Members of the "green space" industry in Dubbo have come together in a bid to save livelihoods and jobs under pressure from water restrictions which rise to level four on November 1.
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They have formed the Dubbo Green Space Alliance which is eager to work with "all stakeholders" to counter the detrimental impacts of the rising restrictions.
Stakeholders include the community, businesses, Dubbo Regional Council, Dubbo Chamber of Commerce and the state government.
"We want to be a positive group trying to come up with positive solutions," said alliance spokesman and turf supplier Alex White.
"We understand water is a very important resource and conservation is the key."
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Landscapers, outdoor equipment providers, irrigation suppliers, lawn maintenance contractors, pool installers and retail nursery operators were among the more than 50 people who turned out to a meeting called to "discuss the effects of the water restrictions" and form the alliance.
They raised their concerns about economic sustainability and job security along with the potential loss of green space.
"Green space is very important in Dubbo so if our facilities start to go backwards, potentially then are we still going to attract large sporting events to town?" Mr White said.
Visitors dollars mattered to businesses such as motels, he said.
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Mr White said the alliance was also concerned about the impact of the restrictions on the community, recounting advice from a representative of an aged care facility at the meeting about the "mental health" of immobile elderly residents watching the world turn brown from their window.
"This is a far-reaching issue that affects a lot of different people in a lot of different ways," he said.
Survey forms were handed out at the meeting with the information provided by participants set to inform the alliance's next steps towards short-term and long-term solutions.
"We want to work with all the stakeholders to be part of a conversation that has positive outcomes," Mr White said.
He expects the conversation to be "ongoing for some time to come" and has not ruled out the possibility of it delaying the launch of level four restrictions.
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The alliance's five-member committee includes Mr White and a representative of Dubbo Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber president Matt Wright has applauded the "green space" industry's proactive and positive approach, and promised support.
