SHELVED: Shannon Noll won't be hosting Orange's Christmas carols concert after council opted for a back-to-basics approach.
ORANGE City Council has shelved plans to pay a Canberra-based event management company $50,000 to stage the Christmas carols concert that could have included a performance from singer Shannon Noll.
According to a council report, Milkshake Creative’s proposal included Shannon Noll performing for half an hour and acting as MC for the event at a cost of $10,000 as the night’s “wow-factor”.
But councillors instead agreed to push on with plans for a back-to-basics community event following interest from the Orange Theatre Company and local church groups.
Mayor John Davis told the meeting council had received a “very comprehensive” proposal from the Orange Theatre Company to stage the event.
“There’s been great interest from a number of churches who are also going to talk to the theatre group,” he said.
“It’d be great if they all got together.
“[But] you still need expensive gear I’m not saying it’s going to cost $2000.”
Towac Park could be the location of the concert if the council accepts an offer from the Racing Orange.
According to the report, a shuttle-bus from the Civic Centre could take concert-goers to and from the event throughout the night, and the venue would offer “ample parking, performance space, and wet weather options” for organisers.
But Cr Reg Kidd said the concert should be in a more central location.
“The ideal location would be the band rotunda at Robertson Park or the north court,” he said.
“But if the community group think it’s a good idea I’ll listen to the experts.”
Cr Kidd welcomed the move towards a community-hosted concert.
“We don’t need a wow-factor, sitting with your kids and grandkids is a wow in itself,” he said.
“We could bring the community together and save the ratepayers a whole lot of money ... it’s win-win for all of us.”
clare.colley@ruralpress.com
