Consultation has concluded
  • Last chance for Australia Day nominations

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    Orange residents are being given extra time to get their Australia Day Award entries in, due to the holiday period.


    Australia Day Committee member, Cr Russell Turner said the deadline for entries has been pushed back until Monday 9 January.

    “At this time of year many local residents are away on annual leave or they’ve been busy with other end-of-year commitments,” Cr Russell Turner said. “Now’s the time to think about citizen and youth awards.”

    There are four categories for nominations for the awards :
    • Citizen of the Year
    • Young Citizen of the Year
    • Community Group of the Year
    • Community Event of the Year

    “While the spotlight often falls on the hard-working individuals who are worthy of community awards such as these, the other categories also offer the opportunity to acknowledge the value of groups and events,” Cr Turner said.

    “A well-run event can really bring the local community together. Be it a fund-raiser, a ceremony or some other celebration, these community events can play a valuable role in affirming the things that are important to us as a community. “


    “When it comes to community groups, this is one of the aspects of living in Orange that makes it a tremendous place to raise a family. Whether it’s a sporting group, a service club or one of the many special interest associations which bring people together, these are groups which are well worth affirming.

    “At this quiet time of year, I’m hoping local residents will look back over the year that’s passed and remember the moments that are worth acknowledging with an award.”

    The Australia Day nomination form can be downloaded from www.orange.nsw.gov.au/australiaday and returned by Monday 9 January.

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  • 'Shortsighted view' on airport business park : Mayor

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    Blayney and Cabonne council’s opposition to the proposed Orange Airport Business Park rezoning is a blow to new jobs and regional development, Mayor John Davis OAM said.

    Both Councils this week (December 2016) voted to oppose the rezoning.

    Cr Davis said the decisions were based on flawed assessments of what is good for the region.

    “It beggars belief that we have councils talking that they are behind job creation and then we get decisions like this. They spruik support for new jobs but their actions tell us something very different.”


    “When jobs are created in Orange some of these jobs provide livelihoods for families in Blayney and Cabonne. Councillors Geoff Braddon and David Kingham of Blayney got that and I understand a number of councillors in Cabonne also took a regional view.

    "Unfortunately that practical approach was in the minority.

    “This is not to say that the airport proposal should get an easy ride or a green light. But the stance Blayney and Cabonne have taken is that it should not even get to first base for assessment against proper planning considerations.”

    “There are large scale development opportunities that cannot be currently accommodated in Orange. If we can’t accommodate them, they may not come to Blayney or Cabonne. They will head to a very thankful Wagga Wagga or Tamworth or somewhere else near a large workforce and allied businesses.”

    “This is not to say that there aren’t development opportunities in Blayney or Cabonne but they won’t and shouldn’t be realised by limiting opportunities in Orange.”

    The councils’ opposition to the rezoning proposal is based on claims of negative land sale impacts across Council boundaries, a suggested downturn in the Orange economy meaning there is no short term need for new employment lands and a recent decision by the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) regarding land around the old Orange abattoir.

    Cr Davis said Blayney and Cabonne councils were also relying on the Blayney, Cabonne and Orange City Sub-Regional Rural and Industrial Lands Use Strategy.

    “It was developed in 2008. They are relying on an outdated strategy that has been an abysmal failure in delivering industrial growth in their council areas.”

    Cr Davis took the opportunity to address the Blayney Council meeting before it considered the report. Blayney Council voted 5-2 to oppose the rezoning.

    “Industrial land sales in Blayney were at best flat and there were moves from one industrial estate owner to seek a back zoning from industrial to residential. I also advised that while the Electrolux closure was a significant challenge the current data shows that the number of people in employment in Orange was increasing and the number of unemployed was falling.”

    “The unemployment rate in Orange in September 2015 was 7 per cent and in September 2016 it was 4.5 per cent. I also noted the Cadia fluctuation was expected when it went from the construction phase to operational. Even if the case could be made that economic momentum in Orange had stalled I fail to understand how limiting industrial development opportunities in Orange would help the region.”

    “The Blayney Council report also selectively quoted the JRPP decision on the land around the former Orange abattoir.

    "The JRPP actually said the regional land use strategy document could no longer be relied upon. At the same time the JRPP also supported Orange City Council’s industrial land use strategy that includes the airport proposal.”

    “A senior Blayney staff member also advised the Blayney councillors that the airport rezoning should not be supported because the site was “in the middle of nowhere”.


