The debate over a plebiscite on the city’s forced council merger has spilled over into the politics of the Dubbo state seat at the 2019 election.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Former Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson has been accused of dragging out the amalgamation debate as a way of “positioning himself as a candidate for the 2019 state election”.
The comment came from former deputy mayor Peter Bartley, who expressed his unhappiness after Mr Dickerson and two other former mayors – Allan Smith and Greg Matthews – called for a plebiscite on whether to reverse the mergers of Dubbo and Wellington councils.
Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) administrator Michael Kneipp has flatly denied a request for a plebiscite.
“It is obvious that former mayor Mathew Dickerson is positioning himself as a candidate for the 2019 State election, and trying to beat up as much publicity as possible to keep his name recognition up,” said Mr Bartley, who is also the NSW Nationals Dubbo Electorate Council chairman.
Mr Dickerson on Friday did not confirm or deny any plans to stand at the state election, and denied he was speaking out to keep his name recognition up.
“When is it? 2019?” he asked.
“No, it’s a bit too far away for me to think about. I’m focusing on my business and my family at the moment.”
“Unfortunately there are times when I feel honour-bound to represent the community … The community doesn’t see that they’ve got an alternative, so I welcome September coming along when we’ll get a mayor to finally replace me as mayor.”
But Mr Bartley said people should be wary of self-serving statements by aspiring politicians, and defended the new council.
He suggested it would need fresh faces with a positive outlook, and appeared to take a swipe at Mr Dickerson, Mr Smith and Mr Matthews.
“This is not the time to be locked in the past and the community wants candidates who are concentrating on what is in front of them, not what has already happened,” he said.
“There is general acceptance and approval of the new amalgamated council and there is no grass roots groundswell for change.
“Having hidden agendas and looking backwards all the time will just hinder the new council going forward.”
Mr Bartley said ratepayers were still getting their services delivered by the DRC and there had been no significant cost increases.
Wellington was now going ahead like never before and Dubbo was in the middle of an infrastructure boom thanks to millions of dollars from the NSW government pouring into the region, he said.
“Council is achieving things now that it only dreamed of achieving at this stage, including a second flood-proof bridge, the extension of Boundary Road to Sheraton Road, turning lanes all around the city and millions of dollars pumped into the airport,” Mr Bartley said.
“It is going gang busters and it needs a wide mix of new councillors including young people, women and culturally diverse candidates to step up for election.”