issue with the junction of the Bell and Macquarie.  This erosion is so significant it threatens to wipe out the Duke of Wellington low level bridge. 

Council is exploring funding opportunities to stabilise the banks and make sure the erosion does not get worse.

Further downstream and we have a new weir and fish way.  That new important water engineering structure will hopefully put an end to the tragic and sad deaths that the old weir caused. As part of this project, the new weir includes a fish way. This effectively allows our native fish to be able to swim up the weir and therefore be able to breed upstream.

Further down residents will find that this council has started a rollout of Gross Pollutant Traps (GPS).  These large traps effectively are placed on the end of our stormwater outlets and collect rubbish before it hits the river. 

For a healthy river it is essential that we do what we can to limit the amount of rubbish ending up in the waterways. At the start of this Council term only around 50 per cent of the city was covered.

 One of my first orders of business since becoming mayor was to set a task to have the rollout of GPSs completed within four years.

At the last Council meeting the issue of river beautification was raised in a Mayoral Minute.  It was the early 1970s that local MP John Mason was able to gain funding for a riverbank upgrade and sadly nothing substantial has been done since. 

For a vibrant CBD it is important that it links in with a beautifully presented riverbank area. Council has committed to getting a masterplan done in consultation with the relevant community groups to make this area between the two bridges a premier attraction for Dubbo.

The other very big issue to do with the Macquarie River is the third bridge at River Street.  I am personally not happy with the River Street Bridge over the Macquarie. I believe we owe it to our residents in West Dubbo to do whatever we can to fix the traffic issues in Whylandra Street. 

This proposed third river crossing does not take even one car off Whylandra Street.  Council has recently voted to conduct a survey of residents to see if this Bridge proposal is supported by residents.  Surveys will go out in the October rate notices.

These issues show that the Macquarie River is one asset that is continually giving Councils and higher levels of Government challenges.  For better or worse, it happens to be a large focus on Local Government in this area which highlights the amount of importance Council places on our Macquarie.

Dubbo Regional Council provides two channels of event funding through the Event Development Fund and Major Event Sponsor Program, with applications for Stream One across both channels now open.

Not-for-profit events held in the Local Government Area between July 1 and June 30 are eligible to apply for Stream One funding.

Visit www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/Community-and-Groups/Grants-and-Awards/event-funding 

The new bin service has started in the Dubbo region, providing residents with the three options when disposing of their waste. The new bin service will commence in the Dubbo region on Monday, July 2. 

Dubbo residents will transition from two bins to three bins with Wellington and surrounding village residents transitioning from one bin to three bins. 

Visit www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/bins.