DUBBO councillors have sensibly chosen unity, stability and setting future directions for the city over factionalism and political in-fighting.
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All too often councils can become dysfunctional, disjointed and lose direction because of conflicting egos, politicking, self interest and other factors.
Communities pay the price for the ensuing chaos.
Some years ago, Dubbo had conflict and the view outside council chambers was that it was wasteful and damaging.
Fortunately such distractions appear to be a thing of the past.
The current batch of councillors would not – and do not – agree on every challenge or issue facing the city and community. (Sections of the community would not always agree with council either.)
But, there is a sense of a considered, measured approach to matters rather than posturing, internal battles and external undermining.
So there was unity in returning Mathew Dickerson as mayor and Ben Shields as deputy.
They were unopposed in the mayoral vote as were the candidates for the key committee chairs.
Cr John Walkom took finance and policy and Cr Lyn Griffiths took planning and development and works and services.
Future directions include ensuring Dubbo remains the region’s hub, trying to keep the cost of living low for residents and increasing the population by attracting people from metropolitan areas.
Growing the business environment and revitalising the CBD will also be priorities.
The councillors now need to make it all happen.