Category Business Show all
-
New 'base' reports wide of the mark
Share New 'base' reports wide of the mark on Facebook Share New 'base' reports wide of the mark on Twitter Share New 'base' reports wide of the mark on Linkedin Email New 'base' reports wide of the mark link
12 July 2017Orange mayor John Davis OAM, says the council is continuing to give a high priority to seeking new projects which will provide jobs and economic growth for the region.
The mayor spoke publicly today responding to Sydney media reports that the council had "launched a bold pitch ...bidding for a new military base".
"These media reports this morning are wide of the mark, when all we've done is put a submission in to NSW Government inquiry on possible defense industries," Cr John Davis said.
"We're always on the look out for companies or business who want to move to Orange and start new jobs here. If that turned out to be a business that made the hinges for the door of military choppers that would be great for the region."
"There are many reasons why Orange would be attractive to companies who want to move here, and if this publicity helps us grab their attention, that's great."
"This talk of a military base should be kept in perspective. No-one's talking about an artillery range, but if the contract came up to supply food for army ration-packs the Orange region would certainly be interested."
Mayor John Davis said late last month council staff had compiled a submission to the NSW Government Upper House Standing Committee on State Development. The Committee is currently holding an inquiry into the Defence industry in New South Wales.
Around 30 organisations, including a number of councils have put in a submission to the Inquiry.
"As I understand it Orange City Council is the only western region council that's put its views to the government inquiry," Cr John Davis said. "It's important that we're doing our bit to attract more jobs to the region.That's part of our core job. "
"I'd expect that in due course the state government will use all this information to make a bid to the national government to bring more defense-related businesses to New South Wales."
"If any new business opportunities flow through to Orange and the central west region, I'll be very pleased."
"The work of chasing business development and keeping-up our profile to governments is a key part of the council's economic development work," Cr John Davis said. "Our business development staff are responding to new phone queries and we're routinely making submissions to government."
"We're always digging, and you never know when one of them is going to pay off."
The Orange City Council submission is publicly available on the NSW Government website.