    That might be valid except for the fact that the site is next to an airport and rail line, has gas through the site, connections to water and sewer under way and is 10 minutes to the edge of the city of Orange.”

    “The 5-7 years quoted does not meet the typical land use planning target that seeks to maintain a 15-20 year supply.

    And the strategy Cabonne and Blayney are relying on actually says short-term is up to ten years.”

    “We do not and have not sought to intervene in other councils planning decisions.

    "All we ask is the same courtesy.”

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  • Road crews on track to finish record roads schedule

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    Orange City Council’s road crews are “flat out” and working on Saturdays to get on top of the council’s $15.2 million roads schedule.

    Infrastructure Committee Chair Glenn Taylor said crews had completed more than 20 jobs on the list including large sections of Edward Street, Matthews Avenue, March Street and Hill Street.

    “They are going absolutely flat out to get to everything on the list for Orange City Council’s record roads budget,” Cr Taylor said.


    “The team was working on Saturday to get Endsleigh Avenue done as quickly as possible to minimise disruption on such a busy street.

    “And after Christmas, crews will be back out there and getting stuck into Ophir Road (Northern Distributor Road to the Resource Recovery Centre) and the Aerodrome.”

    Cr Taylor said tenders had been awarded for major jobs such as Clergate Road, which was expected to begin early January.

    William Street is scheduled for major work which will likely be completed at night to minimise disruption and could involve a mixture of council staff and a hot mix asphalt contractor.

    “William Street is going to be a big job and it’s well overdue so we’re hoping we can get the work started by mid-February,” Cr Taylor.

    “William Street was never designed to handle the level of traffic it now gets and has received for the last several years as Orange has thrived and expanded.

    “I’m sure once the work is completed everyone in Orange will notice a significant improvement for years to come.”

    The last section of hot mix asphalt on the Northern Distributor Road between the Escort Way and Molong Road is scheduled to start in February.

    Upgrades and improvements to several large sections of the Distributor are also expected to begin in February - March.

    These sections include Icely Road to Bathurst Road and further work from Ophir Road to Icely Road and Astill South to Ophir Road.

    “I want to hear people talking about waiting at road works rather than the condition of the road, that would be music to my ears,” Cr Taylor said.

    “People often ask why the council doesn’t just fix the roads properly?

    “Well, we are and will continue to do so, take a drive down Byng Street, from the Peisley Street roundabout to Sampson Street and see for yourself the difference on that road.”

    Road upgrades have been completed at the following locations:
    • Ophir Rd – Resource Recovery Centre to First Crossing
    • Banjo Patterson Way - Ophir Rd to Rossi Dr
    • Sections of Forest Road
    • Two sections of Lone Pine Ave
    • Churchill Ave – Fitzroy St to McLachlan St
    • Edward St – Kite St to Warrendine St
    • Hill St South - Prunus Ave to Benelong Pl
    • Gardiner Rd - Near Hill St
    • Anson St - Ophir St to Casey St
    • Hill Sreett Nth - Roselawn Dr to Yellowbox Way
    • Paling Street
    • Austin Street
    • Summer Street East
    • Winter Street
    • Ophir Road
    • Endeavour Avenue
    • Gardiner Road
    • Hill Street (2 sections)
    • Bletchington Street
    • Anson Street
    • Forest Road
    • March Street
    • Lone Pine Ave
    • Endsleigh Ave

    HILL STREET: Crews had to dig deep, at least half a metre when fixing this section of Hill STreet.

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  • Orange Civic Theatre 2017 season caters for all tastes and ages

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    Orange Civic Theatre subscribers are first in line for the best seats in the house after the recent launch of the 2017 season.

    Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair Ron Gander said the 2017 season included a wide variety of high-quality productions.


    “There’s a show there for everyone, from comedies to tragedies to musicals to dance shows,” Cr Gander said.

    Performing arts and venues manager, Michelle Pearce said the 2017 season, like previous seasons, featured shows specifically targeted at children and were chosen with the school curriculum in mind.

    “Two of these shows Mr Stink and Room on a Broom have been at the Sydney Opera House and Diary of a Wombat is expected to be performed there early in the year.

    “It shows they’re high quality shows designed to encourage children to foster a love of theatre and a love of culture and they are here in Orange,” Ms Pearce said.


    “The children’s shows are based on books so they can be incorporated into the school curriculum.”

    Cr Gander said the Bell Shakespeare performance of Merchant of Venice was particularly note-worthy given the well-known production company had chosen Orange as the launch of its regional tour.

