Council - 3 Mar 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange defers decision on homeless or rough sleeping location
  Council pushed the item to a stakeholder workshop instead of making an immediate decision.
  Could affect where support services or accommodation-related facilities are planned and how the community is consulted.
• Council keeps existing water and sewer charges for housing growth areas
  Growth areas identified in Orange's housing strategy will continue under current water and sewer charging arrangements.
  This can influence development feasibility, housing delivery and infrastructure cost expectations.
• Lighting project advances for Valencia Drive and Coogal Wetlands
  Council moved the public lighting project to design and consultation stage and will seek funding.
  The project may improve safety and amenity and could draw in grant funding for delivery.

Decisions

• Homeless or rough sleeping location deferred for workshop
  Council deferred consideration of the proposed location for homeless or rough sleeping to allow a workshop with key stakeholders.
  Delays a decision on where services or facilities may be located, with potential impacts for people experiencing homelessness and nearby residents/businesses.
• Existing water and sewer charges applied to growth areas
  Council resolved to apply the existing water and sewer charges to areas identified as short and medium term within the Orange Local Housing Strategy (2022).
  Affects development costs and infrastructure charging for housing growth areas in Orange.
• Valencia Drive, Coogal Wetlands and Distributor Loop lighting project advanced
  Council endorsed moving the lighting project to the next stage, including community and stakeholder consultation, design and staging refinement, pursuit of grant funding, and a further report with costings and delivery pathway.
  Signals progress on a public lighting upgrade that may improve safety and amenity in the project area.
• Feral and infant animal management policy placed on exhibition
  Council resolved to place Strategic Policy ST59 - Feral & Infant Animal Management on public exhibition for at least 28 days.
  Residents, animal welfare groups and landholders may be able to review and comment on the policy before adoption.

Discussion

• Leave of absence for a councillor
  Council granted leave of absence to Cr M Ruddy for the 17 March 2026 meeting.
  Administrative only; no direct service impact.
• Questions on Affordable Housing Strategy spending and secondary dwellings
  A councillor asked for more detail on how Affordable Housing Strategy budget funds have been spent and what remains, and requested a fact sheet on requirements for building a secondary dwelling.
  May lead to clearer public information on housing funding and backyard/secondary dwelling rules.
• Summer Street easement consent
  Council consented to registration of an easement on Council-owned land at 296-298 Summer Street and authorised use of the Common Seal.
  Affects a specific central city property and any related development or utility access arrangements.
• Conference attendance nominations
  Council nominated councillors to attend the LGNSW Rural and Regional Summit and the LGNSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference.
  No direct resident service change, but may inform future policy and tourism planning.

Impacts

• Potential changes to how homelessness services or facilities are planned after stakeholder consultation.
• Development projects in Orange's short and medium term housing areas may face existing water and sewer charges.
• Lighting upgrades may progress around Valencia Drive, Coogal Wetlands and the Distributor Loop after consultation and grant seeking.
• Residents can comment on the feral and infant animal management policy during public exhibition.
• People wanting to build a secondary dwelling may receive clearer guidance if the requested fact sheet is produced.

Places

• Orange (local government area)
  Council meeting location and the main area affected by decisions.
• Valencia Drive (road/project area)
  Part of the lighting project progressed by Council.
• Coogal Wetlands (wetland/project area)
  Included in the lighting project next stage.
• Distributor Loop (road/project area)
  Included in the lighting project next stage.
• Summer Street (street)
  Location of the proposed easement on council-owned land.
• Orange Local Housing Strategy (2022) (strategy area)
  Used to identify short and medium term areas for applying water and sewer charges.

Next

• Hold a workshop with key stakeholders on the proposed homeless or rough sleeping location
  To be arranged after the 3 March 2026 meeting
• Prepare a fact sheet on secondary dwelling requirements
  Requested during the meeting; timing not specified
• Bring back a further report on the Valencia Drive, Coogal Wetlands and Distributor Loop lighting project with refined costings, funding options and delivery pathway
  Future council report
• Exhibit Strategic Policy ST59 for at least 28 days
  Immediately following the resolution
• Provide an options paper for the Planetarium fit-out and operation
  Future council consideration

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 3 MARCH 2026 COMMENCING AT 6:01 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, Acting Director Development Services (Johnston), Acting Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services (Stanford), Acting Director Technical Services (Theakstone), Chief Financial Officer, Manager Corporate Governance, Governance Officer (Robinson) 1.1 APOLOGIES Nil. 1.2 LI...