Last night's (19 December) Council meeting was the last for the year. The meeting made decisions about free parking at the Ophir Car park, free admission to the Aquatic Centre, and plans for Australia Day celebrations.
Free parking at Ophir Car Park
Charges to use to the Ophir Car Park have been suspended for the holiday period, following a decision by last night's Council meeting.
The meeting supported a motion from Mayor Jason Hamling to have free parking from 20 December 2023 to 1 February 2024.
Free admission to Aquatic Centre
There'll be free admission to the to the Orange Aquatic Centre over the holiday break following a decision by last night's Council meeting.
The meeting supported a motion from Mayor Jason Hamling and Cr Jeff Whitton to remove admission fees from 22 December 2023 to 31 January 2024
A report to the meeting heard the decision would reduce the pool's budgeted income by around $90 thousand.
Australia Day planning for Cook Park venue to continue
Plans to hold the January 26 Australia Day celebrations in Cook Park will continue, following last night's Council meeting.
The meeting considered a recommendation from the Australia Day Community Committee to hold the event in Cook Park despite concerns about the impact of last number of flying foxes in the park.
At the earlier December meeting the Council decided to stage the Cook Park 150th anniversary celebrations in Cook Park alongside the Australia Day celebrations on 26 January.
Industrial DA approved
Last night's meeting approved a Development Application for a $515,000 proposal to build a warehouse and distribution centre on a site in Astill Drive.
The meeting was considered by last night's meeting as the land, in the Narambla Industrial Estate, was owned by Council.
The meeting heard the DA has been advertised for 28 days and no submissions were received.
Council approves conservation management document about former five ways church
Last night's Council meeting has approved a document aimed at facilitating negotiations over a current Development Application proposing a new use for the former Uniting Church at the five ways intersection.
The applicant has asked for Council approval to use the former church, a heritage item, as a function centre.
Last night's meeting heard that, under the Orange LEP, Council can grant consent for a building that is a heritage item, even though that purpose would not usually be permitted, if the building is maintained in accordance with a heritage management document approved by Council.
The Heritage Management Strategy for the former church was prepared by the applicant in February 2021 by heritage architects Christo Aitken & Associates.
Wirrabarra Walk lighting to switch from solar
A plan to install lighting along a walking path on the Wirrabarra Walk has been adjusted to power the lights by powered lighting rather than solar.
In June this year Council approved the plan for solar powered lighting including the provision that the lights would turn on 30 minutes before sunset and turn off at 9pm.
Investigations since then have found that manually adjusting the timing mechanism of solar-powered lights a number of times a year would add to the costs of running the system.
Comments sought on changes to lawn mowing subsidy for elderly
Plans to change the amount the Council subsidises lawn mowing for elderly residents has been placed on exhibition for community comment.
Currently Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) funding lets Council's Choices at Home service subsidise the cost of Home Maintenance (lawn mowing) services for eligible seniors in Orange.
