Finance Policy Committee - 1 Sep 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Council approves $20,000 for Orange Chamber Music and Wine Festival events
  Orange City Council has approved $10,000 each for Orange Chamber Music and the Orange Wine Festival and Show.
  The funding supports major cultural and visitor-economy events scheduled in Orange during 2026 and 2027.
• Council defers two community grant applications
  Carousel Kids Preloved Market must wait until the December funding round, while the Orange Regional Malayalee Association must answer Council questions before its application returns.
  The decisions affect community groups seeking support and show Council applying its Small Donations timing and information requirements.
• Orange groups receive more than $21,000 in approved community donations
  Council approved grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 for cultural groups, community organisations, education support, a rural fire brigade and local events.
  The funding will provide direct support for local activities, equipment, outreach and event delivery.

Decisions

• Community donations approved
  Council approved donations to The Canobolas Highland Pipe Band Inc ($1,500), Housing Plus ($2,500), Allegri Singers Inc ($1,000), North West Orange Rural Fire Brigade ($2,000), Orange Woodworkers Men’s Shed Inc ($1,220), Rotary Club of Orange Inc ($2,500), Orange Older Women’s Network ($2,500), Country Education Foundation of Orange and District ($2,500), Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club Orange ($2,000), and Midnight on Molloy - Halloween Display ($2,497).
  The grants will support local cultural, community, education, rural fire, social and event activities.
• Two donation applications deferred
  The $1,724 application from Carousel Kids Preloved Market was deferred to the next Small Donations round on 1 December 2026. The $2,500 application from Orange Regional Malayalee Association was deferred while Council obtains clarification from the applicant.
  The organisations will not receive funding through this meeting and must await a later decision or provide further information.
• Event Development Funding approved
  Council approved $10,000 for Orange Chamber Music under the Flagship Event Category and $10,000 for the Orange Wine Festival and Show under the Visitor Economy Event Category. The Chamber Music event is scheduled for 11–14 March 2027; the wine festival and show dates are 19–24 September 2026 and 16–25 October 2026.
  The funding supports two major events expected to contribute to Orange’s cultural and visitor economy activity.
• Planning proposal follow-up for Gnoo Blas site
  Staff advised that they had met with Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club about requirements for progressing its application to change the use of the corner block of Sir Jack Brabham Park. The club is gathering the required information.
  The proposal could affect the future use and management of a local park area, but no planning approval was made at this meeting.

Discussion

• Small Donations program
  Council considered a late additional Small Donations item and made several grants, while deferring two applications for a future funding round or further clarification.
  Local community groups received or may still seek Council assistance for activities, equipment and events.
• Event funding and public liability
  Council approved event funding and discussed whether the Midnight on Molloy event required insurance or public liability arrangements. Staff advised that the grant does not make Council the event owner and cannot be used for insurance costs.
  Event organisers remain responsible for relevant event and insurance arrangements.

Impacts

• Local organisations will receive approved grants for community programs, equipment, events and cultural activities.
• Carousel Kids Preloved Market must wait until the 1 December 2026 Small Donations round for consideration.
• Orange Regional Malayalee Association must provide clarification before its donation request is reconsidered.
• Council-funded events include Orange Chamber Music, the Orange Wine Festival and Show, and Midnight on Molloy - Halloween Display.
• The proposed change of use at the corner block of Sir Jack Brabham Park remains under preparation and has not been approved.

Places

• Orange (city)
  Location of the council and committee decisions, local organisations and events.
• Sir Jack Brabham Park (park)
  Site of the Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club change-of-use planning proposal.
• Byng Street Civic Centre (civic facility)
  Venue listed for the Finance Policy Committee meeting.

Next

• Process approved Small Donations payments and event funding allocations.
  Following the committee decisions.
• Reconsider the Carousel Kids Preloved Market application in the next Small Donations round.
  1 December 2026.
• Obtain clarification from Orange Regional Malayalee Association before reconsidering its donation request.
  Before a future committee decision.
• Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club to gather information required for its change-of-use planning proposal.
  Ongoing; no approval date was provided.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 COMMENCING AT 8:13PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr S Peterson (Chairperson), 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 G Power, Cr M Ruddy(AV Link), Cr J Stedman(AV Link) Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Interim Director Development Services, Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services, Manager Corporate Governance, Manager Communications & Engagement, Governance Officer (Allan) 1.1 APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE RESOLVED - 26/458 Cr D Mallard/Cr M McDo...