News

2 March 2018

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.

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

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.”

21 February 2018

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.

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 1^st prize $200, 2^nd and 3^rd $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 20^th 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.

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.

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

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