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Consultation has concluded

Orange City Council News

Orange City Council News

Consultation has concluded
  • Green light for latest budget

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    Monday June 25, 2018.

    Orange City Council passed the budget for the 2018/19 financial year and the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) at last week’s meeting.

    About 2,000 people went to Council’s Your Say website to learn about various elements of the budget and the draft Community Strategic Plan and of those many contributed comments and ideas.

    After taking comments from residents into consideration, elements of the CSP were changed and feedback about the budget was included during last week’s budget deliberations.

    Orange Deputy Mayor Joanne McRae said she was pleased more and more residents were becoming involved in developing large scale city plans.

    “It’s great to see so many people wanting to have a say and be included in the decision making process,” Cr McRae said.

    “Council listened to your feedback throughout the entire CSP planning process, called Where to Next? and then we listened again when we asked you what you thought of the draft plan.

    “Several submissions were received during the exhibition period of the draft CSP and as a result we added several elements to the ten-year plan.”

    Cr McRae said this year’s budget would operate with an operating surplus of $176,000.

    “It’s a sound budget and will deliver a range of projects for the community as well as putting us in good stead to improve the services we already offer.”

    Capital projects include:
    • $15 million towards a CBD upgrade (plus an additional $15 million in Year Two)*
    • $17.83 million for the Southern Feeder Road, (incl. new rail bridge)*
    • $1.76 million for Cargo Road,
    • $4.6 million for the NDR/William Maker Drive roundabout*
    • $4 million for an Orange Regional Gallery extension (incl. extra gallery space, doubling storage capacity and theatrette area)
    • $1.6 million for the next stage of the Forest Rd upgrade
    • $1.97 million for the Cricket Centre of excellence*
    • $1.5 million for a new animal shelter.
    • $1.23 million for Icely Road Water Treatment Plant upgrade (incl. telemetry upgrade, land acquisition, site security and Lagoon upgrade)
    (A number of these projects* depend on successful grant submissions to the NSW and Australian governments).

    During budget deliberations on Tuesday night Council voted to donate more than $34,000 to community groups, more than $3,000 to sports participation programs, $32,000 for community events and $50,000 worth of sporting facility grants.

    “We’re in a strong financial position, which means we can contribute to these important services run by members of our community,” Cr McRae said.

    “Some examples of groups the funding is going to include the Come Together Choir, the O’Brien Centre, the Shepherd Centre (for deaf children) and the Vinnies Van.

    “These services are run mostly by volunteers and mean a great deal to the people who use them. I am proud we’ve been able to help financially to ensure these services have the support they need to continue to help others.”

    HIGHLIGHT: One of the highlight's of the budget includes a $30 million CBD upgrade

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  • Council welcomes grant for next southern feeder stage

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    21 June 2018

    Orange City Council has welcomed the announcement in the state budget that the NSW Government will contribute $4.6 million towards Stage Four of the Southern feeder road project.

    Orange Deputy Mayor Cr Joanne McRae said Stage 4 of the project would see the building of a 2.1 km section of new road from Anson Street, west to Pinnacle Road.

    “It’s good to be working in partnership with the State Government to deliver this key piece of transport infrastructure for the people of Orange,” Cr Joanne McRae said.

    The estimated total cost of the project is around $9.2 million. The project will depend on additional funding and the council will be exploring potential sources.

    “Work will begin as soon as that funding is secured. It’s very pleasing, and exciting to see Orange supported through this funding announcement. The hard work for council will continue in order to secure the additional funding required to deliver the whole project.


    NEXT STAGE : Stage 4 of the southern feeder road project would run west from the completed Anson Street corner to Pinnacle Road.


    “The council has been preparing for this project for some time, and council already owns land in the path of the new road.”

    The southern feeder is designed as a link road connecting different parts of Orange with the hospital precinct. It will also help to ease traffic pressure on Peisley Street and be an extra entrance into the new Shiralee housing area.



  • Winter exhibitions offer warmth at Orange Regional Gallery

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    Wednesday, June 20, 2018

    Orange Regional Gallery is a hive of activity as it opens two exhibitions in a week.

    Coming up on Friday 22 June, in gallery 2 is Orange Air: an object collection by Thomas Pearson featuring 17 blown glass sculptures.


    Orange mayor Reg Kidd said the exhibition would be of interest to people of all ages.

    “It’s bright, it’s colourful and it is unusual,” Cr Kidd said.

    “It’s a really accessible exhibition, particularly for younger audiences.

    “Take this opportunity to take the kids to the gallery, while the weather is cold and miserable, and let them be inspired.”

    Pearson’s work is made using traditional Venetian glassblowing techniques. Many of his objects reference the human form and he has recently been making large scale, functioning hourglasses.

