Services Policy Committee - 5 May 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Orange council backs NAIDOC Week 2026 event line-up
  Committee approval clears the way for several NAIDOC Week 2026 events in Orange, including a community awards night, street march, opening ceremony and museum open day.
  Residents and community organisations will want to know which cultural events have been formally accepted and are moving ahead.
• NAIROC proposal gets conditional approval pending budget
  A NAIDOC-related proposal was approved only on the condition that a budget is submitted, signalling a funding checkpoint before the activity proceeds.
  Budget-dependent approval can affect whether community programming happens as planned and at what scale.

Decisions

• NAIDOC Week Community Committee recommendations adopted
  Council acknowledged the NAIDOC Week Community Committee reports and determined recommendations from its 26 March 2026 meeting.
  This confirms the committee’s backing for NAIDOC Week 2026 planning and associated community activities.
• Expressions of Interest accepted for NAIDOC Week 2026 events
  Expressions of Interest were accepted for Community Awards Night, Street March and Opening Ceremony, and Mawambul Exhibition and Museum Open Day.
  These decisions support the delivery of public NAIDOC Week events and activities across Orange.
• NAIROC Expression of Interest conditionally approved
  The NAIROC Sub-Committee’s Expression of Interest was conditionally approved, subject to submission of the budget to the NAIDOC Week Community Committee.
  Future NAIDOC-related activity depends on budget approval, which may affect event scope and delivery.

Discussion

• NAIDOC Week 2026 event planning
  The meeting focused on formalising event participation and committee recommendations for NAIDOC Week 2026.
  Residents can expect continued planning and delivery of NAIDOC Week community programs.
• Budget required for NAIROC proposal
  Approval for the NAIROC Sub-Committee proposal was conditional on a budget being submitted.
  This introduces a funding step before the activity can proceed.

Impacts

• Potential community events and cultural activities for NAIDOC Week 2026 in Orange were advanced.
• The NAIROC-related activity may not proceed unless a budget is provided and accepted.
• Local residents and community groups involved in NAIDOC Week now have clearer confirmation of supported event components.

Places

• Orange (town)
  Meeting held in Orange and decisions relate to Orange-based NAIDOC Week activities.
• Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Byng Street (facility)
  Venue where the committee met.
• Orange Regional Museum (facility)
  Listed as the venue for the Mawambul Exhibition and Museum Open Day.

Next

• Submit the NAIROC budget to the NAIDOC Week Community Committee
  Before final approval can be confirmed
• Proceed with planning for the accepted NAIDOC Week 2026 events
  Following the committee’s resolution
• Implement the remainder of the adopted NAIDOC Week Community Committee minutes
  Immediately after the meeting decision

Extract

MINUTES OF THE SERVICES POLICY COMMITTEE HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 5 MAY 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, 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 Development Services, Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services, Director Infrastructure, Manager Corporate Governance, Manager Waste Services & Technical Support, Manager Community Services, Manager Communications & Engagement, Legal & Property Offi...