AFTER four years as an abandoned and derelict blight on Orange’s image, the former Orange base hospital site is about to come into its own.
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Orange City Council announced on Wednesday it had finalised the agreement with NSW Health Infrastructure and would purchase the 2.1-hectare site for $3.3 million.
According to the master plan, the largest of the buildings, the ward building, will be renovated to house 28 apartments, while the heritage-listed ambulance station will become a commercial premises.
Mayor John Davis said no one had particularly asked for a high rise, but the ward building was there and it would be a pity to knock it down.
“There is significant evidence to say it can be refurbished into a magnificent penthouse or penthouses and also some high rise apartments and Orange is, I think, waiting for that kind of thing,” he said.
All other buildings on the block will be demolished. The demolition work will cost the council $2.3 million, which will come out of the purchase price.
Anson Street will become home to 10 mixed use properties, with retail and commercial opportunities.
A further 40 dwellings will be spread throughout the development, with detached housing lining Dalton and Prince streets, and terrace housing at the western side.
Sale Street between Dalton and Prince Streets will become a shared area with a narrow road, immediately joining a 2000 square metre park.
Space is also available for a motel or seniors living precinct.
Cr Davis said a block so close to the CBD was an opportunity the council could not pass up.
“We didn’t want someone to get hold of it and have a situation where you might finish up with not appropriate development,” he said.
Member for Orange Andrew Gee said between the hospital redevelopment and CareWest’s redevelopment of the former Apex House site across the road, residents would be happy with the result.
“We wanted to see this project progress so in the end, Health Infrastructure negotiated with the council to leave $2.3 million to cover off those issues simply because it’s not easy to find a developer who’s willing to spend such a huge amount of money on demolition,” he said.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au
