PROJECTS previously considered by Orange City Council now might depend on state government funding to come to fruition, including the Robertson Park toilets.
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The council has released the shortlist for the $1.9 million Stronger Country Communities Fund, announced earlier this year – the state government will issue $950,000 in the first round.
Pending feedback from the community, the council will make a single submission.
The projects were mostly sporting facilities, including lighting at Wade Park, an amenities building at Sir Jack Brabham Park, which has been in the planning since 2013, and resurfacing the Smith Field at Orange Hockey Centre.
Recreation was also a top priority for the Rotary Club of Orange, which proposed toilets, barbecue and picnic facilities at Somerset Park, which takes in the Ploughmans Valley wetland, and Rotary Park at the top of Mount Lindsay.
Project co-ordinator Len Banks said the Rotary Park improvements would add to the area’s tourist lookout offerings, while those at Somerset Park would be a benefit to people living in the newer housing estates.
“It means that families can spend more time there – it will be appealing to a cross-section of the community,” he said.
CBD improvements were also included, such as better CBD lighting, footpaths in addition to the council’s existing program, and the Robertson Park toilets.
Councillor Glenn Taylor, who has so far enjoyed little success with the facility, was not surprised to see it in such a position.
“I think it really emphasises our major failure in the last term,” he said.
“I would like to see it at a reasonable cost.”
With no money allocated to the project in this year’s budget, the toilet could not be built until at least mid-next year without state government support.
However, Cr Taylor said he would welcome the help.
“Obviously if we can get the state government to fund it, we will,” he said.
Housing Plus’s proposal for a domestic violence shelter and a child-safe play area and parking for Orange Presbyterian Church make up the remaining projects.
The combined Orange Regional Conservatorium and planetarium was not included because it was too large for the program.
Ratepayers can vote for their preferred projects by clicking here.
“Feedback from the community is one of the factors the council will consider when we finalise the list of suggestions that will be put to the government,” mayor Reg Kidd said.
“It’s then their call which projects they want to fund.”