Council - 17 Mar 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange360 contract locked in with possible $50,000 ad boost
  Council approved a new one-year tourism and destination marketing deal worth $503,168 plus GST a year, with the option of a three-year extension and a possible extra $50,000 for advertising in year one.
  This is a significant spend on local promotion and could shape visitor numbers, business exposure and debate over tourism value for money.
• Council flags financial pressure in quarterly budget review
  The Q2 budget review reported a $426,000 operating deficit and a $7,062,000 capital deficit, even as the Responsible Accounting Officer said the Council remains in a satisfactory financial position.
  Budget performance can affect project delivery, service levels and future ratepayer decisions.
• Woodward Street intersections to be re-marked after transport forum decision
  Council adopted a transport forum recommendation to change line marking and signage at the Woodward Street/Racecourse Road and Woodward Street/Gardiner Road intersections.
  Drivers, nearby residents and businesses may see altered traffic flow and safety arrangements.

Decisions

• CEO Performance Review Panel established
  Council resolved to establish a Chief Executive Officer Performance Review Panel made up of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Cr Mallard, with delegated responsibility for the CEO performance review and training requirements for panel members.
  Sets the governance process for reviewing the city’s top executive and helps ensure accountability in Council administration.
• Orange360 agreement approved
  Council authorised the Chief Executive Officer to sign a one-year agreement with TDO Ltd trading as Orange 360 from 1 July 2026, with an option for a three-year extension, annual value of $503,168 plus GST and CPI, and up to $50,000 extra in year one for an additional advertising campaign subject to approval.
  Affects local tourism promotion, city branding and spending on marketing that may influence visitor numbers and local business activity.
• Quarterly budget review adopted
  Council noted the Q2 Quarterly Budget Review and adopted budget variations showing a $426,000 operating deficit and a $7,062,000 capital deficit, with the Responsible Accounting Officer stating Council remains in a satisfactory financial position.
  Shows Council’s current financial position and may affect future spending, projects and service priorities.
• Strategic policies placed on exhibition
  Council approved public exhibition for 28 days of ST32 Donations & Grants, ST34 Water Carting, ST21 Child Safe and ST61 Swimming Pool Barrier Inspection Program, including a change allowing retrospective grant applications up to three months after an event.
  Residents, community groups and pool owners may be affected by policy changes and the opportunity to comment before adoption.
• Investment policy updated with ethical investment review request
  Council adopted Strategic Policy ST46 Managing Council’s Finances and requested staff investigate ways to give preference to ethically and socially responsible investments, including institutions not financing fossil fuels, subject to legal and risk requirements.
  Could influence how Council invests public funds and may shape future financial and ethical policy settings.
• Woodward Street and Gardiner Road intersection treatment approved
  Council determined the local transport forum recommendation to linemark and signpost the Woodward Street/Racecourse Road intersection as a Seagull type intersection and the Woodward Street/Gardiner Road intersection as a CHR type intersection.
  Impacts traffic movement, intersection design and road safety in the affected area.

Discussion

• Project financial reporting framework
  Council required quarterly budget reviews to include an overview of the financial status of all major projects and asked the CEO to develop a reporting framework with thresholds and a definition of a major project.
  May improve transparency around large projects and give Councillors earlier warning of budget problems that can affect residents.
• Central NSW Joint Organisation membership
  Council agreed to submit a letter of preference supporting continuation of membership of the Central NSW Joint Organisation.
  Affects regional collaboration on advocacy and shared projects with neighbouring councils.
• Planning agreement amendment authority
  Council authorised the Chief Executive Officer to amend a planning agreement, though the excerpt provided does not include the full public details of the amendment.
  Could affect development obligations and planning outcomes, but the specific public impact is not clear from the excerpt.

Impacts

• Potential changes to tourism funding and promotion through the Orange360 contract.
• Public exhibition of policies means residents and community groups can make submissions before final adoption.
• Road markings and intersection treatments may change traffic conditions and safety at Woodward Street, Racecourse Road and Gardiner Road.
• The quarterly budget review confirms substantial operating and capital deficits, which may influence future Council spending and project timing.
• The new grant policy exhibition may affect how community organisations apply for donations and grants, including retrospective applications.
• The request to examine ethical investment preferences could influence how Council manages public money.

Places

• Orange (city)
  Main local government area discussed throughout the meeting.
• Woodward Street (road)
  Intersection treatment changes were approved for nearby traffic arrangements.
• Racecourse Road (road)
  Part of the Seagull-type intersection decision.
• Gardiner Road (road)
  Part of the CHR-type intersection decision.
• Bloomfield Hospital (facility)
  Mentioned in questions about land maintenance outside the golf course.
• O’Brien Centre (facility)
  Mentioned in discussion about responsibility and the NSW Department of Health.

Next

• Exhibit selected strategic policies for at least 28 days and receive submissions.
  Next 28 days
• CEO to sign the Orange360 agreement and negotiate KPIs.
  Before 1 July 2026
• CEO to develop a reporting framework for major projects.
  Future report to Council
• Staff to investigate and report on ethical and socially responsible investment options.
  Future report to Council
• Council to receive a report on the Housing Plus homelessness forum.
  Next Council meeting
• Council to receive factsheet material on secondary dwellings specific to Orange.
  Future follow-up
• Council to review the budget review and project financial reporting changes in ongoing quarterly processes.
  Ongoing

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 17 MARCH 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 G Power, Cr J Stedman, Cr J Whitton Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Acting Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services (Stanford), Acting Director Technical Services (Theakstone), Manager Corporate Governance, Coordinator Strategic Planning (Weir), Governance Officer (Allan) 1.1 APOLOGIES RESOLVED - 26/113 Cr T Greenhalgh/Cr F Kinghorne That the apologies be a...