Budget 2026

Residents are already paying among the highest rates in the state, on top of out of control fuel and living costs. Council has bungled several projects using our hard earned money and shouldn't be on residents to bear the burden, especially when are already paying such high rates compared to other areas!

Residence of Orange are struggling enough with price increases over numerous industries. Interest rates continue to rise and now our local council wants to hit us with a rate increase. Please help the residence of your city and allow them some grace in tough times.
A lot will need to start selling their houses if prices continue to rise and we’ll see more homeless on our streets.

This will kill our small businesses and struggling homes!

Another rate hike is difficult to justify at a time when many households are already under significant cost-of-living pressure. Residents in Orange already pay some of the highest rates in NSW, yet many people feel they are not seeing meaningful improvements or value added in return. Core services and basic infrastructure should be the priority before asking ratepayers to contribute more.

The condition of local roads remains a major concern, with many repairs feeling temporary rather than long-term solutions. Claims that ageing infrastructure is driving costs are also hard to accept as a complete explanation, as infrastructure deterioration is predictable and should be part of long-term planning, not a surprise used to justify increases.

It is also concerning to hear council speak about aiming for a surplus while residents are struggling financially. Surpluses built from ratepayer funds are hard to understand when visible community priorities remain unresolved. There should be greater transparency around where money is going, particularly areas such as development and construction approvals, which many believe should be fully cost-recovered through applicant fees rather than subsidised by ordinary ratepayers.

Across the city, many public spaces and community assets appear neglected or under-maintained. Areas such as parks, gardens, ponds, recreational spaces, and outer suburbs like Glenroi and East Orange are often raised by residents as being overlooked. At the same time, controversial spending decisions and failed projects create the impression that money is not being directed toward the basics people rely on every day.

Before increasing rates again, council should focus on practical, visible improvements: better roads, cleaner and safer public spaces, consistent maintenance, and fair investment across all suburbs. Looking after locals first will naturally make the city more appealing to visitors and support tourism in a more genuine and sustainable way.

I appreciate Council’s investment in community facilities, but I am concerned the budget prioritises major assets that create long-term maintenance and operating costs without clear revenue strategies. Projects such as the Sports Precinct and Conservatorium may deliver community value, but they also add ongoing costs for staffing, utilities, depreciation and renewals. Council should only proceed with major assets where transparent business cases show they are self-sustaining, revenue-generating, or essential to core services. Greater focus is also needed on economic diversification beyond tourism. I ask Council to prioritise whole-of-life costing, revenue generation and long-term financial sustainability.

With projects failing, and arguments over outdated dog racing funding and introduction to Orange despite backlash in animal cruelty, we are not seeing the money in our main areas. Tanderra Park is an eyesore, ponds can be maintained cheaply, the incident with the birds at Cook Park is condemnable. Gosling Creek is not maintained. Botanic gardens care is minimal as well. The issues around Glenroi and East Orange being left in the dust again, and again, an abandoned endeavour. There are smaller, sustainable, revamping ideas that show high impact, that is not currently being shown with each increase. The basics need to be cared for. Appealing to local citizens will positively influence the tourism youre trying to entice.

Increasing rates whilst aiming for a surplus with rate payers money is a bit hard to swallow at the moment. Especially given the state of the roads. Stating that council has issues due to aging infrastructure is a cop out as it is known that infrastructure declines over time, it can hardly be a surprise. It’s also not clear if the 4% spent on development and construction approvals is from rates, that should be 100% cost recovered from the applicants not the rate payers who are not developing.

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They can't keep increasing rates without giving us decent services to begin with. My rates are already over $3000 a year it's just becoming a joke people are struggling to afford to live as it is at the moment.

I can’t believe roads are 5th on the list! Please explain why? Also if my car was to be damaged because of the potholes can I have the council pay for the damages?
I think the sporting arena should be last on the list. There are many sporting grounds in Orange.

Another rate hike is ridiculous, we already pay the highest rates in NSW , our roads are terrible and they never get fixed properly. We are not getting thing new with the new rates. Council really needs to rethink this increase.