Services Policy Committee - 4 Aug 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange heritage awards set for revised categories and timeline in 2027
  Council has endorsed a revised structure and timeline for the 2027 Cultural Heritage Awards.
  Local heritage groups, property owners and prospective award applicants may need to prepare under changed categories and deadlines.
• New heritage training program planned for Orange homeowners
  Council endorsed development of a Heritage Homeowners Training and Heritage Engagement Program.
  The program could provide practical guidance and engagement opportunities for owners and residents connected with heritage properties.
• Working group to review Banjo Paterson Memorial Park heritage plan
  A committee working group will review the 2004 Conservation Management Plan for Banjo Paterson Memorial Park at Narrambla.
  The review may shape future management, interpretation or maintenance priorities for the park.

Decisions

• Heritage Community Committee recommendations endorsed
  Council determined recommendations from the Heritage Community Committee meeting of 25 June 2026, including a revised category structure and timeline for the 2027 Cultural Heritage Awards, development of a Heritage Homeowners Training and Heritage Engagement Program, investigation of a central Orange Yarning Circle, a review of the Banjo Paterson Memorial Park Conservation Management Plan, and community engagement about Chinaman’s Bend Cemetery.
  Residents may see future changes to heritage awards, new heritage education opportunities, further consideration of a central Yarning Circle and increased public engagement with significant cultural sites.
• NAIDOC Week committee recommendations accepted
  Council accepted Maddison Leonard’s expression of interest for membership of the NAIDOC Week Community Committee and accepted an expression of interest for the NAIDOC Week 2026 Elders Lunch event.
  The decisions support committee participation and planning for a NAIDOC Week 2026 Elders Lunch event.

Discussion

• 2027 Cultural Heritage Awards
  The revised category structure and timeline for the 2027 Cultural Heritage Awards were endorsed.
  The changes may affect future award categories, eligibility and application timing for local heritage projects and contributors.
• Heritage education and engagement
  Council endorsed development and delivery of a Heritage Homeowners Training and Heritage Engagement Program.
  Heritage homeowners and interested community members may receive new training or engagement opportunities.
• Heritage sites and cultural recognition
  The committee will investigate including a central Orange Yarning Circle in the Action Plan, review the Banjo Paterson Memorial Park Conservation Management Plan, and consider community education about Chinaman’s Bend Cemetery.
  These actions could influence future planning, interpretation and community use of important cultural and heritage locations.
• NAIDOC Week 2026 planning
  Council accepted an expression of interest for the NAIDOC Week 2026 Elders Lunch and a new committee membership expression of interest.
  The decision supports continued planning and participation in local NAIDOC Week activities.

Impacts

• Heritage homeowners may be able to access a new training and engagement program, subject to development and delivery arrangements.
• The 2027 Cultural Heritage Awards will proceed with a revised category structure and timeline.
• Future consideration will be given to a central Yarning Circle in Orange and to community education about Chinaman’s Bend Cemetery.
• Planning for the NAIDOC Week 2026 Elders Lunch will continue.

Places

• Orange (city/locality)
  Location of the council and proposed central Yarning Circle.
• Banjo Paterson Memorial Park (park)
  A working group will review its 2004 Conservation Management Plan.
• Narrambla (locality)
  The Banjo Paterson Memorial Park reference identifies Narrambla as the park’s locality.
• Chinaman’s Bend Cemetery (cemetery)
  The committee will consider ways to engage and educate the community about its history and role in Orange’s early development.
• Civic Centre, Byng Street, Orange (civic facility)
  Meeting venue.

Next

• Develop and deliver the Heritage Homeowners Training and Heritage Engagement Program.
  Future program development and delivery; no date specified.
• Investigate adding a Yarning Circle in a central Orange location to the Action Plan.
  No date specified.
• Establish a working group to review the Banjo Paterson Memorial Park Conservation Management Plan 2004.
  No date specified.
• Consider ways to engage and educate the community about Chinaman’s Bend Cemetery.
  No date specified.
• Continue planning for the NAIDOC Week 2026 Elders Lunch.
  Before the 2026 event; no event date specified.

Extract

MINUTES OF THE SERVICES POLICY COMMITTEE HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 4 AUGUST 2026 COMMENCING AT 7.01 PM 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 (AudioVisual Link), 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, Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services, Acting Director Infrastructure (Gailey), Acting Manager Development Assessment (Weir), Senior Planner (Yates), Communications Lead, Manager Corporate Governance, Governance Officer (Maley) 1.1 A...