UPDATE: Orange’s Central Business District (CBD) is poised for a significant transformation following the unanimous approval of new housing and a childcare centre at the former Caltex fuel depot on 184 Byng Street. The decision was made during a council meeting on October 7, 2023, as officials aim to enhance residential infrastructure in the area.
The approved plans include the construction of 11 attached homes, featuring a mix of two and three-bedroom townhouses, each standing two stories tall. Additionally, a 115-place childcare centre will occupy part of the vacant land, addressing the pressing need for early childhood facilities in Orange.
City councillor David Mallard expressed his enthusiasm for the development, highlighting its potential to rejuvenate a previously industrial site. “This is a great example of cleaning up a former industrial site and now turning it into both residential and early childhood infrastructure which we need in the city,” he stated.
This initiative is particularly relevant as the community calls for future developments to be all-electric. During the public exhibition of the Draft Redmond Place Precinct Development Control Plan, there were requests for the inclusion of an all-electric requirement for new builds. “The age of fossil fuels is quickly coming to an end,” one resident emphasized, urging the council to take proactive steps against gas usage in future projects.
In response, council staff indicated that the potential for all-electric requirements is under “ongoing assessment.” Notably, the Redmond Place development is not proposing gas usage in its plans.
Moreover, at the same meeting, Colemans Equipment received approval to expand its operations, with plans to establish a vehicle sales and hire premises on 25 Colliers Avenue. This facility will serve as a hub for industrial activities, supporting the heavy equipment sector crucial for civil construction and mining.
As these developments take shape, residents and stakeholders will be watching closely how these projects unfold in Orange’s CBD. The impact of these initiatives will not only reshape the local landscape but also address housing and childcare needs in the community.
Stay tuned for more updates as these projects progress, marking a new chapter for Orange’s urban development.
