Council - 1 Sep 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange Anglican Grammar School cleared to remove hazardous 18-metre tree, with six replacements required
  Council approved removal of a mature Southern Blue Gum from a children’s play area and imposed a six-tree replacement condition.
  The decision affects school-site safety, tree loss and local canopy replacement.
• Orange Regional Planetarium equipment contract awarded for nearly $693,000
  Council awarded a major audiovisual and sound equipment contract to US-based Evans and Sutherland Computer Corporation.
  The procurement will shape the Planetarium’s visitor experience and involves substantial public expenditure.
• Regional disability inclusion plan adopted for 2026–2030
  Orange Council adopted a four-year disability inclusion plan covering Blayney, Cabonne and Orange.
  The plan will guide accessibility and inclusion priorities for residents with disability across the region.

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.
• Cook Park Aviary rescission motion considered
  A Notice of Rescission sought to overturn a resolution from the 18 August 2026 Council meeting concerning Cook Park Aviary consultation and review. The extracted minutes record the motion and debate but do not clearly state the final outcome.
  The aviary’s future, bird rehoming and animal-care arrangements remain matters of public interest, but the available extract does not establish the decision made.

Discussion

• Cook Park Aviary review
  Councillors discussed whether the earlier aviary resolution could be rescinded, the process and timing for rehoming larger birds, community involvement and staff training. The outcome is unclear in the supplied extract.
  Residents interested in Cook Park and animal welfare may need to follow the full resolution or subsequent Council agenda for the confirmed outcome.
• Public-interest declarations
  Councillors declared non-significant non-pecuniary interests in the school tree-removal motion, a development application at 8 Connemara Drive and small-donation requests.
  The declarations provide transparency about councillor connections to matters considered by Council.

Impacts

• An 18-metre Southern Blue Gum in a children’s play area at Orange Anglican Grammar School may be removed, with six replacement trees required.
• The 2026–2030 regional disability inclusion plan will guide accessibility and inclusion work across Blayney, Cabonne and Orange.
• The Orange Regional Planetarium will receive new audiovisual and sound equipment under a contract valued at approximately A$692,833.84 excluding GST.
• The final outcome of the Cook Park Aviary rescission motion should be checked against the complete minutes because it is not clear in the supplied extract.

Places

• Orange Anglican Grammar School (school)
  Site of the approved Southern Blue Gum removal and required replacement planting.
• Orange Regional Planetarium (facility)
  Facility receiving new audiovisual and sound equipment.
• Cook Park (park)
  Location of the aviary consultation and review matter.
• 8 Connemara Drive (development site)
  Development application referenced in a councillor interest declaration.
• Orange (city)
  Local government area and location of the Council, Planetarium and school matters.
• Blayney, Cabonne and Orange (regional service area)
  Area covered by the adopted Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030.

Next

• Orange Anglican Grammar School to remove the Southern Blue Gum in accordance with the approved safety-related request.
  Not specified.
• Orange Anglican Grammar School to plant six replacement trees within the school grounds.
  Not specified.
• Orange Anglican Grammar School to arrange appropriate harvesting and treatment of the tree’s timber for reuse where possible.
  Not specified.
• Orange City Council to enter into the Planetarium equipment contract with Evans and Sutherland Computer Corporation and publish the successful tender information in its Register of Contracts.
  After contract execution; exact timing not specified.
• Residents should check the complete minutes or a subsequent agenda for the final outcome of the Cook Park Aviary rescission motion.
  As soon as the complete record is available.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 COMMENCING AT 6:00 PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr T Greenhalgh (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy, Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr M McDonell, Cr S Peterson, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy(6.05pm)(AV Link), Cr J Stedman(AV Link) Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Interim Director Development Services, Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services, Manager Corporate Governance, Manager Communications & Engagement, Manager Development Assessments, Governance Officer (Allan) 1.1 APOLOGIES RESOLVED - 26/448 Cr D Mallard...