The concept proposal to rezone almost 318 hectares to a mix of industrial and business land will be submitted to the Department of Planning, with public consultation expected in May.

Industrial sites would occupy about 164 hectares immediately around the airport, while business sites would be situated across about 154 hectares around the outside.

An additional 117.3 hectares on the northern and western boundaries would become green buffer zones.

Orange mayor John Davis said the upgrades under way at the airport created a strategic opportunity.

“As well as more efficient air transport, we’ve got a site right alongside the western rail line, and a proposed new route could connect road transport to the Mitchell Highway,” he said.

“From time to time, the council takes inquiries from large-scale businesses who are searching for new locations where they can operate 24 hours a day.”

Sustainable development committee chair Jeff Whitton said possible businesses could revolve around freight, storage and services to the airlines using the airport.

“The business park would provide an environment for easy access to the airport to travel between Orange and Sydney,” he said.

According to the concept map, the estate would be developed in three stages and affect 10 existing dwellings.

Cr Davis said the council had already started buying land around the airport to create a noise and development buffer. 

In a report to councillors, senior planner Craig Mortell said industrial estates at Leewood, Clergate and Narrambla were already reaching completion in 2008 when industrial planning was undertaken, and another area north of Clergate, near the Cabonne boundary, could be turned into a future satellite suburb.

The report said looking beyond Orange’s immediate urban footprint could enable the enhancement of smaller settlements like Spring Hill.

Public submissions will be considered in late June, with a report to be brought back to the council in August.