Council - 15 Sep 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange extends reusable period product rebates for five years after trial sells out
  Council has replaced the exhausted 12-month trial with a five-year, $5,000-a-year rebate program offering eligible residents 50% off reusable period products.
  The policy provides direct financial assistance and expands access from a household-based cap to multiple eligible people in one household.
• East Orange Harvesting Wetlands project awarded $8.25 million construction contract
  Council selected Motive Civil and Plant Hire for the wetlands project at a lump sum of $8,251,396.85 excluding GST, with a 10% contingency.
  The award marks a major infrastructure milestone and will bring construction activity and water-management works to East Orange.
• Redleaf planning proposal moves towards gateway with extensive conditions
  Council voted to advance the proposal for 148 Lone Pine Avenue and 84 Brabham Way, but required additional heritage, traffic, flood, sewer and urban-design work.
  The decision is a significant planning milestone while making clear that further information and design changes are required before later approvals.

Decisions

• Reusable Period Product Rebate Program extended
  Council acknowledged that the 12-month trial exhausted its $5,000 allocation early and established a five-year program. It will allocate $5,000 per financial year, subject to annual budget approval, and provide eligible Orange Local Government Area residents with a 50% rebate on eligible reusable period products, capped at $50 per person per financial year, with a $15 minimum claim amount. Multiple eligible people in one household may claim.
  Eligible residents may receive financial assistance when purchasing reusable period products. Council will collect de-identified usage data, continue promotion and report on outcomes after five years.
• Gender equity audit of commemorative place names approved
  Council resolved to audit names of streets, roads, parks, reserves, sporting facilities and other Council-controlled or Council-named public places, assess gender representation and develop a framework for more equitable commemorative naming. Community, historical, Aboriginal and cultural organisations are to be considered in the process.
  The audit may influence future naming of public places and create opportunities for residents and community organisations to nominate names.
• Deputy Mayor election process set
  Council resolved that the Deputy Mayor for September 2026 to September 2028 would be elected by ordinary ballot, with the Chief Executive Officer acting as returning officer and candidates allowed three minutes to address Council.
  This establishes the process for selecting the Deputy Mayor for the next two-year period.
• Active Transport Strategy adopted
  Council adopted the Orange Active Transport Strategy and Implementation Plan (2026) following public exhibition.
  The strategy provides the adopted direction for walking, cycling and other active-transport improvements in Orange.
• Open Space and Recreation Strategy adopted with amendments
  Council adopted the Orange Open Space and Recreation Strategy and Implementation Plan 2026 as amended.
  The strategy will guide future planning and investment in parks, open space, sport and recreation facilities.
• Redleaf planning proposal advanced with conditions
  Council approved the planning proposal for 148 Lone Pine Avenue and 84 Brabham Way to progress to a gateway determination, subject to revised planning, Aboriginal cultural heritage, traffic, flood, sewer servicing and urban design information. Conditions also require consideration of remaining agricultural sites including 130 Lone Pine Avenue and changes to subdivision and lot layout provisions.
  The decision allows the proposal to proceed to the next planning stage but does not itself approve development. Further studies and revisions are required.
• East Orange Harvesting Wetlands contract awarded
  Council accepted Motive Civil and Plant Hire Pty Ltd's tender for construction of the East Orange Harvesting Wetlands for $8,251,396.85 excluding GST, subject to a satisfactory financial check, with a 10% contingency provision.
  The project will proceed under a major construction contract and may affect local water management and construction activity.
• Plumbing and drainage delegation accepted
  Council accepted the proposed delegation of functions under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011 from the NSW Building Commission and authorised the Chief Executive Officer to finalise a memorandum of understanding.
  Council advised that building surveyors will continue inspections, so no immediate change to inspection services was identified.

Discussion

• Sale of Redleaf development land
  In closed session, Council approved the sale of specified Stage 1 Release 1 lots in the Orange Gateway Project according to the Project Delivery Agreement with Landcom, subject to final price negotiation. Council also authorised amendments allowing Landcom officers to execute sales contracts under power of attorney.
  The decision supports the next stage of land release at the Redleaf Orange development.
• Orange Airport hangar lease
  Council approved a five-year option for Lease of Hangar Site L at Orange Airport and authorised execution of the necessary documents.
  The decision provides continued tenure for the hangar site at Orange Airport.
• Risk management policy adopted
  Council adopted the Orange City Council Risk Appetite Statement and Strategic Policy ST15 - Risk Management.
  The policies set Council's approach to managing organisational and service-delivery risks.
• Operational plan progress noted
  Council noted the six-month progress report for the 2025/2026 Delivery Program and Operational Plan, covering 1 January to 30 June 2026.
  The report provides a public progress checkpoint on Council's planned work and services.

Impacts

• Eligible residents can access a 50% rebate on eligible reusable period products, subject to the $50 annual per-person cap and $15 minimum claim.
• Multiple eligible people in the same household may claim the reusable period product rebate.
• Future walking, cycling and recreation planning will be guided by the newly adopted strategies.
• The Redleaf planning proposal will proceed to gateway consideration, but development approval has not yet been granted.
• Construction of the East Orange Harvesting Wetlands is proceeding under an $8.25 million contract excluding GST, plus a 10% contingency.
• The gender-equity naming audit may lead to changes in future commemorative naming processes and community consultation.

Places

• Orange Local Government Area (local government area)
  Area covered by the reusable period product rebate program and the commemorative naming audit.
• Orange (city)
  Location of the Council, adopted transport and recreation strategies, and broader service impacts.
• 148 Lone Pine Avenue (road address)
  Site of the planning proposal advanced to gateway determination.
• 84 Brabham Way (road address)
  Site of the planning proposal advanced to gateway determination.
• 130 Lone Pine Avenue (road address)
  Additional agricultural site required to be considered in the revised planning proposal.
• Redleaf Orange / Orange Gateway Project (development project area)
  Location of the planning proposal and approved Stage 1 Release 1 land sales.
• East Orange Harvesting Wetlands (infrastructure project)
  Site of the awarded construction contract.
• Orange Airport (airport facility)
  Location of Hangar Site L lease option.

Next

• Implement and promote the five-year Reusable Period Product Rebate Program and continue collecting de-identified participation data.
  Over the five-year program period, subject to annual budget adoption.
• Provide a report on rebate uptake, expenditure and outcomes with recommendations for the program's future.
  At the conclusion of the five-year period.
• Audit commemorative names and prepare a report and draft naming framework for Council consideration.
  Future report; no date specified.
• Progress the Redleaf planning proposal through gateway determination after the required revised studies and information are provided.
  Following submission and assessment of the required revisions.
• Enter into the East Orange Harvesting Wetlands construction contract after the financial check and establish the approved contingency.
  After satisfactory financial checking and contract execution.
• Finalise the plumbing and drainage delegation memorandum of understanding with the NSW Building Commission.
  Following Council authorisation; no date specified.
• Report on the tender for the main surface of the playing field after two submissions were received.
  Next Council meeting.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 15 SEPTEMBER 2026 COMMENCING AT 6:00 PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr T Greenhalgh (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy (AV Link), Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr M McDonell, Cr S Peterson, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy, Cr J Stedman, Cr J Whitton Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Interim Director Development Services, Acting Director Infrastructure (Gailey), Manager Corporate Governance, Manager Engineering Services, Risk Lead, Corporate Performance Analyst, Coordinator Strategic Planning 1.1 APOLOGIES Nil. RESOLVED - 26/501 Cr T Greenhal...