Building Better Roads

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Consultation has concluded

As well as increasing its spending on local roads and improving road quality, Orange City Council wants to engage with local residents to better explain how roads are maintained.
One this site you can find out more and have your say about :








As well as increasing its spending on local roads and improving road quality, Orange City Council wants to engage with local residents to better explain how roads are maintained.
One this site you can find out more and have your say about :








Consultation has concluded

  • Plans for stage two of Southern Feeder Road open for comment

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    Thursday, May 10, 2018

    The second stage of the Southern Feeder Road has reached an important planning milestone as a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is released for public exhibition.


    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the REF was an important planning document which spells out what impacts the project would have on the area.

    “This is an important project for the economic development of the region as well as to make life easier for residents getting from one side of the city to the other,” Cr Kidd said.

    “It will provide direct access from Forest Road to the Mitchell Highway via Dairy Creek Road.”

    The second stage of the road through southern Orange involves a bridge being built over the western railway line north of Sir Jack Brabham Park with a road running 840 metres between Elsham Avenue and Forest Road.

    Edward Street would also be extended south by 440 metres through the former saleyards to link up with the SFR.

    The Stage 2 works will connect with Stage 1 of the SFR to the west, constructed in 2013-14, and Dairy Creek Road to the east.

    Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Romano stressed this step in the planning process did not mean Council was ready to start work on the project, but it would make the project “shovel ready” for when funding was achieved.

    “We’re still looking at a variety of funding sources and we’re hopeful we’ll be successful in achieving those goals soon,” Cr Romano said.

    “The NSW Government is supporting this project but more funding is needed to complete it.”

    “The SFR would relieve traffic pressures in the central areas of Orange, including encouraging heavy vehicles to drive around the city rather than through it.

    “The completion of the Northern Distributor Road has made a significant impact when it comes to reducing the number of heavy vehicles through the city and the Southern Feeder Road will further assist with that.

    “Residents are encouraged to read the REF and raise any concerns about its potential impact.

    “But residents can be assured the REF has not highlighted any significant issues in terms of environmental impact, heritage impact, and impact on any land of Aboriginal heritage significance nor in terms of noise or impact on residents.

    All submissions will be taken into account and a report will be prepared for councillors to consider in the coming months.

    ROAD: Proposed road in the REF

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  • Forest Road upgrades begins

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    Monday, March 19, 2018.

    A major upgrade of Forest Road begins this week with work expecting to take about six months.

    The road will remain open during construction but there will be delays.

    The first of three stages will begin at the Orange Health Service intersection and the installation of traffic lights will follow.

    The traffic lights will be placed at the hospital entrance, in line with the entrance of the yet to be built, private hospital.

    The traffic lights will be in place because of the large number of pedestrians expected to be crossing between the two facilities. Traffic lights are the safest option in this instance.

    There will no parking available at the front of the Orange Health Service during and after construction because of the new, wider road configuration and the installation of kerb and guttering. Orange City Council is working with the Orange Health Service regarding its plans for parking.

    The road works will involve the upgrading and widening of the existing road pavement with a hotmix asphalt surface.

    Part of the upgrade will include a 2.5 metre wide cycle path on the Eastern side of the road from the traffic lights, down to the southern end of Sir Jack Brabham Park and linking into the existing paths through the park.

    The design also includes 120 marked car parks alongside Sir Jack Brabham Park to support increased recreational use of the sporting fields.

    During busy sporting weekends many people park along this stretch of road so the design will help create more formal spaces and importantly keep people safe and off the road.

    The road will have kerb and guttering on both sides and new street lighting for the full length.

    During the next six months of construction Forest Road will be open and access to the hospital will be available via the main entrance but there will be delays.

    Other options to enter the hospital are from Huntley Road or from Park Drive (the entrance into the Country Club).

    Access for ambulances will be available throughout and they will be prioritised by traffic control when travelling under lights and sirens.

    Weather permitting work begins on Tuesday or Wednesday.

    Of around 300 trees alongside the roadway next to Brabham Park and the Golf Club, 38 trees will be removed.

    The trees will be removed to allow the road to be widened, a new table drain to be built on the western side of the road to improve drainage and to allow for the new 120 car parking spaces alongside Brabham Park.

