The channel, which runs behind properties from Bathurst Road to William Street, has been a perpetual problem causing flooding in properties.

Byng Street resident Shaune Barnes has seen floodwaters reach his property three times in 14 years causing grief for his neighbours.

“The water can’t get away quick enough, we’re looking forward to seeing the work complete, it will improve the appearance as well,” Mr Barnes said.

“The power of the water can be quite frightening when it comes.”

The latest tender for $900,000 worth of work will see the channel widened and upgraded between Byng Street and McLachlan Street.

The work had previously been allocated for the 2015-2016 financial year but had been postponed. With the tender now awarded, council expects the work to be completed by the end of the year, weather permitting.

Icely Road resident Michael Bayada has been pushing for improvements for years and said flooding issues from the channel had held up development and caused insurance premiums to increase.

Between Byng Street and McLachlan Street is one of the channels major choke points.

“It’s never too late, but it’s spent plenty of time on the back-burner,” Mr Bayada said.

He questioned why council had sought and achieved funding for an airport runway extension and new museum but not the East Orange Channel.

“It should be a priority, they get funding to complete it once and for all.”

Orange mayor John Davis said Hibbo Hire Pty Ltd had secured the tender.

“The problems of potential flooding for residents of the east Orange area are well-known and Orange City Council is committed to tackling this problem by enlarging the stormwater channel,” Councillor Davis said.

“It’s a major construction task and so the work has to be spread out over a number of years.

“With the rain of recent weeks residents have noticed how full these stormwater channels are and how important they are to clearing large volumes of water away.

“Residents between Summer Street East and Byng can already see the benefits of the recently completed stage and how much more water the bigger channel can shift.”