Council is preparing its Local Housing Strategy, and will soon ask residents for submissions about the manner in which Orange should grow.The Strategy is being prepared in line with State Government guidelines.
As part of the Strategy, Orange City Council is asking residents, businesses and the housing industry whether it should expand residential housing and if so, where it should go.
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the Local Housing Strategy takes into account several factors such as whether there is a need to provide more residential land, demographic factors of the city and local land use opportunities and constraints.
"Orange has a strong economy and is expanding as more and more people realise Orange is the place to live," Cr Kidd said.
"We periodically look at what we have in terms of residential housing blocks and what we need, to cater for the increase in demand.
"We also need to look at what housing types are required, whether it be larger lot or smaller cottage lots in the local government area."
"We also look at what services are available and what services would be encouraged to move here.
"More residents may encourage more retail opportunities, large developments and construction jobs among other opportunities."
Orange City Council's Planning and Development Policy Committee Chair Russell Turner said the city's natural resources were also considered in its housing strategy.
"For example we'll be looking at our water catchment potential yield and long-term forecasts as well as the environmental impacts of new release areas," Cr Turner said.
"We also need to look at where we might expand. East and south are limited to some extent given it's our water catchment and we're almost reaching the border north. "
"Council prepares the strategy but, like last year's Community Strategic Plan, it's very much centered on feedback from residents.
"We want to look at residents' needs and priorities to help us thoroughly investigate what we need to do about Orange's growth."
Council will be holding information sessions and calling for submissions in May through its YourSay Orange website.
Council embarks on Local Housing Strategy