    Stage two will begin in a couple of months and will include the section from the Southern Feeder Road to the TAFE campus. The third section will be from the TAFE campus to the hospital.

    In total the upgrade is 1.4 kilometres long, with 2,833 metres of kerb and guttering and 884 metres of storm water pipes.

    This project is partly funded by the the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Resources for Regions program and the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery program.

    PATCHING: The jet patching crew working on Forest Road during the record rain of 2016.

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  • Forest Road tender awarded

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    March 13, 2018

    Works on a major upgrade of Forest Road will begin this month, following Orange City Council’s award of tender to Hamcon Civil at last week's council meeting.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said it was wonderful that three levels of government and the private sector have been able to work together to fund this much needed project.

    “Forest Road is one of Orange’s busiest roads and the upgrade of this road has been high on the list of priorities for both the community and Orange City Council,” Cr Kidd said.


    “It’s fantastic we’ve been able to work with the Australian Government, NSW Government and the new private hospital, to be built on Forest Road, to achieve the funding needed to begin this major road upgrade.”

    The contract was partly funded by a $1.55 million investment from the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Resources for Regions program, the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery program contributed $488,339 and the remaining balance was provided by the new private hospital planning agreement and funding from Orange City Council.

    Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, said he was pleased the Federal Government has been able to contribute to this upgrade.

    “Everyone has been very keen to get this project cracking and it’s terrific to see that work is going to get underway soon. The upgrade will make the road safer,” Mr Gee said.

    “The Roads to Recovery program supports the maintenance of local road infrastructure, and Forest Road can be busier than Pitt Street sometimes, so the awarding of this tender will be welcomed by the whole community.”

    The project will see the upgrade of 1,400 metres of Forest Road from the Southern Feeder Road intersection, alongside Sir Jack Brabham Park, to the entrance of the new hospital.

    As well as an upgrade of the road, the project will include street lighting and the construction of parking bays alongside Jack Brabham sports fields.

    A contract for the installation of the street lighting and traffic signals has gone out to tender.

    “Of all the roads in Orange, Forest Road receives the most feedback from the community regarding its condition,” Cr Kidd said.

    “It’s the main road to the hospital and the main road used by Cadia Valley Operations employees.

    “This road upgrade will benefit every person in the Orange LGA and the thousands who visit the hospital from outside the area every year.”

    Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW, Rick Colless, said the NSW Government is proud to invest in this important road upgrade.

    “We are committed to addressing infrastructure constraints in our regional heartland through investments from the Resources for Regions program,” Mr Colless said.

    “This program has contributed $241 million in funding to 44 regional projects across a range of sectors.”

    The project will include:
    • 1,400 metres of road, sealed with hot mix asphalt
    • Kerb and gutter on both sides of the road (2,833 metres)
    • 884 metres of storm water pipes  Street lighting
    • Traffic lights at entrance to hospital. A double-sided parking bay alongside thesporting fields with 120 marked parking spaces


  • Work continues on four major road upgrades

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    Orange City Council road crews and road-building contractors are in the midst of a busy few weeks as work continues on a series of upgrade major roads.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the latest round of major upgrades have been on high profile roads and would make a significant difference to Orange’s road network.

    “Sections of William Street, Cargo Road, Burrendong Way and Leeds Parade have all received major work over the last fortnight and will continue to be upgraded in the coming weeks,” Cr Kidd said.

    “We’ve received a lot of feedback about these particular roads and it’s great to see the expectations of Orange residents lining-up with council’s own list of projects for road spending.

    Contractors completed the first stage of a rehabilitation on William Street this week and laid a temporary gravel surface.

    A separate contactor is due to arrive next week to finish the road with a hot-mix asphalt surface.

    “Crews have dug up 170 metres of William Street to a depth of 430mm, between Byng Street and March Street, added new gravel in the lower layer and strengthened it with cement” Cr Kidd said.

    “The road will be finished with a 220mm hot-mix asphalt surface to match the work completed on the block immediately north of these works.”

    “That’s expected to be done next week, over three nights from Sunday, weather permitted.

    “That section of William Street will be closed from 6.30pm to 6am each night, but customers will still be able to access Officeworks and the Cinema.