    “It means Orange audiences will see the show first, it’s a real coup for the Orange Civic Theatre and once again proves what a wonderful facility we have, right on our doorstep, the fact that a large production company like Bell Shakespeare wants to come here time and again,” he said.

    “It’s a great opportunity for high-school students studying English and drama because they will have the opportunity to meet the cast and director and ask questions during a Q and A session before the shows in the theatre foyer.

    “The Merchant of Venice has been part of the Higher School Certificate the past few years so this is a wonderful opportunity for students to see the text come to life.”

    Bell Shakespeare’s deputy general manager John Henderson said the Orange Civic Theatre was “one of our most committed national venue partners and we are thrilled to share this important milestone with them and their audiences.”

    “Bell Shakespeare has always been committed to sharing Shakespeare’s works with all Australians no matter where they are, our national tour is a big part of achieving that dream,” Mr Henderson said.

    “For the last 20 years we have created a production specifically to take across the nation for audiences from all walks of life to experience. 2017 will mark the third year in a row that the national tour has opened in Orange.

    “It’s always a pleasure to premiere these productions to the wonderful community there who always welcome us with open arms.”

    There are 26 shows during the 2017 season and ticket packages are available to theatre subscribers, for others, tickets go on sale mid-January.

    For information on how to subscribe, to see the program and to gain a chance of winning a subscription for free, go to this link.

    DRACULA: Dracula by Bram Stoker, created and adapted by Shake &Stir Theatre Co is on in March.

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  • 2016 - A year of many highlights

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    The Suma Park dam wall was raised, the Orange Regional Museum was opened, a record roads budget was released and large jets landed at Orange Regional Airport.

    It’s been a big year for Orange City Council.

    The dam wall was raised by one metre, adding 10 per cent to the capacity of the dam, just in time for record winter rainfalls.

    Orange mayor John Davis said it was incredible seeing water gushing over the top of the raised wall, given only a few years earlier the city’s water supply sat at only 23 per cent.


    “It was dire straits for a while there and it prompted the council to look at ways of broadening the city’s water supply with the Macquarie Pipeline, the stormwater harvesting system and then boosting the dam’s capacity to nearly 19,000 mega-litres,” Cr Davis said.

    “It was wonderful to see that project completed and officially opened in September.”

    Another highly-anticipated project completed this year was the $8 million Orange Regional Museum building completion in January.

    The Groundstone Café and the Visitors Information Centre moved into the museum building during the following months, ahead of the museum’s first exhibition opening in November, which was attended by about 600 people.

    “Since then the museum has attracted more than 4,000 people,” Cr Davis said.
    Winter was a difficult time of the year when record rainfall caused damage to Orange’s
    roads.

    Record rainfall led to record road building budget of $15.2 million and several projects
    within that budget have already been completed.


    “We kicked off the road building season a little earlier this year with an upgrade of
    Paling Street and Austin Street in October,” Cr Davis said.

    “Since then the road crews have completed more than 20 projects including upgrades
    on Edward Street, March Street, Lone Pine Avenue, Hill Street and Forest Road and we
    were able to finish off the Byng Street project, which means it now has hot mix from the
    Peisley Street roundabout to Sampson Street.

    “And construction of the new link road between Telopea Way and William Maker Drive
    has begun, which will take the pressure off the intersection of Farrell road and Telopea
    way when it completed early 2017.”

    Also in 2016, the Orange Regional Airport runway expansion and new terminal were
    officially opened and the first large jets took off from the Spring Hill site.

    The project included a 438 metre expansion to the runway as well as expanded taxiways, new access roads and new runway lighting.

    It was also a big year for sport in Orange with the council successfully securing an NRL trial match between the Newcastle Knights and The Canberra Raiders in February and a Big Bash League pre season game between the Sydney Thunder and Hong Kong in December.

    This holiday season, Cr Davis urged Orange residents to become ‘tourists in their own town’ and take in the sights in and around the city.

    “We’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world,” he said.

    “Take Lake Canobolas, for example, the scenery out there is just beautiful and there’s
    something for everyone.

    “A lake, two beaches, wide open spaces, a playground, a flying fox and a cafe.

    “There’s the Orange Botanic Gardens, the Adventure Playground, Gosling Creek, all
    beautiful places to go during the warmer weather and the school holidays.

    “And if you go to the Visit Orange website and have a look at the ‘What’s On’ guide there is rarely a weekend that goes by where there isn’t something on.

