Ms O'Brien, who moved to Dubbo five years ago after living in Warren for 40 years, outlined her views in a submission to Dubbo City Council, following the revelation the council had not allocated any funding for the DREAM Festival beyond 2015.

The council had previously contributed $140,000 to the event since its inception in 2011, and gave $40,000 in funding for this year's festival.

With the Taronga Western Plains Zoo widely known for being in Dubbo, and Dubbo widely known for having the zoo, Ms O'Brien believes it makes sense to tailor a festival around animals.

"If you are in Sydney or even overseas and you tell people you are from Dubbo, that often brings the response 'that's where they have a wonderful zoo'," she said.

"In this sense, Dubbo is already out there and so is the zoo, so why not have animals as a base for a festival to promote Dubbo even more.

"A festival such as 'Festival of the Animals' lends itself to many extensions, which could incorporate any already successful happenings from the DREAM Festival."

Some of Ms O'Brien's ideas of how to incorporate animals or a zoo theme into the DREAM Festival include; Archibald of the animals, painting and drawing competitions for young and old, sculpture creations, animal stories and books at the library, parade of the animals, music and dance with animal themes, animal films and inspirations from the zoo itself.

Ms O'Brien moved to ensure her submission wasn't taken as criticisms by the DREAM Festival Committee, but hopes they are given due consideration.

"The organisers have worked their butt off so I feel for them and it's a very tough job," she said.

"Dubbo needs to have a festival and it has really come of age in the past 10 years or so.

"Dubbo people already love the zoo and are proud of it so please capitalise on it.

"I know my grandkids love the rhino sculptures around town and I think we should put a lot more in place."