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After heated debate, Orange councillors vote to approve $200,000 laneway installation
September 5, 2023
By David Fitzsimons
A controversial decision by Orange council has approved $200,000 of public money for an interstate artist to renew a graffiti-ridden arcade in the centre of town.
Orange City Council will provide $100,000, on top of a state government grant of the same amount, for an artwork in the 66-metre-long alley from an underground car park to Summer Street near Anson Street.
A heated debate, which occurred more than three hours after Tuesday night’s council meeting started, saw various councillors describe the arcade as “a reeking grubby hellhole”, “one of the most awful places in Orange”, “shady lane” and “a dark and dingy space”.
Councillors opposed to $200,000 being spent on the arts project said the arcade really needed better lighting and security cameras.
They argued that in tough economic times it was irresponsible for council to spend public money on art, particularly as the alleyway is jointly owned by a shopping centre operator and council.
Councillor Jeff Whitton said the artwork did not provide enough light.
“It’s still too dark, I wouldn’t walk through there,” he said.
Councillor Steve Peterson said there was not enough community support for funding such a project in tough times.
“When we spend $100,000 on projects like this it undermines everything else we do, creating a false impression we are not responsible with ratepayers’ money,” he said.
Councillor Kevin Duffy said it would not generate tourism for Orange.
“No one’s gonna come for a tourist drive from Russia or China or Sydney to go for a walk on this little alleyway, I mean, you’re dreaming,” he said.
“This is an absolute joke and we should be embarrassed by it.”
Councillor Frances Kinghorne supported the artwork saying the area needed rejuvenation.
“It is a reeking, grubby hellhole. It is just one of the most awful places in Orange. It is desperately in need of some love, just bring it,” she said.
Councillor David Mallard backed the project but called on the site owners to also upgrade the car park, which he described as a “dark and dingy space”.
“This is a really fantastic project, and it is really going to be transformative for this site,” he said.
Councillor Tony Mileto also voted for the project but said the arcade needed a security upgrade.
“It still lends itself to anti-social behaviour,” he said.
Mileto called for some of the funding to be spent on security cameras.
Daniel Templeman’s design ‘Aperture’ won a public contest to undertake the work.
Councillors questioned why a local artist had not gained the work, however a staff report said it had been open to all and a select committee had chosen Templeman’s work.
The funding is the latest as part of council’s controversial Future City project to rejuvenate the Orange CBD.
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