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Consultation has concluded

Orange City Council News

Orange City Council News

Consultation has concluded
  • New approach improves outlook for stray dogs and cats

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    2 March 2018

    Orange City Council’s new system for dealing with stray dogs and cats is aimed at re-uniting lost dogs with their owners sooner.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the council has developed a new approach in response to the decision by the RSPCA not to deal with strays in future.

    “As part of a broader policy change, the RSPCA told Orange City Council some time ago it wouldn’t be accepting stray dogs and cats from council rangers or the community,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “That’s a matter for them, but they’ve kept us in touch and given us time to develop a new approach which will meet the needs of the community.”

    “I believe the new regime which comes into effect from Monday will deliver a good service. By involving local vets in a new way and making use of social media, we’ll be aiming to deal with this difficult problem as best we can”

    READY : Staff members from the Canobolas Famly Pet Hospital (l. to r.) Perri Hawke, Lisa Brisbane and Cass Scurrah are ready to receive stray cats and dogs from Monday 5 March.

    Orange City Council has made arrangements with one local vet practice, Canobolas Family Pet Hospital , to be the place during business hours where someone can take a stray dog or cat.

    “It’s important for people to understand that if they find a stray cat or dog they should contact the participating vets and make arrangements to take it to their office during hours when the clinic is open,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “If they’re able to keep the stray dog safely until then, that would be best way forward. If they can’t take it to the vet clinic, they should ring council during business hours and a ranger will collect it.”

    “This service will be available during business hours through the week, and with limited daytime hours on weekends. While council rangers will respond at any time if there’s been a dog attack, there simply isn’t the same level of risk to community safety if a stray has been found and rangers won’t be responding to complaints about strays after hours and at night.

    “If the owner can’t be found via the microchip, the plan is to post a photo of the animal or a new Facebook page. That way someone who’s lost their pet can have a place to go to see if it’s been found.

    “This will be a much better way of re-uniting pets with owners, but it also points to why it’s so important for owners to make sure their pet is micro-chipped and that the online details are up to date.

    “Why not make sure your dog’s collar has an ID tag with the pet’s name and your mobile number? That would let someone who found your dog make contact directly and avoid a lot of potential family heartache and delay. “


    Orange City Council’s Companion Animals Committee chair Cr Stephen Nugent is pleased local vets are directly involved in the new approach.

    “These vets have a professional shop-front clinic which is well-suited to dealing with the public,” Cr Stephen Nugent said. “Staff have the expertise to be able to quickly check an animal’s micro-chip and get in touch with the owner as soon as possible. Anything that starts the process of re-uniting a pet with its owner quicker is good news.”

    The RSPCA will continue to have a role with dealing with reports of animal cruelty problems and welfare issues but will not receive stray animals.




    ** This story has been edited. Refereences to a secondary vet practice have been removed.

  • Tunes and teddies in Cook Park

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    Thursday March 1, 2018.

    If you go down to Cook Park on Saturday (March 10), you’re in for a big surprise.

    If you go down to Cook Park that day, you'd better go in disguise. For every bear that ever there was, will gather there for certain, because that’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic.


    The annual Courallie Park Child Development Centre fundraiser, Teddy Bears’ Day Out, an event dedicated to children under five, is on again, March 10 from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

    This year the gang has teamed up with the City Of Orange Brass Band to co-host the Teddy Bear’s Day Out along with the annual Brass Celebration 2018.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the fete had been running for about 12 years and was one of only a handful of events in the region aimed at very young children.

    “It’s getting bigger every year and with the annual Brass Celebration happening at the same time, it’s sure to be a wonderful day out for the whole family ,” Cr Kidd said.

    “The team has organised a large range of stall holders and activities so we’re sure every little person will find something they’re interested in, and there’s plenty for parents and carers too.”

    Dozens of market stalls and information stands will descend on the park along with dance performances, face painting, jumping castles, a barbecue, cupcake decorating and craft stalls.

    Orange City Council’s Services Policy Chair Kevin Duffy said the Teddy Bears’ Day Out was the childrens’ centre’s major fundraiser for the year and money raised would go towards buying learning materials and equipment.

    “It would be wonderful if every Orange family and their teddies to come along to the park and have a great family day out together.

