Electricity
From The Orange Wiki
The arrival of electricity was a key development in the history of Orange. In January 1919 the Council decided to establish a plant for the generation of electricity and applied to the government for funds. This proved unsuccessful and Council eventually financed the venture themselves. Meanwhile the Dalton family, tired of waiting took matters in their own hands, purchased a generator and lit their Summer Street department store (now Myer) .installed their own generator owners of Dalton’s Department Store in Summer Street (now Myer) in April 1922.
On Monday January 8 1923 the first power pole was put in place outside the Orange Town Hall in Byng Street where it still stands today. The Mayor, Ald Arthur Edmund Colvin, and the majority of aldermen were present as was the newly elected Federal Member for Calare Sir Neville Howse. The 45 foot pole came from Telegraph Point in the Dorrigo region. A power house was constructed on the north east corner of Byng and Peisley streets.
The switches to release electricity across the Municipality were released on September 8 1923. The Orange Leader described how large crowds had gathered long before the 6.30 ceremony craning their necks to see the engines and the dynamo through the windows. A dinner was held in the Soldier’s Memorial Hall and attended by members of parliament aldermen and councillors from all over the state. 12 months later there were more than 500 consumers representing 25% of the buildings in the municipality
By the end of 1928 it became apparent that in a few years the power house would be inadequate to carry the load that would be required unless a considerable amount was spent on it. This coincided with the State Governments announcement that a power station would be built at Lithgow to supply bulk electricity to the Central West. This was turned on in 1931.
Council’s role in the direct supply of electricity ceased in January 1956 with the formation of the Ophir County Council whose responsibility covered an area of 2050 square miles. In 1961 its headquarters building was opened on the corner of Kite Street and Lords Place, now occupied by the Ophir car park. Plans to totally reorganise the power distribution system in NSW were finalised in August 1995 and Ophir was merged into a new power organisation which would become known as Advance Energy.
- Miller, J., Holmes, D., and Honey, A. (2001) Orange a vision splendid. Orange City Council, Orange NSW.
- Notes for a history of Orange compiled by John Miller (1995-1997). Unpublished.
