The laneway that connects the Orange Central Square Shopping Centre car park and Summer Street is set to be upgraded, cleaning up what is currently a rundown connection point for many Orange residents and visitors.
A light installation will be installed on the ceiling of the laneway, making the laneway a safer and more attractive place. The project is about visual improvements but also has a focus on discouraging antisocial activity and improving safety.
The laneway that runs between the ‘Kathmandu’ and ‘Bed, Bath & Table’ stores has been a project on Orange City Council’s radar for improvement for some time.
SAFETY UPGRADE: Orange Regional Gallery Director Bradley Hammond, Orange Central Square Shopping Centre Manager Dana Irving, United Dance Project owner Leesa Chaseling and Orange Councillor Tony Mileto in the laneway.
The project will be funded by Orange City Council and the NSW Government with both parties contributing $100,000 to the project. The NSW Government funding falls under the Infrastructure Grant for Arts and Culture, designed to support medium-long term recovery of the arts and cultural sector for restoration, replacement and betterment of cultural infrastructure.
Charter Hall, the operator of the Orange Central Square Shopping Centre, is also contributing by preparing and cleaning the space to give the project a blank canvas.
Orange City Council’s Employment and Economic Development Policy Committee Chair Tony Mileto looks forward to seeing the laneway improved.
“The laneway that runs from Summer Street past the Anson Street Plaza arcade is well-overdue for an upgrade,” Cr Mileto said.
“This upgrade will make the laneway a safe place for people to walk through, improve entrances to businesses and will make the area more attractive overall.”
Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair Melanie McDonell looks forward to making the space a more attractive place that people will want to visit.
“Rather than install the plain coloured, standard lights on the ceiling to make the laneway safer, we want to use the opportunity to be bold. It will go from a dingy place to be avoided to one that encourages people to pass through,” Cr McDonell said.
Two projects have been shortlisted by Council’s Public Art Panel. The two experienced short listed artists are Joel Adler and Daniel Templeman.
Charter Hall worked closely with Council to select the concept designs.
The Centre’s Retail Manager Dana Irving said she was excited to see the project progressing.
“Charter Hall owns part of the laneway and in partnership with Orange City Council, we are very excited to support the upgrade and installation,” Mrs Irving said.
United Dance Project owner Leesa Chaseling welcomes the project that will transform the laneway.
“We have operated out of our dance studio just off this laneway for 9 years and knowing the area will shortly be upgraded is so exciting,” Leesa said.
“We have so many families with small children come to classes every week, always having to dodge mess and rubbish, while looking at walls covered in graffiti.”
“This lighting installation will create a safe and inviting place for our families, the local residents and tourists visiting and shopping in Orange.”
Council is asking the community for their views. Orange residents can have their say through an online survey that shows each of the two detailed designs. The online survey is open until 5pm on Tuesday 25 July 2023.
The successful concept will move to detailed design and fabrication in September with installation set to be finished by the end of March 2024.
