The old Moulder Park netball courts might be used for car parking under a proposal being considered by Orange City Council.
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Mayor Reg Kidd said it would be handy for overflow parking, particularly in peak times, could provide parking for farmers with trailers and for tourists driving motorhomes.
“Initial thoughts were that it be used for Christmas time, but I’d like to see it used all-year round,” he said.
Cr Kidd said the land had been largely unused since the netball courts were closed several years ago with the sport moving to the PCYC complex in Seymour Street.
He said it was largely only used for the Moulder Park markets which would not be affected by the car park proposal.
A report to council said the site could accommodate about 100 car spaces.
The report raised concerns about being a distance away from the CBD [it is 850 metres and a 10-minute walk from Summer Street], the eastern end could not be used as it would interfere with Orange Public School’s drop-off/pick up zone and it was in a flood zone.
It also said it was near houses which would require a noise assessment.
However Cr Kidd said these issues could be overcome.
“I think that’s [flooding] a furphy,” he said.
He said flooding rarely occurred in that area.
Cr Kidd said noise levels would have been high when netball was played.
He also said it was not too far from Summer Street.
“It is only about a block and a half or two blocks away.”
The report said the area was “fairly heavily used as an ad hoc recreation area, particularly for small children.
“This use need to be gauged by public consultation,” it said.
The 8505 square metre site is owned by Orange City Council however it is zoned for public recreation and the zoning would need to change for a car park.
It said the proximity to the school meant an entrance could not be placed on Anson Street and it would have to be accessed from Sale Street.
Cr Kidd said there were no plans for other uses for the site.
While the plan was not costed in the report it said there would be expenses created for making an entrance and in line marking and signage.
Council resolved to put the plan for temporary use of the site for car parking on public exhibition for 28 days.
David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
