Orange a step closer to waking from self storage nightmare as $2 million, 160-shed DA approved

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August 2, 2022

By Peter Holmes

Orange’s storage drought is closer to being over following Orange City Council’s approval of a massive $2 million development.

Many who have tried to secure storage sheds in the city in recent years have struggled to find available facilities, despite Orange having a number of self storage options.

The housing crisis is in part to blame, according to some storage shed operators, with people who have lost their rentals due to price rises and short-term rental accommodation having to find somewhere to store belongings while they couch surf, live with family or friends or move into smaller accommodation.

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According to council papers published ahead of Tuesday night’s meeting, it was determined on July 19, 2022, that 160 self-storage units had been approved to be built at 3 Ralston Drive.

The value of the development is $1,991,000.

Most of the self-storage businesses in Orange are operated via local real estate agents, with West Orange Self Storage the only one manned by staff.

The Orange News Examiner spoke to agents and operators and the story was pretty much the same everywhere, only with varying degrees of disappointment for those in need.

Orange Real Estate looks after North Orange Secure Storage and South Orange Secure Storage, where larger sheds are about $90 to $100 a week, with the latter’s dimensions 10.5m long x 4.2 wide x 4m high. Staff said there were no sheds available, and that there was a waiting list.

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Always Secure Self Storage on Peisley Street is managed by John Cook Real Estate. There are a couple of units becoming available but staff said they usually go very quickly.

Calare Self Storage on Lords Place is managed by Belle Property. A staff member said there was nothing available and that there had been numerous calls just today seeking space.

West Orange Self Storage on Molong Road is the only manned site in town, and staff said storage sheds were all full.

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