“If you build it, they will come.”
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That’s Dubbo Regional councillor John Ryan’s philosophy behind the possible construction of a lake in Dubbo.
At the October meeting of council on Monday night, Cr Ryan called for a feasibility study to be done on the construction of a lake in the city.
It’s an issue Cr Ryan campaigned on before he was elected and he said he introduced the motion at the earliest time because he wanted people to know he was already working for them.
The councillor said he had grown up near lakes.
“The thing I like about them is that they’re community meeting places. I grew up in Shepparton where there was a lake, thousands of people would be out there on hot summer nights, kids would be kicking footballs and chasing dogs around. It’s a great community feel,” Cr Ryan said.
“It’s like the DREAM Lantern Parade but every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.”
It would attract people to the town, Cr Ryan said, but would also be enjoyed and supported by the locals.
The councillor said some of his best memories as a child were by the lake in Shepperton and he wanted his kids in Dubbo to have the same experience.
As for the cost, Cr Ryan said there were ways for it to be funded.
“Goondiwindi is a town of 4,000 people, they out a lake in and they part funded it by putting a subdivision in so people could buy blocks on the lake,” he said.
“The lake is such good quality that they’re having state skiing champions up there. These things can be done.”
A smaller lake could be build to allow for rowing and sailing, or it could be a larger lake that would allow activities such as speed-boating, he said.
“I’m pushing for a lake, now I want the community to let council know exactly what it is that they want so they can explore all those things and hopefully get one,” Cr Ryan said.
The report on the feasibility and desirability of the lake will be presented to council in March.