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Heavyweights meeting to consider $25 million Orange stadium
By staff writer
The Western Regional Planning Panel (WRPP) will meet on February 1 to consider the latest Development Application (DA) for plans to build a new $25 million sports precinct and parklands alongside the Sir Jack Brabham sportsgrounds.
Orange mayor Jason Hamling welcomed the latest milestone in the project.
“This is a project that the people of Orange have been waiting for, for a long time, so it’s
always good to see progress,” Hamling said.
“I was encouraged that there was strong community support for this project at the December council election. I heard many comments that the community just wants us to get on with it.”
Hamling said that "people do need to be patient. When you’re proposing to spend this much taxpayers’ money it’s important to get the details of the design right".
"Community consultation is essential and a project of this size must be approved by an independent planning authority, in this case the WRPP," he added.
The WRPP panel visited the proposed stadium site in November.
The development application went on public exhibition for community comment in September, and 33 submissions were received.
"Council’s planning staff are also assessing the project against planning rules and will report to the panel on the submissions received and the issues raised in community submissions," Hamling said.
Last year Orange City Council wrote to the planning panel to make a submission in favour of the project.
As well as the overall concept of the sporting precinct, the latest DA seeks approval for the
earthworks, the final tree clearing and the formation of eight multi-purpose playing fields.
The details of the stadium and athletics track will be considered in future DAs.
“We’re not simply sitting back and waiting," Hamling said.
"It’s not unusual for a project of this size that tenders go out to the market to keep the ball rolling while the approvals are still under way."
Tenders for the earthworks close on February 8, 2022.
“If the WRPP gives the project the green-light, it’s expected council would be in a position to
consider awarding the earthworks tender in the coming months,” Hamling said.
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