funding · Orange City Council
Orange council rejects $950,000 Redmond Place hangar playground plan
Orange City Council has ruled out a $950,000 allocation to renovate the Redmond Place Air Hangar for an indoor playground and has asked for a report on storage for service groups at the Showground before the next quarterly review.
Orange City Council has refused to proceed with a $950,000 funding allocation for the Redmond Place Air Hangar, stopping plans to renovate the site for an indoor playground. Councillors also asked for a report on a suitable storage facility for service groups at the Showground before the next quarterly review.
The vote was carried without opposition. Councillors had first considered amendments that would have redirected some of the money to help relocate current tenants, including a proposal to set aside $250,000 for that purpose, but it lapsed without a seconder. Another amendment was withdrawn.
The discussion centred on what the hangar could become if the indoor playground does not proceed. Officers told councillors the proposed refurbishment would enclose the roller door, shift internal doors and remove the small offices, which would likely make the space unsuitable for the service clubs currently using it.
They also said the current development application does not cover community uses such as markets. If the building were to be used that way, a new development application would be required.
Council was told the building would likely be used for a community-focused purpose, but any specific fit-out would be the tenant’s responsibility. Councillors also asked about future arrangements for service clubs at the Showground, with the director saying that would be a matter for Council to determine.
The Showground report is the immediate next step. Council wants options for a suitable storage facility for service groups before the next quarterly review, while the Redmond Place site remains without a funded indoor playground fit-out.
The hangar item sat alongside other planning and property decisions on the same night, including approval of a development application for 86 Summer Street. But on Redmond Place, councillors drew a clear line under the $950,000 allocation and declined to proceed.
Reference minutes
Orange City Council considered the Redmond Place hangar item at its 16 June 2026 ordinary meeting.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council voted not to proceed with a $950,000 funding allocation for renovation of the Redmond Place Air Hangar.
- The hangar was being considered for conversion into an indoor playground.
- Councillors asked for a report on a suitable storage facility for service groups at the Showground before the next quarterly review.
- An amendment to allocate $250,000 to a relocation facility for current tenants lapsed without a seconder.
- Another amendment to redirect funds toward relocation arrangements was withdrawn.
- Officers said the proposed design would likely make the building unsuitable for service clubs to return to in its current form.
Why it matters
- The ruling delays a proposed leisure project at Redmond Place and leaves questions open about future use of the hangar and storage for service groups at the Showground.