Dubbo city councillors have debated the issue and called for the area to be reinvented, renamed and made vibrant, viable and “commercially attractive”.

Macquarie Street is about to lose two large retailers, Sam’s Warehouse and the Warehouse, which has been in Dubbo for 27 years.

The reasons for the closures differ, but empty shopfronts are not a good sign. All the more because two strong brand names are involved.

Certainly the retail sector in Dubbo is expanding with plans for and development of other retail venues in the city.

Council heard that these developments would place pressure on the CBD.

The council has run successful campaigns to promote business.

But, more is needed.

A suggestion that the CBD - the heart of the city - be made a “destination” has merit. It needs to be an active, busy attraction for all community sectors.

Some regional cities lost their “hearts” in the past and ended up with near desolate centres comprising of offices, medical centres and little else.

While Dubbo is a long way from that, it needs to keep the CBD humming.

The council, business chamber and the community all need to play a role.

The community can easily contribute - don’t spend dollars outside Dubbo or on the internet - buy local and keep businesses here.