Services Policy Committee - 3 Mar 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Council to examine Orange taxi service barriers
  Council will investigate taxi service utilisation and what is stopping service expansion in Orange.
  Accessible and reliable taxi services can be critical for older residents, people with disability and anyone without a car.
• Council presses ministers for transport roundtable update
  Council will contact ministerial departments for an update on progress after the Transport Roundtable held in Orange.
  This signals ongoing advocacy and potential policy follow-up on local transport access issues.

Decisions

• Investigate local taxi service capacity and barriers
  Council will investigate engaging with local taxi providers to assess current service utilisation and identify barriers to expanding services.
  Could affect the availability and reliability of taxi transport for residents, especially older people and people with mobility needs.
• Seek ministerial update on transport roundtable outcomes
  Council will contact the relevant Ministerial Departments to request an update on progress following the Transport Roundtable held in Orange.
  May lead to follow-up action on transport issues raised by the community and local providers.
• Write to local federal MPs about accessible transport
  Council will write to Mr Andrew Gee MP and Mr Phil Donato MP to inform them of accessible transport issues in Orange.
  Could help escalate transport accessibility concerns to representatives who may advocate for improvements.

Discussion

• Accessible transport in Orange
  The committee considered accessible transport issues affecting Orange, with specific attention to taxi services and government follow-up after the Transport Roundtable.
  Relevant to residents who rely on accessible transport options, including seniors, people with disability and carers.

Impacts

• Potential review of taxi service availability and barriers to expansion.
• Possible advocacy to state and federal representatives on transport access.
• May improve transport options for residents who need accessible travel in Orange.

Places

• Orange (town)
  The accessible transport issues and taxi service review relate to Orange.
• Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Byng Street (facility)
  Meeting venue; no direct service impact indicated.

Next

• Contact local taxi providers to assess utilisation and barriers to service expansion
  To be investigated by Council
• Write to relevant Ministerial Departments seeking a progress update after the Orange Transport Roundtable
  Following the meeting
• Write to Mr Andrew Gee MP and Mr Phil Donato MP about accessible transport issues in Orange
  Following the meeting

Extract

MINUTES OF THE SERVICES POLICY COMMITTEE HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 3 MARCH 2026 COMMENCING AT 7:49PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr M Ruddy (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 S Peterson, Cr G Power, Cr J Stedman, Cr J Whitton Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Acting Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services (Stanford), Acting Director Technical Services (Theakstone), Chief Financial Officer, Manager Corporate Governance, Governance Officer (Robinson) 1.1 APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE Nil. 1.2 DECLARATION OF PECU...