The Future City design plan includes more than a hundred individual projects.
Some of these have been grouped in ten Special Project zones around Orange.
On this page you'll find a brief summary about each zone.
Then, scroll to the bottom of the page, where you can:
- leave a comment or idea
- 'Like' comments made by other people
Here are the zones, and where to find them.
The ten zones are :
1 The Institutional Precinct
These proposals aim to make the most of the area that includes the new DPIE site and the TAFE campus.
The section of Sale Street between Dalton and Prince Street could be transformed into a new public open space that adds value to the adjacent opportunity sites that are developed as high-medium density residential accommodation.
2 Robertson Park Precinct
Robertson Park is celebrated as the social meeting place for the community.
The proposals for this zone celebrate and enhance the existing heritage qualities of Robertson Park, while introducing new elements into the park to attract more people to use it and make it more inclusive and representative of the diverse community of Orange.
The changes would Improve the relationship between Robertson Park and the Civic Precinct
3 Summer Street Upgrade
Summer Street would be rejuvenated to remain the retail heart of the Future City. Traffic is calmed and Summer Street becomes a more pedestrian-friendly environment. A series of proposals would improve the comfort and retail experience of the street for pedestrians, while encouraging people to stay longer in the area.
There would be increased opportunities for outdoor dining. The aim would be to ‘green’ and cool the street, to improve its environmental performance. Changes would make it easier and safer for people to cross the street at intersections and mid-block locations.
Summer Street is a State Highway and the extent of change will largely be determined by its required transport functions.
If only minor changes are undertaken, the role and nature of the street will essentially remain the same. New street lighting changes would move the lighting poles away from the awning line.
With the completion of the northern and southern bypass roads, a major reconfiguration of Summer Street should be considered.
Pending NSW Government approval and a downgrading of the street from State Highway, a redesign could greatly improve the retail high street as the heart of the city centre.
The primary change would be a reduction in travel lanes from four to two and removal of the existing median.
4 Lords Place Transformative Street
The aim is to transform Lords Place to support Orange’s ambition to become a regional ‘ideas city’ and connect the Civic Precinct to Wade Park. The changes in this area are about changing peoples’ perceptions about streets and their contribution to the character and identity of Orange.
Proposals would better manage water and urban heat by reducing areas of asphalt and greening the street.
Changes would support and encourage active transport in the city centre (walking and cycling).
The new design of Lords Place should allow new things to happen, providing different experiences and encourage visitation, occupation and habitation.
The existing 30m wide street should reallocate asphalt road space (currently 14.5m wide) to a variety of alternate street uses, improving the social and environmental performance of the street.
The transformation of Lords Place could include:
- new separated bicycle lanes on the eastern side
- new street trees and shade
- water sensitive urban design measures
- rain gardens and stormwater reuse
- outdoor dining areas
- innovative planting design
5 Anson Street / Woolworths Car Park
The aim here is to create a retail and cultural destination within the heart of the retail core resulting in an improved pedestrian environment, the redevelopment of the Council car park, the expansion of a major food anchor, more retail floorspace and additional car parking.
These changes would improve the retail experience at ground level through the introduction of new lanes and pedestrian connections through the block.
Proposals would remove car parking from the ground plane, improve access to parking and provide additional parking spaces in a central location to bring people into the city centre.
The changes would aim to celebrate and activate the Sale Street Arts Centre, as a heritage asset and important cultural/community facility. This involves the renovation of the building, opening it up to the street and create a new public space on Sale Street.
Proposals would unlock the development potential of the car park and Council-owned assets by creating an opportunity for a major anchor (Woolworths) to relocate while remaining and expanding within the block.
The relocation of Woolworths creates an opportunity for a new retail / mixed use development on the Woolworths site with improved through site connections to Orange City Centre mall.
Opportunities to incorporate residential accommodation above the proposed new retail should be explored.
6 Anson Street Upgrade
The proposal is to enhance Anson Street as the primary north-south active mobility route through the city centre. Changes here would aim to enhance the experience of city centre, particularly for those on foot.
These changes would provide an active mobility gateway to the retail core from the north and south.
Anson Street is a primary north-south street through the city centre.
Transformative projects within the street corridor can include:
- outdoor dining
- new trees and shade
- innovative planting design
- water sensitive urban design
7 McNamara Street North
The proposal is to create a vibrant and dynamic sub-precinct that is a gateway to the FutureCity from the railway station, while linking the East City Precinct better to Wade Park. This sub-precinct retains an eclectic collection of heritage buildings, old converted warehouse buildings and provides accommodation for creative/artisan-type industries and new residents.
8 McNamara Street South Precinct
The proposal is to create a people-friendly, pedestrian-oriented street, providing a contrast to the high street retail activities on Summer Street and an important spatial link between the Civic Centre and Wade Park, as a north–south spine to the future East End Precinct.
Changes would create a laneway ‘small street’ atmosphere that encourages new types of retail and public domain experiences within the city centre.
Proposals are aimed at slowing vehicle movement and providing safe cycling infrastructure
9 McNamara Street Upgrade
The area of McNamara Street between Byng and Moulder Streets should be upgraded as the centrepiece for a new future of the ‘East End Precinct’, connecting the Civic Precinct to the Sports Precinct at Wade Park.
McNamara Street should provide an alternative street environment for different types of retailers, operators, events and activities — for a range of diverse visitors, local residents and age groups.
The cluster of pubs around McNamara Street—including the Hotel Orange, Parkview Hotel, Canobolas Hotel and the Royal Hotel—could form a hub for the night economy of Orange in the eastern end of Summer Street.
10 Orange East - Car Dealership Sites
The aim here is to celebrate the eastern gateway into the FutureCity with new aspirational development and public domain upgrades.
Changes would aim to improve the arrival experience to Orange from the east and signal the transition from fast moving rural streets to pedestrian oriented activity focused streets and spaces.
The upgrading of Colvin Park and adjacent streets with new pedestrian crossings would improve access to public open space.
Land purchases would be needed to amalgamate 24 and 30 Bathurst Road with 174 Edward Street to form one consolidated development site. The amalgamated site could be developed for affordable housing for key workers, students or retirement living. Commercial / retail uses should be explored at ground floor level if appropriate.
Leave a comment or share your ideas about any of the proposed ten special projects, here.