funding · Orange City Council
Orange ratepayers face 3% rise in council fees and charges under new budget
Orange City Council has adopted its 2026/2027 operational plan, rating structure and budget package, with fees and charges to rise 3% unless NSW Government changes or later variation processes intervene.
Orange City Council has adopted its 2026/2027 operational plan, resourcing strategy and rating structure, locking in the annual budget package for the year ahead. Fees and charges will rise 3%, subject to any NSW Government changes and later variation processes.
The package also includes the Long-Term Financial Plan, Workforce Management Strategy and Asset Management Strategy, plus Strategic Policies ST27 Statement of Revenue and ST28 Asset Management. Council adopted the annual expenditure program at the same meeting.
Councillors questioned the budget assumptions during debate. Cr Peterson asked about the use of a 3% CPI estimate when inflation was running higher, and staff said costs for materials and contracts were increasing beyond the fees-and-charges rise.
Officers said several figures in the budget would be updated after adoption. They also pointed to changes including a revised employee wage increase from 3.5% to 4%, a correction from Central West Libraries for the new library, and revised income estimates for the airport and pool.
Other changes covered water and sewer costs, including reduced expenditure in feasibility study costs, maintenance, water services and water metering replacement costs, plus changes to water storage dam projects and sewage treatment work. Council also noted that figures in the operating position and net operating result tables would be updated after the resolutions were passed.
The discussion also reached major capital items, including the Planetarium fit-out. Officers said the fit-out is included in estimates, but the expenditure has not yet been approved.
Council also resolved to convert a list of internal restrictions, including reserves for plant and vehicle replacement, library, parks and sportsgrounds, museum and gallery funds, into liabilities where committed or into equity and close the reserve.
For households, businesses and community groups in Orange, the adopted package sets the price of council services and the financial framework for 2026/2027. Separate budget-related changes, including Companion Animals Act fee updates, will wait for NSW Government settings before being amended.
Reference minutes
Orange City Council, Council - 16 Jun 2026 6:00 PM.
Key facts from the minutes
- Orange City Council adopted its 2026/2027 Operational Plan and Resourcing Strategy on 16 June 2026.
- Fees and charges are set to rise by 3%, subject to any NSW Government changes and later variation processes.
- Council also adopted the 2026/2027 rating structure and annual expenditure.
- Strategic Policies ST27 Statement of Revenue and ST28 Asset Management were adopted.
- Councillors questioned the 3% CPI assumption, while officers said costs were rising faster than the fees increase.
- A revised employee wage increase from 3.5% to 4% was included in the budget package.
- Officers said some figures would be updated after adoption, including operating result tables.
Why it matters
- It fixes what Orange households, businesses and community groups will pay for many council services next financial year, and sets the financial framework for council spending.