    “Coupled with the 11th annual Brass Celebration, it’ll be a wonderful celebration for the young, the older and everyone in between.

    “Three of Australia’s most outstanding brass bands will be visiting Orange for the celebration celebration.

    “First held in 2008, the Brass Celebration honours the centenary of the Orange Town Band’s gift of the Cook Park Rotunda to the city of Orange in 1908.

    “It’s always a wonderful event full of pomp and ceremony.”

    Anyone interested in hosting a stall for the Teddy Bear’s Day Out should contact the centre on 63938080.

    TEDDIES: Courallie kids (last year) get ready for the big day.

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  • Visitors’ Centre gears up for the busiest time of year

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    Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

    The Orange Visitors’ Information Centre is gearing up for its busiest three months of the year, as thousands of people are expected to hit the city this weekend injecting more than half a million dollars into the economy.

    And that’s a conservative estimate.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the next three months were jam packed with events such as FOOD Week, live music, horse racing (and camel racing), local country shows, markets and regional sporting carnivals.

    “This weekend we have the Newcrest Orange Challenge which brings more than 1,200 competitors to town and they usually bring with them a few friends and family members,” Cr Kidd said.

    “Then there’s the annual Orange Bird Sale on Saturday, which is huge and attracts about 1,000 people.

    “We’re not at capacity just yet, but accommodation is nearly booked out in the city this weekend.”

    Last year, during the months of March, April and May, the staff at the Visitors Centre helped 35,731 people who walked through the doors.

    Orange City Council’s Employment and Economic Development Committee Chair Cr Jeff Whitton said while the Autumn were traditionally the busiest for the Visitors Centre, figures from last year showed Orange visitor numbers were consistently high.

    “Last year 130,247 people walked through the doors and spoke with staff members at the Visitors Centre,” he said.

    “It shows people still want that face-to-face contact, a trusted local to help point them in the right direction with options for restaurants, pubs and cafes as well as , how to get there and what to do while they’re here.

    “There was significant website traffic as well as over 3,000 phone inquiries but the numbers show there’s still nothing like speaking, in person, with a friendly Visitors Information officer.

    “Often people have specific needs that aren’t addressed well online, such as a family travelling with pets, or someone in a wheelchair will want something specifically tailored to them.

    “And that’s what the staff at the Visitors Centre are good at. They tailor people’s itineraries for them.

    “Someone might be here this weekend for the Newcrest Challenge but the Visitors Staff can come up with an itinerary of ideas for the kids or partner to do while they’re in town.

    Cr Whitton said there was a huge economic benefit to having these types of large events in the city.

    “Based on conservative estimates the Newcrest Challenge alone brings in to the local economy about $500,000,” he said.

    “Those figures are calculated using Tourism Research Australia figures and an estimate of the number of competitors who were not local.

    “Those competitors spend money on accommodation, meals, shopping and often they’ll go to a winery, or perhaps stay for a game of golf.”

    For information on upcoming events in Orange and surrounds head to www.visitorange.com.au

    BUSY: Autumn in Orange is the busiest time for the Vistors' Center.

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  • Community prepares for Tidy Towns judges

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    Monday February 26, 2018.

    Community members are putting the finishes touches on our city ahead of next week’s 2018 Australian Tidy Towns judging.

    For several weeks, bands of environmentally conscious volunteers have been weeding, watering, spraying and picking up litter in preparation for Wednesday’s visit.


    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said people were rolling up their sleeves to give Orange the best chance at taking out the national award.

    “We’re getting stuck in, not just on how the town looks but we’ve been researching, meeting, helping and getting involved with the city’s community groups because it’s not just about appearance.

    “We’re being judged on environmental sustainability, environmental education, community action and wellbeing, waste management, heritage and culture as well as our young achievers.”

    Orange City Council’s Tidy Towns Committee Chair Kevin Duffy said the itinerary for the assessor’s visit on Wednesday February 28, was extensive and designed to showcase a range of different projects within the city.

    “The assessor will be given a tour of Orange looking at the Ophir Road Resource Recovery Centre, a fantastic glass house designed and built by Kinross year 5 students from plastic bottles, the Orange Base Hospital Wayfinders, a nesting island and nesting boxes at Gosling Creek, the Orange Regional Museum, the Emmaville Cottage, Suma Park Dam to discuss the city’s water security strategies, the Bowen Community Technology Centre, the Council depot and Wentworth Golf Club solar energy program and finally the constructed wetlands,” Cr Duffy said.

