A bitter feud between Dubbo’s top politicos has boiled over, with Mayor Ben Shields saying State MP Troy Grant should retire.
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Councillor Shields’ comments came after Mr Grant blasted him over an open letter sent to Dubbo Regional Council residents earlier this month.
In the letter, Cr Shields outlined his council’s achievements since amalgamation, including $98 million worth of capital infrastructure under construction.
But Mr Grant labelled the letter “disingenuous”, “belligerent”, “misleading” and “pathetic”, claiming all but one of the nine projects highlighted – The Dubbo Pool and Water Park – had “been funded by me, and during the time of the administrator”.
He went on to call Cr Shields a “risk” to “Dubbo’s prosperity”.
“He's a juvenile that plays silly political games and doesn't care about the community,” Mr Grant said.
“State government departments can’t stand and won’t deal with this guy because of the way that he carries on.
“Dubbo has gone gangbusters because we've [had] strong relationships at state, local and federal level. This bloke has just thrown a grenade into all of that.”
Mr Grant claimed councils across the region were “beside themselves” after Dubbo Regional Council resolved not to become part of a Joint Organisation (JO).
At the time, Cr Shields was interested in a JO similar to the former Orana Regional Organisation of Councils (OROC). However the NSW Government’s proposal, using NSW Planning Regional boundaries, would have excluded Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar and Walgett from the new JO.
“This guy is loathed across the region,” Mr Grant claimed.
“The other councils, they loathe him because he’s not a team player in any way.
“Dubbo is essential for all these western communities to have a partnership and lead a big brother role, and yet he refuses to join a Joint Organisation on ridiculous claims. They're all beside themselves.”
Cr Shields said he would not respond to Mr Grant’s “abusive tirade”.
“I am used to copping his abuse,” he said.
“But I do worry about the fact he is the most inaccessible and cranky local member in our history.
“He has never recovered from losing the Nationals leadership and that’s the advice I have received from senior Coalition colleagues.
“He is loathed by them and even excluded from significant local announcements. To be honest, he should retire for his own wellbeing and Dubbo's.”
