The masterplan which features improvements to make the area more appealing to people to use for exercise and recreation will go on public exhibition for 28 days.

Council has allocated $125,000 in this financial year for work on the project.

Council CEO David Waddell said new lighting, the removal of an old toilet block and the provision of dirt for a cycling pump track at Glenroi Oval had been done with funding from various sources.

"The big budget spend will be the basketball infrastructure in this financial year," he said.

Cr Stephen Nugent said prioritising what would be done in the next financial year might depend on Orange residents' comments when the plan went on public exhibition.

"This is great to see it has come to this point," he said.

"Now we have a masterplan which is very exciting."

Cr Nugent and Cr Jason Hamling said a public forum on the topic should be held in Glenroi to encourage locals to attend.

Under the masterplan the area will aim to be more like a city park with 200 new trees planted, walking paths, shaded seating areas and exercise equipment.

The existing cricket oval will become a rugby league field while BMX/skate park/pump track areas would be expanded.

Council has also supported a call from a developer to reduce the size of lots at a housing estate planned for land at Shiralee.

The estate, bounded by Rifle Range and Park roads, would gain an extra 10 lots for housing if the rezoning was eventually approved.

The smallest blocks would be 700 square metres.

Orange mayor Cr Reg Kidd said he would support the plan but was concerned at how planning rules were being changed.

"I remember very distinctly the discussion in this chamber about Shiralee being this wonderful green estate. Big blocks, walkways through, parks and gardens. It was going to be the environmental winner for Australia," he said.

"What happened? It got through, the lots got smaller and smaller, which puts more and more pressure on the road infrastructure."

Cr Nugent said 700 square metre blocks were a common urban size "and there are a lot of other blocks of that size in the proximity."

Cr Kevin Duffy said he was concerned about any affect on the Orange Rifle Range from new housing nearby.

The rezoning application will now be sent to the NSW Planning Department for preliminary assessment before public exhibition.

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