Tuesday night's meeting generally praised the document, which will guide Orange's growth beyond 2050.

Cr Reg Kidd last night described it as a "legacy document".

"I'd like to congratulate and thank the staff for all their work and hope we get some positive and constructive feedback," he said.

Based on figures from the 2016 census, Orange is expected to have a population of around 52,000 people by 2041 but the number of people in each household is expected to drop from 2.45 (2016) to 2.27.

That means Orange will need more than 6000 dwellings over that timeframe or about 244 new homes a year.

The draft Orange Local Housing Plan (OLHP) reveals a need to diversity housing stock to reflect a range of budgets and lifestyles.

Cr Tony Mileto did raise a concern on the age of the date used which he pointed out was five years old.

However it was explained the draft had mechanism for reviews built into it.

Cr Stephen Nugent's motion for council to liase with schools to introduce the Solar My Schools initiative was defeated 7 votes to 2 with Crs Kevin Duffy, Jeff Whitton, Reg Kidd and Tony Mileto speaking against the motion.

Cr Mileto's main concern was burdening ratepayers with the approximately $6000 needed from council per school to get the program moving, when the property being improved was not owned by council. His sentiments were agreed with by Cr Jeff Whitton and, with somewhat more animation, by Cr Duffy.

"Don't deal with something that doesn't belong to us," Cr Duffy said.

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It was an unsuccessful night for Cr Nugent, who's second motion for council to opt into the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP 70) contribution scheme for affordable housing was also defeated 7-2 with Crs Nugent and Munro the only supporters.

"It is not our responsibility, it is state government and federal government," Cr Russell Turner said, speaking against the motion.

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Cr Sam Romano had more luck with his motion to investigate the viability of stocking storm-water harvesting wetlands with native fish with unanimous support for the plan.

Cr Romano said his motion went to back to a discussion council had about allowing kids to throw a line at the Ploughman's Lane wetlands which was eventually agreed too despite advice there were no fish there.

"I've been approached to see if we can add some species of fish ...I think it's of benefit tot he kids and the people of Orange."

Orange mayor Reg Kidd put forward two mayoral minutes to open Tuesday night's council meeting, with the first pushing for a New Year's Eve celebration featuring laser light show featuring local artists

The second was the establishment of a scultpure park using the expertise of local artists.

Both received unanimous support from the councillors present.

Along with Cr Kidd, Crs Jeff Whitton, Stephen Nugent, Kevin Duffy, Sam Romano, Jason Hamling, Scott Munro, Tony Mileto and Russell Turner attended the meeting.

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