Every single dollar possible will be squeezed from the NSW and federal government to ensure Dubbo thrives, says Dubbo Regional Council candidate Josh Black.
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Mr Black, a secondary school teacher and former abattoir worker, is standing in the Central Ward at the upcoming local government elections. He’s part of John Ryan’s group.
“John and I will be lobbying for every single dollar possible from State and Federal government grants, and other non-rate revenue streams, being innovative and finding efficiencies to increase the service provision to all residents,” he said.
“I’m proudly independent and I’ll listen to absolutely anybody if they have an idea that they want to contribute, regardless of which ‘side’ they are on. I’m happy to talk to anyone and everyone.”
If elected, Mr Ryan said he didn’t want to dictate to people, but hear their issues and ideas to make the city better.
The main issues he had been hearing about were for a heavy vehicle bypass around Dubbo, maintaining a weekly garbage service at no extra cost, keeping a cap on further rate rises and bringing new businesses and jobs to Dubbo.
There was also a general dislike of the ward voting system, the council candidate said, and a thorough review was needed.
As well as what he had heard from the community, Mr Black said he was also committed to attracting more specialists to the city, lobbying the NSW to fix the nurse-to-patient ration at Dubbo Hospital, building a new toilet block at Riverbank Oval and establishing 24-hour policing for Wellington.
Mr Black said he had lived in Dubbo for more than 30 years, but he was concerned the city had started to slip behind other regional centres like Orange and Bathurst.
“Dubbo is a fantastic place to live, I love it, but we have to work hard and introduce new ideas to make sure we continue to progress.
“I’m passionate about ensuring Dubbo is a wonderful place for everybody int he community, that new businesses open, and more jobs are created.”
The teacher said the amalgamation provided an ideal opportunity for renewal and the restoration if democracy.
Pre-polling will begin on August 28 before the Dubbo Regional Council election is held on September 9. Once pre-polling opens residents, if eligible, can vote at the Returning Office on Macquarie Street or at 21-23 Swift Street in Wellington.
