Feds deliver, call for NSW Government to step up in bid to fund $20m Orange conservatorium project

Orange City Council is responsible for raising the balance of the project's $20 million price-tag and Mayor Reg Kidd, in responding to the federal announcement made by Member for Calare Andrew Gee and Deputy Leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, was on the front foot.

"Come on state government, where are you, this is your opportunity to step up to the mark, we're about $5 million short?" he said.

Outgoing Cr Russell Turner, who was involved in the initial concept for the combined conservatorium and planetarium and is also a former chairman of the conservatorium board, echoed Cr Kidd's comment.

"I think we should be saying to the state government 'take some of the burden off the council'," he said.

The funding, under the Australian Government's Community Development Grants Program, delivered a 2019 election commitment for the region.

Mr Gee said it was time country communities received the opportunities their city counterparts "took for granted".

"People in the city ... they just think it will be delivered as a right. I think for too long country communities have missed out on major facilities like this. Well, not any longer."

Orange City Council has awarded the $933,000 contract to produce detailed design plans for the conservatorium and planetarium, which include a 250-seat auditorium, 40 practice studios and rehearsal spaces, a 74-seat planetarium auditorium, and an 11 metre dome, to Sydney firm Brewster Hjorth.

The building will be situated in the North Court area and front March Street.

Plans will be finished mid 2022. Following a successful tender, works could start as soon as August, 2022.

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