Latest news with #DubboRegionalCouncil
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Council sparks outrage for Australia Day change despite majority of locals voting against it
A NSW council has sparked outrage after voting to move Australia Day ceremonies despite the majority of locals being vehemently opposed to the idea. Dubbo Regional Council, in the state's Orana Region, voted to move events commemorating the public holiday from January 26 to January 25 from next year at a meeting on Tuesday. This move has come despite a poll showing that 87 per cent of locals wanted to keep Australia Day on its original date. The motion to move celebrations sparked fierce debate at the regional council meeting and locals have been left outraged by the decision. One local branded the change 'absolutely outrageous' and an 'abuse of power'. 'I'm angry about it, decisions as big as a country celebration should be a community vote only,' the local told Noticer News. 'The date is always over-exaggerated on why and how it's celebrated,' another claimed. Labor Councillor Pam Wells, an aboriginal activist, successfully moved the date change amendment. She called January 26 'Survival Day' and argued in favour of moving Dubbo's planned celebrations commemorating the public holiday away from the official date. Dubbo's ceremonies will now be held at the same time as those in nearby Wellington, which has held its event on January 25 since 2023, the Daily Liberal reported. In reply to a frustrated local on Facebook, Dubbo Regional Council said they had 'not changed the date of Australia Day'. 'Council determined during the 2025 July Ordinary Meeting that events and activities to recognise Australia Day in Dubbo and Wellington will be held on 25 January,' the response read. 'This decision was made by Councillors to balance the needs of the community and provide a range of activities for our community, and we encourage residents to spend Australia Day on 26 January in a way that is meaningful to them.' Councillor Shibli Chowdhury's opposing amendment to leave the ceremonies on Australia Day was voted down six to three. He said he respected the council's decision, but felt the opinions of the community were being ignored. Mr Chowdhury argued the council needed to 'listen to the community'. He cited a survey of 109 people in the local government area found that 87 per cent of people wanted the ceremony to remain on the 26th. 'I cannot change the past. We need to move to the future together and as an elected body we need to listen,' Mr Chowdhury said. Councillor Lukas Butler also cited the survey and argued against the motion. The survey was dismissed as 'not statistically significant' due to the small sample size.
ABC News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
ABC Radio National launches groundbreaking 'Citizen Jury' in Dubbo
ABC Radio National is proud to introduce a bold new initiative: Citizen Jury — a unique forum where every day Australians come together to tackle the big issues that directly affect their communities. The inaugural Citizen Jury , presented in collaboration with Dubbo Regional Council and hosted by Natasha Mitchell of ABC Radio National's Big Ideas program, will convene a diverse cross-section of the local community and other regional stakeholders to address a critical issue: the implementation of renewable energy infrastructure. Over the past few weeks, this Citizen Jury has been meeting to explore the opportunities and concerns surrounding renewables in regional NSW. Their mission: to find practical, community-driven solutions that reflect the values and needs of the people who live there. The process culminates in a live public event on Wednesday, 25 June, where the Citizen Jury will present their findings and recommendations on stage at the Western Plains Culture Centre in Dubbo. This powerful moment of civic engagement will be recorded for broadcast on ABC Radio National's Big Ideas . The live event is ticketed, and members of the public are warmly invited to attend. To secure your free seat, please visit the Radio National events page here. For media enquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact: Tracey Taylor | | (03) 8646 2313.
