Orange is one of the few large regional cities in NSW not situated on, or close to, a river.

As a result, the security and quality of our water supply is more important than normal, because of the spasmodic nature of that supply.

To even contemplate changes to this supply is frankly carefree, if not irresponsible.

At present the activities allowed at Gosling Creek are primarily passive - with due respect to the original aims and goals established by all previous Orange councils - and in line with the ecological aims of both flora and fauna preservation.

In addition, all current park activities revolve around resident recreational and sporting endeavors, certainly not encouraging the proposed activities of free camping and caravan parking within the precinct.

Both of these changes present significant risks to both the park and its resident uses.

MAP: Where is Gosling Creek Reserve …

For example, the promised grey nomad invasion promised in a recent Letter to the Editor from a member of one of the many caravan associations, fails to mention the existent car parking at both the western and southern ends of the reserve.

They are totally inadequate for large and/or articulated recreational vehicles, particularly when these parking areas are both used heavily (more so at the weekends and school holidays) by families with various aged children and often with scooters, bikes and fishing rods, as well as all the ingredients for picnics and other recreational activities.

These large (sometimes articulated vehicles) with limited driver vision, would present a recipe for a disaster too horrible to contemplate in such small parking areas.

Also, the thought of just one of the recreational vehicles releasing grey or black water in say the Bargwanna Road car park, where the down slope of the road would funnel the polluted water directly in both Gosling and Spring Creek, is another recipe for an ecological disaster.

We are all aware of the persistent council problems created by the itinerant workers camping at various locations around Orange during the fruit picking season.

This poorly researched plan cannot be allowed to desecrate our beautiful and family-friendly Gosling Creek Reserve for so many important and compelling reasons.