Council - 20 Oct 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange Council awards $2.13 million John Davis Stadium field contract
  Glascott Landscape & Civil Pty Ltd has won the contract to build the John Davis Stadium field for $2,134,948.94 excluding GST.
  The decision commits a substantial amount of public money to a local sports facility and marks a concrete project milestone.
• Council cuts Byng Street water, sewerage and trade waste bill after hardship case
  Council approved large reductions to water, sewerage and trade waste charges for 179–181 Byng Street, including a 30% cut to the water charge.
  The decision provides a clear example of hardship-related utility relief and highlights how abnormal consumption charges can be adjusted.
• Orange pump track project remains without grant funding
  Two grant applications for a proposed pump track were unsuccessful, with Council promising another report.
  The project remains unresolved and without identified grant funding, affecting residents interested in cycling and recreation facilities.

Decisions

• Water, sewerage and trade waste charge reductions
  Council resolved to reduce the water consumption charge for 179–181 Byng Street from $9,548.40 by 30% to $6,683.88, reduce the sewerage charge from $8,528.34 to $1,378.75 pro-rata to normal consumption, and reduce the $1,007.51 trade waste charge to $158.05 pro-rata to normal consumption.
  Provides substantial charge relief in a case involving personal hardship and abnormal consumption.
• John Davis Stadium field tender awarded
  Glascott Landscape & Civil Pty Ltd was awarded the contract to construct the John Davis Stadium field for $2,134,948.94 excluding GST. The Chief Executive Officer was authorised to execute the contract.
  Commits more than $2.1 million to a sports-infrastructure project and will support future use of the stadium.
• Property call option extended
  Council approved a two-year extension of the call option for 1 Summer Street and 160 Woodward Street, ending 30 June 2029, and approved associated agreement changes.
  Extends Council's property-related arrangement for sites in central Orange, although the detailed commercial terms remain confidential.
• LGNSW conference attendance approved
  Up to six councillors were approved to attend the Local Government NSW Annual Conference in Wollongong from 22–24 November 2026, with three councillors nominated as voting delegates.
  Allows councillors to represent Orange in sector-wide policy and voting discussions; associated attendance costs will be incurred.
• Parks and Leisure Australia conference attendance approved
  Up to four councillors were approved to attend the Parks and Leisure Australia National Conference in Melbourne from 29 November to 2 December 2026.
  Enables councillor participation in a sector conference relevant to parks, recreation and leisure services.

Discussion

• Hardship-related utility charge relief
  Council reduced water, sewerage and trade waste charges for 179–181 Byng Street, citing personal hardship and a return to normal consumption levels.
  Shows how Council may respond to exceptional consumption and hardship circumstances.
• John Davis Stadium construction
  A contract worth $2,134,948.94 excluding GST was awarded for construction of the stadium field.
  Creates a major local sports infrastructure project and a significant Council expenditure.
• Central Orange property arrangement
  The call option covering 1 Summer Street and 160 Woodward Street was extended to 30 June 2029. The item was considered confidential on commercial-advantage grounds.
  Maintains Council's property rights over two Orange sites, but public detail about the arrangement is limited.
• Council investments and financial management
  Council noted the September 2026 Statement of Investments and adopted the Responsible Accounting Officer's certification. A review of the investment performance benchmark remains under way with no completion date given.
  Confirms oversight of Council investments and highlights an unresolved review of investment performance measures.
• Pump track funding follow-up
  Council was told that two grant applications for a pump track had been unsuccessful. A further report will be presented to Council.
  The project has not secured grant funding and remains subject to a future Council report.

Impacts

• Reduced water, sewerage and trade waste charges for the affected property at 179–181 Byng Street.
• More than $2.1 million excluding GST committed to construction of the John Davis Stadium field.
• The pump track project remains unfunded after two unsuccessful grant applications, with a further report to come.
• Council representatives will attend two upcoming sector conferences in November and December 2026.
• The effect of the Federal Government's credit card surcharge ban on Council rates and fee payments had not yet been quantified.

Places

• Orange (city)
  Council area and location of the meeting.
• Byng Street (street)
  Council chamber and the 179–181 Byng Street property affected by utility charge reductions.
• 179–181 Byng Street (property)
  Site of the water, sewerage and trade waste charge decision.
• John Davis Stadium (sports facility)
  Location of the field construction project awarded to Glascott Landscape & Civil Pty Ltd.
• 1 Summer Street (property)
  Site covered by the extended call option.
• 160 Woodward Street (property)
  Site covered by the extended call option.
• Wollongong (city)
  Location of the LGNSW Annual Conference.
• Melbourne (city)
  Location of the Parks and Leisure Australia National Conference.

Next

• Chief Executive Officer to enter into contract documentation with Glascott Landscape & Civil Pty Ltd for the John Davis Stadium field.
  Following the 20 October 2026 resolution.
• Council to receive a further report on the pump track after two unsuccessful grant applications.
  Future Council meeting; no date specified.
• Council administration to assess the financial impact of the Federal Government's credit card surcharge ban on rates and fee payments.
  No timing specified.
• Complete the review of the investment performance benchmark and report or share any change in approach with Council.
  No timing specified.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 20 OCTOBER 2026 COMMENCING AT 6:00 PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr J Stedman (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy (6.24pm)(AV Link), Cr T Greenhalgh, Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr M McDonell (6.11pm), Cr S Peterson, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy, Cr J Whitton Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Interim Director Development Services, Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services, Acting Director Infrastructure (Gailey), Manager Corporate Governance, Governance Officer (Allan), Communications Lead (Tuxford) 1.1 APOLOGIES RESOLVED - 26/...