This is just the latest tick on the list to go with all the others as I tick off one by one the things I said I would do when I was elected.

In the four and a half months since my mayoralty started we have seen significant progress.

Council has amended the new waste policy so bins will be collected weekly as opposed to the previous plan for fortnightly pickups.  The new three bin collection service starts on July 1st.

There will be more details on how residents can get prepared for the new service in coming weeks.

A Gross Pollutant Trap Policy has also been rubber-stamped by Council and only a couple of weeks ago we saw the installation on a huge new trap for the CBD area that will remove tonnes of litter from our Macquarie River. 

Our residents are rightfully angry about the level of litter being washed into the river. It is now council policy that we will complete the Gross Pollutant Trap rollout within four years.

An Internal Ombudsman has taken been appointed.

This new position will be able to streamline complaints to council, save valuable expert staff time as well as give residents an extra layer of accountability to know that their council, as a public entity, is being run efficiently.

The budgeting for a detailed Masterplan for the Dubbo Showground has gone through council and in the new financial year, council will be able to embark on a plan to modernise, revitalise and spruce up the Dubbo Showground with new facilities and a business plan. 

I’ve always believed that the Showground is an essential asset that needs upgrading to help drive our region’s economy. 

Dubbo needs this great facility to stand-out as one that is not only practical, but also beautifully styled, which will bring in many events and visitors to the community.  

Council now has a direction in place to start the process of upgrading and planning an expansion of the security camera network in both Wellington and Dubbo. 

I am fully aware of the crime issues that our region faces and I have committed the council to assisting, wherever possible, other government agencies in reducing crime in our region.  

Added to the security camera upgrade, councillors have established the Social Justice and Crime Prevention Committee. 

There has been considerable time and effort into facilitating and advocating for a drug rehabilitation facility for our region. 

This project has proved to be one of the more difficult and technical proposals council has investigated.

Council has also made great inroads into housing affordability and choice in the region. 

Planning proposals have been developed in newer estates to allow denser development that has made the ill- conceived plan to dramatically increase the density of South Dubbo redundant. 

In the not too distant future, even more new housing estate areas will be able to cater for denser development.

I have also started a program of Mayors Village Visits, where I regularly visit the regions villages in an informal way so locals have the chance to have direct local access to their mayor. 

While a lot of the issues raised have been challenging, it’s certainly been a great way to for me to stay in tune with the sentiments of locals. 

My view is that too many elected officials exist in a bubble where they lose touch with people.  I especially encourage village residents to come and see me when I’m in their patch to tell me how it is.

With the ‘reset button’ being pressed, I’m aiming for more transparency, growth and real opportunity for the Dubbo region.