Council Update

Conversation with the GM

Funding Opportunities Currently Open

Tourism Development Program
The Tourism Development Program provides support to both not-for-profit entities and local businesses to host events, produce marketing projects and create tourist attractions aimed to promote and grow the visitor economy in the Blayney Shire.
Applications are capped at the following amounts;

$1,000 individual applications
$2,000 joint applications (two or more applicants) or incorporated associations which represent a town/village or industry.
Applications above these amounts may be considered at the discretion of Council.

Applications close 4 February 2026.

Read more and apply via Council’s Tourism Development Program page.

Community Financial Assistance Program
Applications open for the first round under the 2025/26 Community Financial Assistance Program are open. Local community organisations / individuals are invited to submit an by 27 February 2026. Applications lodged before 20 February 2026 will be reviewed, and applicants will be contacted in the event of any errors or omissions in their applications.
There are three categories of financial assistance:

Recurrent financial assistance
Non-recurrent financial assistance (Up to $5,000 and more in exceptional cases)
Flagship annual community project (Up to $25,000 for a major project)

Read more and apply via Council’s website: https://www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/our-community/grants-scholarships-and-awards/community-financial-assistance-program

Newmont Orange360 Regional Tourism Event Fund

As part of the Community Partnerships Program, Newcrest distributes funding each year that aims to support and enhance the community groups, organisations and infrastructure that provide a sustainable foundation for the communities of the Blayney, Cabonne and Orange Local Government Area's (LGAs).
Newmont has partnered with Orange360 to establish the Newmont Orange360 Regional Tourism Event Fund to help bolster the tourism industry within the region. The fund will help build on the success of the region's festivals to stimulate the visitor economy and diversify the events across the calendar, positioning the Orange region as a leading destination.

Round 1 Closes 20 January 2026
Round 2 Closes 30 June 2026

There are two tiers:

Incubator, up to $20,000

Provides seed funding to events in their first or second year of activity. The events must demonstrate a key focus on driving tourism to the region and increasing overnight visitation.

Event Enhancement, up to $15,000

Assists in the development of events that contribute to the Orange360 tourism region that have been operating for two or more years and demonstrate they attract overnight visitation. Enhancement could include program expansion/ extension or the development of new satellite events within an existing festival.

The event must be supported by a comprehensive strategy for future growth that includes the continued development of its tourism potential to drive overnight visitation to the event.

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Issued under Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979

Schedule 1

Proposed Development:	Modification (DA2024/0007/1) to Approved 5MW solar farm including solar array, inverter station, security fencing, temporary construction facilities and new powerline connection to adjacent Essential Energy Infrastructure. The Modification relates to the addition of two Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Development Site:	Lot 500 DP1235915 – 269 Marshalls Lane, Blayney
Applicant:	GREEN GOLD ENERGY PTY LTD
Consent Authority:	Blayney Shire Council

Blayney Shire Council is in receipt of a Modification to the Approved Regionally Significant Development Application for a proposed 5MW solar farm including solar array, inverter station, security fencing, temporary construction facilities and new powerline connection to adjacent Essential Energy infrastructure. The proposed Modification relates to the addition of two Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

The consent authority for the proposed development is Blayney Shire Council.

Development Application 2024/0007/1 and associated documentation can be viewed at www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/your-council/on-exhibition or by visiting Councils Administration Building, 91 Adelaide Street Blayney, weekdays between 9.30am and 4pm.

Any person wishing to make a submission must do so in writing, stating the grounds for any objection, by 5pm, Thursday 26th February 2026. Submissions must be made in writing and must clearly indicate the following:

Name and address of the person making the submission, including phone and email address.
The submission should relate directly to the proposed development and if the submission is by the way of objection, it must state the reasons for objection.

Any submissions that you make to this proposal may be made available to the applicant for comment during consideration of the development application, names withheld.

Correspondence can be sent to:
The General Manager
Blayney Shire Council
PO Box 62
BLAYNEY NSW 2799
Email: council@blayney.nsw.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 62, BLAYNEY NSW 2799

Draft Development Control Plan 2026

Council’s current Development Control Plan (DCP), Blayney Development Control Plan 2017, has been reviewed. It is proposed to make modifications to the current DCP, which will then be incorporated into a new DCP titled Blayney Development Control Plan 2026.

Modifications proposed relate to changes required by legislation and learnings from the operation DCP 2017.

Draft Development Control Plan 2026 will be on exhibition on Council’s website https://www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/council/your-say/your-say where submissions may also be made. Submissions will be received until 5pm Friday 30 January 2026.

After considering any submissions on the draft development control plan council may—

(a) approve the plan in the form in which it was publicly exhibited, or
(b) approve the plan with any alterations the council considers appropriate, or
(c) decide not to proceed with the plan.

All submissions will be taken into consideration by Council in determining how it will proceed.

Position Vacant

Council currently has the following positions available:

Supervisor Parks & Recreation

Please refer to Council’s Employment Opportunities page Information Package and details on how to apply for this position.

Position Vacant – Central West Libraries c/- Orange City Council

Council currently has the following positions available:
• Casual Library Assistant – Shared between Cowra & Blayney

Please refer to Orange City Council’s website for an Information Package and details on how to apply for this position.

Blood Donations - Blayney

Got a bit of time next month? Time to give blood and change lives? 1 in 3 people in Blayney will need blood, and they need people like you to give it. The bloodbank is rolling into town on 16 February. Pre-book your spot at lifeblood.com.au, on the app or call 13 14 95.

Last modified: 29 Jan 2026