Big accomplishments

The 2015/16 Year in Review highlights the achievements across the 12 months, as well as providing an indication of the areas where improvement is needed.

There were 523,000 annual domestic overnight visitors in the year to March 2016, which was an increase of 29 per cent. Meanwhile there were 498,000 people who visited the city on day trips, which was a 10 per cent rise.

At the end of the financial year Dubbo’s gross regional product was worth $356 million and Wellington was worth $260 million.

When it came to real estate, the median house price in Dubbo was $345,000, while Wellington’s was considerably lower at $153,000.

The median in rent prices also differed considerably. In Dubbo the median rent was $330, compared to $220 in Wellington.

It was good news for the Dubbo library, the saleyards and Old Dubbo Gaol, which all saw an increase in numbers.

There were 203,294 passengers through the Dubbo airport in 2015/16, up 38 per cent from 2014/15.

A 13 per cent increase was recorded in the number of visitors to the Dubbo branch of the Macquarie Regional Library, however Wellington branch saw a four per cent decrease.

Other highlights in the Year in Review report include the completion of the Troy Rail Deviation Project, the beginning of construction on the South Dubbo Weir Rock Ramp and Fishway and $3.4 million in funding for the runway at the airport.

Council’s administrator Michael Kneipp said: “2015/16 was a year of growth and change for the communities of Dubbo and Wellington, and it is important to recognise the past performance of the former councils as the new organisation takes shape”.

“Over the remainder of the 2016/17 financial year council will continue to facilitate growth, improve services and invest in facilities and infrastructure that will underpin the long term growth and prosperity for the region,” he said.