Clr Josh Black has been elected as Dubbo Regional Council’s Mayor for the next two years, while Clr Matt Wright has been elected as Deputy Mayor.
Councillors voted for the position of Mayor during the Ordinary Council meeting on 22 September, 2026, with an open, show of hands, voting method.
“I am humbled that my fellow councillors have again put their trust in me to continue in my role as Mayor. I want to thank each Councillor that.
“Over the past two years we have done some great things for this community, and we are now focused on the future and supporting the growth of the region. We are already lobbying for the Dubbo Hospital upgrade to be completed, for a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, funding upgrades at the airport and delivering the Dubbo Shorts Hub in full. We are also lobbying for Saxa Road to be classified as a state road and the upgrade of Scabbing Flat Bridge to allow modern freight movements.
“Onwards and Upwards for the next two years,” Clr Black said.
During the meeting Clr Matt Wright was also nominated for Mayor by Clr Dickerson and Clr Ivey on the floor, however declined the nomination for “personal and professional” reasons.
A separate vote saw Clr Lukas Blutler, Clr Matt Wright and Clr Kate Richardson contest the position of Deputy Mayor with Clr Matt Wright elected for the same two-year term.
“I’m honoured to be elected Deputy Mayor and I thank my fellow councillors for their support. I look forward to working closely with Clr Black over the next two years, and all councillors to make sure we represent every part of our community,” Clr Wright said.
Clr Black and Clr Wright will hold their positions until the 2028 Local Government Elections.
During the meeting Councillors also determined the representatives and alternative representatives on the mandated committees.
Council determined Clr Richard Ivey and Clr Wright as the representative and alterative representative for the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee for the mayoral term. Council determined Clr Lukas Butler and Clr Jen Cowley OAM as the representative and alterative representative for the Local Traffic Forum for the mayoral term. Council determined Clr Wright and Clr Ivey as the representative and alterative representative for the Floodplain Management Committee for the mayoral term.
The representatives will serve on the committees for the duration of the Mayoral Term.
Councillors also determined that Councillors Shibli Chowdhury, Clr Butler and Clr Wright alongside Clr Josh Black will act as voting delegates at the Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2026, Clr Matthew Dickerson, Clr Cowley and Clr Adam Ryan attending the conference in a non-voting capacity.
