News

HAZARD: The deadline for having your home tested for loose-fill asbestos is fast approaching.

Orange-based business Wangarang Industries had so much success using funding from Orange City Council’s Grow Local campaign, they had more work coming than they could handle.

The ‘Grow Local’ program aims to help businesses who want to expand or who are affected by other businesses downsizing and is jointly funded by the NSW Department of Industry and the Council.

The latest round of funding for the campaign is now underway.

General Manager of Wangarang Industries, Kevin McGuire, said that the funding has been used as a part of a marketing campaign to target additional work for the staff directly-affected by the Electrolux closure.

“The majority of the community have heard about Wangarang Industries, but not everyone is aware of what we do, this funding has helped us fix that,” said Mr McGuire.

“Since August last year, the extra marketing to attract work for our gardening teams was so successful we were approached for more work that we could handle and we had to scale back the advertising.”

“We’re gearing up to meet that extra demand and switching our advertising to our commercial cleaning services. For a business like ours, it’s a great position to be in and this funding gave us the confidence to tackle this promotional work more seriously.”

Orange City Council's Economic Development Committee chair Cr Jeff Whitton said the goal of the Grow Local program is to support business to deliver jobs creation or protect existing jobs in the Orange area.

“The program offers financial assistance in the form of small seed-funding grants to businesses to let them explore new directions or support them as they grow,” Cr Jeff Whitton said.

Since the program was launched in August last year five local businesses are benefitting from the grants scheme, including Wangarang Industries.

Cr Jeff Whitton believes one of the best ways to grow the local economy is to work with the companies we already have.

“These companies have already set up here and shown faith in the local economy,” Cr Jeff Whitton said. “We should do everything we can to try and help them grow.”

“These small, targeted grants can deliver strategies like a better business plan, more equipment or improved marketing. Any business can benefit from a shot in the arm like this.”

The Grow Local program has a number of levels of assistance, from small sole traders just starting out in the world of business to larger businesses who want to boost their presence in the Orange region.

“If a medium to large business is interested in moving their head office to Orange and want to look at buying council property to do that, then this scheme can offer some support which could make that re-location proposal more viable for them, if it will bring more jobs to Orange.”

There is limited funding available for this program. If companies want to find out more about this program or apply for funding they should contact Orange City Council on 6393 8000.

Orange is full of people who achieve extraordinary things.

Many Orange residents dedicate hours upon hours making a difference and exceeding in their particular fields.

There’s talented Orange residents everywhere who deserve more recognition.

Do you know someone who is an inspiration to the community?

Why not nominate them for the 2017 Australian of the Year Awards?

Through the Australian of the Year Awards, individuals and communities have the opportunity to recognise those Australians who have inspired or challenged us to participate more actively in the life of the nation.

The focus for the Awards is not on the greatest scientific or sporting achievements but on recognising ordinary Australians who achieve extraordinary things.

Awards are now open in four categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year (65 years and over) Young Australian of the Year (16 to 30 years) and

Australia's Local Hero.

Finalists are chosen from each of the states and territories and those finalists then proceed to the national level of judging.

Nomination cards are available at Orange City Council reception or online via www.australianoftheyear.gov.au.

Nominations close Sunday August 7.

WALL FLOWERS:Orange Regional Gallery staff meticulously hang the latest exhibition.

For water management staff and Councillors at Orange City Council who steered Orange through a major drought, the sight of water gushing over the spillway at Suma Park Dam this week has put a spring in their step.

Strategic Water Manager Wayne Beatty remembers losing sleep about the practicalities of supplying water to Orange residents when the level of Suma Park Dam dropped to 23 per cent of capacity.

“It was a crisis which really prompted the council to tackle the joint questions of broadening the city’s sources of water by building the Macquarie Pipeline and stormwater harvesting and then boosting our storage capacity by raising the height of the dam wall,” Wayne Beatty recalls.

“With all those projects now completed, it’s absolutely fantastic to see the results of that one metre higher wall holding back a completely full dam.”

With recent heavy rain and both Spring Creek and Gosling Creek dams full, the water started to flow over the dam wall at Suma Park on Wednesday this week.

Yesterday there was 200 mm of water flowing over the spillway and there are predictions that’s set to continue for some days.

Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Committee chair Cr Glenn Taylor said the timing of this event couldn’t have been better.

“During the construction phase it was important that the water capacity had to stay below 80 per cent. For all of that work it was well below that level,” Cr Glenn Taylor said.

“Now with the construction complete and only some commissioning and electrical work yet to be finished, the rain has come at just the right time.”

Deputy Mayor Chris Gryllis said the extra one metre of height on the dam wall meant the city had about three years of water supply from the dam alone, based on the current usage rate.

“That’s if there is not a drop of rain ever again,” Cr Gryllis said.

“There is an extra 10 per cent storage capacity now the dam wall has been raised, which takes the supply of Suma Park to nearly 19,000 mega litres.”

OVERFLOW: Orange City Council’s Strategic Water Manager Wayne Beatty checks out the scene as thousands of litres of water flows over the new higher spillway at Suma Park dam.

Eyes turned skyward in Orange during national NAIDOC Week as the Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Islander flag were raised to acknowledge the national celebration.

The ceremony was held on Thursday July 7 at the Orange Civic Square to acknowledge the nation-wide event even though Orange does not hold its official NAIDOC Week celebrations until November.

