Council leaders will push for more government funding in what shapes as a challenging year with both state and federal elections due.
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The mayors of Orange and Cabonne councils said obtaining increased government cash was a target for 2019.
Orange mayor Reg Kidd said they would seek funding for the planned conservatorium and planetarium for Northcourt which has a total cost of more than $10 million.
Cr Kidd said council was also keen to obtain funding to put the $170 million Activate Orange plan into action.
That includes creating a dedicated health precinct around the Orange Health Service site on Forest Road and new sporting facilities.
“We’re a fast growing regional centre. We’re a bit more fortunate than other areas,” he said.
Cr Kidd said Orange’s economic diversity with agriculture, health, education and mining industries gave it a strong base to seek more funding.
He said he wanted to attract a big manufacturing firm and/or government departments to Orange.
Cr Kidd said fixing roads and footpaths would again be a key focus for council.
Cabonne Shire Council mayor Kevin Beatty said the council was working on a “couple of major projects” in 2019.
Cr Beatty said government funding was vital for Cabonne which had a small population and a large area.
“One of the key things will be the [state] election and waiting to see the outcome of that. Councils rely heavily on grant funding.”
He said council was seeking funding for a levee bank in a low-lying area at Puzzle Flat near Eugowra but had been knocked back, most recently last month.
The March 23 state election is also firmly in the mind of the Member for Orange Phil Donato who said there were several key issues facing Orange in 2019.
“There’s palliative care. The [situation’s] really ramping up on that with the impending announcement by the Local Health District,” he said.
Mr Donato said he would continue to push for improved train services possibly by extending the Bathurst Bullet train to Orange.
“Better transport, getting a seamless rail service is important,” he said.
Mr Donato also backed calls for more police officers in Orange.
He said they were needed to tackle crime including domestic violence in the region.
A spokeswoman for the Member for Calare Andrew Gee said he was unavailable for comment.
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