The news that our state MP is now the chairperson of the government's newly-formed NRL Regional Taskforce has to be good news for Dubbo, and our chances of seeing an NRL game at Apex Oval in 2021.
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We hope.
Both Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders and the Dubbo Regional Council have said they are keen on seeing an NRL match played here - as soon as possible.
During their May meeting councillors gave their unanimous support to the idea the city should host a match in 2021, while around the same time Mr Saunders said he could see 'six to eight' games in total per season being played in the bush.
With everyone on the same page, it's easy to picture an NRL game at Apex this financial year.
Though speaking of finances, that's one thing that hasn't really been discussed too much, not seriously just yet.
When Mr Saunders was announced as the chairperson, the mayor put up a post on his Facebook page saying the offer of 'financial assistance was well appreciated'.
No financial assistance has been promised at this stage, and today's announcement didn't make a mention of it.
However it's clearly hoped by councillors that financial assistance will be forthcoming in the future, otherwise the question of who pays may be a sticking point.
The council hasn't said how much it is willing to put forward for an NRL game in Dubbo - and it's understood Bathurst Regional Council pays about $300,000 - $400,000 to host the Penrith Panthers game each year.
We hope the finance isn't the sticking point to us getting a game, and that the council and the government can work together to bring an NRL match to the community.
After all, it's all about the best interests of the Dubbo community at the end of the day.
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