Orange’s case to become the federal capital of Australia

On January 1, 1901, the colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania joined together to form the new Commonwealth of Australia.

High on the agenda for the new federal parliament was choosing an appropriate site for a federal district to build an appropriate capital city for the young nation.

There had been much debate already between the colonies – now states – as to where the capital should be located and conditions had been set in the Constitution: The capital site had to be in NSW, but at least 100 miles (160 kilometres) from Sydney. Scores of sites were proposed for the new territory and the merits of each were debated by politicians and in the press. Dalgety, on the banks of the Snowy River was an early front-runner and the nearby town of Bombala was also considered, as was Albury.

But the NSW representatives weren’t in favour of the capital being located that far south and they pushed strongly for regions closer to Sydney.

One of their leading candidates was Orange.

A local campaign to build a federal capital at Orange had begun in February 1899, with the support of a number of prominent citizens including the wealthy merchant and pastoralist James Dalton. Over the next few years, Orange Federal Capital League worked hard to make the case for “Canobolas,” but in October 1908 it was confirmed that the Yass – Canberra site was to be our nation’s capital.

Looking through the National Library of Australia’s online archive, Trove, Orange City Life came across a booklet produced by the Orange Federal Capital League making a case for  Canobolas being “the ideal site for the Federal Capital of Australia.”

The booklet begins by pointing out the suitability of our city’s geographical location and the existing railway connection to Sydney, Melbourne, and the other state capitals.

As for the ability to feed a new city, “the district is favoured by exceptional conditions… and its ability to support a large population from its own resources is unquestionable.” 

The booklet even includes a list showing the volumes of produce exported from the district to add weight to their case.

And the climate, soils and rainfall of the district surpass all the proposed sites, the League states emphatically.

“Orange has already a perfect and over-abundant supply of water… sufficient for double the present population of Orange.” The population then was about 5,000. 

“The healthiness of the district is proverbial, “ the booklet continues, “and medical gentlemen highly recommend it as a health resort.

“The locally-born persons are famous for longevity. Orange is frequently quoted as one of the healthiest places in Australia all the year round.

“It enjoys complete immunity from fogs, and air is always bracing a light.”

The League points out that when it comes to constructing the new capital, building materials such as basalt, trachyte, marble, granite, limestone, brick clays and flag stones “exist in the district in practically inexhaustible quantities, and in the most convenient positions.”

Under the heading “Special Advantages” the League is effusive in its praises of “the beautiful undulating country, diversified and picturesque in character.” Their proposed building site “has an easterly and northerly aspect, its contour and surroundings are all that can be desired.”

The booklet includes a number of photographs highlighting the beauty of the district. 

“No other proposed site can compare with CANOBOLAS in regard to these special advantages,” it concludes, “and it is confidently believed by the Orange Federal Capital League that the claims and qualifications of the district to be selected as the Site for the Federal Capital are superior to those of any other available site.”