    “Take advantage of the magnificent place we live in.”



  • Explosive school holiday fun at the Orange Regional Museum

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    The Orange Regional Museum is combining science, history and fun these school holidays.

    Primary school aged children are invited to come along to the museum for any of sixteen sessions during January to learn about the history of Mount Canobolas and the journeys of those who ventured there.

    Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair Ron Gander said the school holiday activities were created around the theme of the museum’s current exhibition Journeys: People, Place, Stories.

    “The museum is a wonderful place for children to come and learn about the history of our region and the journeys of those who made it what it is today,” he said.



    “One of the museum’s main aims is to engage school aged children from across the central west and helping them build and then erupt a volcano is a fun way to do just that.

    “It’s also free and parents and carers are encouraged to come along and join in the fun.”

    During the hour long sessions, children will build their own mini volcano and watch it explode.

    Children will take in the history surrounding Mount Canobolas’ prehistoric volcanic eruptions and learn how it formed the earth where they live and provided nutrient-rich soil.

    “Our aim to get every school child in the region through the doors and this is just the first step in a long list of fun, enriching activities museum staff have planned,” Cr Gander said.

    “Just before school broke up, school teachers across the central west were invited to come along and talk with staff about what they would like to see and do at the museum and what best fits in with the curriculum.

    “There was a great turn out and with continued engagement with schools we’re sure the Orange Regional Museum will be a valuable asset and tool to be used in shaping our children’s education.”

    The Orange regional Museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm, is free and is open every day over the school holidays except Christmas Day.

    The volcanic school holiday activity sessions are weekdays from January 11 to January 20 and sessions start from 9.30am and 11.30am.

    To book for these sessions call 63938444, for information and to be kept up to date with museum news go to www.orangemuseum.com.au



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  • Thieves don’t take holidays during the festive period

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    With Christmas only days away, many Orange residents are looking forward to visiting friends and relatives but Orange City Council and Canobolas Local Area Command are reminding people, criminals don’t take holidays.

    Operation Never Again, a partnership between Orange City Council and the police, is ramping up during the festive period.

    Operation Never Again is a crime-prevention initiative and one aspect of the program focuses on residential break and enters.

    Crime Prevention Committee Chair Cr Jason Hamling said unfortunately the festive period was an opportune time for thieves because people tended to be a little more relaxed about home security.

    “Research shows break and enters occur regularly when people are at home,” Cr Hamling said.

    “People are entertaining guests more often during the festive season and commonly they’re out the back having a barbecue and they leave the front door unlocked.

    “That’s an opportune time for a thief to duck in the front door, grab wallets, car keys, jewellery and then duck out again and it can be hours before anyone notices.”

    Canobolas Local Area Command Acting Crime Manager Inspector Yonneka Hill said most break and enters occur during the day and thieves gain access through unlocked windows and doors.

    “Also make sure that any tools are put away as thieves can use these to assist them with getting into your house,” she said.

    She said often people overlook their garages and forget to lock them, or forget to lock the internal door.
    “Don't be fooled by thinking your car is secure once it is in the garage,” Inspector Hill said.

    “Ensure your car is locked at night and there are no valuables left inside it even if it is in the garage.

    “Opportunistic thieves will rummage through your car looking for anything that might be of value if you leave it unlocked and worse still, they might take the car."

    Inspector Hill encouraged residents to be mindful of where they put their wallets and handbags when they come home.

    “The items that are most often stolen are the items that are the most valuable, easiest to carry and easiest to trade for cash,” she said.

    “These items are more often than not cash, laptops, tablet computers, jewellery, cameras, mobile phones and wallets, handbags or purses.

    “Ensure you keep these items in a safe place when they are not in use. Often these items are left on a kitchen bench or in a lounge room and this is the first place thieves are likely to look”

    Cr Hamling said Orange City Council and Canobolas Local Area Command partnered to produce television advertisements, with funding from Clubs NSW, to target Orange households in the lead-up to Christmas and the New Year.

    “Make sure, if you’re going to go away for the holidays, have someone checking your mail and someone watering your plants,” Cr Hamling said.

    “Those kinds of simple precautions make your home a less attractive target for thieves.”

    OPERATION NEVER AGAIN: Acting Inspector Yonneka Hill is urging residents to check locks on windows and dorrs before leaving the home this holiday season.

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  • Mayoral Christmas message and council opening hours

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    "If there’s one thing to remember in the midst of the pre-Christmas craziness, is that it will soon be over, and there’ll finally be time to relax and spend time with family and friends over the holiday period.

