Council - 18 Aug 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange council votes to keep and upgrade Cook Park Aviary
  Council rejected a proposed Animal Care Australia lease approach and instead chose retention, upgrades, further planning and broader community involvement.
  The aviary's future, bird collection and facilities affect a well-known public attraction and local animal-welfare debate.
• $1.49 million contract approved for Orange water-treatment tank upgrade
  Orange City Council approved Carters General Engineering to design and construct the Icely Road Water Treatment Plant Cellar Tank Upgrade.
  The contract represents a significant infrastructure commitment affecting the local water-treatment system and contractor pipeline.
• Orange council grants nearly $22,000 in water-account relief at Catto Close
  A site-specific hardship decision cut water charges, waived more than $11,700 in interest and set a payment arrangement for a $26,930.91 account.
  The decision provides a concrete example of council's response to a long-running water billing and hardship matter.

Decisions

• Cook Park Aviary to be retained and upgraded
  Council acknowledged the communications and engagement report, animal-welfare assessment and infrastructure review, and directed staff to prepare a revised plan of management retaining and upgrading the aviary. The plan is to consider its future location, surrounding works, path connections and other Cook Park improvements. Council also supported implementing animal-welfare recommendations and engaging animal organisations, businesses and community groups on future care and support.
  The aviary will remain, but its bird collection, facilities, partnerships and possible location within Cook Park may change following further planning.
• Icely Road Water Treatment Plant contract approved
  Council authorised a contract with Carters General Engineering Pty Ltd for the design and construction of the Cellar Tank Upgrade at Icely Road Water Treatment Plant for $1,487,431.02 excluding GST, subject to a satisfactory financial check.
  The project will upgrade water-treatment infrastructure serving the local water system.
• Sale of 348 Killongbutta Road approved
  Council resolved to proceed with the sale of 348 Killongbutta Road, Bathurst, on the terms contained in the confidential report and authorised use of the common seal. The resolution passed with Cr K Duffy voting against.
  The council-owned property will be sold, although the public minutes do not disclose the sale terms or purchaser.
• Water account hardship relief approved
  For 33 Catto Close, Orange, Council reduced water consumption charges dating from the first quarter of 2019 from the second-step to the first-step tariff, reducing the account by $9,371.74. It also reduced 2025 third- and fourth-quarter charges by 40%, reducing them by $614.68, waived $11,736.63 in interest, set the total payable at $26,930.91, and resolved that further interest cease until a payment arrangement is made and the debt is cleared.
  The decision provides a substantial, site-specific hardship concession and payment arrangement for a resident or ratepayer.
• Councillor remuneration submissions to be prepared
  Council noted Stage 1 submissions to the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal for 2027 councillor and mayoral remuneration and directed proposed submission information to the Manager Executive Support by 9 September 2026.
  The process may affect future councillor and mayoral remuneration, subject to the tribunal process.
• Strategic policies adopted
  Council adopted ST03 - Councillor Expenses & Provision of Facilities and adopted ST65 - Gallery Exhibitions, ST66 - Public Art, ST67 - Gallery Collection, ST68 - Museum Sponsorship and ST69 - Museum Heritage Collection.
  These policies guide councillor facilities and expenses and the management of council gallery, public-art and museum activities.
• July investment statement adopted
  Council noted the July 2026 Statement of Investments and adopted the Responsible Accounting Officer's certification. Staff confirmed that ethical and socially responsible investment direction is included in Strategic Policy ST46 - Managing Council's Finances.
  The decision provides a formal update on council investments and its existing approach to socially responsible investment.

Discussion

• Cook Park Aviary future
  Council rejected an amendment proposing a lease arrangement with Animal Care Australia and instead adopted a broader retention, upgrade and consultation approach. Independent animal-welfare recommendations, including possible rehoming of larger birds, will inform the next plan.
  Residents will have an interest in the aviary's future design, bird collection, location, operating model and opportunities for community involvement.
• Water infrastructure procurement
  A $1.487 million excluding GST design-and-construction contract was approved for the Cellar Tank Upgrade at Icely Road Water Treatment Plant.
  The work concerns the reliability and capacity of a core water-treatment facility.
• Site-specific water hardship decision
  Council approved tariff reductions, interest relief and a payment arrangement for the water account at 33 Catto Close.
  It demonstrates how council may respond to disputed or hardship-related water charges, while applying only to the named account.
• Council-owned land disposal
  The sale of 348 Killongbutta Road, Bathurst, was approved in confidential session.
  The sale changes council's property holdings, although financial and purchaser details remain confidential.
• Shade audit
  Council noted a Shade Audit Report.
  The report may inform future decisions about shade provision in public areas, but no immediate works or funding were resolved at this meeting.

Impacts

• The Cook Park Aviary is intended to remain and be upgraded, with further planning and consultation required.
• A major upgrade contract was approved for the Icely Road Water Treatment Plant.
• A resident or ratepayer at 33 Catto Close received reductions totalling $9,986.42, an interest waiver of $11,736.63 and a payment arrangement for the remaining $26,930.91.
• Council approved the sale of 348 Killongbutta Road, Bathurst; public minutes do not provide the sale price or purchaser.
• New or revised council policies will guide councillor facilities and expenses and the operation of gallery and museum programs.

Places

• Cook Park (park and community facility)
  Location of the aviary, proposed upgrades, possible future relocation within the park and adjoining path and landscape works.
• Sampson Street (street and path connection)
  A western path connection to Sampson Street is to be considered as part of Cook Park planning.
• Icely Road Water Treatment Plant (water infrastructure facility)
  Site of the approved Cellar Tank Upgrade.
• 33 Catto Close, Orange (property and water-service account)
  Site-specific water tariff reductions, interest waiver and payment arrangement.
• 348 Killongbutta Road, Bathurst (council-owned property)
  Property approved for sale.
• Orange (local government area)
  Council area affected by the meeting's policies, services and infrastructure decisions.

Next

• Prepare a revised Cook Park Aviary Plan of Management, including retention and upgrades, future location considerations, path and landscape works, and animal-welfare recommendations.
  Future council consideration; no specific date stated.
• Engage the Orange Bird Society, avicultural organisations, businesses and community groups about aviary care, maintenance and enhancement.
  As part of the aviary planning process; no specific date stated.
• Enter into the Icely Road Water Treatment Plant contract after a satisfactory financial check and execution of contract documents.
  Following completion of the pre-contract check.
• Submit proposed information for the 2027 councillor and mayoral remuneration process to the Manager Executive Support.
  By close of business 9 September 2026.
• Establish a payment arrangement for the 33 Catto Close water account and cease further interest until the debt is cleared.
  Following the resolution; exact arrangement date not stated.
• Attend the LGNSW Annual Conference in Wollongong.
  22-24 November 2026.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 18 AUGUST 2026 COMMENCING AT 6:00 PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr K Duffy (6.19pm), Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne (AudioVisual Link), 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 (Sidgwick), Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services, Acting Director Infrastructure (Gailey), Manager Corporate Governance, Engagement Lead, Governance Officer (Robinson) 1.1 APOLOGIES RESOLVED - 26/427 Cr G Power/Cr G Judge That t...