Infrastructure Policy Committee - 1 Sep 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Council develops first active program to seal Orange gravel roads
  Orange Council is working on a new program to seal gravel roads after acknowledging there has not previously been an active program.
  Residents on unsealed roads may be affected by future road upgrades, but the committee did not identify locations, costs or timing.
• John Davis Stadium field tender remains under wraps as councillors await update
  Councillors requested an update on the tender for the stadium's main field surface, but were told details would be provided later.
  The tender may affect sporting users and the facility's future condition, while the procurement outcome and timing remain unknown.
• Water assessments track Cadia wastewater destination and environmental-flow obligations
  Council confirmed its quarterly water assessments account for whether treated wastewater goes to Cadia or is released downstream.
  The arrangements affect downstream environmental compliance and the use of potable water from Suma Park Dam, particularly during drought.

Decisions

• Current Works report noted
  Council resolved to note the information provided in the Current Works report.
  The report covers ongoing infrastructure and service matters, including water-management and road-sealing issues raised during questions.

Discussion

• Treated wastewater and environmental flows
  The Chief Executive Officer confirmed that quarterly water assessments consider whether treated wastewater is supplied to Cadia or released downstream, and that Council must meet environmental flow requirements. During the last drought, Cadia released some supplied water provisions to help Council avoid releasing potable water from Suma Park Dam.
  The arrangements affect water-resource management, environmental compliance and the protection of potable water supplies.
• John Davis Stadium field tender
  An update on the tender for the main field surface at John Davis Stadium was requested. The Chief Executive Officer said the information would be provided to councillors at a later date.
  The tender may affect the timing and future condition of a major local sporting facility, but no tender outcome was provided.
• Possible gravel-road sealing program
  Staff are working on a program for sealing gravel roads. The Chief Executive Officer said there had not previously been an active program for this work.
  A future program could improve road surfaces and travel conditions for residents using currently unsealed roads, although no roads, funding or timetable were identified.
• Orange Rodeo and Wade Park access
  The committee discussed whether hosting the Orange Rodeo at Wade Park would delay cricketers' access to the field. The Chief Executive Officer said he did not believe there was a delay after the event was held there the previous year.
  The issue concerns scheduling and access for local sporting users of Wade Park.

Impacts

• Water-management decisions must account for downstream environmental flow requirements.
• A possible future gravel-road sealing program is being developed, but no implementation details have been announced.
• The John Davis Stadium field-surface tender remains pending further information to councillors.
• Wade Park scheduling is expected to allow cricket use without a delay based on the previous year's experience.

Places

• Orange (city)
  Local government area and location of the committee and referenced infrastructure.
• Suma Park Dam (dam)
  Potable water source referenced in the discussion of environmental flow requirements.
• Cadia (mine/site)
  Destination for some treated wastewater and source of water provisions released during the last drought.
• John Davis Stadium (sporting facility)
  Location of the pending tender for the main field surface.
• Wade Park (sporting facility)
  Venue for the Orange Rodeo and cricket use.

Next

• Provide councillors with further information about the John Davis Stadium main-field-surface tender.
  At a later date; no specific timeframe stated.
• Continue developing a program for sealing gravel roads.
  Under development; no implementation timetable stated.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY COMMITTEE HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 COMMENCING AT 8:41 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(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) *In the absence of the Chairperson, Cr Mileto (Mayor) chaired the meeting.* 1.1 A...