Planning & Development Policy Committee - 7 Apr 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Council backs and rejects major development proposals in same planning meeting
  A planning committee approved two residential subdivisions, supported one subdivision referral to the regional panel, and opposed a major recreation facility proposal.
  These outcomes affect future housing supply, local amenity and the direction of major land use decisions in Orange.

Decisions

• Carwoola Drive subdivision approved - 16 Carwoola Drive
  Council consented to DA 362/2008(2) for a 14-lot residential subdivision at Lot 6 DP 715252 and Lot 2 DP 1286606, subject to the attached conditions of approval.
  Adds housing lots in Orange and affects local development activity around Carwoola Drive.
• Carwoola Drive subdivision approved - 20 Carwoola Drive
  Council consented to DA 421/2015(4) for a 12-lot residential subdivision at Lot 5 DP 715252 and Lot 1 DP 1286606, subject to the attached conditions of approval.
  Adds more residential development capacity in Orange and may affect traffic, servicing and neighbourhood change.
• Western Regional Planning Panel submission supported for subdivision at Redmond Place/Lone Pine Avenue/Mitchell Highway
  Council noted the assessment report for DA 298/2025(1) and made a submission in support of the proposed residential subdivision.
  Signals council support for a larger subdivision proposal that could influence housing supply and future infrastructure demand.
• Council opposed proposed recreation facility at Perc Griffith Way
  Council resolved to make a submission to the Western Regional Planning Panel not supporting DA464/2025(1) for a major recreation facility, demolition and tree removal at 32 Perc Griffith Way, citing land use consistency, social and economic impacts, site suitability, submissions and public interest.
  The decision affects a significant development proposal and may shape traffic, amenity and land use outcomes for nearby residents.

Discussion

• Conflicts of interest declared on Carwoola Drive items
  Councillors with interests in the Carwoola Drive properties left the room and took no part in the related decisions.
  Shows the planning decisions were handled with declared conflicts managed separately.
• Seriatim consideration of the Perc Griffith Way matter
  The committee agreed to hear the recreation facility item in seriatim before voting on the final position.
  Indicates the most contested item received detailed debate before the final submission stance was set.

Impacts

• More residential lots may become available in Orange, especially around Carwoola Drive.
• Nearby residents may see development-related changes including construction activity, traffic, servicing and neighbourhood impacts.
• The council’s support for a subdivision referral and opposition to a recreation facility proposal may influence future planning outcomes through the Western Regional Planning Panel.
• Tree removal and demolition were part of the Perc Griffith Way proposal, which may concern local amenity and environmental impact.

Places

• Orange (city)
  Primary area affected by the planning decisions.
• Carwoola Drive (road)
  Location of two approved residential subdivision applications.
• 16 Carwoola Drive (site address)
  Approved 14-lot residential subdivision site.
• 20 Carwoola Drive (site address)
  Approved 12-lot residential subdivision site.
• Redmond Place (street)
  Part of the subdivision proposal supported for panel consideration.
• Lone Pine Avenue (avenue)
  Part of the subdivision proposal supported for panel consideration.
• Mitchell Highway (highway)
  Part of the subdivision proposal supported for panel consideration.
• Perc Griffith Way (road)
  Location of the recreation facility proposal that council opposed.

Next

• Issue notices of approval for the two Carwoola Drive subdivisions.
  After the meeting, according to council process.
• Submit council’s support position on DA 298/2025(1) to the Western Regional Planning Panel.
  Following the committee resolution.
• Submit council’s opposition position on DA464/2025(1) to the Western Regional Planning Panel.
  Following the committee resolution.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 7 APRIL 2026 COMMENCING AT 6.57 PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr M McDonell (Chairperson), Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr T Greenhalgh (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy, Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy, Cr J Stedman, Cr J Whitton Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Director Development Services (Arnold), Acting Director Technical Services (Davis), Governance Lead (Wright), Governance Officer (Allan), Risk Lead (Robinson), Senior Strategic Planner (Mariot), Communications Lead (Townsend) 1.1 APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE RESOLVED - 26...