From a drug rehabilitation centre to the beautification of the streets, Dubbo Regional councillors will be introducing a raft of motions on Monday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The first meeting of the council under Mayor Ben Shields will be a busy one.
Cr Shields will be calling for meetings to be live streamed, as well as introducing a new working party to look at social justice matters, including the possibility for a drug court, residential rehabilitation centre and youth Koori court.
Councillor Stephen Lawrence built his campaign around social justice issues and after being elected mayor, Cr Shields has thrown his weight behind the matter.
There’s also a call from Cr Shields to develop a Wellington Town Assembly which would act as an advisory group for the town.
Motions will also be introduced by councillors Greg Mohr, Vicki Etheridge, Dayne Gumley, Jane Diffey and John Ryan.
Cr Ryan will raise the possibility of a man made lake. It was an issue he campaigned strongly for before the election.
“Cities like Shepparton have a lake as their feature and even much smaller communities such as Temora, Jerilderie and Condobolin have been able to build lakes, so why is it difficult in a major centre like Dubbo? As well as boosting tourism it would be a godsend for locals during hot summers,” Mr Ryan said at the time.
Cr Diffey is concerned with the Dubbo Showground. She will introduce a motion for consideration to be given to the development of an updated master plan for the showground as part of the 2018/19 budget.
Security is on the agenda for Cr Gumley. He wants council to investigate the feasibility of upgrading and expanding the security cameras in Dubbo and Wellington.
Meanwhile Cr Etheridge wants to look at the beautification of neighbourhood shopping strip clusters including Boundary Road, Tamworth Street, Victoria Street and other similar areas.
Cr Mohr is looking to change the way the mayor is elected as well as abolishing the ward system.