Concept designs and information detailing the upcoming improvements to Katoomba Falls Reserve have been released by the Blue Mountains City Council for residents to review.
The designs, which incorporate community feedback received in late 2023, help illustrate how Council will deliver grant funded upgrades at the reserve, including:
- An upgraded section of the Katoomba Falls Night Lit Walk, providing high quality signage, track surfaces, handrails and balustrades that meet current standards. In addition, supporting infrastructure such as seating and bubblers, will provide an improved experience for users;
- Pedestrian crossing, intersection and parking adjustments to improve connectivity across Cliff Drive and provide better access to public amenities, the Night Lit Walk, Katoomba Falls Kiosk and Katoomba Falls Tourist Park;
- Traffic calming measures to improve pedestrian safety;
- A new amenities building closer to the Night Lit Walk with greater capacity and accessibility;
- Two new picnic shelters available to general users, which will also provide cover for small groups of school students, who often undertake environmental education at the reserve;
- A new changeroom building to replace and upgrade the existing facilities;
- Improved drainage and lighting for the upper oval to enhance the usability of the oval following periods of wet weather and of an evening.
“The new concept designs show how significant improvements will be made at the reserve to improve safety, amenity and accessibility for residents and visitors,” said Mayor, Mark Greenhill.
“With new pedestrian links, better lighting, an improved intersection, and traffic calming measures, improving safety for all users of the reserve and its surrounding attractions will be one of the big outcomes of these upgrades.”
The Council explored a series of upgrade ideas for the reserve with the community in late 2023, as part of a large-scale, precinct planning process.
“The new concept designs are the evolution of those discussions and bring together community feedback with expert advice from internal and external stakeholders,” said Mayor Greenhill.
“Providing these upgrades is the initial step towards realising a wider Precinct Plan for the reserve. The larger Precinct Plan will continue to develop over the next two years with work being done to ensure it integrates with other key planning processes.
“We acknowledge that part of this area of land is located on The Gully Aboriginal Place and Council is engaging in consultation with Traditional Owners.”
Upgrade work is expected to commence in November, starting with improvements to the Night Lit Walk. The full upgrade program is scheduled to be completed by mid-2027.
The $4.8 million upgrade of Katoomba Falls Reserve is funded by the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) Program in association with Blue Mountains City Council.
The concept designs can be reviewed and feedback submitted until Friday 25 July at yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/katoomba-falls-res-pp.
