Geotechnical engineering drilling begun on Monday, with core samples being taken across the the site.

The drilling will clear the way for earthworks to begin in coming weeks and months.

The earthworks will take time to level the surface before the project can begin construction, with the grounds outside the main stadium to be completed before construction on the centrepiece.

"There'll be a lot of earth moving, there's a lot of that to be done," Orange mayor Reg Kidd said.

He also said removing the pine trees at the location would also take some time, but construction is still expected to begin before the end of the year.

Orange City Council sport and recreation committee chair Jason Hamling said the site was much better than the initial plan on Ophir Road.

"It's flat and the surface is there so we're going to save a lot of money," he said.

Cr Hamling also said the new facilities would allow more junior carnivals as well as NRL games to come to Orange.

"They're the ones which bring mums and dads out here and they're here for four of five days, so we want to get them as well as NRL games," he said.

"I'm excited we're moving ahead with it and a couple of years down the line we'll have an incredible sporting precinct with a rectangular stadium which will match it with your Dubbo and Bathurst and Mudgee so we can go out and get NRL games in Orange."