A report to Orange City Council’s planning and development policy committee on Tuesday recommends considering the ‘artisan food and drink industry’ for commercial zones.

Those businesses had been restricted to ‘light industry’ zones with both the Second Mouse Cheese Company and Badlands Brewery firms out on Molong Road.

Council’s director development services David Waddell said state government planning amendments had changed where the ‘artisan food and drink industry’ could be located.

“I have had several enquiries [from microbreweries] where council hasn’t been able to provide suitable premises,” he said.

“Some have gone elsewhere, some are still waiting.

“We want to send a message that this sort of hipster use is [welcome] in Orange, we are a food and wine town.”

Committee chair Cr Russell Turner said it would provide more CBD food and drink options.

“I believe we should encourage them subject to council conditions,” he said.

Cr Turner said firms would have to show they could provide parking and control processing odours.

A microbrewery is currently being considered for the Lord Anson Hotel.

Owner Nick Bacon said they were consulting with council over the proposal.

Second Mouse Cheese Company owner Kai Woltmann said the CBD had benefits.

“From a business perspective it’s great, it would allow more walk-in customers,” he said.

“People can see how cheese is made, it’s attractive from a tourism perspective.”

He said businesses would need access for trucks to remove waste and would face higher rents and rates.

Badlands Brewery head brewer/managing director Jon Shiner said microbreweries operated in other regional cities.

“I don’t see a reason why microbreweries should be excluded from the CBD,” he said.