The report described the lake and Mount Canobolas as underwhelming for tourists but identified both as strengths that give Orange a competitive advantage.

It suggests the council should budget for a $15,000 feasibility study into the eco-cabins starting by February.

Borry Gartrell from the nearby Borrodel Vineyard said the lake was an ideal location for camping and a tourist park was also a viable option for budget family orientated accommodation.

“I can remember when the caravan park operated it was listed in a caravanning guide as a little jewel and an enormous amount of people stayed there,” he said.

“We get people through the cellar doors and the grey nomads say ‘we’re not stopping’ [in Orange].”

The tourism strategy said a destination tourist park in Orange would need eight to 10 acres of land and suggests a private operator should run the park and consider features such as a pool, barbecue, tennis court, bike hire, kids playground and cafe to appeal to a families.

Mr Gartrell said the Earth Sanctuary was a great passive recreation area for visitors and he supported the suggestions for eco-lodges or cabins in the area.

Cr Kevin Duffy also supported the call for cabins and said the lake needed to be made more user-friendly.

“The big issue we’ve got is the boarder issue between Orange and Cabonne,” he said.

“Orange is hemmed in.

“I do believe our water resources needs to be opened up to fishing and water sports.”

A camping area to take pressure off the over-flowing showground and Colour City Caravan Park was also needed.

Cr Duffy said the caravan park should be relocated.

“It should make people feel welcome,” he said.

“The current caravan park is really not a place that grey nomads really want to go... they are very good for destination tourism,” he said.

clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au