New north Orange playgrounds cater for largest population group

Orange City Council’s Sport and Recreation Committee Chair Jason Hamling said council was committed to building facilities to cater for its largest population group, 0 to 9 year olds.

“The last two Censuses have shown us Orange is a place where people come to raise a family,” Cr Hamling said.

“The 2016 Census showed us children under 9 accounted for 15 per cent of our population.

“And according to the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Orange is the number one suburb, outside of Sydney for the number of births based on the mother’s home address.

“Orange has been ranked as the fifth highest suburb for the number of births in NSW for the last 6 years.

“All of these statistics have really affirmed what we have been doing and what we have been prioritising as a council.”

The newly completed $28,000 playground is located on the corner of William Maker Drive and Glasson Drive and has equipment suitable for young children to those in their early teens.

A second playground on the corner of Botanic Way and Brooklands Drive is about a week away from completion, is worth about $40,000 and will also cater for children up to about 12 years old.

Both playgrounds have been funded from financial contributions to council from developers when they subdivide land.

“North Orange was picked as the site for the new playgrounds because we know it’s a big growth area and it’s full of young families who would really benefit from having somewhere close by to take their children.

“We’re also about to begin earthworks on the new Waratah wetlands near Platinum Drive, which when completed, will be another beautiful, recreational area for north Orange families.

“The completion of the William Maker Drive playground takes the number of playgrounds in Orange to 30, a sign of council’s long term commitment to the biggest population sector in the city.”

BOOMING POPULATION: Cr Jason Hamling is pleased to see two new playgrounds built in north Orange.