The two-storey conservatorium would feature a 250-seat auditorium plus 30 teaching rooms for music students while the 70-seat planetarium would be housed inside an 11m vegetation-covered dome.

They would be built on current open space at the rear of the Orange City Library and extend the Civic Centre precinct toward March Street.

Orange City Council has allocated $1.5 million toward the planetarium while it was expected proceeds of the sale of the current conservatorium on Hill Street would go toward the project.

Mayor John Davis said the concept drawings, prepared by Sydney architects Brewster Hjorth, would be developed into detailed plans before preparing a development application and seeking state and federal funding.

“The sky’s the limit,” he said.

“There seems to be some positive vibes about whether there would be [government] funding for this kind of project.

“It would be in excess of $10 million, I am quite sure.

“It is a spectacular building.”

Orange Conservatorium Board chair Cr Russell Turner said the project would enhance Orange’s cultural and tourism attractions.

“It can happen and it will happen and it will take some time,” he said.

“I’m hoping within three years we will see building well underway.”

Conservatorium director Donna Riles said the new building would provide room to grow.

“The conservatorium at the moment is bursting at the seams,” she said.

“The new building would have a 250-seat auditorium and around 30 teaching rooms.

“We’re currently teaching 1200 children and adults most weeks.

“Around 10,000 people a year attend concerts and events. This new building would let us do more.”

Orange Planetarium vice president Nat Burgio said they had been working toward the project for 12 years.

“The plans are quite exciting,” he said.

Mr Burgio said virtual simulations of astronomy and other sciences would be projected onto the huge dome roof.

“It will be a fully immersive experience,” he said.