Decisions over tourism marketing, and discussion on the future of the Orange Function Centre were two of the items on the agenda of last night’s (20 Sept) Orange City Council meeting.
Orange 360 to continue with regional tourism marketing
Last night’s Council meeting re-appointed Orange 360 to provide tourism marketing services to the region at a cost of $450,000 a year.
The meeting decided not to take the usual path of putting the services out to tender as “as the loss of continuity of destination marketing services provided by Orange360 poses significant risks to the regional tourism economy and industry.”
According to a report to the meeting, Orange360 was established in 2016 and has contributed significantly to the growth of the regional visitor economy. There’s been 49% increase in the total visitor numbers to the Region from 886,000 (March 2016) to 1.32 million (December 2019).
The meeting also endorsed the new Orange Regional Destination Management Plan, a blueprint to guide marketing for the next four years.
A report to the meeting showed that during the exhibition period there has been a number of objections concerned about the focus on Mt Canobolas in the draft plan. Consequently, the final plan includes some changes.
There is no mention of Mt Canobolas in the final document, and instead the plan talks about promotion of the region’s natural beauty. This is to acknowledge there are more features across the (Blayney/Cabonne/Orange) region than just the one mountain.
Changes proposed to Council grants program
Last night’s meeting decided to ask for a planned review of a Council grants program to be delivered sooner than expected.
The matter came to light following a motion from Cr Steve Peterson to change the program which lets Council support local community groups with donations.
The motion called for the allocation in next year’s budget for the Small Donations and Grants Program to be increased to $80,000 dollars and that the category maximum amount be reduced to $2,000.
Cr Peterson argued that the amount in the fund, disadvantages groups that apply for funding later in the year, as the available funds have been exhausted by then.
The meeting decided to defer the motion pending the planned review.
New plans for ‘blue benches’
Last night’s meeting decided to take further action with the initiative to install blue-painted benches and paint trees blue, as part of an awareness campaign on suicide prevention.
Cr Tony Mileto put a motion to the meeting asking for blue benches to be installed.
The meeting heard the cost of installing 13 benches in parks was around $19,500 and the source of the funds would be considered in a quarterly budget review.
New crime prevention plans to be explored
Last night’s meeting decided to adopt a motion from Cr Tony Mileto to investigate assisting in the development of crime prevention interventions and opportunities of implementing a program to engage youth to prevent crime.
Council asks for Function Centre future costings
Last night’s meeting decided to ask for a report on the cost of possible future upgrades to the Orange Function Centre to let the building continue to serve community needs.
The meeting considered a report on a recent community engagement about the future of the Orange.
FUTURE: The Orange Function Centre.
According to the report, 157 people completed an online survey on the YourSay Orange platform asking about the future of the centre. 87% of respondents believe Orange City Council should continue to operate the Orange Function Centre as a venue for large-scale community events, such as balls, school graduations and antique fairs.
There was more diversity of opinion on the question of whether it was the role of the Council to operate a centre that’s able to hold large-scale events, or whether should this role be left to commercial operators.
Asked ‘Do you believe the Council should operate a centre that’s able to hold large-scale events, or should this role be left to commercial operators?’:
- 34% believed it was the Council’s role
- 5% believed it wasn’t the Council’s role
- 60% believed there is room for both Council and the private sector
House extension approved
Last night’s meeting gave planning approval for a development application (DAA) to put a 2nd storey on a house at 61B Moulder Street.
The Council deferred a decision on the DA at its last meeting pending a site visit.
Conference decision
Last night’s meeting decided on representatives to attend two national conferences: the 2022 Australian Airports Association Annual Conference in November in Adelaide, and the 2022 National Local Roads and Transport Congress in November in Tasmania.
Cr Evans and Cr Whitton were appointed to attend the airport conference.
Cr Duffy was appointed to attend the roads conference.
Conservatorium Board to lead fund-raising campaign
Last night’s meeting endorsed plans by the board of the Orange regional Conservatorium to stage a fund-raising campaign.
A report to the meeting showed the Board is aiming to raise $1.3 million over the next 18 months to pay for items not covered by the current construction grant, such as such as musical instruments, furniture, and equipment.
The board are exploring options such as sponsored naming rights for the main recital hall, the reception foyer and homework room.
