city · 38 meetings
Orange
Mentions
- Local government area and location of the Council, Planetarium and school matters.
- Location of the council and committee decisions, local organisations and events.
- The meeting was held by Orange City Council.
- The decisions relate to Orange City Council community committees and local community activities.
- Local government area and focus of the Urban Forest Strategy and proposed resident greening kit.
- Orange City Council is the council responsible for the funding decision.
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.
Community donations approved
Council approved donations to The Canobolas Highland Pipe Band Inc ($1,500), Housing Plus ($2,500), Allegri Singers Inc ($1,000), North West Orange Rural Fire Brigade ($2,000), Orange Woodworkers Men’s Shed Inc ($1,220), Rotary Club of Orange Inc ($2,500), Orange Older Women’s Network ($2,500), Country Education Foundation of Orange and District ($2,500), Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club Orange ($2,000), and Midnight on Molloy - Halloween Display ($2,497).
The grants will support local cultural, community, education, rural fire, social and event activities.
Two donation applications deferred
The $1,724 application from Carousel Kids Preloved Market was deferred to the next Small Donations round on 1 December 2026. The $2,500 application from Orange Regional Malayalee Association was deferred while Council obtains clarification from the applicant.
The organisations will not receive funding through this meeting and must await a later decision or provide further information.
Event Development Funding approved
Council approved $10,000 for Orange Chamber Music under the Flagship Event Category and $10,000 for the Orange Wine Festival and Show under the Visitor Economy Event Category. The Chamber Music event is scheduled for 11–14 March 2027; the wine festival and show dates are 19–24 September 2026 and 16–25 October 2026.
The funding supports two major events expected to contribute to Orange’s cultural and visitor economy activity.
Resident greening kit report
Staff will prepare a report on the materials and staff costs of developing a 'Greening Orange: One Backyard at a Time' kit under the Urban Forest Strategy. The report will consider free and nominal-fee options.
Residents may eventually have access to a backyard greening kit, subject to a future report and Council decision.
Orange airport ILS proposal deferred
Council deferred consideration of investigating an instrument landing system at Orange Airport to the next Airport Community Committee meeting.
Pushes the airport weather/landing technology discussion to a later advisory forum before any further action.
Churchill Avenue sewer works approved
Council resolved to proceed under section 67(2) of the Local Government Act with sewer-related works on 13 private properties between 40 and 64 Churchill Avenue, Orange.
Affects nearby property owners and may involve service interruptions or property access works.
Sports precinct lighting contract and staging approved in Closed Meeting
Council authorised the CEO to contract Zauner Constructions for Orange Sports Precinct lighting components, including athletics track lighting and sports field lighting, and approved additional footings/cabling for John Davis Stadium to support 1,400 lux at extra cost.
Directly affects a major sporting facility and future lighting standard, with implications for community sport and council spending.
Small donations approved to local organisations
Council approved multiple donations, including $500 to City of Orange Eisteddfod Society Inc, $2,500 to Orange Triathlon, $2,500 to Orange Regional Malayalee Association, $2,500 to Charles Sturt University, and $280 to The Rotary Club of Orange North. A proposed $2,500 donation to the Australian Dohne Breeders’ Association lapsed due to no mover/seconder; one item was withdrawn.
Supports community events, cultural activities, education, and local volunteering, with some public funds redirected to local groups.
Local Transport Forum minutes adopted, including school signage changes
Council acknowledged the Local Transport Forum reports and adopted its minutes, including a sign adjustment on Woodward Street outside Orange High School and updated no-parking times outside Canobolas Public School to match bell times.
Affects school pick-up/drop-off traffic management and parking around two schools.
Safe room at Orange Courthouse to be inspected
Council acknowledged correspondence from Orange Aboriginal Medical Service, including a request linked to improvements to the safe room at Orange Courthouse, and requested a lunch-time inspection of the newly refurbished safe room by committee members.
This may affect access to, and safety arrangements within, local court services.
Disability Inclusion Action Plan placed on exhibition
The Blayney Cabonne Orange Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030 was placed on public exhibition for at least 28 days.
Invites community feedback on accessibility and inclusion priorities affecting local services and public spaces.
Donation to Orange Lapidary and Mineral Club
Council approved a $2,500 donation to Orange Lapidary and Mineral Club Inc to help purchase and install two professional faceting machines, contributing towards a $19,900 project.
Supports a local community group and equipment purchase that may benefit club activities and skills-based recreation.
Bike repair/tool and pump station feasibility to be explored
The Bicycle Community Committee will liaise with Orange Mountain Bike Club and Orange City Council Natural Resources Team to confirm existing station locations and explore the concept and funding for further bike repair tool and pump stations.
Could result in more maintenance and support facilities for cyclists in Orange.
Topics
NAIDOC Week 2026 planning
Council determined recommendations relating to new community committee members and accepted an event expression of interest from Dark Horse Photography.
Provides a pathway for planning and delivering NAIDOC Week 2026 events in the Orange community.
Greening Orange resident kit
Council requested costing options for a resident kit supporting implementation of the Urban Forest Strategy adopted in 2025.
A future Council decision could provide residents with practical support for backyard planting and urban greening.
Australian National Field Days funding
The Finance Policy Committee resolved to approve an application for $10,000 under Orange City Council's Flagship Funding Stream.
Residents and local businesses may benefit from the event's community participation, visitor spending and regional exposure.
Open forum admitted late items
Council agreed to consider two late items: a rescission notice on Orange Sports Precinct field lighting and a notice of motion about amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act.
Shows council flexibility in adding urgent public items to the agenda.
Confidential discussion on sports precinct tender
The meeting went into closed session to consider confidential information on Orange Sports Precinct field lighting tender matters before public resolutions were made.
Commercially sensitive procurement matters were considered out of public view.
Woodward Street sign adjustment near Orange High School
The committee supported removing and relocating a No Stopping sign near the DuntryLeague entrance and replacing another sign with a No Stopping repeater sign.
Could change parking and stopping behaviour around the school bus loop and adjacent street frontage.
East Orange wetland and stormwater harvesting programme
A councillor asked about construction on the Blackman’s Swamp Creek stormwater harvesting program and whether it contributes to water capture before summer 2027; the response was not fully captured in the extract.
Relevant to local water capture, drainage and environmental infrastructure planning.
Possible Orange base for visiting Rugby Union World Cup team
The CEO said the Mayor and CEO attended a Sydney event and the next step is for event organisers to visit Orange and meet Council staff.
May bring visiting teams and associated activity to Orange, with local venue and tourism implications.
Orange Courthouse safe room
The committee considered correspondence from Orange Aboriginal Medical Service about improvements to the courthouse safe room and arranged a site inspection.
Residents who use court services may see changes related to safety and access arrangements.
Airport hangar ground land rental
In closed session, Council resolved to continue charging rental for airport hangar ground land under the current Fees and Charges.
Affects airport tenants and commercial users at Orange Airport.
Byng Street carpark entrance tree replacement
A tree removed from the Byng Street entrance to the underground carpark is expected to be replaced during the winter planting program.
Residents near the centre of Orange may see planting works and changes to streetscape amenity.
Showground funding carryover
The Orange Showground Community Committee asked for any unspent budget to roll into the next year for a larger project.
Could influence future upgrades or projects at the showground.