Western Plains Regional Council Administrator Michael Kneipp, in the company of Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton MP, officially opened the Darling Street re-development today (Thursday 16 June, 2016)

“The Darling Street Redevelopment is a significant project to renew aged infrastructure and create a functional street design that also improves traffic management, pedestrian and cyclist amenity,” Mr Kneipp said.

“The project has been part funded from the Roads to Recovery Program along with Council contributions and NSW State Government Cycleway Funding,” he said.

Administrator Michael Kneipp acknowledged the Federal and State Governments for their funding contributions and the assistance of local members, the Hon Mark Coulton MP and Deputy Premier and Member for Dubbo the Hon Troy Grant MP.

Federal Member for Parkes, the Hon Mark Coulton MP is very pleased that the Commonwealth Government provided significant financial support for this project through the Roads to Recovery programme.

“Funding from the Roads to Recovery Programme is provided to all local government authorities to assist them maintain and upgrade their local roads,” Mr Coulton said.

“This programme enables Councils to prioritise roads funding to invest in the infrastructure which keeps our drivers safe and strengthens economic growth.

“In the 2016-17 financial year alone, the Coalition will provide the 18 local Councils in the Parkes electorate with over $35 million through the Roads to Recovery programme.”
Western Plains Regional Council Administrator Michael Kneipp also thanked the community on behalf of Council while the project was under construction.

“I would also like to acknowledge the inconvenience to staff and students of Dubbo Public School and businesses in the area of Church Street and patrons of the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre during the final stage of the redevelopment, and to thank motorists for their patience during the duration of this project,” Mr Kneipp said.

The ceremony included the re-dedication of the Darling Street Memorial Avenue of Trees by Tom Gray, President of Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch.

“Many of the original Memorial Avenues planted around the time of the First World War have disappeared because of the pressures of urban development,” Mr Kneipp said.

“The Darling Street project has taken this into consideration as much as is physically possible by planting them in such a way as to ensure as long a life as possible where the trees can grow into healthy and fully matured specimens,”

“The Darling Street project has been constructed to a high standard to ensure it lasts a long time and this will thereby ensure the trees will be around for many years as a memorial of those from the Dubbo district who served and died in the First World War all those years ago,” Mr Kneipp said.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Western Plains Regional Council Corporate Communications 6801 4552