News

2 June 2017

A proposal that would allow the option of constructing of a new long-term home for the Department of Primary Industries on the site of the former Orange Base hospital, comes before next week’s meeting of Orange City Council.

Tuesday’s (6 June) meeting will consider a proposal to re-zone the hospital site, so that a new office block and multi-level car-park could be built on the eastern end.

Orange Mayor John Davis OAM said this planning proposal was in the early stages.

“I know the Orange community has been very keen to see signs of action since the Council bought the hospital site from the NSW Government,” Cr Davis said.

While rezoning of the site was already required to meet some of the principles of the masterplan released in 2015 the report before Council on Tuesday also deals with the DPI element.

FORMER HOSPITAL SITE : A conceptual design showing the eastern end of the former hospital and the scale of building which could be constructed if a re-zoning went ahead, together with residential concepts for the western end.

The report also notes that the principles of the masterplan will be maintained for the remainder of the site, such as opportunities for higher density living and open space.

“The NSW Government’s property division sought expressions of interest for a new site for the department head office. This has led to a developer who wants to build a new home for the DPI approaching the Council. We’re entering into an option agreement to sell part of the block on the eastern end of the site. While the rezoning is worth pursuing, where the DPI finishes up will be a decision for the NSW Government’s property division,” Cr Davis said.

The site is currently zoned to allow a hospital (R3) medium density residential. The proposed new zoning category (B4) mixed use on the eastern end of the site would allow for a large office blocks and multi-level car-park.

“If the Council agrees to explore the re-zoning, it would be just the beginning of the community consultation. There will be opportunities for comment on the rezoning proposal and on subsequent Development Application for new buildings,” Cr Davis said.

It’s proposed that the western end of the site would be a mix of R3 (Medium Density Residential) and RE1 (Public Recreation) to allow for open space between residential buildings.

Cr Davis said the report to the Council meeting on Tuesday notes that retention of the main multistory hospital building is no longer intended.

“We‘re in the final stages of that settling on the demolition process and we’re hoping to choose a tenderer soon, so that work could begin in the coming months.”

The report on the matter can be found on the council website at www.orange.nsw.gov.au/agenda

1 June 2017

Orange City Council has begun work on a new project, aimed at improving connections between local businesses.

The plan is to build a new online directory which would let local businesses who are currently buying and selling products and services outside the Orange region, to get in touch with potential suppliers who are closer to home.

Orange City Council Employment and Economic Development Committee chair, Cr Jeff Whitton, believes there is huge potential for the new ‘Supply Directory’ to help local business grow.

“Keeping it local makes so much sense when it comes to buying the goods and services you need to run your business,” Cr Jeff Whitton said. “The Orange region has a wide variety of businesses who buy the goods and services they need from across Australia. This project intends to increase awareness of other businesses in the area who may be able to meet those needs locally.”

“The new directory aims to conveniently deliver information that can match businesses where there may be common needs for goods and services. It might be coordination of transport and other logistical elements.”

“This is a great opportunity for businesses to buy and sell their products and services more cost effectively locally, or cooperatively with other local businesses” Cr Jeff Whitton said.

The project is to create a new publicly available online Supply Chain Directory for businesses operating in the Orange region.

It’s being jointly funded by Orange City Council and the NSW Department of Industry under the Murray Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program (Energise Enterprise Fund).

In the first stage of the project, businesses are being invited to participate in a confidential online survey aimed at gathering information about the main products and services of the business.

The survey will identify potential advantages to be gained from businesses & industries working together to optimise their supply chain.

1June 2017

A Commissioner in the Land & Environment court has today handed down a judgment in the 62 Byng Street matter.

The judgement signals the court would let the proposal go ahead subject to a number of changes to the original plans.

Final orders have not yet been made.

The Commissioner has directed the Applicant to update the development application to ensure the documentation and plans are consistent and has required the Applicant to make a number of design changes to the development and provide further amended documentation including an updated plan of management and landscape plan.

In summary, for consent to proceed, the Applicant is required to:

• Delete the proposed removal of the stained glass heritage window.
• Delete the upper level connection/extension from the existing heritage building.
• Amend the proposal to ensure the fabric in the roof will not be impacted by the works. This was agreed to by the heritage consultant on the basis of an amended plan tendered at the hearing.
• Include screening to the balconies (privacy).
• Provide a landscape plan that demonstrates acoustic fence treatment and provides details of deciduous plantings to the eastern boundary to address the concerns of the public.

Subject to the Applicant (Mr Nock) providing satisfactory amended plans and documentation, and the Respondent (Council) providing revised updated Conditions of Consent that are consistent with the findings in the judgment, the Commissioner is prepared to make orders in Chambers. The Commissioner has set a date of 21 June when the amended plans should be received.

