CHRIS Sullivan thinks the $20 million Cobbora Transition Fund can turn Dunedoo into Dubbo's rival.
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The affable Dunedoo resident and Warrumbungle Shire councillor is keen to see the town shine when and if the Cobbora Coal Project gets off the ground.
"I am hoping that some money can be used to improve the park in Dunedoo, improve our facilities to make the town look good, look attractive," Cr Sullivan said.
"In five or six years it will be ready to go if the mine does start up.
"Then we can hopefully attract more people to come to Dunedoo than Dubbo."
Dunedoo's population has been on the decline since the Cobbora Holding Company began buying up 32,500 hectares of mostly agricultural land as part of a botched plan by the former state government to supply powers stations from the Cobbora Coal Project. The current government has extricated itself from the project, saving taxpayers a whopping $1.5 billion.
NSW Treasurer Mike Baird expressed expectation eventually the mine "will go ahead" through lease or sale.
Standing nearby, Cr Sullivan was smiling. For the past five years Dunedoo has done it tough.
About 90 people have left the town, with some businesses losing up to a quarter of their annual turnover.
Schools enrolments have dropped, and community and sporting groups have struggled to meet their commitments.
Cr Sullivan reports of a void that will "take some time to fill".
But yesterday he was looking forward as requested of affected communities by Mr Baird.
Cobbora Holding Company will call tenders for the lease of properties on the site with Cr Sullivan yesterday hoping the leases would be cheap.
