The article was accurate and concise.

It refers to the updated and recently released Central West and Orana Regional Plan and addresses insightful strategies for protecting our region and its unique environment.

The plan states that the Central West is home to the regional cities of Orange and Bathurst, as well as the dispersed regional centres of Lithgow, Mudgee and Parkes.

Ms Playfair highlighted one of the key priorities of the plan is “to encourage more investment, innovation and diversification in agribusiness — one of the region’s key sectors.”

The plan states that “this means protecting productive agricultural lands and important environmental assets, maintaining healthy waterways arid catchments and sustainably managing mineral and energy resources.”

Residents and Ratepayers continue to ask the question: why has the Orange City Council purchased over $12,000,000 worth of land in and around the Orange Airport and what is the intended purpose for the land?

Furthermore, how much of this ratepayer’s money was approved for such use by the Minister for Local Government?

We understand the following purchases have been made by Orange City Council: 864 Huntley Road (33.6 hectares, $1,705,000); 793 Huntley Road (40.46 hectares, $1,222,198); 110 Morris Lane (40.83 hectares, $2,035,000); 173 Aerodrome Road (38.16 hectares, $1,100,000); 139 Aerodrome Road (47.63 hectares, $1,540,000); 1 Capps Lane (40.83 hectares, $1,100,000); and 144 Forest Road (73.66 hectares, $3,360,000).

The totals are 315.17 hectares and $12,062,198.

Ratepayers and residents who reside in the immediate Spring Hill precinct are entitled to know why council is trying to place an industrial park around the airport.

The area has been zoned INI, which means industry involving freight transport, funeral homes, garden centres, hardware and building supplies, kiosks, landscaping material supplies, place of public worship, takeaway food and drink outlets, vehicle sales and hire, and warehouses can be established and operate.

Council claims that this industrial park will employ between 200 to 600 people.

The above list of service sector suppliers would affect the already stable providers we have in Orange. Why add more of the same?

Or is it the intention of council to rezone the land and as a result, significantly change the purpose of what we are told the land will be used for?

As previously outlined by Ms Playfield, if all of this is related back to the proposed rezoning of over 300 hectares in the Huntley-Spring Hill area from environmental management and primary production to heavy industry and business, the proposal defies the basic principles of the Regional Planning for the Central West and Orana.

Orange has had – and continues to have – a stable primary industry income from agricultural. This is supplemented by the health and education sectors.

The question has been asked of our association: is council demonstrating a disregard for the need for niche style manufacturing industry?

Blayney is an ideal location for an industrial park. It has the rail line, highway access and already a dedicated area set aside for general and light industrial.

Orange’s service industry would get a spin-off from any such development.

The reason why council appears to have this attitude of competition rather than synergy with existing operations is confusing.

If other rural councils wish to think in an introverted fashion that is their decision. Orange City Council has the potential to be a leader in this field, not a follower.

Council should think and plan with a regional basis in mind, not this constant myopic, rushed quasi-vision they constantly adopt.

The pipeline from the Macquarie River to Suma Park Dam is a case in point. It was a slight-of-hand approach to convince industry that Orange would be made drought-proof in the future.

It cost over $50 million to build, plus a constant electricity bill to keep it in operation.

Much of this money was Federal and State funds that may have assisted towns like Condobolin to build a skate park, or a new pool for Moree, or upgrade a park in Young, or a list of other worthwhile facilities that other towns across the nation, state or region needed.

The industrial park that council has in mind to surround the airport could potentially be a white elephant.

To buy the land with the attitude that if the industrial precinct doesn’t go ahead the land could be sold at a future date for profit is a gamble.

Our members are concerned by the lack of clear leadership from council on this issue.

Yours sincerely,