Work on the new $33.5 million Orange Regional Conservatorium and Planetarium is now officially underway, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese flying into Orange on Saturday, January 27, for the official sod-turning ceremony.

Mr Albanese was joined at the ceremony by Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King, along with Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, State Member for Orange Phil Donato and NSW MLC Stephen Lawrence.

A new built-for-purpose facility has long been a dream for Orange Conservatorium staff and Mr Albaneses said the project “will deliver a world-class cultural hub for the region.”

“This conservatorium and planetarium will transform this extraordinary centre that you have built here, this cultural precinct, that is vital for ensuring that people in this great regional city have the same access to culture and arts and music and learning that people in the city of Sydney or Canberra have,” Mr Albanese said, adding that it will play a vital role in the future economic growth of the region.

“It will bring people to this region. We need to ensure that our regional cities grow both as an economic policy in itself, but also to take pressure off the big east coast capitals,” he said.

“It makes sense to have regional economic development and in order to do that you need to ensure, not just jobs and economic activity, you need to ensure as well that the cultural life of a city such as this… and other communities in the central west can continue to grow into the future.”

Construction fences had been erected and preliminary earthworks begun at the site in the North Court, on the corner of March and Peisley streets, in the week before the Prime Minister’s visit.

The project includes the construction of a 275-seat auditorium, a 65-seat planetarium auditorium, 40 practice studios and rehearsal spaces, along with front and back-of-house facilities, office space and amenities.

The $33.5 million project is funded by $10 million from the Australian Government, $5 million from the NSW Government’s Creative Capital Funding program and up to $18.5 million from Orange City Council.

 At its peak, there will be 50-60 people working on the site and between 500 to 700 individuals will be working on the project at different times over the 18-month construction period. 

Orange Mayor, Jason Hamling said he was delighted to see the work get underway.

“Orange is a growing city. Orange City is building new sporting infrastructure fields out on the road to the airport worth over 60 million dollars, for generations to stay fit and active, but we also must be providing the cultural, growing cultural and education needs of our growing city,” he said, going on to acknowledge the many previous mayors, councillors and council staff that helped make the project a reality.

Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee said the Prime Minister’s presence at the sod-turning reflects the “significance and importance” of the project.

“The $10 million came about as an election commitment that I made in the lead-up to the 2019 federal election,” Mr Gee said

“There were many sceptics at the time and many people said that this dream would never become a reality. That money would never be delivered. but I think the naysayers and the sceptics… their doubts have been put to rest.

“This new conservatory and planetarium will be a true gem of regional Australia and it will showcase the can-do power of country communities. I congratulate all community members who've worked so hard to bring us to this day. And can I thank you all for proving that dreams can come true!”