    “So as you can see it’s a full-on itinerary which looks at a range of projects, both council and community run.

    “It would be a wonderful coup for the city if we won this national award.

    “It’s a national acknowledgment for our community and its commitment to our environment.”

    Following on from Orange’s win in the state version of the awards, the second win in three years, Orange will compete with five other towns and cities to take out the National Awards being held in Barmera, South Australia, April 5 and 6.

    A win would see Orange judged as the most sustainable regional city in Australia.

    Orange is competing with the Northern Territory’s Aputula, South Australia’s Kimba, Tasmania’s Smithton, Victoria’s Beechworth and Western Australia’s Kalgoorlie.

    TIDY TOWNS: Members of ECCO and the Girl Guides clean up the Waratah Wetlands ahead of the visit from the tidy Towns assessor.

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  • Community saddened by former councillor’s death

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    Wednesday, February 21, 2018

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd paid tribute to one of Orange’s longest serving councillors, Trevor Jaeger, who died earlier this week.

    Mr Jaeger dedicated 25 years of his life to serving the Orange community as a councillor from 1974 to 1999 and during that time he made an impression on people from “all walks of life”, Cr Kidd said.

    “He was a Glenroi boy who had a strong passion for our city,” he said.

    “I had the honour of serving with him for many years .

    “He spent much of those years as chairman of the City of Orange Traffic Committee and he was certainly influential during those debates.

    “I also remember how he was such an immaculate dresser, of great style. He always had a well-pressed shirt and tie, a buttoned-blazer and never a hair out of place.

    “For the Jaegers, local government was in the blood. Trevor’s father John Pervical Jaeger was the Mayor of Orange from 1945 to 1946, and again from 1946 to 1947 and the last time from 1951 to 1953.

    “Following in his father’s footsteps and those of his grandfather, Trevor’s son, Jason Jaeger became a councillor in 1999 for a term.

    “Even after his time on council he was a well-respected member of the community who people often went to for trusted, well-thought out advice.”

    Mr Jaeger served as Deputy Mayor for six years, he was chairman of the City Of Orange Traffic Committee for 25 years, he spent 15 years as the Chairman of the Ophir Electricity County Council, 10 years as a member of the Executive of the Local Government Electricity Association and 21 years as a member of the Ophir County Council.

    Mr Jaeger remained on the City Of Orange Traffic Committee for several years after he retired from Council.

    “Our deepest sympathy goes out to his lifelong partner Gloria, who was never far from his side,” Cr Kidd said.

    “He was a true son of Orange who made his mark and to which the community will be always indebted.”


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  • Orange's newest roundabout : a boost to road safety

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    21 February 2018

    Orange’s newest roundabout near Canobolas Rural Technology High School has been completed and is open for traffic.

    The roundabout was fully funded by the Federal Government with $225,000 allocated to the project under the Federal Government’s Black Spot Programme.

    The roundabout was constructed by Orange City Council at the Wakeford Street, Winter Street and Icely Road intersection.

    Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee said the project was a great example of the Federal Government and local councils working together to improve community safety.

    “The site has a record of crashes and I believe local residents will welcome the new roundabout as it will reduce the risk of future accidents.

    “This new roundabout will help to slow vehicles down around the area which is also incredibly important given the close proximity to Canobolas Rural Technology High School.”

    Mr Gee said the Federal Government allocated $19.2 million under the Black Spot Programme to fund 52 projects in New South Wales.

    SAFETY : Cr Sam Romano, Member for Calare Andrew Gee and Mayor Reg Kidd take a close look at the new roundabout's pedestrian crossing.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the project finished two weeks behind schedule after delays caused by an unknown source of water.

    “The aim was always to get this job done during the school holidays and we started work on the roundabout back in December last year,” Cr Reg Kidd said.

    “But it wouldn’t be the first excavation job in Orange that’s hit an unexpected source of water and that’s what’s happened here.

    “It wasn’t clear from the investigation whether it was one of Orange’s underground springs or a water leak from some distance away, but our council crews worked quickly to divert the flow away from the foundations into a stormwater channel.

