Councillors will consider a report on Tuesday night, recommending to update the reservoir’s plan of management to include swimming and non-motorised boating, such as canoeing, kayaking and sailing.

It would also formalise land-based activities including triathlons and human-powered vehicle races.

With some councillors keen to open Spring Creek and Suma Park dams to recreation as well, the report recommended revisiting them once Gosling Creek had been implemented, given the other two dams were considered part of Orange’s inner catchment and water-based activities posed a greater risk to drinking water.

Nick and Bec Blunt were at Gosling Creek Reserve on Sunday and supported the idea.

“Being on the eastern side of town, we could go for a walk and have a dip in summer – it’s a wasted reserve if we’re not using it,” Mr Blunt said.

Meg McLennan said she would like to see an alternative to Lake Canobolas.

“The lake’s great, but it does get really busy,” she said.

David Bell said he would consider Gosling Creek for kayaking provided access was considered.

“I would want something where you can easily carry the kayak across, I wouldn’t want to carry a boat from the car park,” he said.

The report to councillors said access and launch points to the water could be assessed once the management plan was changed.

If approved, the proposal will be put out to public consultation and a further report is anticipated in October. 

Councillor Chris Gryllis, who originally pushed for public access to Gosling Creek, said it was a positive move and he would continue to push the other two dams.

“There’s a few obstacles we have to overcome, but the demand is there,” he said.

Remedial options for Gosling Creek Reservoir will also be assessed next financial year.

The report to councillors said due to its position on the NSW Dams Safety Committee’s highest risk dams list, which means structural failure would be likely in a one in 100,000-year flood, geotechnical testing was needed to confirm the dam wall’s stability.