At the December 2 Council meeting, discussions included a number of small donations and free parking at the Ophir Car Park in the lead up to Christmas.
Here are some key decisions.
Tree removal
Council has voted to support a motion to remove the large Plane Tree impeding the driveway at 130 McLachlan Street. The tree covers approximately 1/4 of the driveway, posing issues for the resident as they enter and exit their driveway. Council staff will schedule the works which will see the tree removed and the stump ground down.
Free parking
Council will offer free parking to our community in the lead up to Christmas at the Ophir Car Park on the corner of Kite Street and Lords Place. It will be free to park there from December 3 to December 24.
Orange Local Housing Strategy
Council has reviewed the Orange Local Housing Strategy, which guides how and where new housing will be built in Orange until 2041. The latest monitoring shows the market has slowed in the last couple of years with less lots being released since 2022, while property prices and rents have risen sharply, making affordability harder.
To respond, Council will focus on using existing land more effectively (rather than opening new greenfield sites), test options for housing in the CBD, and set up a Housing Dashboard. The Dashboard will monitor rezoned land, subdivision (lot release), Development Application and Complying Development approvals, Construction Certificates and Occupation Certificates.
Draft Orange Affordable Housing Strategy
The Draft Orange Affordable Housing Strategy has been created to help address the growing need for affordable and diverse housing in the Orange area. An Affordable Housing Evidence Base Study shows there is currently a shortfall of about 1,000 affordable homes, and another 200 will be needed by 2041. The Strategy sets out actions under four main areas: making planning rules more flexible to allow different types of housing, working with builders and housing providers, supporting neighbourhood renewal and social inclusion, and looking at ways to use underused public land for housing. Council has agreed to put the draft strategy on public exhibition for 28 days and to fund a review of the Orange Local Housing Strategy, including hosting a local housing summit and carrying out feasibility studies.
Small donations
Council has approved the following donations:
- A Night in Nashville, including in kind venue, of total $10,000
- FOOD Week Inc, for FOOD Week 2025, of total $5,000
- $1,531.25 to GROW Australia to pay for the room hire for the group during 2026
- $1,500 to Central West Veterans Week of Golf to contribute to the operating costs, green fees, advertising and trophies
Solar farm and battery storage system
Council does not support the proposed solar farm and battery storage system at 25 Lone Pine Avenue. The site is environmentally and visually sensitive, and the application fails to address major concerns including impacts on landscape, heritage, water quality, and agriculture. Council will make a submission to the Western Regional Planning Panel recommending refusal of the application.
Tree removal Development Application
Council has voted to defer a decision for a Development Application (DA) to change the building envelope and remove a large Eucalyptus goniocalyx tree at 9 Hilldale Crescent. If approved, the DA would allow the applicant to build a house on a particular part of the block of land. A report will now be prepared for Council to consider at its next meeting detailing a draft development consent. The draft is to include appropriate conditions such as a bond, a subdivision plan and specifications around the minimum number and size of replacement trees for each Eucalyptus tree that is removed.
Government Remuneration Tribunal
Council has received advice from the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal that it is reviewing the fees paid to Councillors and Mayors for 2026/2027. Councils can make submissions to the Tribunal. The Tribunal's decision will take effect from 1 July 2026. Council has decided to make a submission
