On Thursday, member for Calare Andrew Gee announced a federal government grant of $471,681 to Orange City Council to install improved lighting, security cameras and bollards on Glenroi and Bowen’s streets and parks, paths and laneways.

Cr Kidd attended the announcement, as did former councillor Ron Gander, but councillors questioned why they were not informed of the announcement, particularly councillor Jason Hamling, who chairs the council’s community safety and crime prevention committee. 

“When you read it first in the paper, talking about half a million dollars for something the committee you’re chairing has been working hard to get, it’s good we got it, but what can I say?” he said after the meeting. 

“It’s a little bit frustrating.”

READ MORE: Lights, camera and action set to make city safer

Councillor Glenn Taylor asked when the mayor and the council were made aware given a photograph of Mr Gee and Cr Kidd had run alongside information about the announcement in a community magazine, which was printed prior to Thursday’s announcement. 

“We got some wonderful news and I thank the federal member for his efforts,” he said.

“I saw in the article the location of the CCTV would be determined by a council committee and Cr Hamling is the chair and I would have thought that Cr Hamling would be paramount in any publicity as far as that was concerned.” 

Cr Taylor said he received no notification about the money and did not believe protocol had been followed.

Cr Kidd replied he could not recall when he was informed but he would take the question on notice. 

He did not inform councillors when the magazine photograph was taken. 

Staff confirmed the council was notified the Tuesday prior.

The grant will also fund extra security for Glenroi Community Centre, Glenroi Oval, Marang Gunya Community Centre, Eyde Park and Jindalee Avenue, while Margaret Stevenson Park in Bowen will receive better lighting.