funding · Orange City Council
Unknown ground conditions put Orange sports precinct excavation budget at risk
Unknown ground conditions beneath the athletics track could increase excavation costs at Orange Sports Precinct, while unapproved stadium variations and required landscaping add pressure to the project budget.
Unknown ground conditions beneath Orange Sports Precinct’s athletics track could increase excavation costs, while unapproved stadium variations and a Heritage NSW-related landscaping condition add pressure to the project budget.
Orange City Council unanimously noted an update on the Orange Sports Precinct project on 21 July. The chief executive officer told councillors there was no further information about the ground beneath the track, but excavation costs could rise depending on what is found.
Council has received variations from the stadium contractor for construction changes identified after the original tender. The variations have not been approved, although the project management team considers them valid claims for changes that could not have been known when the tender was awarded.
The chief executive officer said additional costs through variations were not uncommon and that the scale of the project was contributing to the size of the variation. No revised project cost or value for the proposed variations was provided in the discussion.
The cricket fields will be operational for the upcoming cricket season. Work areas, including the athletics precinct and main stadium, will be fenced off while access to the fields is retained. Facilities and amenities will remain under construction.
Cr D Mallard asked when Council would tender for landscaping elements, including tree planting across the site. He also asked whether the landscape master plan, identified as a Heritage NSW requirement, would still have to proceed if the project budget was exceeded.
The chief executive officer confirmed the landscaping is a consent condition of the project and will progress. Council has not provided a tendering date for the landscaping work.
Cr F Kinghorne left the item after declaring a significant pecuniary interest because her husband’s consultancy company had undertaken work at the site. She did not participate in discussion or voting. She returned after the item.
Reference minutes
Orange City Council, Council - 21 Jul 2026 6:00 PM, 21 July 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Orange City Council noted the sports precinct project update in a unanimous vote on 21 July 2026.
- Excavation costs beneath the athletics track could increase depending on the ground conditions found.
- Contractor variations for stadium construction have been received but have not been approved.
- The project management team considers the variations valid claims for construction changes.
- Cricket fields are expected to operate during the upcoming cricket season, while some amenities remain under construction.
- Landscaping and tree planting will proceed because the landscape master plan is a Heritage NSW-related consent condition.
- Cr F Kinghorne declared a significant pecuniary interest and did not take part in the item.
Why it matters
- Cricket users will retain access to the fields, but uncertain excavation conditions, contractor variations and required landscaping could place further pressure on the Orange Sports Precinct budget.