Orange City Council will deliver a responsible budget in 2026/27, with an emphasis on delivering large capital projects and a continued focus on funding for core services.
The draft Operational Plan proposes a consolidated operating surplus (before capital) of $2.6 million for 2026/27 financial year. It also includes $78.5 million of capital works.
Significant projects include:
- The Orange Regional Sporting Precinct
- Gosling Creek dam upgrade investigations
- Orange Regional Conservatorium and Planetarium
- East Orange Stormwater Harvesting
- Roads Program
- Footpath rehabilitation
Orange Mayor Tony Mileto said the budget demonstrated the council's strong financial position.
"The financial position allows us to continue with those big headline projects like the conservatorium and the sporting precinct but it also means we can get on with $3.8 million in road works, delivering more stormwater harvesting which will improve our water security, footpath rehabilitation and construction and work on sewer and water infrastructure," he said.
"We will continue to deliver events and support cultural facilities like the library, gallery, theatre and museum as well as sports fields, parks and reserves that make this city a great place to live and visit."
While the budget delivers a strong position, high levels of service and a long‑term focus, Cr Mileto said it was a challenging environment to deliver a budget due to the increase in the cost for materials and contracts especially for petroleum-based products such as PVC pipe, bitumen and fuel.
"We have significant projects under way that we need to progress that will deliver services and facilities for generations to come. Businesses and residents are facing significant cost of living pressures and we have a growing city with expanding needs. We have high levels of service that residents expect and that needs to be maintained," Cr Mileto said.
Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has set the rate peg at a 3 per cent increase for the 2026/27 financial year. The overall impact of this increase on an average assessment is:
- Average Typical Residential assessments will increase by $1.89 per week or $98.12 per annum
- Business assessments will increase by $1.25 per week or $65.06 per annum.
The above totals do not include water or non-residential sewer charges which are billed separately.
Proposed increases in water and sewer fees and charges are 3 per cent based on long term financial models that ensure future capital needs and operating costs can continue to be met.
Pensioners receive a statutory reduction of $250 off their general rates and $87.50 off both water and sewer charges. Council also offers a voluntary rebate of either ten per cent (pensioners prior to 2006) or five per cent off rates and charges.
Recognising that residents and businesses are already facing significant cost-of-living hardship exacerbated by the recent increase in fuel costs, the alternative of not increasing rates, however, would be to deprive the community of the services that a viable local Council can offer.
Council too is facing sustainability challenges:
- Staff pay rises budgeted at 3.5 per cent to meet State Award requirements and additional increases to meet superannuation change
- Ageing Council assets will require maintenance
- Ongoing project cost increases due to the impact of inflation
The 2026/27 year delivers a realistic responsible budget that is both representative of the services demanded of and delivered by Council to support our community and businesses whilst focusing on the completion of major projects and core community infrastructure.
Council is entering a period of renewal, with a strong focus on delivering excellent customer service while identifying opportunities for improvement, rationalisation, and, where appropriate, expanded service provision.
The Operational Plan – Draft Budget 2026/27 will be exhibited for community feedback for 28 days, closing on 20 May. It can be found at Budget 2026 | Your Say Orange