    “This job will complete the William Street upgrade, which began last road building season and included the section between March Street and Dalton Street.”

    Meanwhile, council crews have completed an upgrade of one section of Cargo Road, an 850 metre long section from the council boundary at Neals Lane to Witton Place. It was sealed, with a bitumen-gravel surface, last week.

    Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Chair Cr Sam Romano said stage two of the Cargo Road upgrade is expected to begin in the coming fortnight, with a tender recently awarded for storm water drains.

    “Roads like Cargo Road used to be rural lanes, with little to no drainage, and as the city has expanded and more and more people are building homes on the outskirts of the city. It’s important we spend the time and effort in putting in adequate storm water drains,” Cr Romano said.

    “This type of infrastructure will help protect and maintain the road for longer.”

    Road crews have also been working this week on the last 590 metres section of the Leeds Parade upgrade and are expected to remain on the job for another fortnight.

    “As crews work closer to the bypass, there will be some delays on the Leeds Parade roundabout,” Cr Romano said.

    “One lane of the roundabout will remain open the entire time but traffic will be slowed, so avoid the area if you can.

    “The Leeds Parade upgrade has been a community priority for a long time and it’s good to see that two kilometre upgrade coming to an end.

    “The road will be finished off with a bitumen spray seal with hot-mix overlay on the intersections.

    “Weather permitting, it will hopefully be finished in the next couple of weeks.”

    Meanwhile, council crews are also working building a new culvert at the Canobolas Road and Stanford Lane to
    “During the winter months, when water flows in the causeway, sprays of water can turn to ice.

    “We’re putting in a culvert to stop that problem, making the trip safer for Orange drivers.

    “It’s full steam ahead for council’s roadworks and, if the weather stays on our side, we’re on track to make a big difference this road building season.”

    NIGHTWORKS: Work has begun on the second stage of the William Street upgrade.

  • Work begins on first stage of Cargo Road upgrade

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    Monday, January 29, 2018.

    Work is under way on a long-awaited upgrade of Cargo Road.

    Council crews began work last week (17 January) on the first stage of the Cargo Road project, a 850 metre long section from the council boundary at Neals Lane to Witton Place.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the community of Orange will be delighted to see work beginning on this project.

    “The entrance to Orange from Cargo Road has been on the list for a major upgrade for some time, and it’s good to see work getting under way,” Cr Reg Kidd said.

    “We have split the road works into 2 completely separate projects to fast track these much needed works. The first stage is from the council boundary to Witton Place and the second and larger stage is from Witton Place to Ploughmans Lane.”

    “Up near the water tank at the top of the hill, the drainage trenches are being dug to drain the ground water away from the road in the cutting.

    “The road construction crews will begin in early February on road stabilization and resurfacing, at the section near Neals Lane. This project is fully funded by council and worth $280,000.”

    “There’ll be traffic control signs in place, but I’m asking drivers to simply slow down and take extra care to keep the road crews safe. There are lots of blind corners and crests in that part of town.”

    Orange City Council Infrastructure chair Cr Sam Romano said tenders for the first part of the work to undertake extensive drainage work to upgrade the section from Witton Place to Ploughmans Lane closed this week.

    “This is a busy road that’s been a source of concern for drivers for some time,” Cr Sam Romano said.

    “The council has heard that concern loud and clear and I’m looking forward to the first stage of that project starting this financial year.”

    “The important thing for locals to realise is that what used to be country road outside Orange, is now part of the residential urban area. Because of this, the plan is to add kerb and gutter and install approximately 1300 metres of underground storm water pipes, the largest of which will be 1200 mm in diameter. The road pavement will also be rebuilt and widened to 10 metres.

    “Drainage work is planned to start in March this year and this has to be installed before we can start on the road itself. The whole project is expected to be completed in approximately 12 months time.”

    CARGO ROAD: Work has begin to upgrade Cargo Road, the job will be done in two stages.

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  • Mystery water source delays roundabout project

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    Tuesday, January 23, 2018

    Water from an unknown source has delayed progress on a new roundabout at the Icely Rd, Wakeford Street and Winter Street intersection in East Orange.


    Orange City Council began work on the project during the school holidays to avoid impact on normal school traffic to the nearby Canobolas High, and the project was due to be completed before next week’s return to school.

