The future of the Lake Canobolas area

I would love to see a park like the one in Warrnambool incorporated. Our adventure playground is great, but it is getting old. Check out the Warrnambool one here => https://visitwarrnambool.com.au/attractions/lake-pertobe/

It would be very good have more walking and cycling tracks between Orange, Lake Canobolas, The Pinnacle and Mount Canobolas.

More shelters with tables and chairs and bbqs to use as well similar to what’s already on the western foreshore. Make sure we can continue to get vehicles to the edge to be able to get kayaks in and out easily. Paddle boat hire would be cool. Get rid of the weed to make swimming better, keep the pontoons clean of the bird droppings there usually covered in. Maybe look at working with fisheries to stock the dam with more fish to encourage fishing.

The lake is a great natural asset, and it is not large! While the plans are adventurous, if all development ideas were implemented, the area would be de-natured. Positives from the plan: a boatshed near the water; more walking paths from Orange, linking the 3 areas - Pinnacle (which also needs a lot of maintenance- the beautiful new seat does show up the now deteriorating cement and fence), Lake and scout camp; some interpretive signs; viewing points; accessibility built into all infrastructure.; more adventurous outdoor gear for older children.
Things NOT needed at the Lake- gallery/hall/visitors centre; accommodation (there is surely more room at the scout camp area for that). People have alwasy loved being able to take thier picnics/bbq, their own cricket bat, blow-up water toy or kayak and just make their own fun. Everything doesn't have to be commercialised - let's keep the natural beauty and space of the lake, while making it more accessible with just a few of these ideas.
CitizenK

The proposals are well worth implementing, but some need more careful design.
* The proposed boat shed needs to be large to accommodate the dragon. boats.
* rocks need to be cleared from around the edge of the lake for about 10m from the shore. More people would then disperse around the lake for swimming and other activities.
* the proposed hall needs to be acoustically designed for meetings, concerts, performances - too many of Orange's venues are agonies for those trying to listen. The only good facility is the Civic Theatre.
* there is no detail of how the Pinnacle and the Lake can be linked. The general idea is good, but the Pinnacle needs better maintenance e.g. weeds are a constant restriction on where people can go (feral cherries and blackberries need control). Suitable paths could be found, but they would traverse several properties and would need to insure they didn't affect the daily functioning of those places.
* the previous use of the lake for camping should be restored - not to include powered sites or caravans. In the harvest season camping at the lake fulfilled an important local need. Visitors have commented they would prefer to be at the lake than in the caravan parks in town. Orange has a reputation of not being friendly to people who don't want to stay on houses or hotels.

I agree that Orange needs more indoor entertainment/activities for rainy or cold days, so indoor activities would be great such as a rock-climbing wall or indoor play centre for kids, however a retail centre going out at the lake is going a bit too far.

A better cafe would bring more residents to the area and improve the experience of going to the lake. Also an off-leash area for dog walking would be well-used by all locals, as there are very few areas for off-leash socialisation for dogs in the area.

What a great opportunity to have a gondola from the Eastern side of the lake to the top of the mountain. Taking in the scenic view of orchards, wineries, lake and the amazing central West Country. A cafe/gift shop at the top would be a great addition. Need to think bigger than inflatable boats. That’s just country town thinking.

Put some inflatables on the lake. We used to have paddle boats out there it was great. Maybe a bike track from orange to the lake. Maybe some water golf.

Toilet facilities closer to playgrounds, Cafe etc with Disability accessibility.
Play ground that is suitable for children and adults with disability to provide an inclusive space for everyone.
Accessible paths / walkways to ensure safety of all people in community including people with disability and other community members that require the use of mobility equipment.

The Lake Canobolas Plan looks positive but could I suggest that the many parks around Orange do not have very much available for the older child and perhaps here would be a good place to provide something suitable. Could I also suggest that perhaps enquiries could be made to provide a Disk Golf area which is becoming popular around Australia.

something has to be done about the BBQ spots that are plagued with wasp's and wasp nests.

Each of the improvements planned I welcome wholeheartedly. I anticipate visiting the expanded site more often, spending more time with grandchildren on equipment/ boardwalks etc, gaining a greater understanding of the site and its cultural/ geographical significance, enjoying leisurely meals with family/ friends, and continuing to find inspiration and a spiritual balm from the area’s unique beauty.

I like the idea of boardwalks, and of trails connecting the park to Mt Canobolas/Pinnacle/Orange. I'm also fully supportive of the Scout camp facilities being developed so they are fit for the purposes they desire.
However, the idea of a visitor centre at the Lake site is terrible. The park derives much of its character and charm from the fact that it ISN'T over-developed, but has a few simple facilities that are sufficient to support simple activities in a peaceful non-commercialised setting. Town is the place for a visitor centre...and there's already a perfectly sufficient one there. Unnecessary development of the Lake Canobolas park will be detrimental to its character and its peaceful appeal. Don't over-do it!

Inclusion of added access by boardwalks, boating aquatic activities, accommodation, camping and a kiosk are welcome projects for an underutilized area.
Walking and cycling trails are also welcome for added activities.
No mountain bike trails on the mountain, none, this neglected and valuable environment needs a constant maintenance program, not destructive mountain bike trails.
It's mysterious how secret ceremonial sites are being identified by aboriginals with no local history, the environment needs protection, no questionable factors need to be added.

The lake is a unique natural environment and feature just the way it is. It is a haven for people who need something that's natural, peaceful and beautiful that they can enjoy just the way it is. I can testify that it has been for me a life-saving refuge for mental health the past 12 months and I would be devastated to see it changed. When I heard about this plan, I wept. The birdlife there is a very special mix and would be spoilt by development. I don't go there for a cultural experience, I go there for a natural experience. The visitors centre is rightly placed in town. If I want culture I can go to the museum or art gallery. The people I meet on my twice-weekly walks don't want the lake commercialised or changed because it's perfect how it is. It's truly a unique feature and development would be inappropriate and damaging. My constructive suggestion would be to keep any development on the other side of the road, along with the scout camp and bike track, and leave the lake alone. Please don't change it.

Sounds fantastic. It would be handy to have a toilet facility on the other side of the lake near playground/bbq area. A camping ground or cabins for schools etc.

Great initiative. Stock this area with heaps of native fish please. More the better. It has hreat potential to be a fishing hot spot. People will travel from all over to enjoy tbe fishing and other facilities.

Love the plan. I did complete the survey and mentioned walking trails, viewing platforms, accommodations for schools etc.

I am strongly opposed to any retail activity except for a cafe. The environment needs to be as natural as possible and I'm therefore opposed to a visitor centre/gallery (we already have a good one in town) and also having accommodation. It's about enjoying the outdoors and exercise, not making money! Don't ruin it with multiple buildings.