Airport passenger numbers set a new record, Council sponsorship of local events: Here's a quick summary of key decision from the 2 August City Council meeting.
Record passenger numbers through airport
Recent growth in passenger numbers at Orange Regional Airport has set a new annual record.
A report to last night's meeting showed that 8,071 passengers used the airport last month compared with 7,308 in June 2022.
The latest annual figures show the airport has had its busiest year ever.
91,552 passengers used the airport in the last financial year.
The next largest figure was 79,240 in the 2018-19 financial year.
Three airlines currently operate flights to Orange: Regional Express, Link Airways and Qantas.
Changes to annual trout fishing ban acknowledged
Last night's Council meeting has acknowledged recent changes to the annual ban on salmon fishing which will let fishing happen in sections of the Macquarie River.
NSW Department of Primary Industries operates an annual closure of fishing in trout streams and rivers across NSW from 13 June 2023 until the start of the October long weekend Saturday, 30 September 2023. The closure allows salmon species to breed uninterrupted during their annual spawning run.
A motion from Cr Glen Floyd was passed last night which acknowledged recent changes to the fishing closure.
Under the changes, fishing is now allowed during the annual trout closure, in the Macquarie River below its junction with Lewis Ponds Creek.
Cr Floyd told the meeting "there are many recreational fishers residing in Orange that can now take advantage of this change."
"One of the biggest wins will now be that the European Carp and Redfin can be targeted all year around. This will help with reducing the numbers of these pest species in a time when they have usually been left alone."
Council adopts new policies on Social media, community engagement
Last night's meeting adopted three new policies to guide Council activities in the fields of Social Media, Media and Community Engagement.
The new policy documents were the topic for a Councillor workshop April 2023. The new policies were placed on exhibition for community comment in June and no submissions were received.
Council to sponsor local events
Last night's meeting agreed to offer financial sponsorship following applications under its Events Sponsorship program.
The meeting decided to :
- sponsor the Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club for an amount of $10,000 or the Gnoo Blas Car, Truck and Bike Show from 9th to the 11th of February 2024.
- commit to sponsor the Gnoo Blas Car, Truck and Bike Show for a further two years in 2025 and 2026.
- sponsor the Australian National Field Days for an amount of $2,000 for the NSW Rural Women's Gathering 2023 to be held 25th to 27th August 2023.
- sponsor Two Wheel Tours for an amount of $2,500 for the 'goodnessgravel Orange' event to be held in November 2023. Two Wheel Tours is a private sports company, which is organising a cycling event of competitive and social rides during 2 days over 2 courses in the Orange region.
- sponsor Mortimers Wines for an amount of $3,000 for the Schools out for Summer event to be held 15 December 2023. Schools out for Summer is an end-of-year event to celebrate the work of teachers and school staff from across the Orange region and would cover the costs of providing local musicians, stage, and lighting.