    At Orange City Council, 2016 has been another huge year of delivering services for the people of Orange and helping to build a better, more prosperous community.

    One of the highlights for me was to finally see the opening of the enlarged Suma Park dam wall.
    This is a project that generations of residents have waited to see happen.

    The wall expansion was completed just in time for record rainfalls and record rainfalls meant damage to the roads. So we countered that with a record roads budget of $15.2 million.

    Another big achievement for the year was the construction and opening of the Orange Regional Museum, which is attracting hundreds of visitors every week.

    Amidst all this $91 million worth of development applications were approved for the year, more than 41,000 people attended a show at the Civic Theatre and close to 140,000 used the Aquatic Centre.

    My fellow councillors and I can be proud of what has been delivered to the community this year with the dedication of many council staff members.

    We have so much to celebrate in our fantastic community of Orange.

    On behalf of all the councillors and staff, and on behalf of my family, I wish you all a very merry Christmas."

    - Cr John Davis OAM, Mayor.

    Opening hours for council facilities over Christmas:

    Over the Christmas/New Year holiday period, the operating hours for Council’s facilities will be the following:

    Waste Collection Service

    The Resource Recovery Centre will be closed on Christmas Day, Sunday 25 December 2016.

    Normal waste collection services will operate on Christmas Day and throughout the Christmas and New Year break.

    Civic Centre, Ticketek, Works Depot

    26 Dec 2016 to 2 Jan 2017 – CLOSED

    3 Jan 2017 – Normal hours resume

    Library

    24 Dec 2016 – 9.30am to 4pm

    25 Dec, 26 Dec and 27 Dec 2016 – CLOSED

    28 Dec, 29 Dec and 30 Dec 2016 – 9am to 5pm

    31 Dec 2016 – 9.30am to 4pm

    1 Jan and 2 Jan 2017 – CLOSED

    3 Jan 2017 – Normal hours resume

    Visitors Centre, Museum

    24 Dec 2016 – 9am to 5pm

    25 Dec 2016 – CLOSED

    26 Dec 2016 to 2 Jan 2017 – 9am to 5pm

    3 Jan 2017 – Normal hours resume

    Gallery

    24 Dec 2016 – 10am to 4pm

    25 Dec and 26 Dec 2016 – CLOSED

    27 Dec 2016 to 2 Jan 2017 – 10am to 4pm

    3 Jan 2017 – Normal hours resume

    Orange Aquatic Centre

    24 Dec 2016 – 5.30am to 5pm (will close earlier if patronage levels are lower than anticipated, but not before 4pm)

    25 Dec and 26 Dec 2016 – CLOSED

    27 Dec 2016 – 10am to 6pm (will close earlier if patronage levels are lower than anticipated, but not before 4pm)

    28 Dec, 29 Dec and 30 Dec 2016 – 5.30am to 7.30pm

    31 Dec 2016 – 5.30am to 5pm (will close earlier if patronage levels are lower than anticipated, but not before 4pm)

    1 Jan 2017 – 9.30am to 6.30pm (will close earlier if patronage levels are lower than anticipated, but not before 4pm)

    2 Jan 2017 – 9.30am to 6.30pm (will close earlier if patronage levels are lower than anticipated, but not before 4pm)

    3 Jan 2017 – Normal hours resume

    Child Care

    Spring Street/Yarrawong - Closed from 23 Dec 2016 and will re-open Wed 11 Jan 2017

    Courallie - Closed from 23 Dec and will re-open Wed 18 Jan 2017

    Out of School Hours

    Last day Before and After School Care – 16 Dec 2016

    Pupil Free Day Care – 19 Dec and 20 Dec 2016

    Vacation Care – Starts 3 Jan 2017

    Occasional Care

    Closed from 22 Dec 2016 to 11 Jan 2017

    Community Information and Services Centre

    Closed from 12.30pm 23 December 2016 until 9.00am 16 January 2017

    Family Day Care

    Closed from 23 December 2016 and will re-open 3 January 2017



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  • Tent-city to keep backpackers safe

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    In a first for Orange City Council, a tent-city has been set up at the Colour City Caravan Park to accommodate and protect the influx of backpackers who arrive in the region for the fruit-picking season.

    Orange City Council’s Employment and Economic Development Policy Committee Chair Jeff Whitton said ‘The Foxhole’ was established to provide safe accommodation for the fruit-pickers and to be a point of reference for them to find work.

