News

Friday, October 13, 2017

Orange City Council’s biggest array of solar panels has been installed on the roof of the Orange Aquatic Centre.

The Council appointed local supplier Kenjarhy Solar to install the 100 kw system in a deal which will see no upfront costs.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the Council is making good progress towards making use of more renewable energy.

“Over the years, the council has installed a number of solar arrays on community buildings around town. There’s a large one on the works depot roof and at a number of the council child care centres, and at each of those facilities there’s been major savings,” Cr Reg Kidd said.

“Many council facilities use most of their power in the daytime when solar panel generation as at its peak.

“As panels become more mainstream, Australia’s business community is seeing opportunities to get involved and so the council is trying a new financial basis for this latest project.”

The Aquatic Centre project went out to tender earlier in the year and the tender was awarded by the council in June.

Under the agreement, Orange firm Kenjarhy Solar paid for the panels and the installation, and will then sell the power generated back to the council at a rate that will be less expensive than the current rate from the grid.

The arrangement lasts for 15 years and then the array will become the property of the council.

Under the deal, the council could in future years opt to buy the array.

Kenjarhy Solar Managing Director Brad Draper said he was pleased to have made a contribution to a key community facility like the aquatic centre.

“It’s great to see a key community project that delivers benefits for the environment as well better value for rate-payers,” Brad Draper said.

“The Aquatic Centre uses both gas to heat water and electricity to power filters and space-heating, so the solar panels won’t be meeting the facility’s entire energy needs, but they will be making a difference.”

“We’re an indigenous-owned business. As well as our own staff we’ve employed a number of indigenous labourers on this project.”

CONNECTED: Orange Mayor Reg kidd, Orange City Council Director of Development Services Dave Waddell and Kenjarhy Solar Principal Brad Draper.

11 October 2017

North Orange residents and drivers using the bypass to commute around Orange will have a more convenient trip if a funding application for a new roundabout is successful.

The council is asking for funding for the new project from the NSW Government's Resources for Regions program.

The proposal is to build the new roundabout at the intersection of the bypass with William Maker Drive.

The proposal would also see the current bypass / Hill Street intersection closed and the route of Hill St adjusted to meet with the new roundabout.

As part of the funding application, the council has finalised the engineering designs for the roundabout.

DESIGN : Orange City Council's engineering plans for the project show a new roundabout at the intersection of the bypass with William Maker Driver a re-aligned Hill Street. The location of the fence around the Emmaville cottage is shown in pink and the cottage building in green.

LOCATION: This Google Maps image is designed to give an impression about the location of the road, alongside the Botanic Gardens car-park.

9 Oct 2017

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Orange Region Tourism (ORT) have today announced a significant $150,000 partnership to boost the region as a key tourism destination.

As Orange’s second biggest employer with more than 700 staff in the Central West, DPI’s support will help position the region as a destination of choice through a unified approach.

Speaking from agritourism hub Hillside Harvest, DPI Director General Mr Scott Hansen said the partnership is a reflection of the NSW Government’s long-term commitment to the region.

“DPI opened its doors at the current Kite Street premises in 1992, and 25 years later the department and the region continue to benefit from the move to the region,” he said.

“This partnership with ORT is another step towards our goals of enabling job creation, economic growth, and engaging in mutually beneficial relationships with the community.

“We’re also eager to see the strategic development of agritourism, so that initiatives such as DPI’s Visit My Farm trial at locations including Hillside Harvest can continue to thrive in regional NSW. These initiatives and our new ORT partnership will bring new people to the country and introducing them to the state’s primary industries.”

Chairman of Orange Region Tourism Mr Peter Robson said the board’s mission is to create partnerships through collaboration and engagement, and the DPI assistance is integral to working towards this cohesive approach.

“This partnership is monumental for ORT as we focus greatly on working together as one, to promote the local region and all it has to offer,” he said.

“It will allow us to further unify and target our approach, with the goal to encourage even more people to flock to the Orange region to live, work and visit.”

The partnership between DPI and Orange Region Tourism is part of the department’s ongoing support of the region as a major employer and will continue for an initial one year agreement.

SEE ALSO : The DPI's Visit My Farm program

9 October 2017

The move to introduce regular flights from Orange to Melbourne is off to a successful start with bookings strong ahead of today’s first flights.

The first flight by regional airline operator Fly Corporate flew out of Orange this morning, arriving at Essendon airport at 11.35 am to be greeted by the traditional water cannon welcome.

