Orange City Council is continuing to make progress on a range of major infrastructure projects, smaller construction jobs and road works.
Work is developing on a range of projects across Orange being built by Council staff or under-contract by construction companies.
The list of projects includes:
- the next stage of the Southern Feeder road and the railway overpass bridge
- the roundabout at the corner of the bypass and Hill St
- the roundabout at the corner of McLachlan and March Streets
- the new toilet block in Robertson Park
- re-painting of Robertson Park fountain
- car park extension at the airport
- new internal roads at the cemetery
Preliminary work is also continuing to make progress on projects which are yet to begin construction.
These projects include:
- The new water pipeline from Spring Creek Dam to the Water Treatment Works
- Environmental assessment of former saleyards site
- Design of the new wetlands for the Blackmans stormwater harvesting scheme
Orange Mayor Cr Reg Kidd, said the larger infrastructure projects would make a big difference to the community of Orange once the COVID-19 crisis was over.
"Projects like new road infrastructure are all about making better, more efficient connections across our community, helping to do business better," Cr Reg Kidd said.
"We'll continue to comply with the recommendations of national and state health authorities as we go about these projects. For as long as we can, we're getting on with this work."
"The company building the new rail overpass bridge is making steady progress. It's on track to be completed by July. With the new section of Edward Street now open, we can start to move towards developing a master-plan of the former saleyards site so it can be sold as industrial blocks. That has the potential to be another key site for Orange's business community.
"Anyone who's driven along the top end of Hill Street can see new the shape of new roads starting to emerge next to site of the new roundabout.
"The new Carl Sharpe Cricket Centre is rising from its foundations in Wade Park, and we're on-track to proceed with the concrete pour on the main slab next week. I'm looking forward to that facility giving a real boost to the quality of local cricket in years to come. At another sporting field, the roof is now on the new amenities building at Jack Brabham park."
Orange City Council's Infrastructure Committee chair, Cr Jeff Whitton said the range of construction work is making a contribution to keeping the local economy ticking over during a tough time.
"Council staff are making good progress on the new McLachlan Street roundabout, Cr Jeff Whitton said. "They've reached the stage of starting to surface the new roadway. Weather permitting, that project will be completed by the end of April."
NEW CENTRE : This artist's impression shows the view of the new centre from Lords Place.
"We're in the process of awarding the tender for the construction of the new pipeline from Spring Creek Dam to the Water Treatment plant.
"When it comes to a project like building a new wetland to expand the Blackmans stormwater harvesting scheme, it can be an extended process to gain planning approvals and complete the design phase, but we're making good progress there.
"These 'water' projects will make a significant contribution to getting us through both this drought and the next one.
"On other end of the construction scale, it's pleasing to see the new Robertson Park toilet take shape. Underground sewer and site drainage is now complete on that project. The historic fountain at the other end of the park has also been re-painted.
"There aren't many flights in or out of the airport at present, so that's been a good time to complete work on the new expanded car park."
