Orange's $20 million Conservatorium of Music and Planetarium project has been approved by a state government planning panel.
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The Western Regional Planning Panel this week supported Orange City Council's development application for the complex to be built on the Northcourt area.
The only requirement the WRPP placed on the development was to ensure living green walls would be maintained by council.
Orange mayor Cr Reg Kidd said the pre-Christmas decision was great news for the city.
"It's fantastic. We'll be pushing for the $5 million we're short [for the project]," he said.
Council has $15 million for the project though federal government funding, its own funds and money it will raise through the sale of the existing Conservatorium of Music building in Hill Street.
Cr Kidd said the council would look to the state government to fund the shortfall.
However, he said if that did not eventuate council would consider borrowing the money.
Cr Kidd said with work currently proceeding on the Orange Regional Gallery extension, cost savings could be made by using equipment and workers on site to start the Conservatorium/planetarium project.
He said that would be subject to a tender process.
Cr Kidd said Orange would be in a unique position in regional NSW in creating a cultural and civic precinct.
Orange's Conservatorium, planetarium, art gallery, museum, library, theatre and council offices will be in the one location.
The Conservatorium of Music will have 40 practice rooms, ensemble rooms and rehearsal spaces and a recital hall with 244 seats with room for an extra 48 seats.
It is planned the planetarium's auditorium would have 74 seats.
While the plan would involve extensive tree removal there would be replacement planting. Landscaping would include an internal courtyard, a living green wall around the outside of the building and a green dome on the planetarium.
It was determined by the WRPP as the value exceeded $5 million.
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