Stronger Country Communities
Consultation has concluded
The opportunity for community members to vote for their prefered projects has now closed.
A report on the results of the voting will be prepared for the next council meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The NSW Government has unveiled plans to make $1.6 million available to fund community infrastructure projects in the Orange local government area in the 2018 Round 2 of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Orange City Council is inviting members of local community groups to suggest projects which may qualify for funding.
Orange City Council will then assemble a short-list of this projects, consult with the wider community about their priorities and then submit an application to the NSW Government, who will make the final decisions about which projects to fund.
After funding around $1.2 million worth of projects in the first year of the program (2017), the government has announced plans to fund a further $1.6 million worth of projects this year (2018) in the Orange City Council area.
There are number of changes to the Round 2 funding program, compared to last year.
- The minimum grant amount has been reduced from $100,000 to $50,000.
- Council must choose sports projects for half the funding allocation.
- Rather than two quotes for each project, applications can have one quote and one estimate from a quantity surveyor.
- The scope of council projects has been expanded to include street beautification, murals and statues
The deadline for suggesting a project to Orange City Council is Thursday 29 March. This will let the council consult with the community about project priorities and meet the government's deadline on 4 May
On this site you can :
- find out more about the government's criteria for projects
- read a fact sheet about the funding program or look at a FAQ sheet.
- Download the Orange City Council application form & Info sheet
-
Community to vote on project short-list
Share Community to vote on project short-list on Facebook Share Community to vote on project short-list on Twitter Share Community to vote on project short-list on Linkedin Email Community to vote on project short-list link
4 April 2018
Orange City Council is encouraging community members to vote on which projects should get the priority for funding under Round Two of the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund.
After news of Round Two opportunities were unveiled last month, the council invited community groups to suggest projects.
The new short-list of projects has now been assembled and, under the government's requirements,the list is put up for community voting.
Orange City Council last year submitted nine projects and Mayor Reg Kidd is optimistic some of the projects which missed out might make the short-list this year.
“It was great news for Orange when Deputy Premier John Barilaro advised that local infrastructure projects in Orange would be funded to the tune of $1.6 million in this round,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “That comes on top of the $1.2 million in Round 1.“That gives the community groups who might have missed out last time, the chance to put their hand up again, or for the council to hear about new projects that people have been exploring. The council will also add some suggestions.”
“This time the government is putting a special emphasis on sports infrastructure, so half of the funding the council will seek will be for projects in that field.”
"We’ll again be asking the community what they think as we assess which projects should take a priority.”The deadline for community voting on the projects sport list is 9 am Monday 9 April.“A council meeting in April will finalise the list of suggestions that will be put to the government. It’s then their call which projects they want to fund.”Project short-list
The 10 projects on the short-list are:
·Domestic Violence Crisis centre for women and children
Project Description
The proposal is to construct a purpose-built crisis centre for women and children experiencing domestic violence. The centre would include short-term high security beds, self-contained units for more independence and eventually transitional housing.
Total Cost: $1.977 million for Stage 1 SCC Funds Required: $685,000
Proponent: Housing Plus
·Endeavour Oval, New Gym & Changerooms
Project Description
The project is to demolish an existing gym and construct two new change-rooms and an education space. The new facility would be positioned to provide the change-rooms for the No. 2 field at Endeavour Oval. The second level, to house the new gym and education space, would have elevator access.
Total Cost: $1.372 million Funds Required: $1.372 million
Proponent: Emus Rugby Club
· Gosling Creek, Track upgrade and storage facilities
Project Description
Widening the existing 1.2 km bitumen circuit track at Gosling Creek Reserve to be 6 metre wide. This would let the track be used for criterium bike racing and bhy the Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) races. Also a storage shed next to the current toilet facility.The upgraded track would provide a safe off-road place for races, which would not require the closure of public roads.
Total Cost: $370,000 SCC Funds Required: $300,000
Proponent: Orange Cycle & Triathalon Club
· Sportsfield Lighting, Jack Brabham Park
Project Description
This project is to provide competition standard field lighting (200 Lux) on Bernie Stedman Field (BSF) located at Sir Jack Brabham Park, designed and installed to Australian Standards.The scope of the project will also include the upgrade of the power supply to Sir Jack Brabham Park. This upgraded power supply will service all future needs to the park as power supply is currently at full capacity and facilities at the park cannot be upgraded with out the increase in power supply.
Total Cost: $430,000 SCC Funds Required: $390,000
Proponent: Orange & District Football Association
·Sir Jack Brabham new amenities facilities (Stage 1)
Project Description
The Sir Jack Brabham Park sportsgrounds hosts a broad cross section of sports, including softball, football (soccer), cricket and school sport. The existing amenity buildings are located on the eastern and western side of the 21 hectare sportsground.
The proposal is to construct a new amenities building near the Forest Road softball diamonds to the south of the park. Facilities will include accessible toilets, change rooms, showers and storage.