    “In the long run, an unfortunate two week delay won’t be as important as having a solid foundation and a roundabout that keeps local drivers safe on a busy intersection.”

    Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Sam Romano said the Icely Rd/Wakeford St intersection is a busy corner with a poor traffic accident record.

    “Within a hundred metres of that corner there’s been six accidents in recent years,” Cr Sam Romano said. “Two of those accidents involved moderate injuries to pedestrians and another one involved a moderate injury to a passenger in a car.

    “The roundabout’s one-lane-in, one-lane-out design means that pedestrians only have to cross one lane of traffic before they get to a refuge island, instead of two.

    “We’ve also installed new footpaths and upgraded others to take pedestrians further away from the passing traffic.

    “I’d like to thank nearby residents for their patience and understanding during the construction.”

    The Australian Government has extended the Black Spot Program and is providing $60 million per year from the 2021 to 2022 financial year onwards, building on the current $684.5 million investment from
    the 2013 to 2014 financial year to the 2020 to 2021 financial year.

    SAFETY : The new roundabout's design, with a longer than usual distance from the turning circle to the pedestrian refuge, is aimed at boosting safety for students at the nearby Canobolas High.
  • Prizemoney doubled for Banjo Paterson Writing Contest

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    19 February 2018

    Organisers have doubled the prizemoney to be won for this year’s Banjo Paterson Writing competition.

    One of a number of changes being made this year’s the long-running contest, the prizes for the Short Story and Contemporary Poetry categories increase from $1,000 to $2,000.

    Timed to coincide with the poet’s birthday this week, (Paterson was born on February 17, 1864) Orange City Library, the Central Western Daily and ABC Central West Radio have opened this year’s Banjo Paterson Writing Awards for entries.

    Orange Mayor Cr Reg Kidd has welcomed the new approach.

    “Established in 1991, these awards aim to honour Banjo Paterson, a great Australian writer and favourite son of Orange, with a competition to encourage short story or poetry writing with Australian content,” Cr Reg Kidd said.

    “I’m pleased the organisers have made some changes to keep the competition fresh and engaging for the community.”

    Orange City Council’s Services Committee chair Cr Kevin Duffy said the number of competition categories had also been stream-lined this year.

    “Given the rise of bush poetry competitions elsewhere, it was decided to focus on contemporary writing as well the section for children,” Cr Kevin Duffy said.

    There are three categories:

    • Short Story - First prize $2,000
    • Contemporary Poetry - First prize $2,000
    • and ABC Central West Radio Children’s Writing Awards - First prize $200.

    “Entries in any of the categories don’t have to be written in the same style as the work of Banjo Paterson as the awards are aimed at promoting Australian writing and writers,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “The only requirement is for Australian content.”

    First prize is $2,000 in the short story and contemporary poetry sections. Entry is $15.

    The prizes for the ABC Central West Radio Children’s Writing Awards are 1st prize $200, 2nd and 3rd $100 each. Entry is $5 for these awards and entries must be the unaided work of the entrant up to and including age 16 years on Friday 20th April, 2018.

    The competition closes on Friday 20th April 2018 and winners will be contacted by phone on Friday 6th July.

    The winners will be publicly announced at the Readers and Writers Festival to be held on Saturday 28th July at the Hotel Canobolas. The winning short story entry will be published in The Central Western Daily and winning entries will also be published on the Central West Libraries website www.cwl.nsw.gov.au.

    The entry form can be downloaded here. Further information by phoning Orange City Library on 6393 8120, or email: library@orange.nsw.gov.au

  • Teen volunteer awarded youth of the month

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    12 February 2018

    Orange Mayor Cr Reg Kidd has paid tribute to a local teenager who hasn’t let a disability get in the way of tackling his HSC and volunteering for the community.

    The mayor this week presented Jack Larsen, 19, with the latest Orange Youth of the Month award.

    Born with a brain tumour, Jack has an ongoing hand and leg disability.

    “It’s fantastic that Jack hasn’t let his disability get in the way of his long list of achievements,” Cr Reg Kidd said at the award presentation.

    “On behalf of the council and the community I’m pleased to say we’re extremely proud of you.”

    During a break after his recent HSC trials Orange High School, Jack volunteered at Wontama’s Clancy-Weston Lodge, assisting in bus-trips and helping residents understand and use technology.

