Cook Park Aviary rescission bid fails in 7-4 vote Orange councillors rejected a motion by Cr K Duffy and Cr G Judge to overturn the 18 August aviary consultation and review resolution. The CEO said rehoming larger birds would not happen immediately. Council: Orange City Council Meeting: 1 Sep 2026 6:00 PM Recorded status: rejected BRIEF Orange City Council rejected a motion by Cr K Duffy and Cr G Judge to rescind its 18 August resolution on the Cook Park Aviary. The minutes list seven votes against and four for, with Cr J Whitton absent. The chief executive officer said larger-bird rehoming would not happen immediately and had not been discussed with the community. KEY FACTS - The rescission motion was lost at Orange City Council’s 1 September 2026 meeting. - The minutes record four votes for, seven against and Cr J Whitton absent. - The motion sought to rescind a resolution made at the 18 August 2026 meeting. - The chief executive officer said larger-bird rehoming would not occur immediately. - The CEO said staff had not discussed larger-bird rehoming with the community. - A motion to alter the resolution within three months would require three councillors’ signatures and supporting information. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - The outcome of the rescission is clearly recorded, but the minutes do not reproduce the 18 August resolution, so its detailed requirements are not reported. - The minutes record a process for assessing suitable homes for the larger birds but no timetable for rehoming or community discussions. QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING - What actions and requirements were contained in the 18 August resolution? - Will staff hold community discussions about rehoming the larger birds, and if so, when? - What detailed criteria will be used to assess whether proposed placements can properly care for the birds? RECORDED NEXT STEPS - Councillors could submit a Notice of Motion to Alter a Resolution. If less than three months has elapsed since the resolution was passed or lost, three councillors would need to sign it; councillors would also need to provide supporting information. SOURCE PASSAGES The Cook Park Aviary rescission motion was lost, with four councillors listed as voting for, seven against and Cr J Whitton absent. "For: 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 M Ruddy, Cr J Stedman Against: Nil Absent: Cr J Whitton 4 NOTICES OF MOTION/NOTICES OF RESCISSION 4.1 NOTICE OF RESCISSION - COOK PARK AVIARY CONSULTATION & REVIEW TRIM REFERENCE: 2026/1692 MOTION Cr K Duffy/Cr G Judge That Council rescind the following resolution of the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 18 August 2026: THE RESCISSION MOTION ON BEING PUT WAS LOST For: Cr T Greenhalgh (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy, Cr G Judge, Cr S Peterson Against: Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr M McDonell, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy, Cr J Stedman Absent: Cr J Whitton ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 Page 5 Cr Greenhalgh asked if there is a way this Item can be brought back to Council for consideration without waiting the 3 months." (Item 4.1, Notice of Rescission - Cook Park Aviary Consultation & Review, outcome and voting list) The rescission motion, moved by Cr K Duffy and seconded by Cr G Judge, sought to rescind a resolution from the 18 August 2026 council meeting. "For: 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 M Ruddy, Cr J Stedman Against: Nil Absent: Cr J Whitton 4 NOTICES OF MOTION/NOTICES OF RESCISSION 4.1 NOTICE OF RESCISSION - COOK PARK AVIARY CONSULTATION & REVIEW TRIM REFERENCE: 2026/1692 MOTION Cr K Duffy/Cr G Judge That Council rescind the following resolution of the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 18 August 2026: THE RESCISSION MOTION ON BEING PUT WAS LOST For: Cr T Greenhalgh (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy, Cr G Judge, Cr S Peterson Against: Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard," (Item 4.1, motion text) The CEO said rehoming the larger birds would not occur immediately because the process would involve determining whether they would go somewhere they would be properly cared for. "Cr Kinghorne asked what the timeline would be on rehoming the larger birds form the aviary. The Chief Executive Officer advised that it will not occur immediately as it will be a process of determining if the birds are going to the right place where they will be properly cared for." (Item 4.1 discussion, response to Cr Kinghorne) The CEO said staff had not discussed rehoming the larger birds with the community. "Cr Duffy asked if staff have already had discussions with the community regarding the rehoming of the larger birds. The Chief Executive Officer replied that they have not, but that he is aware of a member of the community who has previously homed one of the cockatoos from the aviary." (Item 4.1 discussion, response to Cr Duffy) In response to a question about returning the item to Council before three months had passed, the Manager Corporate Governance said a Notice of Motion to Alter a Resolution could be submitted, requiring three councillors to sign if less than three months had elapsed since the resolution was passed or lost, with councillors responsible for providing supporting information. "Cr M McDonell, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy, Cr J Stedman Absent: Cr J Whitton ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 Page 5 Cr Greenhalgh asked if there is a way this Item can be brought back to Council for consideration without waiting the 3 months. The Manager Corporate Governance advised that a Notice of Motion to Alter a Resolution can be submitted, but that it requires 3 Councillors to sign off on it if less than 3 months has lapsed since the resolution was passed or lost but the onus is still on Councillors to provide supporting information to the Motion/Rescission Motion." (Item 4.1 discussion, Cr Greenhalgh's question and governance advice) SOURCES https://orange.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/09/CCL_01092026_MIN_16021.PDF https://minutesradar.com/news/orange-infocouncil-council-1-sep-2026-6-00-pm-1-sep-2026-6-00-pm-minutes-cook-park-aviary-rescission-bid-fails-in-7-4-council-vote/ Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.