Orange environmental committee record adopted as desexing funding review remains open

Orange City Council has adopted the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee’s 5 June record, while leaving a possible increase to the annual companion-animal desexing allocation for a future budget review.

Councillors voted unanimously on 7 July to acknowledge the reports presented to the committee and adopt its record. Cr M McDonell moved the resolution and Cr S Peterson seconded it. Cr K Duffy was absent.

The earlier committee discussion included concern that the annual desexing program allocation had been used in one day. Cr D Mallard said the program could be expanded to allow more recipients and that its allocation had not been indexed or increased in recent years.

No increase was approved. The Chief Executive Officer said the funding allocation could be reviewed and reported back through the Quarterly Budget Review. No specific date was given for that review.

The funding discussion followed Council’s consideration of the Companion Animals Community Committee’s 21 May record. That committee had recommended reviewing its current budget allocation with a view to increasing available funding.

The desexing program remains unchanged for now. Eligible residents do not receive expanded access as a result of the 7 July decision, although the allocation can be considered through the future budget process.

Cr S Peterson also asked whether Council’s nine electric vehicle charging points operated through a Council-funded arrangement or a user-pays system. The Director Development Services confirmed they operate on a user-pays basis, so users are charged for the service.

The Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee met on 7 July, commencing at 6.22pm and closing at 6.29pm. The meeting did not approve new infrastructure, charges or environmental policy changes.