Walking paths and boardwalks will run through the new Waratah Wetland on Platinum Parade next to the Waratah Sports Ground.

A $42,000 grant from the Central Tablelands Local Land Services [LLS] will enable work to start soon to turn the former swampy paddock land into a major habitat and recreation area.

LLS project support officer Mick Callan said the area would be a valuable asset.

“This place will be really revived, the weeds will be controlled, we’ll see a lot more native plants,” he said.

“And overtime that’s going to attract a whole range of native bird species, things like grebes and rails and crakes and painted snipe, a lot of those sorts of birds you don’t typically see outside of wetland areas.

“This area is gaining to have a whole range of walking tracks and boardwalks and things so that it is publicly accessible.

“This isn’t just for wildlife and it’s not just for storm water treatment, it’s also for public amenity and public health.

“People living in this area and people who visit this area will have the opportunity to walk through, re-connect with nature, get out and exercise.”

Orange City Council environmental sustainability committee chairman Neil Jones said it would help improve water quality.

“The slow movement of water through the wetland will cleanse storm water from the bypass and north Orange housing estates,” he said.