Council support to save the historic Caldwell House nurses home from demolition has been described as "round one" in a battle with a state government body.
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After reading Orange City Council would be recommended to oppose the demolition Health Infrastructure fired off an email to the council just hours before it considered the matter on Tuesday night.
Health Infrastructure said it rejected moves to save Caldwell House, even though the council is accepting the demolition of newer buildings on the Sale Street site.
The government body says the building was so riddled with asbestos after vandals wrecked the interior it would be too expensive to save it.
However, council supported saving the circa-1937 building after it was argued the building would still need to be cleaned of asbestos before it could be demolished.
Council was told it would need the support of the health minister and/or Health Infrastructure to save the building. It would also need to go to the Western Regional Joint Planning Panel.
The building is owned by the state government.
THE SPRINGS
In a separate matter council on Tuesday night has supported a heritage conservation plan for the commemoration of The Springs area south of Orange which has significant Indigenous heritage and importance.
It will also seek consultation and investigation to develop the history of the nearby rifle range and tip area, which may form a heritage study/conservation management plan.
PAY RISES
Councillors also agreed to accept the maximum allowable pay rise available to them, adding $64,000 a year to its budget.
After extensive debate councillors voted by 8-3 to accept the rises set out by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.
The mayor will receive a $15,830 increase while councillors will receive a $4040 increase in their allowance.
Cr Stephen Nugent sought to have the matter deferred for six months but his motion was defeated by 8-3.
50 DAs
Meanwhile council was told the number of development applications in Orange continues to be strong.
Cr Russell Turner, the chair of the Planning and Development committee said in the past month 50 DAs, valued at $9.6 million, had been approved.
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