    However, when excavation work began, water from an unknown underground source starting flowing into the worksite.

    Council crews have spent nearly two weeks excavating and checking the multitude of water pipes and other underground services in the immediate area of the intersection for the source.

    The results of water testing to discover if the water was from a natural spring or an unknown leak from a pipe, were inconclusive.

    The water flow has now been channelled to flow into a nearby drain. The road design has been changed by Council engineers to increase the depth of the pavement foundations and a large quantity of water-logged foundation material has been removed from site.

    Efforts to manage the water have put the project about two weeks behind schedule.

    The intersection remains closed and the existing detours will remain in place until the works are complete.

    Council will be installing extra electronic message boards around the school to assist drivers. When school goes back next week, drivers should leave extra time to follow the detour signs.

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

    ROUNDABOUT: Crews are working hard to get the roundabout built and open as soon as possible.

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  • Construction commences on Icely Road roundabout

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    Tuesday January 12, 2018

    Construction has commenced on a roundabout near Canobolas Rural Technology High School to make the area safer and easier to navigate during peak times.

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

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

    Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee said this funding was part of the Australian Government’s allocation of $19.2 million for 52 Black Spot projects across New South Wales in 2017–18.

    “This holiday season has shone a light on the importance of road safety and I’m very pleased that the Federal Government is able to assist Orange City Council to improve safety on our roads,” Mr Gee said.

    “This new roundabout will better manage the traffic flow through the area. I think local residents will welcome it.

    “By funding these works, we will improve road safety and slow vehicles down, which is important given the proximity to Canobolas Rural Technology High School, Mr Gee said.

    “Community safety is paramount and programs like the Black Spot Programme save the community many times the cost of these road improvements that are implemented,” Mr Gee said.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said preliminary work on the roundabout began in December but the major work was being done now, during the school holidays to minimise the impact on the school and its students.

    “We’ve been in talks with the school and nearby residents to ensure there is as little disruption as possible,” Cr Kidd said.

    “The plan is to have the majority of the work finished by Australia Day but that is entirely dependent on weather.
    “It is an important project and while there will be disruption during construction, the result will be worth the temporary inconvenience.

    “The ‘mountable’ style of roundabout being constructed, is often described a bit like a pancake and is designed to allow school buses to easily manoeuvre around it.

    “It will make the area a lot more bus friendly and it will finish up looking like the roundabout at the Gardiner Road and Lords Place Street intersection.”

    Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Sam Romano said the intersection was designed with a high number of pedestrians in mind.

    “This design will slow vehicles down but allow for a much more smooth flow of traffic with a single lane entry and exit,” Cr Romano said.

    “The single lane makes it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross.

    “The roundabout will ease traffic flow on Wakeford Street, making it safer to pass through the intersection, where currently there is a stop sign.

    “The intersection will be closed for most of the time during the major construction period so it’s best to avoid the area if you can.

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

    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.


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  • Night works begins on NDR

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    Friday January 12, 2018

    In a bid to minimise disruption to local residents and businesses, night work has begun on the Northern Distributor Road this week.

    The section of the NDR between Clergate Road and Anson Street will be ripped up and replaced with between 230 mm and 270 mm of hot-mix asphalt during the next fortnight.

    This is one of the last major sections of the bypass to be upgraded since the council began major works on repairing the NDR.

    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the timing of this major work factored in the recent $2.8 million upgrade of Clergate Road.

    “Recently Clergate Road received a significant upgrade, which spanned months and involved a great deal of heavy machinery,” Cr Kidd said.

    “We needed to wait until that work was finished and that machinery had moved on before we began work on this section of the NDR to make sure that machinery wouldn’t do any damage to a new road surface.

    “This particular 600m section of road is one of Orange’s busiest even on weekends as the smell of the Bunnings sausage sizzle entices people to drive that particular route.”

    Orange City Council Infrastructure Chair Sam Romano said the popularity of the road, which carried thousands of vehicles a day, meant night work was the best option.

    “For this reason we’re asking contractor Downer to work during the evenings, starting at 6pm and working though to about 6am Sunday night through to Thursday for the next couple of weeks,” Cr Romano said.

