Council - 16 Jun 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange council adopts 2026/2027 budget, rates, fees and charges
  Council locks in its annual budget package, including a 3% rise in fees and charges and the 2026/2027 rating structure.
  It sets the cost of council services and the rate burden for households and businesses for the year ahead.
• Redmond Place hangar indoor playground funding knocked back
  Council отказ? no, declined to spend $950,000 on renovating the Redmond Place Air Hangar for an indoor playground and instead wants a report on a storage facility for service groups.
  The decision delays a proposed community/leisure project and could reshape future use of the site.
• Active transport plan goes on exhibition in Orange
  Draft walking and cycling strategy heads out for public comment for at least 28 days.
  Future footpaths, cycleways and active travel priorities may change based on community feedback.

Decisions

• Adopted 2026/2027 budget, rates, fees and charges
  Council adopted the 2026/2027 Operational Plan and Resourcing Strategy, including the Long-Term Financial Plan, Workforce Management Strategy, Asset Management Strategy, Strategic Policies ST27 and ST28, the schedule of fees and charges, and the 2026/2027 rating structure and expenditure. The fees and charges are set to rise by 3%, subject to any NSW Government changes and later variation processes.
  Sets what residents and businesses will pay for council services, rates and many council programs in the coming financial year.
• Redmond Place hangar indoor playground funding rejected
  Council resolved not to proceed with the $950,000 funding allocation for renovation of the Redmond Place Air Hangar to make it suitable for an indoor playground, and asked for a report on a suitable storage facility for service groups at the Showground before the next quarterly review.
  Delays a proposed leisure project and keeps open questions about future use of the hangar and relocation needs for current tenants.
• Strategic policies placed on public exhibition
  Council placed Strategic Policy ST03 Councillor Expenses & Provision of Facilities and ST20 Community Engagement on public exhibition for at least 28 days.
  Residents can review and comment on rules covering councillor expenses and how Council engages the community.
• Procurement policy adopted
  Council adopted Strategic Policy ST47 Procurement.
  Affects how Council buys goods and services and may influence local supplier opportunities and procurement rules.
• Orange Active Transport Strategy and Implementation Plan exhibited
  Council placed the draft Orange Active Transport Strategy and Implementation Plan on community exhibition for a minimum of 28 days.
  Could affect walking and cycling routes, footpath upgrades and future transport priorities.
• Orange Open Space and Recreation Strategy exhibited
  Council placed the Orange Open Space and Recreation Strategy and Implementation Plan on public exhibition for at least 28 days.
  Shapes future parks, open space and recreation investment across Orange.
• Development application approved for 86 Summer Street
  Council consented to DA 353/2025(1) for demolition, specialised retail premises and retail premises at 86 Summer Street.
  Enables redevelopment at this site and may affect nearby traffic, construction activity and local retail use.
• Woodward Street vegetation removal approved for driveway access
  Council approved required works under section 67 of the Local Government Act to remove vegetation at 57 Woodward Street to allow a 3-point turn from the driveway.
  Affects a specific property and local access arrangements on Woodward Street.
• Council to seek advice on closed-meeting minute recording rules
  Following questions about the Code of Meeting Practice, the CEO said Council would seek further advice from the Office of Local Government on how confidential items should be recorded in closed meeting minutes.
  Relevant to public transparency and how confidential council decisions are documented.
• Buyback extension refused at 20 Elwin Drive
  Council declined to grant a further extension of the option agreement period and will proceed to exercise the buyback provision if contract terms are not met by 29 November 2026.
  Affects the future of the property at 20 Elwin Drive and the resident or developer involved in the agreement.
• Five-year lease approved for Groundstone Pty Ltd
  Council agreed to enter into a five-year lease with Groundstone Pty Ltd from 1 August 2026.
  Affects use of a council asset and business occupancy arrangements.
• Orange Airport Site CC lease extended
  Council approved a lease of Site CC at Orange Airport for five years plus three further five-year terms.
  Important for airport operations, business use and long-term site management.

