Push for Orange rest stop at Botanic Gardens

Councillor Nugent, who is retiring at this September's election, will move a motion at the Orange City Council meeting on Tuesday night, urging council to investigate ways to attract more drivers.

He has also requested that council prepare a report on options for "the triangular block of land to the west of the new Hill Street extension, including the possibility of further tree plantings with the aim of enhancing and complementing the Botanic Gardens and Adventure Playground precinct".

"The NDR carries more than 8,000 vehicle movements a day, including many people travelling from and returning to western NSW or coastal NSW," said Cr Nugent.

"The Botanic Gardens-Adventure Playground precinct offers excellent facilities for travellers including a choice of picnic areas, a playground for kids, toilets, the opportunity to wander through the gardens, Emmaville Cottage and a café."

The completion of the roundabout at Hill Street and William Maker Drive has made access the the gardens and the playground easier.

"However on the NDR approaches to the roundabout, there is limited signage about the precinct - the bottom and smallest of three signs mention the Botanic Gardens and Adventure Playground," said Cr Nugent.

He said options for promoting the space as a rest area included signage, social media promotion and listing on the government's NSW Rest Area web page.

"With modest development in the form of additional trees, pedestrian access, picnic tables and space for ball games, it could serve a dual purpose of another option for travellers, and a park for residents," said Cr Nugent.

"The Botanic Gardens and Adventure Playground precinct offers fantastic facilities and is one of Orange's premier recreational locations.

"It would be great to share it with more travellers."

Cr Nugent has also moved a motion saying DAs should put a value on the trees on the site of the proposed development.

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