    “In the past there were problems around anti-social behaviour and people camping in cars and tents on the side of the road, which isn’t safe,” Cr Whitton said.

    “The Council decided to get on the front-foot this year by engaging with caravan park management and a couple, Angela and Brendon Argyle, to run the tent-city, known as The Foxhole.

    “We’d been in talks with orchardists and NSW Farmers Association Orange Branch for more than six months and we decided this was the best, safest and most effective way to give backpackers somewhere to live while they’re here.

    “By establishing the Foxhole and providing the heavy-duty, weather-proof tents, tenants are protected, caravan park management knows who is on site and management knows that they’ve paid to be there and can ensure tenants keep the place clean.

    “This option is to replace last year’s plan where backpackers camped at the showground.”

    The Foxhole manager, Mr Argyle said he and his wife were looking to relocate from Sydney to a regional area and met Orange City Council staff at the Regional Living Expo held at Homebush in Sydney.

    “We were looking at other areas like the north coast and Byron Bay but when we heard about this proposal we thought it was too good to pass up,” Mr Argyle said.

    The Foxhole team are on site 24/7 to assist the backpackers who are paying to stay in the tent-city and help them establish work in town and at orchards.

    But the Argyles are also there to ensure the backpackers keep up their end of the bargain.

    “If there’s any unruly behaviour then they’re asked to leave,” he said.

    To stay at The Foxhole, backpackers must pay a $200 fully-refundable deposit to cover any damage to the heavy-duty tents or damage to any of the council facilities at the caravan park, which they are permitted to use.

    The backpackers then pay a minimum $15.50 per, which is $3 more than camping usually costs at the caravan park but they are given a heavy-duty tent, a camp bed, a light and breakfast daily.

    The fruit season has been unusually late this year because of the weather so the backpackers have been short of work, which prompted Mr Argyle to launch “Borrow a Backpacker”.

    “They’re desperate for work, if you need a lawn mowed, or a fence painted, any odd jobs then contact The Foxhole,” Mr Argyle said.

    Mr Argyle said the backpackers started arriving early December but the fruit picking season didn’t start in Orange until last Wednesday however it has rained every day since.

    To contact The Foxhole email 2pickorange@gmail.com

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  • A second airline will fly from Orange airport

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    Regional Airline Fly Corporate is pleased to announce the commencement of scheduled direct flights between Brisbane QLD and Orange.

    Commencing Monday, the 20th February 2017, flights will operate Monday through Friday mornings departing Brisbane at 7.50am QLD time and arriving in Orange at 10.50am NSW time.

    The return service will depart Orange at 11.25am NSW time and arrive in Brisbane at 12.20pm QLD time.

    Mr Andrew Major, CEO of Fly Corporate, said he was very pleased to announce this exciting new route in Fly Corporate’s regional network. He indicated that detailed research had identified a strong need for direct flights between Brisbane and Orange.

    He noted that the proposed service will not only facilitate travel to and from Brisbane, but also provide a convenient and cost effective alternative destination to Sydney for people wanting to connect to other domestic and international destinations.

    The flights also provide a viable and practical regional service for the population centres such as Bathurst, Cowra, Parkes, Canowindra, Forbes, Lithgow and their surrounds along with personnel working in mining related services throughout the region.

    In closing Mr Major said; “The route will greatly enhance opportunities for business between the Central West Region and Queensland.

    It also has potential to attract medical specialists to the region from Queensland, enhance tourism opportunities and support travel commitments for families with children at school or university in Queensland.

    Brisbane offers a readily accessible gateway for residents of Orange and the surrounding districts providing connections to 28 international ports and dozens of domestic destinations”.

    Separately, Mr Major stated that he would like to thank the many businesses and individuals who, together with the Orange City Council, have encouraged Fly Corporate to bring these services to Orange.

    Orange Mayor John Davis OAM welcomed Fly Corporate to the City and said it was a vote of confidence in the region.

    “The Orange Airport is an important strategic asset for the city, the region and Council.

    "Adding another business to the airport and creating new air links is great news for the city. Orange City Council has invested significant funds at the airport in recent years with a new terminal and other upgrades.

    "Corporate Air’s decision to open a route here supports that investment,” Cr Davis said.

    A launch function for the new service is planned in the new year.

    Details are to be advised.

    Tickets are on sale now at www.flycorporate.com.au or travel agents with $259 one-way all-inclusive Web Deal fares available.