Rates & spending · Orange City Council
Orange Council gave no timetable for reviewing its investment performance benchmark
Councillors unanimously noted the September 2026 Statement of Investments and adopted the Responsible Accounting Officer’s certification, but the chief executive officer said no timing was available for the benchmark review.
Reporting from public council minutes. How this article was prepared
Orange City Council gave no timetable for its investment performance benchmark review when councillors considered the September 2026 Statement of Investments.
At its 20 October meeting, council unanimously resolved to note the statement and adopt the certification of the Responsible Accounting Officer. The resolution was moved by Cr D Mallard and seconded by Cr J Stedman, with no votes against.
Cr M Ruddy referred to the investment performance benchmark review as being under way and asked when it was expected. The chief executive officer advised that no timing was available.
The minutes do not identify the benchmark under review or provide investment returns, the portfolio’s value or its individual holdings. They do not record a new performance measure or a date for a further report.
Cr S Peterson also asked whether recommendations concerning the term-deposit market and switching out of particular floating rates required a council vote or were operational matters. The chief executive officer said the recommendations were under review by the chief financial officer and his team, and would be shared with council if there was a change in approach.
The minutes therefore record council’s adoption of the certification for the September investments, while leaving the timing and possible outcome of the benchmark review unresolved.
What deserves a closer look
The formal resolution records council's adoption of the Responsible Accounting Officer's certification, but does not record investment returns, portfolio value or individual holdings.
The minutes record no timing for the benchmark review and no change to the investment approach.
The finance team's review is described as ongoing, with the recommendations to be shared with council if there was a change in approach; no new investment approach is recorded as adopted.
Questions for follow-up reporting
What investment performance benchmark is under review?
When is the benchmark review expected?
Which recommendations about term deposits or floating rates, if any, would require a future council resolution?
What happens next
The chief executive officer said the term-deposit and floating-rate recommendations were under review by the chief financial officer and team and would be shared with council if there was a change in approach.
The minutes record no timing for the investment performance benchmark review.
Check the record
These passages were matched to the source text. Read them in context in the original minutes.
The minutes identify an ordinary council meeting held in Orange on 20 October 2026.
Page 1 MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE, BYNG STREET, ORANGE ON 20 OCTOBER 2026 COMMENCING AT 6:00 PM 1 INTRODUCTION ATTENDANCE Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr J Stedman (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy (6.24pm)(AV Link), Cr T Greenhalgh, Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr M McDonell (6.11pm), Cr S Peterson, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy, Cr J Whitton Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate & Commercial Services, Interim Director Development Services, Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services, Acting Director Infrastructure (Gailey), Manager Corporate Governance, Governance Officer (Allan), Communications
Meeting heading and date
Open original minutes ↗Council resolved to note the September 2026 Statement of Investments and adopt the Responsible Accounting Officer's certification, with no votes against. The resolution was moved by Cr D Mallard and seconded by Cr J Stedman.
The Chief Executive Officer advised two grant applications had been submitted however these had not been successful and noted that a further report will be presented to Council. ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 20 OCTOBER 2026 Page 4 5.3 STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS - SEPTEMBER 2026 TRIM REFERENCE: 2026/1829 RESOLVED - 26/578 Cr D Mallard/Cr J Stedman That Council resolves to: 1 Note the Statement of Investments for the period September 2026. 2 Adopt the certification of the Responsible Accounting Officer. For: Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr J Stedman (Deputy Mayor), Cr T Greenhalgh, Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr S Peterson, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy, Cr J Whitton Against: Nil Absent: Cr K Duffy, Cr M McDonell Cr Ruddy referred to a review of the investment performance benchmark being underway, and asked when the review is expected.
Item 5.3, resolution 26/578 and voting list
Open original minutes ↗Cr Ruddy referred to the investment performance benchmark review as being under way and asked when it was expected. The chief executive officer advised that no timing was available.
2 Adopt the certification of the Responsible Accounting Officer. For: Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr J Stedman (Deputy Mayor), Cr T Greenhalgh, Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr S Peterson, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy, Cr J Whitton Against: Nil Absent: Cr K Duffy, Cr M McDonell Cr Ruddy referred to a review of the investment performance benchmark being underway, and asked when the review is expected. The Chief Executive Officer advised there is no timing available. Cr Peterson asked if the recommendations in the report regarding the term deposit market and the option to switch out of particular floating rates are something that Council needs to vote on or are they considered operational matters.
Item 5.3 discussion
Open original minutes ↗Cr Peterson asked whether recommendations about the term-deposit market and switching out of particular floating rates required a council vote or were operational matters. The chief executive officer said they were under review by the chief financial officer and his team and would be shared with council if there was a change in approach.
The Chief Executive Officer advised there is no timing available. Cr Peterson asked if the recommendations in the report regarding the term deposit market and the option to switch out of particular floating rates are something that Council needs to vote on or are they considered operational matters. The Chief Executive Officer advised that these are under review by the Chief Financial Officer and his team and it would be shared with Council if there was a change in approach. *Cr McDonell joined the meeting with the time being 6.11pm* 5.4 POST CONFERENCE REPORT - NATIONAL ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONGRESS 2026 TRIM REFERENCE: 2026/1794 RESOLVED - 26/579 Cr D Mallard/Cr S Peterson That the report by the Executive Support Officer on the Post Conference Report - National Roads and Infrastructure Congress 2026 be noted.
Item 5.3 discussion
Open original minutes ↗Source record
Reporting from the supplied minutes of Orange City Council’s ordinary meeting held on 20 October 2026. Their confirmation status is not established by the supplied record.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council resolved to note the Statement of Investments for September 2026.
- Council adopted the Responsible Accounting Officer’s certification.
- Cr M Ruddy described the investment performance benchmark review as under way; the chief executive officer said no timing was available.
- The chief financial officer and team were reviewing term-deposit and floating-rate recommendations, which would be shared with council if there was a change in approach.
Why it matters
- Council has formally noted its September investments and adopted the Responsible Accounting Officer’s certification, but residents are not given a timetable for a review that could affect how investment performance is assessed. The minutes also do not record any change to the council’s investment approach.