Council - 7 Jul 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange Planetarium fees proposed, with adult tickets set at $20
  Council will exhibit proposed Planetarium admission fees, including $20 adult tickets, $15 child tickets and a $55 family ticket, ahead of the facility’s opening.
  Residents and schools can comment on the proposed prices before they are finalised, while the charges will shape access to the new facility.
• Council backs extra $1.97 million for Orange Sports Precinct lighting
  Council approved a further $1.97 million contract commitment for 1,400-lux field lighting at the Orange Sports Precinct after community consultation.
  The decision commits substantial capital funding to a major sporting facility and records a clear division among councillors.
• Orange cultural venues receive official names
  Council confirmed new names for the Conservatorium building and recital hall as part of the cultural precinct’s development.
  The names will be used for a prominent local arts and education facility and its performance venue.

Decisions

• Planetarium operation and proposed fees endorsed
  Council endorsed operation of the Planetarium and resolved to publicly exhibit proposed admission fees and charges for at least 28 days.
  This advances the Planetarium toward opening and gives residents an opportunity to comment on proposed ticket prices.
• Further $1.97 million approved for sports-precinct lighting
  Council authorised a further contract with Zauner Constructions for the remaining Orange Sports Precinct field-lighting works, for $1,971,217.93, and required provision in the 2026–27 capital budget quarterly review.
  The decision commits nearly $2 million in additional capital funding to the sports precinct.
• Cultural policies placed on public exhibition
  Council resolved to exhibit policies ST65–ST69 covering Gallery Exhibitions, Public Art, Gallery Collection, Museum Sponsorship and Museum Heritage Collection, and to delete obsolete policy ST038.
  The public can make submissions on the proposed cultural policies during the exhibition period.
• Cultural facilities given official names
  Council named the Conservatorium building the Orange Regional Conservatorium, its recital hall the Mary Turner Recital Hall and the Planetarium the Orange Regional Planetarium.
  The official names establish how the new and upgraded cultural facilities will be publicly identified.
• Long-term Scouts NSW lease approved
  Council approved a 10-year lease, with one further 10-year option, for 3 Icely Road to the Scouts Association NSW Branch.
  The agreement provides Scouts NSW with a long-term community facility arrangement.
• Astill Drive call-option request deferred
  Council deferred the request to extend the call option over 31 and 33 Astill Drive pending further information.
  No final decision has been made on the property request.

Discussion

• Planetarium operations and opening hours
  The proposed Planetarium operating model includes a full-time coordinator and two part-time staff. Mondays may initially be closed for maintenance, cleaning, repairs and training, with operating hours to be reviewed after 12 months.
  Residents will be affected by the facility’s opening hours, staffing and access arrangements.
• Planetarium equipment and programming
  The Planetarium system is being tendered as a full planetarium system with astronomy, science and educational programming projected onto an 11-metre dome.
  The decision clarifies that the attraction is intended to provide educational and interactive experiences, not only movie screenings.
• Sports lighting consultation
  Council noted survey results supporting 1,400-lux lighting at the new John Davis OAM Stadium, following engagement at sporting fields, shopping centres and farmers markets.
  The lighting design was informed by community consultation and will affect nearby sporting activity and facility use.
• Cultural policy consultation
  Council resolved to exhibit five strategic cultural policies for at least 28 days, creating a formal public-submission period.
  Residents and cultural groups can review and comment on proposed governance of public art, exhibitions, collections and sponsorship.
• Councillor conduct and meeting regulation reforms
  Council noted proposed Local Government Office of Local Government conduct-framework reforms and amendments to meeting regulations.
  The reforms may change councillor conduct processes and how briefings and questions are published, although no implementation cost was provided.
• Councillor conference attendance
  Council approved attendance for up to four councillors at the National Local Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Congress in Cairns and up to one councillor at the Regions Rising National Summit in Canberra.
  The decisions authorise councillor participation in interstate conferences and associated Council expenditure, although no cost was stated in the excerpt.

Impacts

• Residents can comment for at least 28 days on proposed Planetarium ticket prices and five cultural policies.
• The Orange Sports Precinct will receive 1,400-lux field lighting, with a further $1,971,217.93 committed from the 2026–27 capital program.
• The Planetarium is planned as a full astronomy, science and education facility, with opening hours and Monday closures subject to later review.
• Scouts NSW will receive a 10-year lease with one 10-year option at 3 Icely Road.
• The decision on extending the call option over 31 and 33 Astill Drive remains unresolved pending further information.

Places

• Orange Regional Planetarium (facility)
  Council facility and proposed visitor attraction
• John Davis OAM Stadium (facility)
  New stadium receiving upgraded field lighting
• Orange Sports Precinct (project area)
  Sports precinct field-lighting project
• 3 Icely Road, Orange (property)
  Council-owned property subject to a new lease
• 31 and 33 Astill Drive (property)
  Property subject to a deferred call-option request
• Dalton Street (road)
  Road referenced in discussion of proposed 30 km/h quiet ways
• Civic Centre, Byng Street, Orange (facility)
  Council meeting venue

Next

• Place the proposed Orange Regional Planetarium fees and charges on public exhibition.
  For a minimum of 28 days
• Place strategic policies ST65, ST66, ST67, ST68 and ST69 on public exhibition.
  For a minimum of 28 days
• Include the additional $1,971,217.93 sports-precinct lighting cost in the 2026–27 capital budget quarterly review.
  At the relevant quarterly budget review
• Obtain further information before reconsidering the call-option extension request for 31 and 33 Astill Drive.
  Before a future Council decision

Extract

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 7 JULY 2026 COMMENCING AT 6:00 PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr T Greenhalgh (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy (Audio/Visual Link, joined 7.09pm), 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, Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services, Director Infrastructure, Manager Corporate Governance, Engagement Lead, Governance Officer (Allan) 1.1 APOLOGIES RESOLVED - 26/328 Cr J Whitton/Cr T Greenhalgh T...