facility · 2 meetings
Orange Regional Planetarium
Mentions
- Facility receiving new audiovisual and sound equipment.
- Council facility and proposed visitor attraction
- The decision affects safety in a school play area and requires significant replacement planting.
- The plan sets the regional direction for improving access and inclusion for people with disability.
- The contract supports an upgrade to Planetarium presentation infrastructure and represents a substantial public procurement decision.
- This advances the Planetarium toward opening and gives residents an opportunity to comment on proposed ticket prices.
Decisions
Tree removal at Orange Anglican Grammar School
Council approved the removal of an 18-metre mature Southern Blue Gum in a children’s play area because of safety concerns. The school must plant six replacement trees and arrange for the timber to be harvested, treated and reused where possible.
The decision affects safety in a school play area and requires significant replacement planting.
Disability Inclusion Action Plan adopted
Council adopted the Blayney Cabonne Orange Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030.
The plan sets the regional direction for improving access and inclusion for people with disability.
Orange Regional Planetarium audiovisual contract awarded
Council accepted Evans and Sutherland Computer Corporation’s tender to supply and install audiovisual and sound equipment for prerecorded shows at the Orange Regional Planetarium. The contract value is US$477,184, reported as approximately A$692,833.84 excluding GST.
The contract supports an upgrade to Planetarium presentation infrastructure and represents a substantial public procurement decision.
Planetarium operation and proposed fees endorsed
Council endorsed operation of the Planetarium and resolved to publicly exhibit proposed admission fees and charges for at least 28 days.
This advances the Planetarium toward opening and gives residents an opportunity to comment on proposed ticket prices.
Further $1.97 million approved for sports-precinct lighting
Council authorised a further contract with Zauner Constructions for the remaining Orange Sports Precinct field-lighting works, for $1,971,217.93, and required provision in the 2026–27 capital budget quarterly review.
The decision commits nearly $2 million in additional capital funding to the sports precinct.
Cultural facilities given official names
Council named the Conservatorium building the Orange Regional Conservatorium, its recital hall the Mary Turner Recital Hall and the Planetarium the Orange Regional Planetarium.
The official names establish how the new and upgraded cultural facilities will be publicly identified.
Topics
Planetarium operations and opening hours
The proposed Planetarium operating model includes a full-time coordinator and two part-time staff. Mondays may initially be closed for maintenance, cleaning, repairs and training, with operating hours to be reviewed after 12 months.
Residents will be affected by the facility’s opening hours, staffing and access arrangements.
Planetarium equipment and programming
The Planetarium system is being tendered as a full planetarium system with astronomy, science and educational programming projected onto an 11-metre dome.
The decision clarifies that the attraction is intended to provide educational and interactive experiences, not only movie screenings.