Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) was named the winner of Economic Development Australia's Excellence Award for Economic Development Initiatives in populations over 15,000.

DRC was recognised for a project involving Dubbo City Regional Airport and the region partner with Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and Fly Pelican to start a new flight to stimulate economic growth and tourism during the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak.

DRC's manager economic development and marketing Josie Howard felt the partnership between the two airports and airline was necessary in the situation.

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"It was a fantastic initiative that was born from a near-devastating decline in Dubbo City Regional Airport movements, patronage and revenue, as well as a steep decline in general visitation to the Dubbo region due to COVID-19 restrictions," she said.

"Taking a positive and innovative approach to circumstances that had just about brought the travel and aviation industries to their knees, council worked closely with the both sectors to support regional travel and regional economies."

The partnership was strongly support but both Dubbo Regional Council as well as Ballina Council with marketing campaigns proving successful to allow people to move between the two locations.

According to a press release from DRC, after three months of the service the average aircraft load factor was at 90 per cent with over 1,200 people flying during the trial period.

Following the three month trial period, both councils opted to extend the arrangement over summer, with an extra flight being added.

Dubbo Region mayor Stephen Lawrence believes the award is a wonderful recognition of how both councils worked to make the most of a tricky situation.

"I congratulate everyone involved in this great initiative on their well-deserved national recognition for their innovation, enthusiasm and resilience during what was a difficult time," Cr Lawrence said.

"This result has opened a destination gateway between two iconic and popular Australian regions.

"I know our economic development and marketing team have some great work underway that looks to move our region's marketing circle wider as the year progresses.

"Key to our success when returning to regular domestic travel and business will be getting locals back into our community; getting regional visitation back; welcoming travellers back from the wider metropolitan and interstate markets.

"Then hopefully next year, we can welcome back international travellers and more interstate visitors to coincide with the opening of Destination Dubbo projects."

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