This week the councils of Orange, Cabonne and Blayney will sign a alliance document which we believe will see better communication, consultation and co-operation between the councils in a number of key areas of similar interest.
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An example would be in land use planning. The three council boundaries do not cover a vast geographical area and there are opportunities to strategically plan industrial land use, rural, rural residential and urban development.
Opportunities may exist in attracting manufacturing and value adding businesses to our agriculture/horticulture and viticulture industries.
Along with sharing expertise in water management, road construction and repair and mining related issues.
A formal document will be signed on Wednesday and will enhance the co-operative bonds we have with the joint organisation of councils (Central West), and with Orange360 (tourism that our three councils jointly fund).
Visiting Orange later this week will be the Irish Ambassador to Australia and we look forward to hosting him and his staff at council, then in the city to introduce them to our strong links to Ireland - particularly with the Dalton family links to Irish politics, the church and development of a range of businesses in Orange, and of course we will be taking them to the iconic Duntryleague Mansion, the signature of the Dalton legacy in the development of Orange.
Emmaville Cottage at the Botanic Gardens is open again, but if closed just pop into the restaurant/cafe and they will give you access.
There is lots of discussion and opinion on the state of potholes in Oranges roads but I can assure we have gangs out there working with Jet-patchers, right down to patching by hand.
Please let council know of damage, and staff will endeavour to get to them.
I can assure you that with the wet winter we have had (thank heavens) the pressure is the roads and everything is being done to address the situation.
Note plans are well in hand to start work on Ploughmans Lane and The William Maker/NDR roundabout is nearing completion, but has faced delays due to rain.
Recently I toured our magnificent public hospital, then Bloomfield hospital and its new motel.
When you consider the services provided in this health precinct, how fortunate we are.
We often forget Ronald MacDonald House, Cancercare West Lodge, Bloomfield, Gosling Creek Aged Care, University of Sydney Rural and Remote Health, University of NSW, CSU School of Medicine, and this is not the total health offerings at the Bloomfield precinct.
Then we have the Dudley Private Hospital and the extensions recently completed there. Finally we have the range of health related courses offered at Charles Stuart University.
I know we are the envy of so many rural cities, all we need now is for Government to give us recognition as a Local Activation Precinct (Health Precinct), which will stimulate further possibilities at a site basically reserved for health related business and research.
In the next few weeks will have a visit from the Minister Donald Harwin for the official sod turning for the Regional Art Gallery extension.
Sporting finals are well and truly underway and congratulations to the Orange High team that broke the incredible 12-year reign of Orange City as premiers.
Lots of Orange teams made it to the finals in soccer, AFL, netball, basketball, hockey and rugby league, and of course rugby union in a very hard and restrictive set of circumstances - congratulations to all the junior and senior teams, their coaches, administrators, supporters and the unsung heroes (the people getting the various sports fields and courts prepared).
This coming weekend will see the first grade rugby union grand final played out between the two Orange sides, Emus and Lions.
This will be the first time since 2015 after both teams won breath-taking semi-finals on the weekend. A big crowd is expected at Wade Park Stadium next Saturday.
I have included an update on the amount of green space in Orange, you will note that we are approximately four times the accepted Australian standard and the same as what is considered Australia's most "green city or town", Canberra.
This does not include the Lake Canobolas precinct, scout camp, or a number of areas under development at present. The planned $25 million sports precinct will be fields that all can enjoy in various ways, young and old, active or passive.
Enjoy the fantastic Spring we are having - this time last year, oh how we forget we saw the first of the dust storms!
School holidays commencing this weekend, be safe.
Orange mayor Reg Kidd
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