Infrastructure Policy Committee - 6 Oct 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange Athletic Track project faces possible budget blowout
  Council officers warned that completing the Athletic Track and main-field tendered works could exceed the available budget, while the track contract already includes about $900,000 for a stabilised surface.
  Residents may ultimately see scope changes, delays or additional funding decisions for a major sporting project.
• City-centre roads to close for Zest Fest
  Council approved overnight closures of sections of Byng Street, McNamara Street and Lords Place for Zest Fest on 14-15 November 2026.
  Businesses, residents, event visitors and motorists will need to plan around a substantial central-city traffic disruption.
• No stop sign planned at Gorman Road and Connemara Drive
  Council rejected a recommended stop-sign treatment after the Local Transport Forum found the intersection’s sight distances complied with Australian Standards.
  The decision follows safety concerns and a public question about council liability if a crash occurs.

Decisions

• Local Transport Forum recommendations endorsed
  Council adopted recommendations covering school-zone hours at Glenroi Heights Public School, police patrols on Huntley Road, referral of a speed-zone review to Transport for NSW, no new stop sign at Gorman Road and Connemara Drive, and conditional approvals for three events.
  These decisions affect school-zone safety, traffic enforcement, speed limits, intersection treatment and temporary road closures.
• Event approvals and road closures
  Conditional approval was endorsed for the Santa Parade on 28 November 2026 and the Orange Running Festival on 7 March 2027. Zest Fest was approved for 14 November 2026, with closures on Byng Street, McNamara Street and Lords Place from 6:00 AM on 14 November until 6:00 AM on 15 November.
  Residents and road users should expect event-related traffic management and closures, particularly around the Orange city centre.
• Current works report noted
  The committee noted the report on current infrastructure works.
  The report records the status of council infrastructure projects, including the Athletic Track, main field, Conservatorium and Planetarium works, and March Street bridge works.
• No stop sign at Gorman Road and Connemara Drive
  Council adopted the Local Transport Forum recommendation not to install a stop sign and holding line at the intersection. Officers advised that sight distances comply with Australian Standards.
  The existing intersection treatment will remain, with the decision based on road-safety standards and liability considerations.

Discussion

• Athletic Track and main-field project costs
  The Athletic Track contract includes design and construction on a stabilised surface approved at approximately $900,000. The main-field tender is being assessed, and the Chief Executive Officer expects that completing all tendered work will exceed the available budget.
  The project may require cost management, scope changes or further funding decisions.
• March Street bridge works
  The bridge design was explained as meeting required underside-height and structural-integrity specifications. Raising March Street to meet the bridge will form part of the works’ completion.
  The project will affect road levels and construction activity on March Street.
• Conservatorium and Planetarium parking
  A proposed change to Civic Centre parking duration was deferred until the Conservatorium and Planetarium opening and a usage assessment during full operation can be completed. The Williams site parking on Peisley Street may help meet demand.
  Parking availability and time limits may change after the facilities open, particularly for visitors attending for several hours.

Impacts

• School-zone times of 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM will be placed on the existing taxi zone outside Glenroi Heights Public School.
• Police patrols were requested for Huntley Road between Hiney Road and Jack Brabham Park.
• The speed-zone relocation request for 32 Perc Griffith Way was referred to Transport for NSW for consideration.
• The Gorman Road and Connemara Drive intersection will not receive a new stop sign or holding line.
• Temporary city-centre road closures will apply for Zest Fest on 14-15 November 2026.
• The Athletic Track and main-field projects face potential budget pressure.

Places

• Glenroi Heights Public School, Maxwell Avenue (school and road)
  Existing taxi-zone times will also operate as school-zone times.
• Huntley Road between Hiney Road and Jack Brabham Park (road corridor)
  Police patrols were requested in response to safety concerns.
• 32 Perc Griffith Way, Orange (road and speed zone)
  A proposed relocation of the 50 km/h speed zone was referred to Transport for NSW.
• Gorman Road and Connemara Drive (intersection)
  No stop sign or holding line will be installed.
• Byng Street, McNamara Street and Lords Place, Orange (city-centre roads)
  Sections will close for Zest Fest.
• March Street (road and bridge project)
  The road will be raised to meet the March Street bridge.
• Peisley Street Williams site (parking site)
  Potential additional parking demand for the Conservatorium and Planetarium may be accommodated there.
• Civic Centre, Byng Street, Orange (civic facility and parking area)
  Parking-duration changes were deferred pending facility opening and usage assessment.

Next

• Place school-zone times on the existing taxi zone outside Glenroi Heights Public School.
  Times adopted: 8:00 AM-9:30 AM and 2:30 PM-4:00 PM; implementation timing was not stated.
• Request NSW Police patrols on Huntley Road.
  Follow-up requested; timing not stated.
• Refer the 32 Perc Griffith Way speed-zone proposal to Transport for NSW.
  Following the committee decision; timing not stated.
• Assess the main-field tender and manage potential project budget pressures.
  Tender assessment was underway at the meeting.
• Complete the Conservatorium and Planetarium opening and conduct a full-operation usage assessment before revisiting parking-duration changes.
  After the facilities open; date not stated.
• Complete March Street bridge works, including raising March Street to the required level.
  As part of project completion; date not stated.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY COMMITTEE HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 6 OCTOBER 2026 COMMENCING AT 8:07 PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr J Whitton (Chairperson), Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr J Stedman (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy (AV Link), Cr T Greenhalgh, Cr G Judge (AV Link), Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr M McDonell, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy 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, Governance Officer (Alla...