Mr Dickerson said he welcomed $300,000 in funding for a program he believed gave Dubbo great benefit but he lobbied former Regional Development Minister and now-Deputy Premier John Barilaro for more money.

“I was chairman when the amalgamation took place and we had met with John Barilaro, [then-Regional Development Minister,] who said ‘you’ll be getting the money’ but then the amalgamation got in the way,” Mr Dickerson said.

“It’s good to see that money has come but I would have liked to see more. We were pushing for a dollar-for-dollar investment to match the councils and that would have been $420,000,” he said.

Dubbo is one of seven regions to be promoted in the mass-media marketing campaign aimed at attracting capital city residents to move to the country.

Evocities had previously been only funded by the councils representing Orange, Armidale, Tamworth, Dubbo, Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Albury.

Orange City Council pulled out of the scheme in 2016 citing a lack of government support as one of its reasons, but rejoined earlier this month when it learned the state funding was coming.

Evocities spokesman and Albury City Council mayor Kevin Mack said the grant was welcome news.

“Evocities play a major role in unlocking the potential of regional NSW,” he said.

“The $300,000 will be used on a targeted marketing campaign designed to engage a mass audience, providing a significant boost to our existing marketing and public relations initiatives.”

He said the campaign would challenge stereotypes about living in regional cities and highlight the seven cities.

Deputy premier John Barilaro said there were plenty of good reasons to relocate.

“Regional NSW is full of opportunities, whether it is getting a foot in the door to buy your first house or if you are a skilled worker looking for a better quality of life,” he said.