funding · Orange City Council
Further $1.97m approved for Orange sports-precinct lighting
Zauner Constructions has been authorised to complete the remaining Orange Sports Precinct field-lighting works under a further $1,971,217.93 contract.
A further $1,971,217.93 has been approved for field-lighting works at the Orange Sports Precinct, with Zauner Constructions authorised to complete the remaining elements of tender F4502-1.
The contract covers 50-metre poles and headframes suitable for 1,400-lux lighting. The specification follows community consultation and relates to the new John Davis OAM Stadium.
The additional cost must be included in the 2026 - 27 capital budget quarterly review. The approval commits nearly $2 million in additional capital funding to the sports precinct, but the available information does not state the project’s total cost or the source of the additional funding.
The contract was approved by nine votes to three, with no councillors absent. Mayor T Mileto and councillors T Greenhalgh, K Duffy, G Judge, S Peterson, G Power, M Ruddy, J Stedman and J Whitton voted for it. Councillors F Kinghorne, M McDonell and D Mallard voted against.
The 1,400-lux option was supported in a survey conducted at sporting fields, shopping centres and farmers markets. Orange City Council acknowledged those results before authorising the further contract.
A separate report on the premium lighting model is still being prepared. It is to cover proposed funding sources, the longer-term effects on council budgeting and infrastructure priorities, ongoing operation, maintenance and compliance costs, and annual costs associated with televised events and any required upgrades.
The next budget step is provision for the $1,971,217.93 additional cost at the relevant 2026 - 27 quarterly review.
Reference minutes
Orange City Council, Ordinary Meeting of Council, 7 July 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Orange City Council authorised a further $1,971,217.93 contract with Zauner Constructions.
- The contract covers remaining elements of tender F4502-1 for Orange Sports Precinct field lighting.
- The works include 50-metre poles and headframes suitable for 1,400-lux lighting.
- The contract was approved 9-3, with no councillors absent.
- The additional cost must be provided for in the 2026 - 27 capital budget quarterly review.
- The approved lighting level follows consultation at sporting fields, shopping centres and farmers markets.
Why it matters
- The approval commits nearly $2 million in additional capital funding to the sports precinct, while broader operating, maintenance and compliance costs for the premium lighting model are still being assessed.