Council - 2 Jun 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Council orders community consultation on John Davis Stadium lighting costs
  Residents will be asked to weigh the cost of the adopted lighting plan against a staged alternative for John Davis Stadium, with a report to compare funding and long-term implications.
  The decision could affect council spending, sports facility standards and the eventual project scope.
• Orange Sports Precinct lighting contract progresses after closed-door vote
  Council authorised the CEO to contract Zauner Constructions for lighting components at the Orange Sports Precinct and approved extra funding for John Davis Stadium footings and cabling.
  This is a material capital works decision with budget, procurement and sport infrastructure implications.
• Churchill Avenue sewer works approved for 13 properties
  Council approved sewer main decommissioning and sewer connection relocations affecting 13 private properties on Churchill Avenue.
  Nearby residents may face access impacts and property-level works linked to essential services.

Decisions

• Code of Meeting Practice changed back to 2021 model
  Council rescinded Strategic Policy ST02 – Code of Meeting Practice adopted in December 2025 and reinstated the 2021 Model Code, including the previously resolved meeting start and finish times, and requested a further report on optional changes for a revised code.
  Affects how future council meetings are run and how residents can observe or participate in meetings.
• Confirmation of 19 May minutes deferred
  Council deferred confirmation of the previous ordinary meeting minutes so resolutions from Closed Meeting could be checked first.
  Delays formal sign-off on earlier decisions until records are verified.
• Sex Discrimination Act amendment request supported
  Council resolved to write to the Prime Minister, Attorney-General and relevant Federal Ministers calling for amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act to protect biological female spaces and clarify single-sex exemptions.
  Represents a council position on a national social policy issue, though it does not directly change local services.
• Orange airport ILS proposal deferred
  Council deferred consideration of investigating an instrument landing system at Orange Airport to the next Airport Community Committee meeting.
  Pushes the airport weather/landing technology discussion to a later advisory forum before any further action.
• Community AEDs update noted
  Council acknowledged the update report on community automated external defibrillators.
  Supports access to emergency lifesaving equipment in the community.
• Strategic policies placed on public exhibition
  Council approved public exhibition for at least 28 days of Strategic Policy ST62 – Investigation & Enforcement.
  Residents will have an opportunity to review and comment on policy changes.
• Churchill Avenue sewer works approved
  Council resolved to proceed under section 67(2) of the Local Government Act with sewer-related works on 13 private properties between 40 and 64 Churchill Avenue, Orange.
  Affects nearby property owners and may involve service interruptions or property access works.
• Sports precinct lighting contract and staging approved in Closed Meeting
  Council authorised the CEO to contract Zauner Constructions for Orange Sports Precinct lighting components, including athletics track lighting and sports field lighting, and approved additional footings/cabling for John Davis Stadium to support 1,400 lux at extra cost.
  Directly affects a major sporting facility and future lighting standard, with implications for community sport and council spending.

Discussion

• Open forum admitted late items
  Council agreed to consider two late items: a rescission notice on Orange Sports Precinct field lighting and a notice of motion about amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act.
  Shows council flexibility in adding urgent public items to the agenda.
• John Davis Stadium lighting consultation
  Council resolved to undertake broader community consultation within 30 days where practicable, including a survey and comparative information on the adopted lighting proposal versus a staged/scalable alternative, along with costs and funding options.
  Residents and sports users may be asked to weigh in on a major capital spend and design choice.
• Confidential discussion on sports precinct tender
  The meeting went into closed session to consider confidential information on Orange Sports Precinct field lighting tender matters before public resolutions were made.
  Commercially sensitive procurement matters were considered out of public view.

Impacts

• Potential changes to council meeting practice and future meeting accessibility.
• Residents may be invited to give feedback on the John Davis Stadium lighting project.
• Orange Airport users may see the ILS issue returned to committee rather than decided immediately.
• Churchill Avenue property owners may be affected by sewer infrastructure works.
• Local sports facilities could receive altered or staged lighting works, affecting use and future upgrade costs.

Places

• Orange (city)
  Local government area and the main area affected by the meeting decisions.
• Orange Airport (airport)
  Subject of a deferred motion about instrument landing system options.
• John Davis Stadium (sports stadium)
  Focus of the lighting consultation and funding discussion.
• Orange Sports Precinct (sports precinct)
  Site of the field lighting tender, rescission notice and confidential procurement decisions.
• Churchill Avenue (road)
  Location of sewer main decommissioning and sewer connection relocation works.
• Botanic Gardens (public garden)
  Raised in a question on notice about volunteer work and potential job impacts.
• Cook Park (park)
  Mentioned in a resident question about volunteer work and aviary-related roles.

Next

• Prepare a report on optional changes for a revised Code of Meeting Practice
  Future council meeting
• Bring the deferred 19 May minutes back for confirmation after checking closed meeting resolutions
  Next available meeting
• Run community consultation and survey on the John Davis Stadium lighting options and report funding sources and long-term budget impacts
  Within 30 days where practicable
• Exhibit Strategic Policy ST62 – Investigation & Enforcement for at least 28 days
  Immediately after resolution
• Take the airport ILS proposal to the next Airport Community Committee meeting
  Next committee meeting
• Proceed with sewer main decommissioning and sewer connection relocation works on Churchill Avenue
  Following resolution
• Finalise the Orange Sports Precinct lighting contract and staged works in line with the closed meeting resolutions
  After contract execution

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 2 JUNE 2026 COMMENCING AT 6.00PM 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, Cr J Stedman Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Director Development Services, Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services, Director Infrastructure, Manager Corporate Governance, Acting Manager Communications & Engagement (Townsend), Governance Officer (Allan) 1.1 APOLOGIES RESOLVED - 26/252 Cr F Kinghorne/Cr J Stedman That the apolo...