The proposed mountain bike track, growth at the library and reports that staff at the pool were being abused, were topics on the agenda at last night's (Tuesday 19 march) Council meeting.
Council debates Mt Canobolas bike track
A motion to further explore proposals for a network of mountain bikes tracks on Mt Canobolas was withdrawn at last night's meeting. Nine speakers addressed the council about the proposal during the community forum section of the meeting.
Following debate, Cr Glenn Floyd withdrew his motion after discussion of Council's current position on the track proposal.
Orange City Council has a long-standing decision on its books to explore the building of a network of mountain bike tracks on Mt Canobolas.
However, funds allocated to this project, to complete track design and preliminary environmental impact reports, have been expended and there is currently no further money in the current budget for this work.
If Council made a decision to add funds to the budget, work could proceed under the existing long-standing arrangement.
Orange City Council always has a number of projects on its list to be explored.
The priority of these projects is determined by budget decisions. The draft budget for the next financial year is due to come to a Council meeting in May.
Support for Sport4All
Orange City Council will support a proposal to improve participation of people with a disability in mainstream sport.
Last night's meeting supported a motion from Cr Steve Peterson to back the Sports4All scheme.
The meeting heard the scheme would cost Council around $5,000 in the 1st year and $21K in the 2nd year, with an option to extend.
The scheme would work by encouraging local sporting organisations to extend their activities to include people with a disability.
Council to support 'Awesome' bike track
Last night's meeting decided to support efforts by the Orange Mountain Bike Club to protect a trail built by the club in the Glenwood Forest.
The track, known as the 'Trail of Awesomeness', was built by volunteers in 2022, but it is in an area that's due to be logged by the Forestry Commission.
The motion from Cr Steve Peterson asked for letter of support from Council to encourage ongoing negotiations between the club and the Forestry Corporation.
The meeting heard the trail now attracts thousands of riders each year.
Library numbers booming
A report from the Orange City Library, put to last night's Council meeting, suggested in-person visits to the library had almost doubled in the last two years.
Total annual visits in 2021-22 were 68,434 compared to 51,002 in the first six months of this financial year.
The library report found loans of electronic items had also increased (Ebooks, Emagazines, streaming movies, eNewspapers) along with extra lending of physical items.
Report notes abuse of Aquatic Centre staff
Last night's Council meeting heard details of a steep increase in the amount of abuse suffered by staff at the Aquatic Centre during a free admission period during the Christmas holidays.
Last night's Council meeting noted a report which found that:
- An extra 16,000 people attended the centre over a six-week period.
- The free admission period cost around $300K in foregone revenue.
- Over the six-week period more than 250 patrons were ejected from the centre.
- The biggest issues were the refusal to follow instructions, abuse of staff or other patrons and a higher-than-normal rate of theft with a number of phones and watches being stolen from bags. A patron's car was stolen from the car park after keys were stolen from his bag.
- Police were engaged a number of times to report poor behaviour and to request patrols through the centre.
- Council engaged security guards to manage behaviour at a cost of about $30,000 over the second half of the free entry period.
- Council also received an increase in complaints from regular patrons. Anecdotal complaints were: – "ruined by small minority" of users – "very unsafe" – "scared" – "out of control".
Planning matters
Last night's meeting gave planning approval for a proposed $3.8 million new motel in East Orange
The proposal is for the demolition of two dwellings in Elizabeth Street and the construction of a two-storey building with 19 motel rooms plus onsite manager's room.
