The Inland Waterways OzFish River Repair Bus started in late 2016 and gives those with long term unemployment a role in cleaning up the Macquarie River. As well as removing rubbish the volunteers plant trees, maintain the trees and eradicate invasive weeds.

Funding for the bus has come from the annual Burrendong Classic fishing competition. However, the event has been cancelled for the past two years, first because of the drought and then due to COVID-19.

After a plea from those involved, council committed $40,000 to keep it going.

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Dubbo councillor Dayne Gumley said the small group of people involved with the bus "do an outstanding job for what is effectively the lifeblood of much of our region".

Cr Gumley said it was important to the community that the money spent on council rates and charges went to something that provided a tangible benefit to the community and the environment they lived in.

It was also good to see council taking real action towards preserving and repairing the natural environment, he said.

Councillor John Ryan said the volunteers had galvanised community opinion.

"I'm proud to be on a council that is supporting and enhancing and enabling volunteer groups to put their money where their mouth is," he said.