Work is set to begin next month on a major upgrade of Orange’s most popular recreation spot, Lake Canobolas.
The $1.3 million upgrade, funded by the NSW Government, Orange City Council and Cadia Valley Operations, includes nine projects which are aimed increasing access to the water and recreation areas for all community members.
A drop-in session will be hosted by Council this Saturday at the kiosk on the western side of the lake between 10am and noon. Users of the lake can drop in at any time during the session to find out more about the project.
Orange Mayor Jason Hamling said the upgrade would happen gradually over the next 12 months.
“Orange residents love spending time at the Lake and this upgrade will make that precinct even more attractive and accessible for all residents,” Cr Hamling said.
“We’re aiming to get the first stages completed before summer.”
“This work will make it easier for everyone to get onto the beach and into the water. There’s a great network of walking paths already but soon we’ll have new paths and the walking trails around the southern side of the lake will be re-surfaced.”
“The first of the new shade structures have already been built alongside the café, but there are more to come.”
The range of upgrade projects include:
- Retaining walls with built-in paths designed to make the lake’s two beaches more accessible
- A wheelchair accessible (2.5 metre wide) floating boardwalk on the western shore, alongside a floating deck
- Replacing the playground on the eastern side of the lake with more modern accessible play equipment
- A new amenities block alongside the new playground
- An upgrade to the visitor walkway in the historic pump house
- Re-aligning internal roads between the lake and the café, including a new pedestrian crossing
- Re-surfacing the walking path around the southern side of the lake
- New line-making in parking areas
- A new location to launch canoes and dragon boats
- New shade structures
The list of the projects was developed after community engagement around the recently drafted Lake Canobolas Masterplan. The grant application for the upgrade was supported by a number of community groups who regularly use the lake.The $1.3 million project is being funded by:
- NSW Government Places to Swim – Open Spaces program $1 million
- NSW Government Stronger Country Communities program $344K
- Orange City Council $34K
- Cadia Valley Operations $6500
