Dubbo Regional Council is pushing for changing the date of its Australia Day ceremonies for 2024 after cuts to "red tape" announced by the federal government.
The regulations were a legacy of the Scott Morrison government, which forced councils to keep citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
Dubbo Mayor Mathew Dickerson said those rules had prevented the council from holding an Australia Day twilight ceremony on January 25.
Councillor Dickerson said Friday's announcement came too late to change next year's Australia Day ceremonies for Dubbo, but they would start looking at plans for 2024.
Cr Dickerson said a twilight ceremony would better avoid Dubbo's brutal summer heat while also allowing people to sleep in and have the full day off on Australia Day.
He said it would also show greater respect for Dubbo's Indigenous citizens.
"The day, 26 January, is a very sore day, a very meaningful day for our Aboriginal population," Cr Dickerson said.
"We've got 16.5 per cent of our population in the Dubbo LGA that identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, so why shouldn't we take some notice of their feelings?"
Council had been trying to change its Dubbo ceremonies to January 25 but was told it must be held on January 26 for citizenship ceremonies with more than 20 recipients.
They had got permission to change the date for the small neighbouring town of Wellington, which will be going ahead with its twilight ceremony in 2023.
Dubbo councillor and Tubba-Gah woman Pam Wells said this was a long-awaited change.
"We don't celebrate genocide. We don't celebrate what happened in the past, but we're acknowledging the history," Cr Wells said.
"Looking at 2024 and forward, there lies opportunities to rethink the way we hold these events."
Dubbo and Wellington will also be introducing more Aboriginal speakers for their Australia Day events.
Under the new rules, councils will be able to change their Australia Day citizenship ceremonies from January 26 to any date between January 23 to January 29.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles said this would cut "red tape" and allow councils to choose whether or not to stick with January 26.
"Australia Day holds great significance to many people across Australia," Mr Giles said.
"Our national day provides all Australians with the opportunity to reflect, respect, and celebrate."
