A proposed Housing Plus domestic violence crisis centre, and the upcoming March state election dominated front pages in the Central Western Daily in February.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Also that month, cars were damaged in a flooded car park at Cadia Valley Operations, and thousands of people attended Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival events.
There was good news at the start of the month. The long awaited palliative care trial for Orange was approved with Uniting revealed as the successful tender in the February 1 edition.
On February 2, emergency responders warned of the threats car fires pose to the safety of firefighters. The warning came after 27 cars were burned in Orange in the previous two months, and 13 had been torched in the first 31 days of 2019.
Kate Hazelton was announced as The Nationals candidate to contest the seat of Orange at the March state election in the February 4 edition.
On February 5, it was announced the Shooters, Fishers and Farmer's Party had done a deal with One Nation to ensure One Nation didn't run a candidate against SFF Member for Orange Phil Donato in the March state election.
On February 6, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian visited Orange and the next day's edition reported that she had pledged $25 million for a purpose-built sporting precinct but only on the condition that coalition candidate Kate Hazelton defeated incumbent Orange MP Phil Donato in the state election.
On February 8, a war of words erupted between NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Member for Orange Phil Donato about police staffing numbers in Orange.
On February 9, it was reported that about 40 cars were damaged by flooding at Cadia Valley Operations when about 100 millimetres fell in two hours on February 7.
On February 12, it was announced that Orange's La Porchetta Italian restaurant in Peisley Street had been shut down.
On February 14, Deputy Premier John Barilaro refuted the conditional statement that the state government would only provide $25 million for a sports complex in Orange if Nationals candidate Kate Hazelton was elected.
On February 16, it was announced that Housing Plus had made a proposal for a 32-unit housing development on Forbes Road. More than 600 vehicles turned out for Gnoo Blas Classic car show on February 16 at Sir Jack Brabham Park.
On February 17 Forbes Road residents met to discuss a Housing Plus proposal to develop up to 28 units in an affordable housing development. At the public meeting the residents rejected the proposal and said they felt up to 10 units should be the maximum number of units.
Amid the ongoing debate over pill testing at music festivals and the impact of drug use in society, six young adults opened up about their own use of cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis and other drugs in Orange on February 18.
On February 19 it was reported that police were hunting the driver of a stolen car who fled the scene after losing control and crashing into a paddock off Dairy Creek Road.
The February 19 edition also covered a public gathering at the Cook Park rotunda from the previous day. The paper reported that on the final day before Orange City Council was to revisit controversial plans to build a domestic violence crisis centre in a residential area, supporters turned out at Cook Park to support the proposal while opponents lobbied councillors to remove themselves from the vote. More than 60 people gathered at the rotunda to sign the petition.
Former Australian Rugby League captain Brad Fittler brought his Hogs For The Homeless tour to Orange on February 19.
Residents were given 28 days to decide whether to appeal the development of a domestic violence crisis centre in the NSW Land and Environment Court after a group of five Orange councillors failed to overturn it at a meeting on February 19. The Ploughmans Hill group was still considering its legal options on February 21 after several speakers flagged their intention to pursue the matter further.
Attempts from George Weily Place residents to change the access to the proposed domestic violence crisis centre the Orchard fell on deaf ears at the Orange City Council meeting on February 19. Residents wanted the entry to be moved to the Northern Distributor Road.
Grape picking was in full swing at De Salis Wines on February 21.
The February 22 edition reported big demand led to a shortage of houses for sale in Orange which in turn was driving prices. Real estate agents said many sellers were getting their full asking price and the better properties were selling fast.
On February 23, it was announced a group was forming for grandparents who raised their grandchildren. Also on February 23, it was announced that the sods had been turned to indicate the start of construction of the Cricket Centre of Excellence at Wade Park. Orange City Council announced it was about to seek tenders for the project.
The Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival was a hit in February with almost 3000 people turning out for the night markets in Robertson Park on February 22, and 2000 people attending the Emmaville Cottage Family Markets on February 24.
On February 25, councillors said they wanted to be in the loop on mayor Reg Kidd's travel outside Orange and who he met with as part of his duties.
On February 26, the new owner of the Hotel Orange, revealed plans for changes to be made to the Summer Street business.
More than $5000 worth of fuel and equipment was stolen from a Rural Fire Service station at Ophir on the weekend of February 23 and 24.
A house that was given to the Cancer Council for families to use while receiving treatment in Orange was opened on February 27.
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...
