Orange Planetarium proposes $20 adult tickets and $55 family passes

Orange City Council has backed operation of the Orange Regional Planetarium and proposed a $20 adult ticket, $15 child ticket and $55 family pass. The fees will be open for public comment for at least 28 days.

The proposed public prices are $20 for adults over 18, $15 for children aged three to 18, $17 for concession ticket holders and $15 per person for bookings of 10 or more. Children under three would enter free if seated on a carer’s lap.

A family ticket for two adults and two children is proposed at $55. Primary and high school group students would pay $10 each. Teachers and supervisors would be admitted free, with a maximum of two free supervisors per session depending on the size of the group.

The council also formally named the facility the Orange Regional Planetarium. The Conservatorium building was named the Orange Regional Conservatorium, and its recital hall was named the Mary Turner Recital Hall.

The planned system is designed for more than film screenings. Council staff said the system being tendered would provide astronomy, science and educational shows projected onto an 11-metre dome by five projectors. The projection would also allow users to zoom in and interact with the night sky.

The operating model includes one full-time coordinator and two part-time staff. Mondays could initially be closed for maintenance, cleaning, repairs and training, with operating hours to be reviewed after 12 months. No opening date was given.

The fees and charges are proposed, not final. Council approved the operation and public exhibition without opposition. Cr J Whitton declared a significant pecuniary interest because he is chair of OCTEC, which has donated to the Conservatorium, and left before the fee and Conservatorium naming votes. He returned before the Planetarium was named and voted on that item.