³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾

Tender process marks major milestone for conservatorium and planetarium project

Orange Council

The development of the new Orange Regional Conservatorium and Planetarium building has reached a new milestone with the project going out to tender.

A shortlist of preferred contractors has been invited to submit tenders for the project, after Council sought expressions of interest from suitably qualified contractors in December.

WORLD-CLASS: the new Orange Regional Conservatorium will feature a state-of-the-art 250-seat auditorium.

Orange Conservatorium and Planetarium Community Committee Chair, Councillor Kevin Duffy is looking forward to seeing the project commence.

“I’m pleased that we are almost at the start of construction, and I can’t wait to see activity begin on the site of what will be a world-class facility for the people of the Orange region,” Cr Duffy said.

The development, which will be built in the Civic Square North Court, off March Street, includes a 3535 square-metre building which will contain:

  • A 250-seat auditorium
  • A 64-seat planetarium auditorium
  • 40 practice rooms, ensemble rooms and rehearsal spaces
  • Front-of-house facilities including foyer, bar, kitchen, ticket office and amenities
  • Back-of-house facilities comprising loading dock, stores, performer amenities and plant
  • Office space, amenities and ancillary spaces

The project has received $10 million funding from the Australian Government and $5 million from the NSW Government, while Orange City Council will contribute $10 million towards the development.

Tenders close on July 3 and it is expected that construction will begin by the end of the year.

Construction is estimated to take about 18 months.

Orange Regional Conservatorium has launched its fundraising campaign to fit out the building. The ‘Music Within’ campaign aims to raise $1.5 million to equip the facility with the highest quality musical and technical equipment. Visit the

/Public Release. View in full .