Regional & Economic Development Policy Committee - 2 Jun 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Council pushes for stronger Sydney to Dubbo transport advocacy
  Council wants regional advocacy documents to more explicitly cover the Sydney to Dubbo transport route.
  Could help elevate long-term road and freight priorities that affect commuters, freight operators and regional access.

Decisions

• Apology and leave of absence granted
  An apology from Cr J Whitton was accepted and leave of absence granted for the meeting.
  Administrative only; no direct resident impact.
• Economic Development Community Committee minutes adopted
  Council acknowledged the reports and adopted the minutes from the Economic Development Community Committee meeting held on 29 April 2026.
  Confirms committee business was received, but no direct service or policy change was made.
• Cadia Community Consultative Committee report acknowledged
  The Director Development Services report and minutes from the Cadia Community Consultative Committee meeting of 28 March 2026 were acknowledged.
  Relevant to residents near Cadia, but this meeting only noted the report rather than changing policy.
• Transport advocacy plan update requested
  Council will write to CNSWJO suggesting its Transport Infrastructure Advocacy Plan include more detailed reference to the Sydney to Dubbo transport route.
  Could strengthen future advocacy for transport improvements affecting regional travel and freight links.

Discussion

• Regional transport advocacy
  The committee supported asking the Central NSW Joint Organisation to expand its Transport Infrastructure Advocacy Plan so it gives more detail on the Sydney to Dubbo transport route.
  May influence future lobbying for road and freight infrastructure improvements across the region.
• Cadia community liaison
  The committee formally acknowledged the Cadia Community Consultative Committee minutes and accompanying report.
  Signals ongoing oversight of matters affecting the Cadia area and nearby residents.

Impacts

• Possible longer-term advocacy for improvements to the Sydney to Dubbo transport corridor.
• Ongoing community liaison and monitoring for the Cadia area.

Places

• Orange (city)
  Meeting held at the Civic Centre in Orange; council business relates to the local government area.
• Cadia (locality)
  Community consultative committee report acknowledged for the Cadia area.
• Sydney to Dubbo transport route (transport corridor)
  Council asked for this route to be more clearly referenced in regional advocacy planning.

Next

• Council to write to CNSWJO requesting more detailed reference to the Sydney to Dubbo transport route in its Transport Infrastructure Advocacy Plan.
  After the meeting; timing not specified

Extract

MINUTES OF THE REGIONAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY COMMITTEE HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 2 JUNE 2026 COMMENCING AT 7.08PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr T Mileto (Mayor)(Chairperson), 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, Cr J Stedman Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Director Development Services, Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services, Director Infrastructure, Manager Corporate Governance, Acting Manager Communications & Engagement (Townsend), Governance Officer (Allan) 1.1 APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE RESOL...