The Rudd Labor Government will provide more than $3.6 million towards a new Orange Indoor Aquatic Centre.

Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, made the announcement in Orange today with Mayor John Davis.

“This project is worth more than $7.2 million in total, delivering a significant economic boost to the region,” Mr Albanese said.

“It is expected to support 70 jobs during construction, as well as another 12 jobs over the longer term, including a permanent Indigenous lifeguard position; and.

“Importantly, the project will provide Orange residents and those from neighbouring communities with year-round access to a pool and other sports and recreational facilities,” he said.

The Orange City Council project is expected to include:

• A new eight-lane, heated 25-metre indoor pool and enclosure, which will be fully integrated with the existing Olympic pool;


• Covering of the existing toddlers’ pool;


• Tiered seating for 200 people, a crèche, new cafe and kiosk, additional parking, change rooms, courtyard and a new entrance; and


• Hybrid solar heat pump ad natural gas and solar passive energy collection technology for surplus heat to be reused to heat the pool water and slab.

Mr Albanese said that the funding was part of our Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program, which was delivering a record $1 billion for nearly 5,000 projects across the nation.

“Across Australia, we are building and modernising community facilities in partnership with local governments,” he concluded.

The funding is conditional upon the council formalising a contract with the Government and meeting relevant conditions.