The push for more Aboriginal engagement started with deputy mayor Stephen Lawrence last year. It lead to the development of an Aboriginal Engagement Strategy.

Research that went into creating the strategy identified the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous voters.

Information from the 2016 Census shows 15.45 per cent of the Dubbo population identify as Indigenous. When that information is paired with the statistics for enrolled Indigenous voters across the state, it shows about 7179 Indigenous people in Dubbo are enrolled to vote, while 1120 are not.

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That doesn't take into account those who choose not to vote even though they're enrolled.

"Electoral enrollment and voting is key to achieving accurate representation of, and advocacy for, all members of the Dubbo region. To achieve this, voter registration, voter participation, and councillor representation should strive to reflect the general population, inclusive of Aboriginal community members," the strategy states.

It highlights that while NSW has the highest Aboriginal enrolment rate in the country, Dubbo has no councillors who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander.

Cr Lawrence said it was "quite unusual work" for council to concern itself with the rate of Indigenous people enrolled to vote.

He said the policy would seek to engage and educate the community, firstly on the level of enrollment, and then on standing for council.

It includes taking actions like facilitating training sessions for Aboriginal people to learn about running for council and setting up a dedicated webpage for information.

A communications plan will also be established to target voter registration among Aboriginal residents.

Cr Lawrence commended the council staff for putting together the policy, which he said met all the "hopes and aims" he had when he first raised the issue.

The local government election will be held on Saturday, September 4. Ten councillors will be elected in Dubbo.

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