The work is due to be completed next year and to open in spring.

The extension includes a 270 square metre contemporary gallery. It will make use of natural lighting and have a 75-seat gallery theatre for engagement and education programs and be available for community use.

Orange mayor Reg Kidd said it was good to see work starting on the project.

He said he would like to see work progress to the next project planned for Northcourt, the $20 million Conservatorium of Music and Planetarium soon after the gallery construction.

Cr Kidd said while they had secured $10 million in federal government funding and about $5 million had been allocated by the council and from funds expected to be raised from the sale of the existing Conservatorium, they were $5 million short.

He said council was seeking the missing funds from the state government.

A development application for the project has been submitted to the council ahead of it being determined by the Western Regional Planning Panel as the value exceeds $5 million and the applicant is the council.

A public submission about the project included concerns about a lack of parking and the need for a footpath to March Street.

Proposed works on the site include building a music conservatorium, recital hall, planetarium auditorium and other facilities.

Trees would be removed but landscaping would include creating living green walls and over the planetarium dome.

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