If the Applicant’s amendments satisfactorily address the matters raised by the Commissioner in the judgment and comply with the directions of the Court, the final orders will result in the approval of the further amended development subject to conditions of consent.

The judgment will be made available to the public on the NSW case law website (https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au) later today or tomorrow. Because these matters are still proceeding, Orange City Council will make no comment on this decision.

Orange City Library’s new RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) system, which lets libraries streamline the way they manage their collections, is up and running.

The technology allows patrons to check out their own books using their card and an electronic scanning device at kiosks near the front entrance.

Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair Cr Ron Gander said the technology allows people to check books in and out faster but also frees up library staff to help patrons with a range of other activities that go on inside Orange City Library.

“The staff do a whole lot more than simply checking books in and out. It’s a modern library where all sorts of activities, workshops and education programs go on day in and day out,” Cr Gander said.

“From teaching seniors how to use technology , to helping kids with the Lego club, school holiday programs and of course, the storytime for littlies, staff are always on the go.

“By allowing people to check their own books in and out, staff have more time to help people use the computers, or help students with research projects.

“But if you would really prefer to have a staff member help you borrow a book, then they will always be available for that too.”

Cr Gander officially launched the system yesterday (Thursday) along with NSW Library Council members , president George Souris AM, Professor Peter Shergold AC, Michael Caulfield and Central West Libraries manager Jan Richards AM.

The project has been made possible by a NSW Government Library Development Grant from the Library Council of NSW and funding from Orange City Council.

Cr Gander said it was a mammoth task to install electronic tagging on 80,000 library items, all while the Orange Library was going through a major refurbishment.

“The staff have done an excellent job and the feedback regarding the major refurbishment has been positive,” Cr Gander said.

“It’s brighter, it’s more modern and everything is on wheels so that means it can be easily moved around quickly to allow for temporary installations such as the current Waste 2 Art exhibition.”

Central West Libraries Manager Jan Richards is delighted with the result of the recent refurbishment of the library.

“The makeover and new RFID system brings the Library in line with community expectations and the emerging public library environment,” Ms Richards said.

“It was an opportunity to re-arrange the space to encourage browsing, to highlight collections and to provide places to read and study.”

SIMPLE: Cr Ron Gander borrows a book with the help of Orange City Librarian Sean Brady.

24 May 2017

Orange Mayor John Davis has welcomed the announcement an agreement has been made to build a private hospital bringing with it about 500 jobs.

Zauner Construction and James Richmark Pty Limited announced the two had entered into an agreement to build the Bloomfield Medical Centre opposite Orange Health Service.

Mayor of Orange, John Davis, has praised the design of the Bloomfield Private Hospital site which includes a hospital, retail space, a 'Super GP Clinic' an allied health precinct and motel.

"This development is a major part of the Orange Council plans for South Orange," Cr Davis said.

"The developers have worked closely with Council to produce plans which are modern and much needed in Orange.

"We encourage the community to get behind this very important development. Zauner Construction and James Richmark Pty Ltd have not only produced plans which meet our needs at Bloomfield and South Orange, they have worked with us to help overcome our urgent needs for parking in that area as well as create employment for close to 500 people for Orange and the region."

The development allows for 835 carparks designed to meet the needs of the site and assist with the parking issues at the Public Hospital.

"We needed to come up with modern plans which we believe would get the support of the Orange community," he said.

"We were always keen on a one stop shop for general medical and allied health in addition to providing a modern private hospital and other facilities, including a Medi motel.

"We have worked closely with the Orange Council to make sure our plans will meet their expectations. We will commence construction as soon as all the necessary approvals are received.”

A community planting day and balmy Autumn temperatures are the perfect excuse to get out of the house and back to nature this Sunday.

Come along to Rifle Range Creek in Nelson Park, along Gardiner Road between Taronga Avenue and Hill Street, from 10am to help create a nature “highway” for Orange’s fauna to easily travel from north to south.

Orange City Council’s Parks, Trees and Waterways Committee Chair Cr Reg Kidd, said residents might remember when the creek in this section of Nelson Park was a blocked drain full of Willows and shopping trolleys.

“A phenomenal amount of work has been put in over the last few years to clean the place up and most of that work has been done by volunteers,” Cr Kidd said.

“The community should feel proud of what it has achieved but we’re asking for a few helping hands again this weekend.

“We’ll be planting a range of native trees, shrubs and grasses alongside the creek to enhance the biodiversity of the area and create a highway for animals and birds to travel from one side of Orange to the other.

“Other than doing something for the community, the planting day will be a great family day out, hands on fun in the sun. “I’m looking forward to seeing you there.” Volunteers will need to bring their own gloves, hats, covered shoes and sunscreen and are welcome to a free barbecue after the community planting day.

The community planting day is funded by Local Land Services.

Follow this event on Facebook.