funding · Orange City Council
Orange council backs Q3 surplus and orders Cook Park aviary review
Orange City Council has adopted its third-quarter budget review, showing a $273,000 operating surplus and a $1.379 million capital surplus, and ordered a public review of the Cook Park aviary.
Orange City Council has adopted its third-quarter budget review and ordered a fresh report on the Cook Park aviary after voting through a series of decisions at its ordinary meeting at the Civic Centre, Byng Street, on Tuesday night.
The quarterly budget review covers January to March 2026. It shows a $273,000 surplus in the operational budget and a $1.379 million surplus in the capital budget. Council also noted the Responsible Accounting Officer’s statement that it remained in a satisfactory financial position.
Councillors questioned staff about the review, including a projected $4.3 million loss, $1.3 million in asset disposals and why some general fund variations did not reconcile with the reported deficit. Acting chief executive officer Sharp said part of that position was explained by depreciation charges that had not yet been posted and by wider infrastructure pressures facing local government.
The Cook Park aviary motion passed 8-2, with Cr K Duffy and Cr G Judge voting against. Council wants a report within eight weeks on the aviary’s condition and management, including an independent animal welfare assessment, an infrastructure and compliance review, and current maintenance requirements.
After that report, Council wants at least 28 days of community consultation on the aviary’s future. The consultation will cover retention and upgrade, relocation or alternative use, and decommissioning and replacement with open public space.
The minutes show councillors asked about past recommendations, staffing, bird welfare and spending on the aviary. Sharp said all actions required by the DPIE had been completed apart from some painting. She also said expert advice could be sought if the motion passed.
Council also resolved that ordinary meetings will now start at 6pm on a permanent basis and finish at 9.30pm unless otherwise resolved during a meeting. Strategic Policy ST02, the Code of Meeting Practice, will be updated.
The Blayney Cabonne Orange Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030 was placed on exhibition for at least 28 days. Council also noted the NSW ALGWA Conference 2026 post-conference report, engaged a suitably qualified external assessor or peer for the Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee term review, and dealt with several closed-session items, including an airport lease and an Orange Sports Precinct lighting tender.
Reference minutes
Based on Orange City Council ordinary meeting minutes for 19 May 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council adopted Q3 budget variations showing a $273,000 operating surplus and a $1.379 million capital surplus.
- The Responsible Accounting Officer said Council remained in a satisfactory financial position.
- Councillors voted 8-2 to request an aviary report within eight weeks, followed by at least 28 days of consultation.
- The Cook Park aviary consultation must cover retention and upgrade, relocation or alternative use, and decommissioning with open public space.
- Ordinary council meetings will now start at 6pm and finish at 9.30pm unless changed during a meeting.
- The Blayney Cabonne Orange Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030 was placed on exhibition for at least 28 days.
- Council engaged a suitably qualified external assessor or peer for the Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee term review.
Why it matters
- Orange residents will get a public say on the Cook Park aviary while council’s latest budget review shows a modest operating surplus and a larger capital surplus. The meeting also set new start and finish times for ordinary meetings and put a disability inclusion plan on exhibition.