The proposal also includes a children’s playground
Total Cost: $610,000 SCC Funds Required: $550,000
Proponent: Orange City Council
·Wade Park lighting
Project Description
In recent years Wade Park has undergone a number upgrades including a new playing surface and LED scoreboard. The next priority is lighting. The field lighting is in need of an upgrade to meet the requirements of local and regional sporting competitions conducted at the venue, including cricket, rugby league, rugby union, football and AFL. The lighting upgrade would significantly improve the current lighting standard to ensure player safety as well as providing improved experience for spectators.
Total Cost: $240,000 SCC Funds Required: $100,000
Proponent: Orange City Council
· New solar blanket for outdoor pool, Orange Aquatic Centre
Project Description
The project aims to enhance facilities at the the Orange Aquatic Centre by installing a new solar blanket on the outdoor 50 metre pool and diving pool. This covering would be unrolled at night, delivering energy savings through less heat loss
Total Cost: $110,000 SCC Funds Required: $110,000
Proponent: Orange City Council
·Re-Surface a hockey playing field
Project Description
The project is to upgrade the playing surface of a hockey field (known as the ‘Smith Field) at the Orange Hockey Centre. Currently the field is a sand-based artificial turf field that is nearing the end of its useful life. The club intends to replace the playing surface with a new water based synthetic turf, installing the necessary infrastructure to be able to water the field.
Total Cost: $749,000 SCC Funds Requested: $412,000
Proponent: Orange Hockey Club Inc
·Child-safe play area and car parking
Project Description
The proposal is to replace on-site parking at the Orange Presbyterian Church on-site car parking areas with a landscaped area. The church proposes to remove the hardstand areas and remediate the soil and adjust the ground levels to provide soft landscaped lawn and trees as a safe area for play. The church also proposes to provide a layout of 50 car spaces (including 4 disabled spaces) to the south of the site.
Total Cost: $290,000 SCC Funds Required: $290,000
Proponent: Orange Presbyterian Church
·New Toilet facilities, Naylor Pavillion , Orange Showground
Project Description
The proposal is to construct new toilet facilities on the southern side of the new Naylor Pavilion at the Orange Showground. The facilities would include dual access from inside and outside the building. The pavilion is used during the annual show and through the year
Total Costs : $250,000 SSCF Funds Required : $250,000
Proponent : Orange City Council
-
Community groups given second chance for funding
Share Community groups given second chance for funding on Facebook Share Community groups given second chance for funding on Twitter Share Community groups given second chance for funding on Linkedin Email Community groups given second chance for funding link
22 March 2018Orange City Council is inviting community groups to make a bid for funding for community infrastructure projects from Round 2 of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF).Three projects (Footpaths, Robertson Park Toilets and the CBD lighting upgrade) worth $1.2 million were funded under last year’s first round of the SCCF.Orange City Council last year submitted nine projects and Mayor Reg Kidd is optimistic some of the projects which missed out might make the short-list this year.“It was great news for Orange when Deputy Premier John Barilaro advised that local infrastructure projects in Orange would be funded to the tune of $1.6 million in this round,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “That comes on top of the $1.2 million in Round 1.“That gives the community groups who might have missed out last time, the chance to put their hand up again, or for the council to hear about new projects that people have been exploring. The council will also add some suggestions.”“This time the government is putting a special emphasis on sports infrastructure, so half of the funding the council will seek will be for projects in that field.”
“We’re writing to everyone who put it a bid for a project last time, encouraging them to raise it again and update it with any fresh information.”“We’re working to a tight timetable, so practically we’re limited to projects that groups are already working on. We need to see their details by 29 March and then we’ll again be asking the community what they think as we assess which projects should take a priority.”“A council meeting in April will finalise the list of suggestions that will be put to the government. It’s then their call which projects they want to fund.”After inviting applications from community groups, nine projects were submitted last year by Orange City Council for Round 1 funding including :- Under awning lighting in CBD (Funded)
- Footpaths (Funded)
- Domestic Violence Crisis Centre for women and children
- Sir Jack Brabham new amenities facilities (Stage 1)
- Wade Park lighting
- Upgrades for Rotary Park & Somerset Parks
- Robertson Park toilet (Funded)
- Re-Surface a hockey playing field
- Child-safe play area and car parking at Presbyterian church
-
Extra year for community groups to work on projects
Share Extra year for community groups to work on projects on Facebook Share Extra year for community groups to work on projects on Twitter Share Extra year for community groups to work on projects on Linkedin Email Extra year for community groups to work on projects link
9 August 2017
Through the Stronger Country Communities Fund, the NSW Government has announced plans to fund projects worth $1.9 million, over the next two years.
Orange City Council is currently consulting with the community to assemble and then lodge a single application on behalf of the community (by October 18).
After the first round of applications are considered, the government will announce funding for $950,000 worth of projects.
It's expected that next year there will be another application process for a further $950,00 worth of funding.
This means if a community group is yet to develop detailed plans for their project, in order to produce two quotes, they still have another twelve months to do that work.
Orange City Council is suggesting that community groups should initially raise their possible project by using the 'Future Projects' on this site.
