Dubbo is one of the leading inland regional cities in NSW.
Dubbo has a large tourist market attracting over 400,000 visitors a year, many of whom are attracted to the world famous Taronga Western Plains Zoo. It is a major service centre for commercial, professional, medical, educational, retail, finance and agribusiness services for a huge area of inland NSW.
Dubbo’s significant road links provide ease of access to deep-water ports in Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane, giving local producers and manufacturers reliable exporting ability. Dubbo is the eastern termination centre of road trains providing efficient transport throughout the region and interstate along with B-Doubles. The Inland Container Terminal and other road and rail transport developments make Dubbo an ideal place to establish freight forwarding industry.
Dubbo hosts an extensive and diverse educational sector and is serviced by a total of 15 schools including; 3 high schools, 12 primary schools, public and private, 4 tertiary education centres and the Dubbo School of Distance Education, all offering choice and diversity to students.
These campuses are supported by the Charles Sturt University which opened in 1998 offering study using state-of-the-art communication technologies across all CSU facilities; Arts, Commerce, Education, Health Studies and Science & Agriculture.
The city is also home to University of Sydney – School of Rural Health, with campuses in both Dubbo and Orange, provides a supportive and co-operative educational environment and exceptional teaching facilities.
Dubbo also offers 17 pre-schools/child care centres, along with 43 home based registered carers, and 2 after school vacation care centres.
Dubbo City’s importance as the centre of medical facilities for the Orana and Far Western Regions of New South Wales is reflected by its position as the second largest employer – 11.5% of the local workforce is employed in the Health and Community Services Sector. The city’s 3 hospitals, 2 Aged Care Facilities, 31 general practitioners and 25 locally based specialists are well supported by additional visiting specialists. Dubbo hosts an extensive allied health sector up to community and mental health services along with professional organisations such as Dubbo Medical Society and Dubbo Plains Division of General Practice as well as strong relationship with Charles Sturt University and the clinical school run through the University of Sydney.
The Dubbo City Regional Airport is situated 5 kilometres North West of Dubbo and is serviced by direct flights to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets is a multi-million dollar facility and is renowned as one of the nation’s major regional livestock selling centres. Operating for more than 50 years, the Markets have grown to be the largest sale yards in the nation in terms of combined sheep and cattle put through with in excess of 1.3 million sheep and 200,000 cattle sold each year.
Officially opened in 2006, the Western Plains Cultural Centre incorporates; Dubbo Regional Gallery, Dubbo Regional Museum and the Community Arts Centre. The $8.2 million centre aims to provide a broad range of experiences in the visual arts, heritage and social history.
In 2010, the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre was officially handed over to the mayor. The theatre and convention centre houses a 500-seat tiered theatre and 700-seat auditorium. The state-of-the-art venue boasts a comprehensive computerised sound and lighting control room, a box office, acoustically designed auditorium, hydraulic orchestra pit, raised stage, dressing rooms, green room, refreshment bar and designated seating for people with disabilities.
Main Industries: Health & social assistance, retail, education & training, professional & government services, manufacturing, transport, tourism, construction, warehousing.
Dubbo Tourism Information www.dubbo.com.au
Charles Sturt University www.csu.edu.au
Dubbo Regional Council www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au
Dubbo Chamber of Commerce & Industry www.dubbochamber.com.au
Regional Development Australia (Orana) www.rdaorana.com.au
NSW State & Regional Development www.business.nsw.gov.au/community
Dubbo Economic & Statistics Profile www.economicprofile.com.au/dubboregionalcouncil