Last night’s Council meeting decided to explore options to open a temporary children’s indoor playground during the winter months. Here is a brief summary of key decisions from the 5 April meeting.
Council to explore indoor play centre options
Council resolved to:
- secure a site for the operation of an indoor recreation facility for the period of 1 May 2022 to 30 August 2022;
- secure the rental of indoor play equipment for the operation of the indoor recreation facility; and
- conduct an expression of interest process for the operation of the indoor recreation facility.
It is also possible a commercial operator will fill this service gap long term.
Tourism services contract extended
Last night’s meeting has extended the contract of Orange 360 trading at TDO Ltd for a further six months. Orange 360 operates regional tourism marketing and promotion.
The contract was due to end on 30 June this year. This Council decided to extend the contract by six months until 31 December 2022. The contract extension would let the Council finalise industry and government consultations in developing the 2022/2025 Destination Management Plan (DMP). The $210,000 cost of the extension is already in next year’s budget.
Council chooses conference delegates
Last night’s meeting chose delegates to represent the Council at a number of upcoming conferences.
The National General Assembly of local councils in Canberra will be attended by Councillors Whitton, Duffy, McDonell, Greenhalgh and Mallard. The Australian Local Government Women’s Association Conference in Fairfield will be attended by Councillors McDonell and Greenhalgh. The Destination & Visitor Economy Conference to be held in Orange will be attended Councillors Power, Mileto and Evans.
Feedback on state-wide zoning proposals
Orange City Council’s Planning staff will provide feedback to state planning authorities about proposed changes to ‘Employment Zones’, following a decision at last night’s meeting.
The Council decided to advise the Department of Planning and Environment about a number of concerns.
According to a report to last night’s meeting:
- the proposed merging of the B1 and B2 business zones creates a risk more out-of-centre shopping centres and supermarkets,
- the proposed merging of the B5, B6 and B7 zones creates a risk that may result in a scattering of specialised retail premises (a.k.a. bulky goods premises) across various parts of Orange in an uncoordinated manner
- both of these risks could undermine the trading performance of the Orange CBD, which is a centre of regional significance providing higher order services to the sub-region and beyond.
Council will ask the Department of Planning and Environment to work with Council staff to identify and draft appropriate local clauses and other mapping changes, that would minimise these risks such as new Floor Space Ratio limits and Gross Floor Area limits.
It is expected the Department of Planning and Environment will exhibit the proposed changes in the next couple of months and they may take effect by the end of the year.
In other planning matters:
- A DA for $3.7 million project on the corner of Escort Way and the northern bypass, involving construction of four self-contained dwellings for supported or independent living for seniors or people with a disability was approved. The complex includes a social pavilion and staff accommodation.
- An eleven lot community title subdivision for Housing Plus was approved under delegation at 72A Icely Road.
- Last night’s meeting gave planning approval for a new water and sewer pipeline from Orange to Lake Canobolas.
- A DA for a four bedroom secondary dwelling on a block at Clifton Grove was approved by the meeting.
IN BRIEF:
- Last night’s meeting decided to halve the fees charged to hire the Lake Canobolas Scout Camp by the St Johns Ambulance Cadets for a 4-day camp in April, down from $18 per person per night to $9.
- A proposal to provide a grant of $400 to Bobbies Clothing will be put on exhibition for community comment. The grant would cover half the costs of painting the front and rear of the building at 176 Summer St. The funds would come from the Future City Assistance Fund, part of the Council project to upgrade the CBD.
- Passenger numbers at Orange Regional Airport continue to rise. A report to last night’s meeting showed there were 4,784 passengers in February this year compared to 2,766 in the same month last year.
