Late yesterday Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana announced the Dubbo project had proceeded to “full application stage” for the $200 million round two of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).

So too has the Narromine aviation museum and Walgett Shire opal centre projects.

RDA Orana chairman John Walkom confirmed that it had considered 11 submitted projects from the region before sending through for assessment the unranked three that now had a shot at gold. Dubbo Mayor Mathew Dickerson greeted the RDA Orana announcement with cautious enthusiasm. He had hoped that the proposed Barden Park Regional Centre for Excellence in Athletics would get the number one ranking in Orana, but concluded “we’re still in there”.

The Dubbo project was one of nine in the region that fell flat on their faces in the first round of funding by the RDAF, according to the mayor.

“RDA Orana sent off nine applications... and got zero,” he said.

“The second round has been different with only three chosen to go off for assessment.”

In between the first and second rounds, the council has looked to shore up the chances of the Dubbo project getting across the finishing line. Talks with federal officials revealed that projects seeking less than 100 per cent funding tended to go “up the list”, the mayor reported.

The advice has prompted the council to ask for $3.47 million from the fund, having secured a conditional promise of $1.27 million from the state government and finding $575,000 in its own coffers for the Barden Park development.

Cr Dickerson notes that 55 RDAs in Australia have put projects forward from their regions, creating a highly-competitive selection process.

“But we have taken a step in the right direction,” he said

The Barden Park centre is expected to be a boon for the Dubbo economy and the health and wellbeing of its residents, particularly children.

The mayor said a cost-benefit analysis carried out by the Western Research Institute determined that the project would have an “ongoing economic impact”.

“It found that it would contribute annually $1.3 million to the the economy and create 14 equivalent full-time jobs in

the short and medium term,” he said.

The organisers of major athletics championships in NSW have already indicated to the council a willingness to use the planned facility, the mayor said.

Cr Dickerson said the council would now work with RDA Orana to put forward the best possible application.

“You do everything you can and then cross your fingers,” he said.

RDA Orana reports that the closing date for applications is February 15, after which federal bureaucrats will assess them to ensure compliance with funding guidelines.

Eligible applications will then be assessed by an “independent” advisory panel with funded projects to be announced mid-year.

The RDAF is set to distribute $1 billion across five years.