    “We notified nearby residents and businesses and we appreciate there will be some inconvenience to them while this project is under way.

    “I’d like to thank everyone for their patience as we get these works completed.”


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  • Leeds Parade next road for upgrade

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    13 November 2017

    An upgrade of Leeds Parade has been a community priority for a long time and this week work begins on that upgrade.

    About 2 kilometres of Leeds Parade, from Margaret Street through to the Northern Distributor Road will be upgraded.


    Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said upgrades were designed to make Orange roads fit for purpose.

    “We know Leeds Parade is a busy thoroughfare in Orange and it is due for an upgrade,” Cr Kidd said.

    “When sections of the Northern Distributor Road were constructed a few years ago, Leeds Parade was used as the heavy vehicle detour and bypass of the CBD and Summer Street.

    “Geotechnical investigations were completed earlier this year and based on the results on this work, the road will be stabilised with a concrete mixture using council’s road pulveriser from Phillip Street to the NDR roundabout.

    Several sections will receive additional gravel over the top of the current road, increasing the road pavements thickness and overall strength to handle heavy road traffic.

    The road will be finished off with a bitumen spray seal and hot mix overlay on the intersections

    “The newer section of Leeds Parade between Margaret Street and Dalton Street will receive hot mix asphalt heavy patching later in the year.”

    Orange’s Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Romano said the project was one of the biggest on council’s roads program for this season.

    “If we keep getting these nice sunny days, the project should go through to Christmas,” Cr Romano said.

    “The road will be open during the road works, but one lane will be closed at a time while the road crews complete the road upgrade.

    “There will be traffic delays so it’s best to find another route to work if you can.

    “There’s a lot of work going on at the moment on the north side of town, with the upgrade of Burrendong Way, William Maker Drive and now Leeds Parade and we appreciate the delays can be frustrating for motorists.

    “We’re asking for patience as we work as best we can to continue upgrading Orange’s road network.”

    Meanwhile in Kite Street, the Council road crew is handing over the intersection to the Council concrete and drainage crew, who will install a rectangular culvert in the Kite Street/Clinton Street intersection to fill in the former dip this week.

    The stretch of Kite Street from Hill Street to Sampson Street will be finished with hot-mix asphalt in the coming weeks.

    Shortly after the culvert is installed, construction of pedestrian platforms, or blisters, will begin.

    Crews have also completed an upgrade of Hill Street near the Orange Aquatic Centre.

    To see which roads will be upgraded this season head to http://yoursay.orange.nsw.gov.au/roads

    WORK UNDERWAY: File photo

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  • Top layer rolls out on key Orange road upgrade

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    October 12, 2017

    Hot-mix seal is being applied onto Clergate Road this week, bringing the $2.8 million road upgrade ever closer to completion.

    Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the upgrade, designed to improve traffic flow, would make the road safer and more accessible for the growing north Orange community.

    “The Australian Government’s joint funding of this project under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program shows our commitment to delivering safer roads in regional areas such as Orange,” Mr Chester said.

    Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee said the project’s completion – with only minor finishing works such as lighting remaining – would cater for future growth in the region’s northern suburbs.

    “Residents of Orange will welcome this upgrade which delivers a fit for purpose road now used as the main thoroughfare for the city’s northern areas,” Mr Gee said.

    Orange mayor Reg Kidd has welcomed the latest milestone on the Clergate Rd project.

    “It’s great that the end of this project is now in sight,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “Clergate Road started its life as a narrow rural country lane. This project now includes a major drainage upgrade, better street-lighting and a much-improved intersection where Clergate Rd meets Farrell Road.”

    “The higher standard of this road puts it in a good condition to work hard for the people of Orange for many years to come. The joint-funding of this project is a great story of co-operation and partnership with the federal government and I thank Andrew Gee for his commitment to working for the region.”

    Stage 1 of the project would see a rebuild of a 750-metre section of Clergate Road from Quartz Street towards the Northern Distributor Road.

    Construction on the project started in February 2017 and will be complete by mid-December. The project is being jointly funded by the Australian Government and Orange City Council.

    For more information about the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/heavy_vehicle_safety_and_productivity.aspx.


    HOT MIX: Contractors apply hot mix asphalt to 750 metres of Clergate Road.

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