DUBBO Regional Council has committed to spending more than $43 million during this coming financial year on a range of capital works projects.
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The fourth budget since amalgamation will see council focus on a number of key areas including water, sewerage, capital works, and community facilities and events.
Mayor Ben Shields said the budget and operational plan for 2019/20 would ensure the unprecedented capital works in the region were completed and ongoing costs for their operation and maintenance accounted and planned for.
Council's $43.16 million commitment to capital works projects will include footpath and cycleway construction, playground improvements, disability infrastructure, heavy road patching, and sewerage and water infrastructure improvements.
"Some of these significant capital works projects council fund go to the heart of improving and maintaining the region's livability and community sustainability," Cr Shields said.
Council also moved an amendment to increase water and sewer rates by the standard consumer price index (CPI) of 2.7 per cent rather than the recommended 5.0 per cent.
Fee increases will come into effect for the aquatic leisure centres across the region during 2019/20.
Cr Shields said the increase would ensure the new and highly anticipated Wellington Aquatic Leisure Centre was a well-maintained, functional and modern centrepiece for the community.
Community events, such as markets and other community activations, would also for the first time be asked to fall in line with council-wide introduction of fees and charges.
"This isn't unreasonable as council must put some value on its public space and offset the cost of maintaining those spaces," Cr Shields said.
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