A colourful sign featuring everything from a maple leaf to fruit, snowflakes and Mr Monopoly has been proposed to greet visitors arriving at the road entrances to Orange.
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The concept has been drawn up as Orange City Council seeks to replace the existing green welcome signs with a fresher design.
Council is first considering a sign for the triangular piece of land at the intersection of the Mitchell Highway and the Northern Distributor Road.
The sign could also be used at other city entrances and at the Visitor Information Centre.
Council's graphic design staff have created concepts for the sign.
A report to the Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee said the design could be applied to various materials including stone and timber at various locations.
It said the design included a maple leaf to represent Orange's signature season of autumn plus an illustration depicting aboriginal history and culture of the region to recognise Orange being situated in the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri Nation.
"A Top Hat represents Banjo Patterson or Mr Monopoly and a snow flake image symbolises our cold climate and snowfalls," it said.
An image of gold would represent the Cadia gold mine.
The sign also aims to depict Orange's natural features including images of apples, grapes and vines to represent the area's agricultural produce.
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An image of water would symbolise Lake Canobolas while Mount Canobolas, Old Man Canobolas and Young Man Canobolas would appear as an outline to show they can be viewed from most parts of Orange.
Orange mayor Cr Reg Kidd said it was hoped a design could be approved soon so that costings and installation of the first of the signs could occur.
"I want to get the first ones up by Christmas," he said.
He said several different would be considered.
I want to get the first ones up by Christmas.
- Cr Reg Kidd, Orange mayor
Cr Kidd said he was concerned the proposed colourful sign was complicated.
"[It looks] far too busy and expensive and would have a reasonably high upkeep," he said.
"We want something that says Welcome to Orange."
Cr Kidd said he preferred a simpler design such as one located on the entrance to Bathurst.
It is proposed the signs would eventually be located on Molong Road, Cargo Road, The Escort Way and near the Orange Regional Airport.
The Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee's recommendations were passed by council at its last meeting on October 1.
They included a workshop be held with councillors to review the design concept and provide feedback to staff.
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