There is no doubting the housing and development boom in Orange.

Chief among the projects moving forward is the private medical precinct on what most residents know as the old drive-in picture theatre.

It is a real acknowledgement of Orange’s growing status as a medical precinct of both region- and state-wide significance.

This four-stage development is worth many millions of dollars and will generate hundreds of jobs and untold economic benefits to Orange.

We should see stage I completed by mid-2019.

The Bloomfield Medical Centre is designed to include a private hospital, an 82-room motel with 12 medical suites, short- and medium-term accommodation for hospital staff and students, a precinct for lodgings for patients and families of patients, childcare facilities, cancer care facilities, a gymnasium, retail premises, allied health facilities like pathology, radiology and pharmacy, a general practitioner clinic and specialists rooms, and 803 car parking spaces.

It was a pleasure to meet recently with the developers and investors, as well as the Zauner Construction principals that will be undertaking the development work in the coming months.

WITH the end of the school year fast approaching there have been a number of graduation days and associated events.

Many thanks to the Orange City councillors that attended these many important events.

Well done to Orange Daybreak Rotary for a very successful classic cars, food and wine event. I am sure this will become an annual signature event for Orange.

The campdraft was also a huge success, with hundreds of visitors to Orange for a great three-day event.

Councillor Sam Romano recently traveled to Adelaide to accept an award bestowed upon Orange Regional Airport.

A hugely successful 41^st edition of the Eight Day Games has been run and won. A special thanks to all the volunteers and competitors.

Finally, it is a great pleasure to see the Christmas lights appearing around Orange. You are never too old to get the Christmas spirit that they can evoke.

This week a number of Councillors will be attending the Local Government Conference in Sydney. This is the major policy setting platform for councils across the state and presents an opportunity to hear from and speak to members of Parliament 

Council meets on Thursday this this week due to Local Government Conference, with a very full agenda. All are welcome.

Finally, council has launched its community plan consultations. We want as many folk as possible to have their say on the development of our new plan.

We are also advertising for council’s advisory committees.

These are great opportunities to have your say on what direction you’d like to see your city take in the coming years and decades. It’s important that as many people as possible get involved.

Further information is available from council’s and the Central Western Daily’s webpages.