-
What kind of projects could qualify for support from the Stronger Country Community Fund?
Share What kind of projects could qualify for support from the Stronger Country Community Fund? on Facebook Share What kind of projects could qualify for support from the Stronger Country Community Fund? on Twitter Share What kind of projects could qualify for support from the Stronger Country Community Fund? on Linkedin Email What kind of projects could qualify for support from the Stronger Country Community Fund? link
7 August 2017
Orange City Council is consulting with the people of the Orange local government area to find community infrastructure projects, to submit for a fund worth a total of $1.9 million.
Examples of suitable projects include:
- building new community facilities (such as parks, playgrounds, walking and cycle pathways)
- refurbishing existing local facilities (such as community centres and libraries)
- enhancing local parks and the supporting facilities (such as kitchens and toilet blocks).
CRITERIA :
The government will only fund projects which meet these conditions.Projects must :- provide local jobs and support local businesses.
- the total cost of each project has to be in the range of funding. The minimum amount is $100,000, and generally between $250,000 to $1 million, or more than $1 million where there is a significant financial co-contribution. It may be possible for community groups to cooperate to produce a number of smaller projects which would add up to the $100,000 minimum
- be able to begin within 12 months of being funded, and ideally be completed within two years.
After consulting with the community and learning about projects which have been suggested by community groups, Orange City Council will :- assemble a priority-list of projects
- consult with the community about that priority-list, and then
- submit the application for these projects, on behalf of community groups
FUNDING DEADLINE :
The NSW GOvernment is planning to allocate the funding over years : $950,000 in the first year and $950,000 in the second year. A separate funding application will have to be lodged in each year.Because the first round funding application deadline is 7 October this year, and the applications for the first year of funding have to be already advanced enough to have two costing quotes as part of the application, it's expected that only community projects that have already been developed for some time will be able to be considered during the first round of this funding program.Orange City Council will require two quotes for each project by 8 September.If community members want to suggest other good ideas for projects which haven't been developed to date, they can be considered by the council in future years.While some projects mightn’t be ready for this funding program in its first year, the council will also be collecting suggestions for future projects, that could be funded in the 2nd round of funding next year.
Later this year, after the September election, Orange City Council will start work on its next round of long-term planning. Working with the community, the council will start to draft our next Community Strategic Plan, and wish-list projects could be channeled into that process to be considered then.
Because the government plans to allocate the funding over two years ($950,00 in each of two years) with two separate application deadlines, that means there’s time for either the council or community groups to work on the details of projects which aren’t well-developed to date.
FIND OUT MORE :
This NSW Government web site explains more about the Stronger Country Communities Fund and how applications will be handled.
-
Council calls for community projects
Share Council calls for community projects on Facebook Share Council calls for community projects on Twitter Share Council calls for community projects on Linkedin Email Council calls for community projects link
8 August 2017
Orange City council is asking local residents to suggest community infrastructure projects , which could be funded under a new government program.
The NSW Government has unveiled plans to make $1.9 million available to fund community infrastructure projects in the Orange local government area.
Orange City Council has released the time-line of a consultation process when local community groups can make their suggestions.
Orange City Council’s General Manager Garry Styles said the council wants to hear from the community as it works towards assembling a short-list of projects.
“The NSW Government wants the council to work with their local communities, and then put in a single grant application on behalf of the community,” Garry Styles said. “That priority-list will then be put to the NSW Government, who will make the final decisions about which projects to fund.”
“The deadline for this first round of the funding program is going to make it tight for community groups which aren’t already well-advanced with their possible projects. In a matter of weeks we need to be at a stage when we can send two costing quotes for each project to the government.”
“That means while some projects mightn’t be ready for this funding program in its first year, we’ll also be collecting suggestions for future projects, that could be funded in the 2nd round of funding next year.”“Later this year, after the September election the council will start work on the next round of long-term planning. Working with the community, the council will start to draft our next Community Strategic Plan, and wish-list projects could be channelled into that process to be considered then.”
“Because the government plans to allocate the funding over two years ($950,00 in each of two years) with two separate application deadlines, that means there’s time for either the council or community groups to work on the details of projects which aren’t well-developed to date.”
The council has launched a new section of the YourSay-Orange community engagement website.
“This is the same online tool, that we’ve used to build community awareness of our roads and footpath programs, ask the community for feedback about the annual council budget and provide info about major projects like the new Forest Rd bridge," Garry Styles said..
“It’s proved to be a very useful way for people to find out more about council projects and then have their say in a way that suits them. Thousands of people are routinely visiting the site."
The new section of the YourSay Orange site about the Stronger Country Communities Fund lets locals :
- find out more about what kind of projects the government will support
- learn if you they can add a project to the list to be considered
- see the timeline leading up the deadline for applications
- suggest a project to Orange City Council.
Community groups have until 21 August to make suggestions. Once the list of projects has been short-listed and prioritized, the council is planning another round of community consultation to gauge response to the short-list.
