With the state election to be held in March and assuming the federal election is in May, it’s vital that both major parties know that our community matters and that country people can never be taken for granted.

Between now and the two elections I would encourage you to talk to candidates and find out where they stand on important issues.

Make sure they are aware of what the electorate needs because the future members for both the state seat of Dubbo and federal seat of Parkes will play key roles in the progression of the region.

There are a lot of projects that are in desperate need of funding. 

The merger of Dubbo City and Wellington councils have left us with a huge infrastructure backlog that needs state funding for us to overcome. Frankly, the state of our roads, particularly in rural areas is at unacceptable standards.

Right now we have 1500 kilometres of rural roads that are not even sealed.

This along with a lot of sealed roads that need major maintenance, leaves Council in a near impossible situation because we are tens of millions of dollars behind the funds needed.

We need to press candidates on their plans for the Newell Highway and if they have any real solutions to get traffic off Whylandra Street. So far the only plan being offered is a bridge at River Street connecting to Whylandra Street in West Dubbo. This plan does nothing at all to ease traffic congestion in West Dubbo.

I am particularly keen to hear plans from any of the candidates to help solve our Newell Highway dilemma.

Fixing the traffic congestion is not achieved by simply installing traffic lights at the West Dubbo roundabout.

What’s needed is a major traffic flow masterplan that takes into account the growing number of vehicles on the Newell and the projected population growth in West Dubbo.  Candidates who ignore the traffic issues in West Dubbo need to be ignored at the ballot box.

Major roads in the old Wellington shire also need addressing, particularly the Burrendong Way and Renshaw-McGirr Way.

Burrendong Way in particular needs a major realignment and reconstruction so that it can truly be a road that is a worthy gateway to tens of thousands of visitors to the Burrendong Dam and Arboretum. 

At the moment, having a road in that poor state being used by tourists and visitors is an embarrassment.

Our region has done well over the last few years in government spending commitments. 

However, it’s vitally important that we keep the cash flowing. Council has major projects in the pipeline that would energise our economy and will need government investment. 

Major redevelopments of the Showground, Riverbank Parklands, Aquatic Centre and the new Regional Sports Hub are all in need of state and federal funding.

Council is also keen on seeing a drug rehabilitation centre and drug court established.

We also desperately need increased police presence around the region and it’s been too long since any party took water security seriously.

In these elections it’s important that we get the best outcome for our city. We cannot afford to have funding dry up or the Dubbo Region will start going backwards.

It would be a terrible tragedy and just something that can’t be allowed to happen.

I’m urging people to not just vote for a candidate who tells everybody they are a good bloke or who spends the most on flashy advertising. 

I’m urging Dubbo people to vote for the person who has a plan for the region and has the capacity to deliver the improvements that are needed.