    The works in Orange Air combine traditional methods with innovative modern, glass sculpting techniques to create unique pieces.

    The official opening for Orange Air is at Orange Regional Gallery on Friday 22 June, at 6pm.

    The artist Thomas Pearson, will give a floor talk at 6pm prior to the opening by gallery director Bradley Hammond at 6:30pm.

    Meanwhile, in gallery 3 there is new exhibition called Jali, by Nathalie Hartog-Gautier.

    Jali was opened last Friday night to a crowd of about 40 people.

    Orange City Council’s Cultural Services Policy Committee Chair Cr Kevin Duffy said the works tell stories of travel and time.

    “The artist used her time in Udaipur in India to inspire this exhibition and the Indian theme is clear when you see the pieces,” Cr Duffy said.

    “The detailed patterns drawn onto the photographic prints reflect the same patterns that can be seen on palace window screens in India, these are called Jali.”

    The complex patterns of the ‘Jali’ provided Hartog-Gautier with a design to work with and the title for this exhibition.

    Jali is a series of 20 detailed geometric gouache drawings over archival digital prints of photographs taken during her travels.


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  • Federal grant to deliver safer community for Orange

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    14 June 2018

    Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee has congratulated Orange City Council for the quality of its bid which delivered the biggest single funding allocation from the Federal Government’s Safer Communities Fund.

    Announcing the grant for $471,681 to be spent in Orange, Mr Gee said the Safer Communities Fund delivered on the Coalition’s ongoing commitment to keep Australians safe and secure.

    “Only safe communities can be strong and prosperous, and the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it happening,” Andrew Gee said.

    “This funding will support a number of important crime prevention initiatives throughout the community and help keep local residents safe, improve security and reduce crime and violence.

    “This is the biggest grant from this fund for our area in living memory.”

    LIGHTING : Community leaders welcome the funding announcement that will boost the quality of public lighting in Margaret Stevenson Park in Glenroi. Picture (l. to r.) are Orange Mayor Reg Kidd, Bowen Technology Centre coordinator Paul Townsend, Member for Calare Andrew Gee and Bowen Residents Action Group member Ron Gander.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd welcomed the funding announcement.

    “The Safer Communities in Orange project will install high level, standalone solar lighting, new CCTV and upgrades to existing cameras and bollards at strategically selected pathways, roads, park areas and laneways,” said Cr Kidd.

    “The locations have been identified through a Community Safety Audit, in consultation with NSW Police Local Area Command, Council Committees, NGOs, local businesses and the community.”

    Sites that will benefit from the funding include the Glenroi Community Centre, Glenroi Oval, Marang Gunya Community Centre, Margaret Stevenson Park, Eyde Park and Jindalee Avenue.

    The Federal Government has allocated a further $30 million in the 2018-19 Budget to the Safer Communities Fund.

    The Safer Communities Fund, a 2016 election commitment, initially received $40 million to support local communities address crime and anti-social behaviour and to protect organisations that may face risks from racial or religious intolerance.



  • An evening of wine, food and history

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    Ever wondered what really happens in a museum at night?

    Find out for yourself this Friday, June 22 at Orange Regional Museum’s first Up Late event for the year.

    local wine, food and music is on offer as guests are invited to enter the museum after dark.

    Orange mayor Reg Kidd said the Up Late event was an opportunity to target people who may have not had an opportunity to experience the Paddock to Plate; a history of Food and Wine in Orange and District exhibition yet.


    “Young professionals work during the day when the museum is open, and often like to get together for a drink and a chat after work so this is the perfect event for them,” Cr Kidd said.

    “Local history, local food, local wine and local musicians come together for what is set to be a great night.

    “The last time this type of event was held, about 130 people attended so it’s now an incredibly popular occasion on Orange’s social calendar.”

    Orange City Council’s Service Policy Committee Chair Cr Kevin Duffy said guests would get a ‘hands on’ experience.

    “Guests will have opportunities to handle objects, ask questions and get to know a bit more about the history of our place in the world,” Cr Duffy said.

    “It’s a great night, in a relaxed setting and anyone over the age of 18 is encouraged to come along.”

    To start off the night local musician Amy Viola, will entertain visitors with her unique mix of strings and song.

    The Honey Drippin’ Muddskippers, James Rutten, Natalie McIver and November Shorn will finish off the line up for the evening.



    Rowlee Wines is the event sponsor and will also be serving award winning wines all night.

    Groundstone Café is preparing the food and local producer Fresh Fodder will provide local flavors to complete the menu.

    The event is 18+ only. Tickets are $15 and include a complimentary drink on arrival. A cash bar will be operating during the event, canapés will be provided and additional food will be on sale from Groundstone Cafe.

