The Evocities campaign is aimed at attracting treechangers from Sydney to the seven member councils, including Bathurst, Dubbo, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Albury and Armidale.

Orange left in April last year after councillors became dissatisfied with the reporting standards, value for money and lack of state and federal government support.

The $65,000 it planned to pay in membership fees was redirected to promote Orange in the Sydney basin.

Evocities has written to the council, asking it to rejoin as the council is still a member of the Inland Forum and all members are expected to contribute to the campaign. 

It indicated a refocus on marketing initiatives, including billboards at Sydney railway stations, and a reduction in outsourcing, while the Inland Forum had taken over Evocities’ advocacy and lobbying roles. 

The relaunched website attracted 259 inquiries during the March quarter, double the number compared to the same period last year.

However, Orange still welcomed 63 residents to the region and 80 inquiries since withdrawing from Evocities and a partnership with Expedia and campaign from Central NSW Tourism generated 1344 bookings during the March campaign. 

In his report to councillors, general manager Garry Styles said Evocities could have a positive impact because deputy premier John Barilaro had indicated a far more ambitious approach to regional development, although it was unclear whether it would translate to funding for Evocities.

Councillor Jeff Whitton, who supported Evocities in the early years when there was government support, said it was worth debating again.

“I suppose we would be delinquent if we didn’t take every opportunity to access, of be in a group to access, government funding,” he said.

However, he wanted an assurance the support would be forthcoming.

“Otherwise nothing much has changed,” he said.

Cr Whitton said website statistics only told part of the story and more data was needed from accommodation providers and real estate agents to determine who was visiting and moving to Orange.

“We want to see numbers on the ground,” he said.