Jason Hamling says although plans to remove trees at Bloomfield have been approved it's likely the city's proposed $25 million sporting precinct will be one of the biggest issues facing voters come council elections in September.
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Orange City Council's Sport and Recreation Committee chair, Cr Hamling knows people are eager for work to begin on the project however the extensive planning associated with such a large-scale development means that's unlikely to begin this year.
The development application for the proposed sporting precinct will likely be lodged mid-July and, after the 28-day public exhibition period expires, will then be submitted to the Western Regional Planning Panel for consideration.
Cr Hamling believes that timeline will nearly extend into 2022, meaning this year's September elections will be dominated by the issue.
"Residents will need to be patient," Cr Hamling said, with the approval process a long one.
"And because that's happening after the September election, that would let the sports precinct become an issue the people of Orange might keep in mind when they were choosing a candidate."
... that would let the sports precinct become an issue the people of Orange might keep in mind when they were choosing a candidate.
- Cr Jason Hamling says work won't start on the new sporting precinct for some time, making it an issue ahead of September's elections
He said ultimately, after a second round of public consultation, the planning panel will have the final say on the sporting precinct.
"While the panel will have the final say, the next Council that's elected in September will be able to consider the next round of feedback from the community and indicate its support to the Planning Panel," he added.
"I know people are very keen to see work beginning, but with a project of this scale there are still a number of planning approvals to be gained."
Following Monday night's approval to knock down 250 trees to make way for the stadium and athletics track areas of the precinct, the NSW Heritage Council is now seeking a Landscaping Master Plan for the whole site before considering the removal of further trees.
It's expected Orange City Council will supply that Landscape Master Plan for the whole site by the end of this week.
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