A business that provides much-needed social programs for the Dubbo Indigenous community has a more certain future after a NSW Government-owned Corporation agreed to stretch its lease for another 12 months.
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The Forestry Corporation owns the site the Indigenous Concepts and Networking (ICaN) commercial nursery operates on at Cobra Street but is seeking to sell the site as it is no longer fit for its purposes.
Member for Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said ICaN's lease was set to run out this month, and move to a month-by-month arrangement.
"This extension gives ICaN and its clients some certainty for the next 12 months," he said.
"It also gives them time to consider its options going forward.
"This is a terrific outcome for ICaN and the 500-odd people the organisation works with."
ICaN owner Rob Riley said the site had become a "safe" zone for Aboriginal people to talk without judgement.
"The extra 12 months just relieves all that pressure and strain of thinking where do we go, how do our programs survive?" Mr Riley said.
"Hopefully, our new member can change some of the social statistics affecting Aboriginal people in the community."