Orange NAIDOC Week committee chairman Gerald Power said the decision was made to acknowledge the national celebration to show support and unity with people across the country.

“It’s about sharing our culture, connecting and celebrating,” Mr Power said.

As someone who was born outside of Australia, Orange’s Deputy Mayor Chris Gryllis said he knew how important it was for people to accept each other, respect each other and celebrate together.

“I wish all Australians a happy NAIDOC Week,” Cr Gryllis said.

Orange Aboriginal Local Land Council CEO Annette Steele said Orange held its celebrations later in the year because the cold, wet conditions in July dampened festivities.

However she encouraged the community to attend a NAIDOC Week family fun day hosted by Canobolas Local Area Command tomorrow, July 8, at the Orange Function Centre.

Face painting, a jumping castle, coaching clinics, Aboriginal dances and a free lunch are planned for the event starting at 11am.

Suma Park Dam almost reached capacity after Orange's wettest June on record.

The Orange water supply dam, Suma Park, reached 92 per cent capacity on Thursday, June 30, after a record rainfall of 264.4 mm over the month.

Last month was 191.1 mm wetter than the June average.

Spring Creek Dam and Gosling Creek Dam were overflowing after the June rainfall record was smashed by 85.8 mm.

The water at Suma Park Dam is about 30 mm from full and could reach capacity in the next week.

Earlier this year Orange City Council completed construction to raise Suma Park’s wall by one metre, during which time the dam level was restricted to 80 per cent of its capacity.

Although council is continuing to commission new plant equipment, the water level restriction no longer applies.

The wall height extension means Suma Park can hold 10 per cent more water.

Council is also looking forward to hosting a community open day later in the year when residents will be able to see the work at Suma Park first hand.

Meanwhile the first snow of the season fell during the last week of June, blanketing the city centre for about 40 minutes on Friday, June 24, and there was a sprinkling on Monday morning, June 27.

Orange resident Rocky Mileto is used to waiting at the edge of a playground while he watches his children climb the equipment.

But not anymore thanks to a $35,000 grant secured by Orange City Council from the State Government.

The grant went towards an accessible gym for use by everyone, including Mr Mileto who is wheelchair bound.

“The thing is with this project is, lots of council’s talk about looking after everyone in the community, but they’ve gone and done it” Mr Mileto said.

“I am used to watching my nine year-old twins climb around but now I can join in, be active with them.”

Orange’s first accessible gym was officially opened on Thursday, June 30, by Orange City Council’s Deputy Mayor Chris Gryllis with help from several Anson Street School students who were keen to climb over, through and on the new equipment.

Acting Allied Health Manager at Orange Health Service, Lacey Healey, said the central location of the equipment, at Moulder Park, meant clients could get outside and be active with their families in their own time, rather than having to wait until scheduled appointments at Orange Health Service.

“Initially when Orange City Council approached us asking for our involvement, we really welcomed the opportunity because it gives another option for people with illness or disability to maintain their own health and well-being outside of what we can provide in the space of Orange Health Service and our rehab services,” she said.

Orange Councillors Russell Turner and Ron Gander supported Cr Gryllis at the opening of the accessible gym and both said the gym installation was a part of a larger project to provide facilities for all Orange residents.

“We’re really trying to make this a very liveable city for all people and all ages and all abilities,” Cr Gander said.

Anson Street School student, nine-year-old Thomas, said he couldn’t wait to take his family to see the new gym and wished he was tall enough to do pull-ups on his own.

“I will be soon and then I’ll be the strongest if I practice lots on the play equipment,” he said.

STRENGTH: Anson Street School student Thomas tries hard to do his first pull-up on the new accessible gym equipment at Moulder Park.

Everyone is invited to see inside the much talked about Orange Regional Museum before its first exhibition and before the Visitors Information Centre (VIC) and a new café open inside the building.

The public walk through is on Sunday 10 July from 11am to 2pm and will be an opportunity to have a sneak peek at the unique design before the VIC and Café Open later in July and the Museum in October

Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee chair Cr Ron Gander said the museum, with its grassed-roof, was a talking point for the region and encouraged everyone to satisfy their curiosity about what lies beneath.

“The museum is in the heart of the city where it’s seen by thousands of drivers along Peisley and Byng Streets every day,” he said.

“As such there is a lot of interest surrounding the building. It is an amazing design and I encourage everyone to come along and see it for themselves," Cr Gander said.

The public will be able to walk through the 1100 square metre building and enjoy a community barbecue afterwards.

The floor space of the open areas of the building, which includes the café, VIC and museum display area is about 900 square metres. By Comparison, the largest of the gallery’s display areas, The Alan Sisley room is 360 square metres.

“The shape of the sloping roof has already captured visitors and resident’s imagination and I am sure they can’t wait to see what’s inside,” Cr Gander said

Entry would be via a gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to the Orange Regional Museum Fund Ltd.

CHANGE: A before and after view of Byng Street of where the orange Regional Museum is located.

We are in uncharted territory with the wettest June on record.

Understandably, the Council sports grounds are saturated.

Sir Jack Brabham and Wade Park had sport scheduled this weekend, but due to the weather the fields are not available for use.

We know people want to get out and play but the winter codes have a long way to go this season.

We need to ensure the grounds are managed in such a way that they are available as much as possible in the coming weeks and months.

Protecting the surfaces this weekend is part of that management.

Even if it clears tomorrow we aren’t going to get the sort of improvement we need to let games go ahead.