And the city needs more to help people enjoy life.

That’s the view of a Daily Liberal street survey conducted yesterday to find out what Dubbo needs the most and why.

While solutions to health and crime issues were predictably high on the priority list for many of the 50 people surveyed, surprisingly better leisure opportunities was a resounding top response.

Better shopping opportunities was second on the Dubbo most wanted list.

1. LEISURE

Leisure activities were what’s lacking most in the region according to the Daily Liberal street survey.

“More live music venues and options, Dubbo needs more things for adults to do,” Jodi Benton said.

Jeff Hallinen also wanted to see more places for adults to go to, such as an over-30s nightclub.

“There is nowhere for the over thirties to go besides the RSL,” he said.

He also wanted to see Dubbo celebrate New Year’s Eve with a family event for the occasion.

A public heated swimming pool was what Sam Peacocke wanted to see in Dubbo.

Melissa Orr would like to see Dubbo with a new playground and Jodie Milton said a shade cloth was needed over the water park feature at Elston Park.

Dubbo needed more bike tracks according to two residents.

Helen Peacocke said bike lanes were needed along the roads.

“There is plenty of space on the main roads to put them in,” Greg Macpherson said.

2. SHOPPING/BUSINESS/

RETAIL

Despite having shopping destinations like Orana Mall and Centro, nine people polled yesterday brought up issues involving the shopping/business/retail sector.

According to Gordon Clarke, Dubbo needed more food outlets in the main street that stayed open for long weekends.

“You always see people finding places to eat,” he said.

A “good cafe” that stayed open past 5pm and served “good quality coffee” would create a street-scape and was needed in Dubbo, Greg Funnell said.

Donald Woo thought Dubbo needed a better range of shops, while John Beahan said more shops were needed.

Penny Green wanted a Starbucks and Cherie Harding would like to see a K-mart.

However, Frank Cross was against the idea of more shops.

“It doesn’t need any more shopping centres like everyone thinks,” he said.

3. CRIME PREVENTION

Resources to keep teenagers occupied and out of trouble were needed in Dubbo, the street poll showed.

Residents are concerned about the lack of activities for underage people in the area.

“(Dubbo needs) more things for teens to get them to do stuff and not walk the streets,” said Janelle Morrison.

Melissa Russell and Natalie Hewen both said more activities for teenagers were needed to keep them out of trouble.

For Alex Thompson, crime was the biggest issue in Dubbo.

“We need to move the criminals out of town,” he said.

Resources to prevent underage drinking were needed because “it ends up with fights”, Michael Ferris said.

4. HEALTH SERVICES

Laurel Simpson, Julie Thornton and Sarah Goatcher all said the Dubbo Base Hospital needed to be looked at.

Ms Goatcher said her friend had a baby at the hospital and her friend had to take her own fan there because the air-conditioning was too hot.

The only thing Dubbo needed more of was doctors, according to Tracey Strawns.

Linda Del Bao said doctors and dentists were needed.

Blayne McGhee said Dubbo had too many young mothers and teenage pregnancy was an issue.

5. COUNCIL SERVICES, JOBS AND FARMING

Issues with council services, and the lack of jobs and rain were also areas of concern.

Ray Nolan wanted to see Dubbo City Council support more developments and thought there were too many regulations.

More councillors that listen to people was what Paul Brydon thought Dubbo needed.

Lyn Sykes wanted more garbage bins along the river and Mick Gilpin said there needed to be a curb-side recycling service.

Rhonda Davies thought the town needed more public toilets in sporting areas.

Dubbo needs more jobs according to Robert Caton.

“Unemployment is a big problem,” he said.

There needed to be more government emphasis on decentralisation, Steve Hodder said.

“(There needs) to be industry incentives for people to move out here and work,” he said.

James Midner thought Dubbo needed more rain.

FINAL NOTE

Two people polled yesterday could not find anything that Dubbo needed.

“I think it has everything it needs and you couldn’t find a better place,” Ray Forbes said.

morgan.downs@ruralpress.com