    Tickets can be booked by contacting Orange Regional Museum on 02 6393 8444 or online via https://uplatewinter.eventbrite.com.au.

    UP LATE: About 130 people came to the most recent Up Late event at Orange Regional Museum.

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  • Busy long weekend for Orange's hotels, motels

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    8 June 2018

    Orange's accommodation venues are experiencing a busy June long weekend, with many booked out.

    The hosting of the Under 14 Rugby Union titles this weekend in Orange is the latest in a series of sporting events which leads to a major boost to the local economy.

    Orange City Council's Employment & Economic Development Committee chair, Cr Jeff Whitton says the 'No Vacancy' signs are a regular sight in Autumn in Orange.

    "Orange is facing a long weekend where almost every accommodation option is booked out and that’s a sign of a very healthy business sector," CR Jeff Whitton said. "The council has given a priority to attracting major sporting events like this weekend’s Under 14s Rugby championships, and now they’ve been coming here for a number of years.

    "Around 500 young players and officials are in town and many have come with their parents and supporters who go shopping and visit the local sights between games.

    "A number of our cellar doors say the junior rugby weekends are some of their busiest weekends of the year.

    "The reality is, it’s not uncommon for Orange’s accommodation to be booked out on many weekends through the year.

    "The number of emails and phone inquiries taken by our Visitors Centre staff is up 50% on figure from May last year. They’ve had a few late cancellations, but we’re expecting these will be re-booked.

    "Most people will book ahead and then explore new directions nearby if Orange is booked out. It’s one of the reasons why tourism takes a regional approach to dealing with factors like accommodation.

    "Orange hotels and motels benefit when Bathurst stages the October race week. Molong and the nearby villages share the benefits when Orange is booked out.

    "Council has also been active in supporting new accommodation offerings. Development consent for the Quest Apartments on the old CWD site and Council’s pursuit of a new caravan park are two examples of that approach."


  • Community services to move under one roof

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    6 June 2018

    Final preparations are under way to bring Orange City Council’s Community Services agencies under one roof.

    From Monday 18 June, the former office at 79 Kite Street will close and the community centre building at 286 Lords Place will take on a larger role with 29 staff working at the same location.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd believes the change will lead to a lot of extra community benefits.

    “The council decided at its meeting back in March to go ahead with the change and I’m pleased it’s now ready to happen,” Cr Reg Kidd said.

    “For many years it was practical to work from two locations. The Kite St office was a pioneering start for the council when it began more than forty years ago and eventually the former neighbourhood centre outgrew its space, and so the Lords Place office was built closer to the Civic Centre. Now we have the opportunity to bring everyone together, it’s good we can do that.”


    “Across the council these staff are working on child care, support for older residents, road safety, migrant support, youth work, people with disabilities, Aboriginal engagement and many other fields. It makes so much sense to have them working alongside each other under the one roof.”

    “For the community, the new Community Services Centre in Lords Place is going to be a one-stop-shop where all kinds of support can be found, replacing the former two locations.”

    “It’s also going to make it easier to work on the areas that our staff have in common. When we’re working on community strategies and activities for pre-schoolers and teenagers through to the elderly, in the same building, it’s going to make the intergenerational aspects of what we can do much clearer.”

    Orange City Council Services Committee chair, Cr Kevin Duffy said there were a number of factors that prompted the council decision.

    “A number of tenants in the Lords Place office had moved out so there was some space,” Cr Kevin Duffy said. “The upstairs section of the Kite St office would also need a lot of money spent to make sure it measures up when it comes to contemporary access standards for a workplace.”

    “The downstairs section spreads across two linked buildings and I’m sure it will be very attractive to let out as a professional office.”

    To signal the change, the council decided to give the new expanded office at 286 Lords Place a new name. It’s now to be known as the Orange Community Services Centre – Giyalang Ganya.

    “The new name ‘Orange Community Services Centre’ makes it clearer that there’ll be extra activities and services available that weren’t there before,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “Whenever the council is looking at the public profile of local facilities, the option of reflecting Orange’s broader indigenous culture is also considered. In this case, the name Giyalang Ganya is a Wiradjuri term which means Belonging House.”

    Staff are gradually making the move to the new location. It’s expected last staff will move from the Kite St office by 18 June.

  • Orange latest regional city to get electric car fast charger

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    1 June 2018

    Orange drivers and visitors are set to benefit when a new charger for electric cars is installed.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the option of partnering with NRMA to install an electric vehicle fast charger has many benefits both for locals and visitors, and next week’s council meeting will consider a proposal to locate a unit in the centre of Orange.

