Dubbo Regional Council election: Local voters want road repair, focus on healthcare

Residents in the Dubbo region have voted across the local electorate. Here’s the latest as counting begins.

Candidate helpers Rob Osborne and Ailsa Dyball.

Updated:

Results are rolling in for council candidates across the Dubbo region.

After weeks of hard-fought campaigning, candidates in all three local government areas are now waiting to see if they will sit on their local councils for the next four years.

Here are the results as they come in:

Dubbo – 37,888 registered voters:

The 11 councillors who will represent Dubbo for the next four years will not be decided until next week as counting has ended.

Only 12,000 votes have been counted so far in the region with Labor’s Joshua Black leading the pack, followed by Shooters Fishers and Farmers leader Kate Richardson.

The race is tight between the parties, with Labor sitting on 1,684, while the SFF are on 1,599.

But with 37,888 registered voters in the Dubbo region the count will have to continue on Monday.

Sitting mayor Mathew Dickerson (independent) is leading the ungrouped category with 1,143 votes, which is well ahead of follow-up candidate Jen Cowley (independent) on 630 votes.

Counting resumes on Monday.

Earlier

Residents in the Dubbo region have voted across the local electorate during the final hours of the polling booths.

From multi-generational farmers to community advocates, small business owners to nurses, 48 locals put up their hand to be selected for the next term of Dubbo Regional Council.

Seven current councillors have put their names in the draw for re-election so there could be a blend of old and new faces in the chambers within the next month.

First time independent candidate Jen Cowley told this publication that it has been a “massive honour” being able to run.

“The fact that we’ve got 48 candidates running shows that democracy is alive and well and I think that’s absolutely wonderful,” Ms Cowley said.

“I’ve very much enjoyed the process, I just love talking to people and it’s been really interesting to get around and talk to people from as far away as Stuart Town and across the local government area.

“My message is that I love where I live, and I know that other people love where I live as well so I want to be that conduit if I can.

Dubbo Regional Council candidate Jen Cowley.

“I’ve spent my last 35 years working to make this a better place and hopefully I can continue to do that.”

Local voter Maddi Harvey wants the next elected members to take young peoples’ voices seriously.

“I’m in my 20s so I want to vote for someone who takes local issues seriously, cares for the community and cares about the importance of young people’s voices,” Ms Harvey said.

Dubbo Regional Council election day voter Maddi Harvey.

Another voter Sophie Palmer told this publication she works at Dubbo Base Hospital so needs an advocate who is passionate about local healthcare.

“I’m voting for someone who is going to fight for safer ratios and better staffing our hospitals, for climate actions and better roads so I can drive home and see my family,” Ms Palmer said.

Dubbo local Danny Ryan voted for the Shooters Farmers and Fishers Party because of the policies for the region.

“I like their policies so it would be nice to get a representative in the local community,” Mr Ryan said.