Last night's (7 February) meeting set new secure-parking fees for the airport, made decisions about sponsoring community groups, asked for more consultation about new bus zones and decided to keep councillor numbers at 12.
New approach to 'acknowledgement'
Councillors will be sharing the opportunity to deliver the regular 'Acknowledgement of Country' that begins each Council meeting.
A motion proposed by Cr Steve Peterson asked that other councillors be given the opportunity to deliver the acknowledgement as well as the mayor.
The motion asked that Councillors who take up the opportunity could also write their own brief acknowledgement.
Current councillor numbers to stay at 12
Last night's meeting decided to keep the number of councillors at 12.
The topic of discussing the number came after a motion from the previous council to consider reducing councillor numbers was referred to last night's meeting.
A report to the meeting heard that other regional councils have smaller numbers. (Bathurst (9), Dubbo (10) and Wagga (9)
The meeting decided not to have a referendum on the issue.
PARKING: The new covered, secure parking area at Orange Regional Airport will start charging fees from 1 July , following a decision at the 7 February Council meeting.
Meeting sets airport parking fees
Last night's meeting approved new fees to begin paid secure parking at the Orange Regional Airport.
A 65-space secure and under cover parking area at the front of the terminal was completed last year.
From 1 July this year, fees will be $5 per day up to maximum of $25 a week.
Fees will be charged by swiping a credit card through a card-reader at the car park entrance.
Council asks for more consultation on new bus zones
Last night's meeting discussed proposals for the latest round of bus zones planned as part of Transport for NSW upgrade of the city's public transport system.
Voting on recommendations from the latest City of Orange Traffic Committee, last night's meeting decided to:
- approve 11 new bus zones
- reject three new bus zones, due to the impact on local parking
- ask Transport for NSW to conduct more community consultation about three proposed new zones
New snap-shot charts community statistics
A new statistical snap-shot, compiled by the Central West Joint Organisation of councils, will let local residents compare the performance or 'vital signs' of local communities across a range of topics.
Last night's meeting noted the data is aimed at letting local communities have an informed conversation as they plan for future new directions.
The wide-ranging data, compiled for ten council areas includes:
- Population age, including aged over 65
- % of homes with internet access
- Rates of domestic violence assaults
- Number of businesses
- Unemployment rate
- Number of solar panels
- Weekly rent, house prices
- Tourism stays
Council to write to minister over pet regulations
Last night's meeting decided that Council will write to the Minister for Local Government expressing concern about current pet management laws.
Council adopted recent suggestions from the Companion Animals Community Committee asking for more government regulation to manage the problems caused by cats being let out at night and the backyard breeding of dogs.
The committee also asked for Council to seek media coverage of 'pets as unwanted Christmas gifts' and statistics produced by the Council pound.
Pre-election conference
Last night's meeting decided that the Deputy Mayor would attend a conference in Sydney later this month.
The meeting selected Cr Power to attend the LGNSW Rural and Regional Summit, a one-day event on Monday 20th February, which addresses key issues affecting rural and regional communities in the lead up to the NSW State Election (24 March).
Last night's meeting also decided that the motions to be submitted to the Australian Local Government Association's 29th National General Assembly, from 18-21 June 2023 in Canberra would be decided at the March meeting.
Council sponsors local events and organisations
The meeting agreed to:
- sponsor $1000 to Wangarang Industries Pty Ltd for the Wangarang Charity Golf Challenge on 10 February 2023.
Last night's meeting also agreed to a number of donations, including:
- $500 to Anson Street School for annual prize giving.
- $591 to supplement running costs (public liability insurance) of Orange Community radio Broadcasters Ltd FM107.5
- $2500 to Housing Plus to establish, promote and provide resources to run the "Orchard Support Group", a domestic violence support group connected to the Housing Plus-run Orange refuge.
- $2500 to Orange Lions Club to assist with the purchase of equipment through their Give Me Change for Kids program for the Orange Local Area Health Service Children's Ward.
IN BRIEF:
- Last night's meeting gave Cr Jack Evans leave of absence from Council duties from 1 March to 31 March to attend to personal family affairs.
- Last night's meeting asked for contact to be made with Bathurst Regional Council on the future of greyhound racing in Bathurst.
- Council will write to the Federal Government asking for additional road maintenance funding.
- Council will write to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service asking them to inspect the road to the Mt Canobolas summit and provide funding to Cabonne Council to repair the road.
