Council - 3 Feb 2026 6:30 PM

Topics

• Council adopts affordable housing strategy and planning agreements policy
  Council has formally adopted the Orange Affordable Housing Strategy and a revised planning agreements policy, both of which could shape future development outcomes.
  These decisions affect how housing supply, developer contributions and planning negotiations are managed in Orange.
• Council trialling earlier, shorter meeting times
  Ordinary Council meetings will start at 6.00 pm and finish at 9.30 pm for a three-month trial.
  This changes when residents can attend, speak or follow Council proceedings in person or online.
• Orange pushes to host Rugby World Cup 2027 team base
  Council will lobby to have Orange considered as a base for one of the international teams in the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
  A successful bid could lift visitation, local spending and city profile during the tournament.

Decisions

• Rugby World Cup 2027 advocacy
  Council will contact the local state member, Rugby Australia and other stakeholders to promote Orange as a base for one of the international teams competing in the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
  Could bring visitor spending, profile and activity to Orange if successful.
• Christmas Carols wet weather plan
  Council’s 2026 Christmas Carols event must include a wet weather plan, either relocation or delay.
  Improves event reliability and public planning for a major community event.
• Council meeting schedule changes
  Council decided ordinary meetings should commence at 6.00 pm for a three-month trial and finish at 9.30 pm instead of 10.30 pm; a staff estimate of annual financial cost or savings was also noted after an amendment withdrew that part of the motion.
  Affects how residents and community groups attend and engage with Council meetings.
• ALGA motion timing for advocacy
  Proposed motions must be resolved by 5 February 2026 or sent to the Executive Support Manager for inclusion on the 17 February 2026 agenda so they can be lodged on the ALGA portal before 27 February 2026.
  Affects whether Orange can submit advocacy motions to national local government processes on time.
• Strategic policies placed on public exhibition
  Council resolved to exhibit Strategic Policy ST45 Mandatory Data Breach Notification and ST46 Managing Council’s Finances for at least 28 days.
  Residents and stakeholders can review and comment on policies affecting privacy response and financial management.
• Orange Affordable Housing Strategy adopted
  Council adopted the Orange Affordable Housing Strategy with typographical corrections.
  Sets local housing policy direction and may influence future affordable housing supply and planning responses.
• Planning Agreements policy adopted
  Council adopted Strategic Policy ST57 Planning Agreements as exhibited.
  Shapes how future development contributions and planning agreements are managed across Orange.
• Cemetery charges GST change adopted
  Council adopted a GST-related charge change for cemetery-related charges, excluding items listed under Miscellaneous.
  May change some funeral or cemetery costs for residents and families.
• Leave of absence granted
  Council granted a leave of absence to Cr Frances Kinghorne for 17 February 2026.
  Administrative decision with limited direct resident impact.
• Accommodation costs for councillor meetings noted
  Council noted the report on accommodation costs incurred for attending Council meetings.
  Provides transparency on governance expenditure.
• Two councillors to attend NSW ALGWA Conference 2026
  Council resolved that up to two councillors will attend the NSW ALGWA Conference in Blacktown from 26 to 29 March 2026.
  Involves elected-member professional development and related travel arrangements.

Discussion

• Consultation concerns raised on energy project engagement
  During confirmation of minutes, a councillor sought clarification about consultation with landowners affected by the Community Energy Upgrades Fund, solar array and battery storage project. The CEO said the report was accurate at the time and no objections had been received, though a final resident was contacted afterwards.
  Signals resident concern about engagement on energy infrastructure projects.
• Confidential business and redacted submission report
  Council moved into a closed session for confidential items, including the ALGWA conference attendance and a submission redaction report, with no public detail on the latter beyond it being acknowledged.
  Limited public information; residents can only see that confidential matters were dealt with.

Impacts

• Community event planning will now include a wet weather contingency for Christmas Carols.
• Council meetings are likely to start earlier and finish earlier during the trial period, which may affect public attendance and speaking opportunities.
• The Orange Affordable Housing Strategy now has formal Council adoption and may guide future housing initiatives.
• Planning agreements policy adoption may affect how development contributions and infrastructure funding are negotiated in future projects.
• Some cemetery-related charges will change due to the GST-related amendment.
• Residents and stakeholders can comment on two strategic policies during the public exhibition period.

Places

• Orange (city)
  Main local government area affected by all Council decisions.
• Blacktown (town)
  Host location for the 2026 NSW ALGWA Conference.
• Civic Centre, Byng Street, Orange (facility)
  Meeting venue; no service change, but identifies council location.

Next

• Launch a wet weather plan for the 2026 Christmas Carols event
  Before the 2026 event date
• Trial 6.00 pm start times and 9.30 pm finish times for ordinary Council meetings
  For three months, then review
• Prepare and/or submit any proposed motions for the 17 February 2026 Council meeting by 5 February 2026
  Immediate / by 5 Feb 2026
• Place ST45 and ST46 on public exhibition for at least 28 days
  From the February 2026 resolution date
• Implement the adopted Orange Affordable Housing Strategy
  Following adoption
• Apply the adopted cemetery GST charge change
  Following adoption

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 3 FEBRUARY 2026 COMMENCING AT 6:30 PM 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, Cr J Whitton Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Director Development Services, Acting Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services (Stanford), Acting Director Technical Services (Theakstone), Communications Lead, Governance Lead, Governance Officer (Barnes), Governance Officer (Allan) 1.1 APOLOGIES RESOLVED - 26/005...