    “The advantage of the NRMA fast charger is that it will charge most makes and models of the electric cars that are currently on the market not just one brand,” Cr Reg Kidd. “The arrangement with the NRMA will cover the installation and ongoing cost of the fast charge, so it’s a win-win for ratepayers.”

    “The council has looked into the options for locating the fast charger and a spot on Byng St alongside the Civic Centre and the Visitors Centre has been ear-marked. That location will be very convenient for travelers to find as well as locals who’ve come to the CBD and need a charge.”

    LOCATION : The proposed site for a new NRMA fast charger will be on Byng St outside the Orange Visitors Centre. Pictured at the announcement of the location are (l. to r.) Cr Stephen Nugent, Mayor Reg Kidd and local Tesla sedan owner Kate Hook.

    Orange City Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee Chair Cr Stephen Nugent say he’s pleased the council can take a step which will help boost this trend towards supporting electric cars.

    “Working in partnership with the NRMA means the City Council is tapping into their industry experience and network of drivers,” Cr Stephen Nugent said. “The fast charger is designed to give any car an 80% charge in around 30 minutes, or a 100% charge in an hour. That’s going to make it very convenient in a public location like this.”

    “The spaces are in a 1-hour parking zone, so there will be a steady turnover of cars during busy times.

    “It’s already clear that electric cars are going to be a trend that’s going to continue to grow. Anything we can do as a community to help push that envelope is a good thing.”

    Under the arrangement to be considered by next Tuesday’s (8 June) council meeting, Orange City Council would provide the site for the fast charger while the NRMA would cover the costs of the equipment and the installation. It’s estimated that the electricity for a complete charge would cost around $8, which will also be paid for by NRMA.

    “Long-term it’s expected that motels and other accommodation outlets in regional cities will be providing charging facilities, but in the meantime it’s a service that council should help provide,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “If someone in Sydney with an electric car is thinking about a trip to the country, they’ll now be finding out about charging stations. A fast charger in Orange will put us on the list for travelers.”


  • Orange’s newest volunteer

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    24 May 2018

    When Preeti Singla meets up later this week with a recently- arrived family from Africa, she will be Orange City Council’s newest volunteer.

    Born in India, Preeti grew up with her parents in Botswana. She’s also lived in Germany and the UAE before coming to Australia about a year ago.

    After staying with her sister in Tasmania, she was invited by a friend to visit Orange. With her husband and two young children she was looking for a place to live : “It was beautiful. We just loved it.”

    The family moved here in January.

    She has her MBA and is looking out for work in management.

    In the meantime, Preeti believes working as a volunteer “is helping me get to know the community.”

    “I wanted to get to know the people and thought the City Council is the best place to start with,” Preeti Singla said.


    SUPPORT : Orange City Council’s newest volunteer Preeti Singla (at right) finds out more about the Mentor Connection program from the council’s Assistant Migrant Support, Worker Monica Engel.


    She’s now signed on to be a volunteer with the Mentor Connections program which aims to support newly-arrived migrant families in Orange.

    Ms Singla expects she’ll be able to draw on her own experience of living in a new country : “I’m sure we’ll be in the same boat.”

    “I know how it feels to get into a new community.”

    “When I moved to another country, the first task I’ve faced is to ask how I start making friends.”

    “ I have kids and a school can be the first place to make friends but what if someone doesn’t have kids. For them it’s difficult to get inside the community.”

    The mentors program is about paying a visit to a newly-arrived family, offering companionship and simple advice on how find what they need in the local community.

    “It’s not difficult to talk to someone. You just have to be yourself. That’s the important thing.”

    If you would like to find out more about volunteering with one of Orange City Council's Community Services agencies, please call 6393 8600.


  • Orange to pause for ‘Sorry’ Day

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    Monday, May 21, 2018.

    A ceremony will be held in Orange this week to mark National Sorry Day.

    Mayor Reg Kidd is inviting community members to join in a brief event alongside the Civic Centre flag-poles in Byng St on Friday afternoon 25 May.

    “It’s an important day on our national calendar and it’s good that we can get together locally to mark this annual event,” Cr Reg Kidd said.

    “It’s an event that began to be marked around Australia in 1998 when the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in parliament. Across Australia many indigenous families continue to live with the impact of multi-generational trauma and Sorry Day can be a good opportunity to pause to remember them.”

    ‘Talking about what happened in the past can be a good way forward, and this year’s theme of ’Don’t Keep History a Mystery’ is all about building that community understanding.”

    The event on Friday 25 May begins at 4pm at the flagpoles outside the Civic Centre. The gathering is then due to move to the Regional Museum for the screening of a number of short films.

    A free BBQ will then be held and some indigenous dancers will be performing outside in the Civic Square area.