Access to the Civic Centre Precinct by School Groups

Many teachers have found access to the Orange Civic Centre precinct difficult and a determining factor in not organising visits there.

It is certainly difficult supervising a class across busy Byng Street from Robertson Park.

We are currently negotiating with the Council to provide assistance for a supervised crossing. More news when it comes to hand.

Most classes travel to the Civic Centre precinct – the Gallery, Library, Theatre and Council Chambers - by bus.

Bus drivers usually decide to park in McNamara Lane, leaving the class to negotiate busy Byng Street.

We thank Council staff members, especially Michael Milston, Director Human Services, for arranging the following safer alternative.

The largest of the Orange Coaches can enter the carpark close to the Theatre from Lords Place, make a three point turn into the area near the water sculpture and depart to park elsewhere and wait for a call for the pickup. This is excellent when there are few buses such as for Library and Gallery visits.

When many buses are arriving for a Theatre performance, Council Staff  agreed  to provide a temporary, long bus zone in Byng Street on the side of the Theatre.

The FORG Kids Committee,

4 February 2009

 

Information from Orange City Council follows 

D09/7319

Access to the Civic Square Precinct by

School Groups

Many teachers have reportedly found access to the Orange Civic Centre

and cultural precinct - the Gallery, Library, Theatre and Council Chambers

- difficult and suggest it is a determining factor in not organising visits

there.

There are two ways that students can access the precinct – on foot and by

vehicle (bus or car)

Arriving on foot requires an assessment of the safety when crossing Byng

St. A pedestrian refuge has been constructed mid-block between Lords

Place and Peisley Street, near McNamara Lane on Robertson Park.

Alternatively, most classes travel to the Civic Square precinct by bus (and

some by car). The following procedure will ensure students do not need to

cross Byng St and are delivered to/collected from the precinct.

Bus drivers should be requested to enter the Tim Sullivan Civic Square

Car Park from Lords Place and drop children off in the bay outside the

Theatre. We have buses using this route frequently and depending on the

size of the bus it may have to perform a three point turn at the U-turn near

the Library/Gallery forecourt. The bus driver then exits the car park and

can park in McNamara Lane and collect the children from the same spot

as dropped off. This is excellent for Library, Gallery, Theatre and Council

Chamber visits.

When many buses are arriving for a Theatre performance, Council Staff

will attempt to provide a long bus zone in Byng Street on the side of the

Theatre for drop off and pick-up only. Contact Theatre staff when booking

and advise of this need.

Michael Milston

DIRECTOR HUMAN SERVICES

ORANGE CITY COUNCIL

April 2009