Orange now has daily connections with three state capitals. Regional Express operates a number of flights each day to Sydney. Fly Corporate has return flights to both Brisbane and Melbourne.

Fly Corporate CEO Andrew Major said using Melbourne’s Essendon airport will be very convenient for travellers.

“Essendon Airport stood out for us with its close proximity to the Melbourne CBD as well other advantages such as extremely economical car parking rates and no airport congestion.” Andrew Major said.

“We are delighted to be opening up travel options from Orange to Melbourne and offering a new service for Melburnians holidaying, visiting or doing business in regional NSW.”

FIRST FLIGHTS : Fly Corporate Sales Manager Geoff Woodham and Orange Deputy Mayor Cr Jo McRae welcome the start of the new commercial service today.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said he was excited by the start of flight on the new route to Melbourne.

“Regular passengers at the Orange airport have been asking for flights to Melbourne for a long time, and I’m delighted that Fly Corporate is now meeting that demand.,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “It’s another sign of the strength of the Orange economy that early bookings are also so strong.”

“I congratulate Fly Corporate for taking on this challenge and I’m delighted for them that the early signs of success are already there.”

“The take-up of daily air connections to another state capital are a good indication of how many businesses in Orange are already operating as part of national markets.”

Essendon airport CEO Chris Cowan has welcomed the new flights.

“Fly Corporate is the fifth regional airline to choose Essendon as is Melbourne base mostly through word of mouth which is very encouraging,” Chris Cowan said.

The Melbourne flight leaves Orange weekdays at 9.50 am arriving at Essendon at 11.35 am. The return service leaves Essendon at 12.20pm arriving in Orange at 1.55pm.

4 October 2017

The maternity ward of the former Orange Base Hospital is the latest ward to be demolished.

The ward building, which ran along the Anson Street side of the site, was the place where thousands of Orange families came to have their babies delivered over many years.

The first round of buildings of the site have already been brought down as the demolition continues.

The project is being handled by Albury-based Zauner Constructions.

Before each wing is demolished a specialist team clears each building of any potentially hazardous materials, such as asbestos. Once an independent consultant has 'signed off' on the 'hazardous' part of the process, the heavy-duty machinery can move in.

For the maternity ward, its last days unfolded at the end of September and beginning of October.

This sequence was captured by time-lapse cameras on the site.

Tuesday October 3.

Organisers of the award-winning ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme are now inviting local businesses to register for phase eight of the successful driver fatigue awareness campaign which will operate from 1 March to 31 May 2018.

The scheme encourages visiting drivers to stop at participating businesses for a free cup of tea or coffee so as to take a break from driving long distances.

Now in its eighth year, the scheme sees partnerships formed between participating councils and local businesses.

The councils provide the marketing and resources while the businesses provide the free tea and/or coffee.

Orange City and Cabonne Shire Councils’ Road Safety Officer Andrea Hamilton-Vaughan, says that the scheme is a win for everyone involved.

“It’s a win for road safety as drivers take a rest break, a win for local villages, towns and cities as they attract increased visitors and a win for businesses who attract increased customers,” Ms Hamilton-Vaughan said.

"Past years saw participating businesses reporting an almost 30% increase in customers and with almost three-quarters of vehicles participating in the scheme containing two or more passengers it was clear that other purchases were evident above their free cuppa.

“The scheme will be operating in at least 24 local government areas within Western and South Western NSW stretching from the Victorian border to the Queensland border. The vast area comprises highways like the Castlereagh, Gwydir, Golden, Great Western, Hume, Mitchell, Newell and Oxley which drivers use for work, holidaying or touring.”

Since its inception in 2010, the 'Free Cuppa for the Driver' scheme through its 256 participating businesses has given away 6,784 free cuppas throughout 187 cities, towns and villages in NSW.

"There were 12 participating businesses in Orange and Cabonne during phase seven last year and at this early stage we have already received enquiries from local businesses wanting to register. In phase eight we'd love to welcome even more businesses” Ms. Hamilton-Vaughan said.

The closing date for phase eight registrations is Friday 6 October 2017.

If your business would like to participate in the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme then please contact Andrea Hamilton-Vaughan on (02) 6393 8620 or email ahamilton-vaughan@orange.nsw.gov.au

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Volunteers have a briefing ahead of the conference tomorrow (Friday September 22).