Budget 2021

I'm delighted with OCC vision yet again. The Civic Theatre and Art Gallery were visionary for their time. The inclusion of a new conservatorium continues to make 'sell' Orange as a centre of the arts. As a rate payer I am very supportive of this project as it creates a wonderful arts precinct.

Well done OCC on allocating funds for the Orange Regional Conservatorium facility. It will prove to be something that the whole community will be proud of long into the future.

Well done on allocating funds for the new ORC facility

Really pleased that OCC has boldly supported the new Orange Regional Conservatorium. This will be an asset to our community that pays back for decades. Please ignore the ‘fix the roads’ naysayers, the ORC is important, will attract families and tourists to Orange and will enhance our cultural life.

The Conservatorium should be a priority. music has been shown to play an important role in children and adults wellbeing. The current infrastructure does not support all the amazing activities that could be organised to support this region. A new facility will be able to host a larger number of teachers and events that will benefit a greater number of students. With a bigger and central location they will be able to better interact with our schools and community.

I support the use of council funds towards the building of the new conservatorium. This facility will ensure that the growing number of students in Orange can have great music lessons and it will attract national and international level artists to Orange. I have been disappointed in the focus on spending on sporting facilities at the expense of music and the arts to date. The current venue is too small for current, let alone future, needs.

The citizens of Orange are to receive a new football stadium to cater for enthusiasts of sport. This new facility will have obvious benefits for the health and fitness of our community .Equally beneficial are cultural pursuits. Why is it then that our Conservatorium,( which has outdated facilities, a roof which leaks, an inadequate space for the increasing demand of students, performers and patrons who share a love of music,) does not receive the funds to build a modern facility? It is a disgrace that Orange, which is gaining a reputation as a thriving regional growth centre, has a Conservatorium that is a shameful embarrassment to our community.

I would like to give my enthusiastic support for the construction of the new Orange Regional Conservatorium. The current ORC plays a vital role in the the community by providing enriching musical tuition to all age groups by their amazingly talented and committed staff. It also provides a venue for the community to attend enthralling concerts displaying the talents of the music teachers and visiting artists. The current venue has become inadequate in terms of space, condition and location. A more grand and welcoming venue would enhance the role of the Conservatorium and allow it to expand.
Sue T

I wish to support plans to build the Orange Regional Conservatorium as it provides a vital service in training young musicians. As well a new Conservatorium would assist in attracting skilled music teachers who would be better accommodated compared to the current facilities. Studies have shown the close link of music education to healthy cognitive development so council’s support of this project would be a profound contribution to the development of our children - Ross Weaver.

I applaud Council’s unanimous decision to find the necessary funding for the new Orange Regional Conservatorium, and would urge members of council to pass the necessary funding to complete this vital, community-building project. Being involved in music can enrich everyone’s life , young and old, and support the relationships that are the heart of our regional communities.

With the issue of climate change on the top of many local council agendas, and with 54.74% of Orange's total GHG emissions from electricity, I would like to see money go to reducing our reliance on electricity. This could be by supporting other types of power generation for the city or parts of the city, OCC's commitment to reducing their reliance on electricity, requirements for new projects/buildings within the LGA to reduce their use of electricity or support for residents to reduce their GHG emissions. I don't see much commitment by OCC in the proposed budget to address this important issue.

In terms of repairing roads, how about sealing the end of Lone Pine Avenue near to the Spring Creek Reservoir? An option here would also be to straighten out the end near the creek crossing with a small bridge and to make this into a useful road for those coming into town to go to Gosling Creek without having to go all the way into Leewood Drive etc.

Action 4.4.3 Support Community Events - This is an important action in celebrating and conserving the cultural history of the urban, village and rural communities. It will assist with events and festivals that do not have a commercial focus.

Strategy 8.2 should have an action to assist in community led environmental education and awareness programs. This would enable Council to support events like Rotary's Sustainable Living Week which is a community led awareness program that helps Council fulfill its objectives in water, energy and waste management.

Strategy 10.2 Preserve our diverse social and cultural heritage. Add an action to erect a prominent sign at Emmaville Cottage which would promote this iconic building. It currently stands in a prominent position without an indication of what it is. Directional signs (similar to the numerous brown and white winery signs) would also assist in promoting the Cottage.

Strategy 11.2 Develop and attract a variety of events, festivals, venues and activities for locals and visitors ensuring accessibility for all. Add an action to support and work with community organisations providing cultural events that celebrate the history and culture of Orange. This is important to enable events and festivals that do not have a commercial focus.

Thanks for the opportunity to comment on the budget papers.

With Shiralee advancements, can you please fast forward upgrading of the road between the rail line and the bypass corridor. The road is too skinny and in a terrible state and the traffic will increase. Can funding also be included for an off road bike path and a walking path adjacent to the road. Paths such as those in Sydney where one half is pedestrians and the other half is for cyclists as cyclists take up half the road.

Removed by moderator.

Thank you OCC for the additional funds for verge gardens.
Can I suggest information sessions, demonstrations/talks from people with established verge gardens at the ELF or fact sheets for those of us interested in getting one going?
Maybe Council could offer us free or cheap suitable plant species for us too!

The one set of things I don't see in the Budget is a section for the Arts. Nothing in there for your Community Band or any other Arts organisations which exist within the City. Why is this? The Arts have so much to offer a city such as Orange, and organisations such as your local City Band provide such an important community service yet they seem to be ignored in here?

Please please please use some of this budget to re-surface Clergate Road!! Particularly between Topaz Street and Ralston Drive .... its been patched so often that in some parts it’s almost 100% patchwork/no original surfacing! It’s shocking. It’s hazardous, and very bad for cars wheels. there are constantly potholes on this stretch of road, and after rain there are always new ones, and old potholes worsen.

I like the idea of incentives for residents to plant out their verges. I would like some more information on what would be allowed. Eg are planter boxes allowed or is it just ground level planting?

It is great that council have finally decided to include Spring Hill Recreation grounds in he budget, the grounds have had no money spent on them for a lot of years, I totally support a picket fence being erected around the oval keeping with the heritage of the village, it will be able to be used with more sporting teams, events for the village what a great idea