Orange City Council has revised the budget for the Orange Regional Conservatorium and Planetarium as a result of design alterations to the plans originally provided by Brewster Hjorth Architects (BHA).
These alterations were required in order to respond to requests for information (RFIs) from the construction company predominantly relating to structural design and how the original drawings were in some cases insufficient to deliver the actual works.
The alterations in the design led to more design work and additional construction costs and time to complete the building.
There is no issue with the safety of the completed works or for the longevity of the facility once completed.
Orange City Council CEO Scott Maunder said the review identified the real costs of delivering a landmark building for the city.
"It would have been preferrable to understand those costs earlier in the project timeline but our goal has been the end result, which when completed will deliver a community education facility servicing more than 1400 enrolments and students aged from 1-year olds through to people in their eighties," he said.
"We are also looking forward to the educational and tourism aspect that the new Planetarium will provide."
The total project cost including design and construction cost of the project has increased by 10 per cent to an estimated $37.05 million. It is a budget increase of $3.5 million.
These additional costs can be met by a reduction in spending, a reallocation of other funds and partial utilisation of Orange City Council capital reserves. These options will be considered by Council in the upcoming budget process.
The project timeline for the construction of the Orange Conservatorium and Planetarium has been extended by nine months, from the original date of August 2025 to the new contract date of 30 June 2026.
Following construction completion, an additional month will be required for defect identification and rectification prior to handover of the building to Council
The project includes:
- 275-seat auditorium
- 65-seat planetarium auditorium
- 40 practice studios and rehearsal spaces
- front and back of house facilities including main lobby, bar and kitchen
- office space, amenities and ancillary spaces