Discussion

• Budget pressure and inflation assumptions
  Councillors questioned the use of a 3% CPI assumption when current inflation was higher, and officers said costs such as materials and contracts were rising beyond the fees-and-charges increase.
  Indicates ongoing pressure on council finances and possible future service cost impacts.
• Planetarium and other capital items in the budget
  Questions were raised about the Planetarium fit-out and other capital items, with officers saying the fit-out is included in estimates but not yet approved expenditure.
  Shows some major projects are still subject to later approval and may change spending priorities.
• Rate and expenditure figures updated after adoption
  Council adopted the annual expenditure and rating structure, with officers noting updated figures would follow adoption and that some financial movements reflected prior borrowings and accounting changes.
  Affects how the 2026/2027 budget is read by residents and ratepayers.
• Internal restrictions converted to liabilities or equity
  Council resolved to convert a list of internal restrictions, including reserves for plant and vehicle replacement, library, parks and sportsgrounds, museum, gallery and other areas, into liabilities where committed or equity and close the reserve.
  Changes how earmarked funds are accounted for and managed.
• Redmond Place hangar and Showground future use
  Discussion covered whether the hangar renovation would proceed without an indoor playground lease and whether a future facility for service clubs at the Showground should be explored.
  Signals possible future changes to community and tenancy arrangements at key council-owned sites.
• Closed meeting commercial items
  Council entered closed session for commercial and property matters including an indoor playground expression of interest and buyback requests.
  Some property and lease decisions affecting the community were made in confidential session.

Impacts

• Annual rates, fees and charges were set for 2026/2027.
• Walking, cycling, parks and open space priorities may change after exhibition periods.
• An indoor playground fit-out at Redmond Place will not proceed with the current funding allocation.
• 86 Summer Street can proceed to redevelopment under the approved DA.
• Woodward Street access works will remove vegetation to enable driveway manoeuvring.
• Airport and other council property leases were set or extended, affecting site use.

Places

• Orange (local government area)
  Council’s budget, rates, strategies and multiple development and property decisions
• 86 Summer Street (site)
  Development application approved for demolition and retail premises
• Redmond Place Air Hangar (facility)
  Proposed indoor playground renovation funding was declined
• Orange Airport (facility)
  Site CC lease approved
• Showground (facility)
  Council asked for a report on a suitable storage facility for service groups
• 20 Elwin Drive (property)
  Buyback extension request declined
• 1 Summer and 160 Woodward Streets (properties)
  Lease to Groundstone Pty Ltd approved
• 57 Woodward Street (property)
  Vegetation removal approved to allow driveway access

Next

• Publicly exhibit ST03 and ST20 for at least 28 days
  From June 2026
• Exhibit the Active Transport Strategy and Open Space and Recreation Strategy for at least 28 days
  From June 2026
• Amend and adopt Companion Animals Act fees when NSW Government publishes them
  When issued by NSW Government
• Bring back a report on a suitable storage facility for service groups at the Showground
  Before the next quarterly review
• Exercise the buyback provision for 20 Elwin Drive if contract terms are not met
  By 29 November 2026 if non-compliance continues
• Seek advice from the Office of Local Government on closed meeting minute recording
  After the meeting
• Update adopted budget and financial tables following Council resolution
  After adoption

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 16 JUNE 2026 COMMENCING AT 6:00 PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr T Greenhalgh (Deputy Mayor), Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr M McDonell, Cr S Peterson, Cr M Ruddy, Cr J Stedman, Cr J Whitton Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Director Development Services, Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services, Director Infrastructure, Chief Financial Officer, Manager Corporate Governance, Governance Officer (Maley), Manager Communications & Engagement 1.1 APOLOGIES RESOLVED - 26/300 Cr D Mallard/Cr F Kinghorne That the apolog...