Council - 6 Oct 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange Council approves five AED replacements after theft and vandalism concerns
  Council will spend about $9,100 to restore five community AEDs and investigate more secure access rather than automatically removing repeatedly targeted devices.
  The decision affects emergency response coverage and raises questions about how public defibrillators can remain accessible while being protected from theft.
• Council investigates two new accessible fishing areas in Orange
  Orange City Council will review current accessible fishing sites and investigate two additional locations and their costs.
  The work could expand inclusive recreation for residents and visitors with disability or mobility limitations.
• Orange Sporting Walk of Fame proposed for John Davis Stadium precinct
  Council has endorsed in principle a publicly accessible Walk of Fame based on the existing Sporting Hall of Fame, with future community nominations planned.
  The proposal would create a new civic recognition feature and may lead to future design, funding and consultation decisions.

Decisions

• Five community AEDs to be replaced
  Council approved replacing five automated external defibrillators at an estimated cost of $9,100, plus $240 a year for tracking. The cost will be included in the quarterly budget review. Council will assess relocation, improved security and emergency-code access for AEDs or cabinets repeatedly affected by theft or vandalism before considering permanent removal.
  Restores access to life-saving equipment while requiring further work on security and locations.
• Accessible fishing locations to be expanded
  Council directed staff to review existing accessible fishing locations and investigate the location and cost of creating two additional accessible fishing areas, with a report to return to Council.
  May improve recreational access for residents and visitors with disability or mobility limitations.
• Orange Sporting Walk of Fame supported in principle
  Council endorsed establishing a community-accessible Sporting Walk of Fame within the John Davis OAM Stadium precinct. Existing Sporting Hall of Fame inductees will form the foundation, with future community, club and association nominations to be enabled under criteria still to be developed. The Chief Executive Officer must provide a further report.
  Creates a proposed permanent public recognition site for Orange sportspeople, subject to future design and implementation decisions.
• Deputy Mayor election rerun and Cr J Stedman elected
  Because of a procedural error in the 15 September election, Council ordered a new ordinary-ballot election for the Deputy Mayor for the period to 9 September 2028. Cr J Stedman was the sole nominee and was declared elected.
  Changes the council leadership arrangements for the current term.
• Specific water charge reduced on hardship grounds
  Council reduced the water consumption charge for Lot 4 DP 1274221, Ophir Road, by 50% to $6,018.54 and supported a payment-plan option where required.
  Provides a hardship-related reduction and payment flexibility for the affected ratepayer.
• Buy-back extension request declined
  Council declined a request to extend the option agreement period for 20 Elwin Drive to 29 February 2028.
  The decision affects the council property arrangement at the named address, although the confidential report provides no further public detail.
• Commemorative naming approach to address gender imbalance
  Council noted an audit of names in the Orange Local Government Area and asked staff to progress work addressing gender imbalance in future commemorative naming of council places and assets. Staff must review and expand the names register and report the proposed approach back to Council.
  May influence future names for parks, reserves, sporting facilities, buildings and other public places.
• Strategic policy placed on public exhibition
  Council approved public exhibition for at least 28 days of Strategic Policy ST11, Public Interest Disclosures (PID), Protected Disclosures (Children’s Services).
  Provides residents and stakeholders an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed policy.

Discussion

• Community AED coverage and security
  Five AEDs will be replaced, while Council investigates relocation, stronger security and emergency-code access for devices exposed to repeated theft or vandalism.
  The decision affects emergency first-aid coverage in community locations.
• Accessible fishing infrastructure
  Staff will assess existing accessible fishing sites and investigate two additional locations, including estimated costs.
  Could improve inclusive access to local waterways and recreational facilities.
• Sporting Walk of Fame
  A proposed public Walk of Fame at the John Davis OAM Stadium precinct will build on the existing Sporting Hall of Fame and allow future community nominations.
  Creates a potential new civic and sporting recognition feature.
• Water hardship decision
  A confidential hardship matter resulted in a 50% reduction of a specific Ophir Road water consumption charge to $6,018.54, with a possible payment plan.
  Shows the outcome of a resident or ratepayer hardship request involving a substantial water bill.
• Council governance
  The Deputy Mayor election was rerun after a procedural error, with Cr J Stedman elected unopposed for the remainder of the term.
  Determines the council’s deputy leadership until September 2028.
• Commemorative place naming
  Council will develop work to address gender imbalance in the naming of council places and assets and expand its names register.
  May affect future public-place names and the representation reflected in them.

Impacts

• Five community AEDs will be replaced, with further work on theft prevention and secure emergency access.
• Two additional accessible fishing locations may be investigated, alongside a review of existing sites.
• The council leadership arrangement is confirmed with Cr J Stedman as Deputy Mayor until 9 September 2028.
• A specific Ophir Road water charge was reduced to $6,018.54, with payment-plan support available if required.
• The proposed Strategic Policy ST11 will be available for public exhibition for at least 28 days.
• Future council place naming may be adjusted to address gender imbalance.

Places

• Ophir Road, Orange (road and property area)
  Lot 4 DP 1274221 was subject to a hardship-related water charge reduction.
• 20 Elwin Drive (property)
  Council declined an extension of the option agreement period to 29 February 2028.
• John Davis OAM Stadium precinct (sporting facility precinct)
  Proposed location for an Orange Sporting Walk of Fame.
• Orange Local Government Area (local government area)
  Area covered by the commemorative names audit and future naming work.

Next

• Replace five community AEDs and include the estimated additional cost in the quarterly budget review.
  Following the 6 October 2026 resolution.
• Investigate secure AED access, including emergency-code cabinets, and report on suitability, costs and emergency-access implications.
  Future report to Councillors; date not specified.
• Review existing accessible fishing locations and investigate two additional sites and their costs.
  Future report to Council; date not specified.
• Prepare a report on the Sporting Walk of Fame, including nomination and selection criteria.
  Future report to Council; date not specified.
• Progress work to address gender imbalance in commemorative naming and review and expand the names register.
  Proposed approach to be reported back to Council.
• Place Strategic Policy ST11 on public exhibition.
  Minimum exhibition period of 28 days.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 6 OCTOBER 2026 COMMENCING AT 6:00 PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr J Stedman (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy (AV Link), Cr T Greenhalgh, Cr G Judge (7.59pm)(AV Link), Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr M McDonell, 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, Manager Communications & Engagement, Manager Engineering Services, Manager Development Assessments, G...