    In one case he helped an elderly resident enjoy a Skype conversation with her son who lives in Laos. That resident is now making plans to have online conversations with her grandchildren who live in Switzerland.

    Jack Larsen also volunteered to help with the running of the Cricket state carnival in Orange in January.

    “I wish there were more people who would get as involved as you are as a volunteer,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “Jack’s disability has become a strength, as he’s put so much back into the community.”


    AWARD : Orange Mayor Reg Kidd presents the latest youth of the month award to Orange teen Jack Larsen, watched by Jack’s parents Scott and Trish Larsen.
  • Mini music festival plans unveiled for Orange

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    Friday, February 9, 2018

    Orange’s array of contemporary music talent will be on show next month, with the staging of a mini music festival in a string of venues around Robertson Park.

    Organisers today unveiled plans for JAM SATURDAY, a 1-day event which will see more than 50 performers entertaining crowds in a dozen cafes, pubs, shops, and other venues dotted around Robertson Park.

    The event, on Saturday 24 March, is being organized by JAM Orange, with support from the NSW Government, Orange City Council and local businesses.


    JAM Orange secretary Paul Kelly said there’s a lot of excitement among local musicians about next month’s event.

    “JAM Orange has been staging concerts in local venues for many months now,” Paul Kelly said. “We’ve had a string of performances by touring acts and local musicians and that has shown us there is a strong demand and interest in the ‘live’ music scene.”

    “The JAM SATURDAY event is aiming to take that interest to a new level, and we’re very grateful for the backing of the State Government, Orange City Council and local sponsors.”

    Orange City Council’s Services Committee chair, Cr Kevin Duffy said the decision to stage this event across a dozen different venues is a good move.

    “The beauty of a music festival is that music fans will be able enjoy a smorgasbord of local performers by strolling to venues that are all with a stone’s throw of Robertson Park,” Cr Kevin Duffy said.

    “Less than a block away from the park, people will be able to sit in their choice of cafes and pubs and other stores and enjoy live music.”

    “The best thing is that all the concerts across the day will be free. People might buy a drink or a meal in their choice of venue, but the show will be free.

    “With the festival funding, all the professional performers will be paid for their shows, and by doing that we’re working on developing a local live music scene.”

    The festival was unveiled in McNamara Lane alongside a number of the venues, Blind Pig cafe, Grocer & Co and the Parkview Hotel.

    Among the more unusual venues, are plans for a musical taxi. On the day, taxi customers can choose to take a trip from the Robertson Park taxi rank with a musician sitting in the front seat, to perform during their trip.

    $20,000 funding for the festival is coming from the NSW Government’s Create NSW program and the LIVE MUSIC Office.

    This funding is being matched by Orange City Council ($15,000) and local businesses ($5,000.) The total funding covers equipment costs and payments to musicians.

    JAM: Members of JAM get together ahead of the JAM Saturday festival.

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  • Council makes progress on fire hydrant checking

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    6 February 2018

    In the wake of a major fire in William Street in February last year (2017), Orange City has stepped up its system of testing water hydrants.

    The current round of testing is almost complete, but like painting the Harbour Bridge, it will be an ongoing project that will get an ongoing priority.

    The William street fire showed up potential problems when valves had been turned off inadvertently.

    Valves are used to turn water flow off and on in a water main. The valves can shut down a section of water main in order to repair a break, undertake maintenance or install a new water main or water service to a property.

    There are 4,131 valves across Orange’s streets.

    Since March last year 100% of the valves have been inspected to see if they can be found and how visible they are. To make them easy to find, both valves and hydrant covers are painted a contrasting colour.

    So far 88% of the valves have been tested to check if the water can be turned on and off and that process is continuing.

    The other element in the water infrastructure is hydrants, where fire-fighting equipment can be connected to a water line. There are 4,758 hydrants in Orange. 98% have been inspected to check if they are able to be used and are visible. A further round of water-flow and pressure testing is continuing.

    Where defects are found, a program of repairs and maintenance has already begun. Council has bought a truck-mounted vacuuming machine at a cost of around $250,000 which clears dirt from the inside of the valves and hydrants so they can be used.

    On top of the cost of the vacuum-truck, the council has spent more than $300,000 on this program including putting on four extra contract staff