The National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) allows local government to apply for federal government funding of between $20,000 and $10 million, on a price-match basis, for economically beneficial construction projects.

Dubbo City Council had originally intended to apply for NSRF funding to upgrade the “general aviation area” of Dubbo City Regional Airport, but on Friday, June 19 council received notification the airport had been shortlisted for funding under a separate program.

In a report to Dubbo City Council, director of parks and landcare services Murray Wood recommended the council instead choose the weir and the Dubbo City Holiday Park “as the two projects to be applied for” under the NSRF.

“The weir is required to ensure the security of Dubbo’s water supply whilst the current structure poses the highest possible risk to the Dubbo community based on the history of multiple deaths at this location,” Mr Wood said.

“The project is regional in terms of the environmental and economic benefit that arises from upgrading a weir to one that is safer for river users and enables the migration of native fish.”

“Similarly to the weir, Council already has a budget of $500,000 allocated to asset upgrades at the Dubbo City Holiday Park. The Dubbo City Holiday Park has a proven capacity to support the tourism industry ... whilst the tourism economy itself is an important feature of the economic activity in Dubbo.”

Applications for the current round of NSRF close on Friday, July 31, with the successful projects to be announced in December.