Amenities upgrade for Banjo Patterson Memorial Park
A new amenities block has transformed use of Banjo Paterson Memorial Park in Orange, with a NSW Government investment of over $130,000 allowing residents and tourists to stay in the park for extended periods to enjoy picnics, weddings or the annual poetry festival.
Banjo Paterson Memorial Park is a Crown reserve with the $143,686 project funded by Crown Lands with further contributions from Orange City Council.
The park is popular with residents including from the adjoining new subdivision of Clifton Gardens, as well as the many tourists who visit the location of the former farm claimed to be the birthplace of the famous bush poet Banjo Paterson.
The project has seen the installation of two new toilets accessible for people with disabilities, a new water bubbler, a 10,000 litre concrete water tank connected to the amenities block and a 3,000 litre septic tank.
The upgrades have improved the park for both Orange residents and tourists who come to a site with strong associations with one of Australia's greatest bush poets.
The amenities upgrade will support picnics in the park, which already includes two sheltered picnic tables and a barbecue, and make it a more attractive location for future outdoor weddings.
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the improved facilities will also make the park a more comfortable location to host events for Banjo Paterson's birthday commemorations and the annual Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival around Orange.
The park already has a monument to Banjo Paterson and a separate sculpture that commemorates the poet who wrote Waltzing Matilda, Clancy of the Overflow and The Man from Snowy River.
“The investment in this project will allow locals to extend their use of the park while also making it more attractive to visitors who support jobs in local shops, cafés and wineries,” Mr Kamper said.
“Crown land is held in trust for the community and supports everything from parks, ovals, showgrounds, racecourses and walking tracks to museums, community halls and PCYCs.”