Five community AEDs approved for replacement after repeat theft and vandalism Orange City Council approved an estimated $9,100 replacement program, while requiring relocation, security and emergency-code access options to be investigated before repeatedly targeted devices are permanently removed. Council: Orange City Council Meeting: 6 October 2026, 6:00 PM Recorded status: approved BRIEF Orange City Council approved replacing five community AEDs at an estimated $9,100, plus $240 a year for tracking. After repeated theft or vandalism, relocation and improved security must be assessed before permanent removal, while council investigates emergency-code cabinets and their effect on access. The minutes do not identify the replacement locations or installation date. KEY FACTS - Council resolution 26/561 approved replacing five community AEDs at an estimated $9,100, with $240 a year for tracking. - The replacement cost is to be included in the quarterly budget review process; the minutes do not record that the money has already been spent. - Repeatedly stolen or vandalised AEDs or cabinets must be assessed for relocation and improved security before permanent removal. - Council will investigate emergency-code access cabinets and report on suitability, cost and emergency-access implications. - Staff said tracking is possible but police recovery options may be limited, and recorded that no unit had yet been used for a life-saving purpose. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - The council approved replacement equipment but did not settle where the five AEDs will be placed or how repeated losses will be prevented. Those questions are left to further assessment and reporting. - The resolution does not establish that the estimated replacement cost has been spent or that installation has occurred. QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING - Where will the five replacement AEDs be placed, and when will they be available to the public? - How many AEDs or cabinets have been repeatedly stolen or vandalised, and which relocation or security options will be assessed at each affected location? - When will council report on emergency-code cabinets, including their cost and effect on emergency access? - What tracking and usage information will council collect after the replacements are installed? RECORDED NEXT STEPS - Replace five community AEDs and include the estimated additional cost in the quarterly budget review process. - Assess alternative ways to maintain accessible AED coverage, including relocation and improved security, where an AED or cabinet has been repeatedly stolen or vandalised, before any permanent removal decision. - Investigate secure community AED access, including locked cabinets accessible by an emergency code, and report to councillors on suitability, cost and implications for emergency access. SOURCE PASSAGES Council approved replacing five community AEDs at an estimated $9,100 plus $240 a year for tracking, with the additional cost included in the quarterly budget review process. "THE MOTION ON BEING PUT WAS CARRIED. RESOLVED - 26/561 Cr M Ruddy/Cr M McDonell That Council resolves : 1 To approve replacement of five AEDs back into the community at a cost of approximately $9,100 plus $240 per year for tracking 2 That the additional cost be included in the quarterly budget review process;" (Resolution 26/561) The adopted resolution requires alternative coverage options, including relocation and improved security, to be assessed before permanent removal after repeated theft or vandalism. "and 3 That where an AED or cabinet has been subject to repeated theft or vandalism, Council assess alternative options to maintain accessible AED coverage in the area, including relocation and improved security measures, before any decision is made to permanently remove the service." (Resolution 26/561) Council directed an investigation into locked cabinets accessible by an emergency code, including their suitability, cost and implications for emergency access. "4 To investigate secure access options for community AEDs, including locked cabinets capable of being accessed by an emergency code, and report back to Councillors on their suitability, cost and any implications for emergency access." (Resolution 26/561, item 4) A council director said tracked AEDs may be difficult for police to recover unless they are abandoned in a public space or another specific location, and said the casing has an alarm. "The Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services advised that while the units can be tracked, police are limited in what they can do to recover them, unless they were abandoned in a public space or a specific location (i.e." (Staff response following resolution 26/561) The minutes record that no AED had been used for a life-saving purpose at that time. "Cr Power asked how many AED units have been used to save someone's life. The Director Community, Recreation & Cultural Services advised that no units have been used for a life-saving purpose at this time." (Question from Cr Power following resolution 26/561) SOURCES https://orange.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/10/CCL_06102026_MIN_16030.PDF https://minutesradar.com/news/orange-infocouncil-council-6-oct-2026-6-00-pm-6-oct-2026-6-00-pm-minutes-five-community-aeds-approved-for-replacement-after-repeat-theft-and-vandalism/ Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.