Upgrades to Wentworth Falls Lake have reached a critical milestone with the completion of the complex dam and spillway works, Blue Mountains City Council has announced.
The opening of a new path across the dam means that entire eastern edge of the lake is now able to be accessed, boosting opportunities to enjoy the recreation area.
The works were officially opened today by Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill; Deputy Mayor, Romola Hollywood; Member for the Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle and Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman.
“This package of upgrades sensitively enhances what the lake has offered visitors for years, while ensuring it’s more accessible for community and visitors,” said Mayor Greenhill.
“The upgrades help ensure community safety, by providing increased protections from future flood and fire events through improvements to the dam, spillway, spillway pedestrian bridge and the boat ramp.
“The repaired dam and spillway, with the new boat ramp and improved access road, provide a crucial boost to local bushfire preparedness. That includes Rural Fire Service operations and training and use by other emergency or operational services.”
The completed upgrades include:
- Necessary dam upgrades for community safety;
- A new pedestrian path across the top of the dam wall;
- Spillway upgrades that improve control of water levels for fire protection and community resilience;
- A new bridge across the spillway;
- An upgraded boat ramp and emergency vehicle access road.
“I am pleased these improvements to the safety of the lake’s wall have taken place, and a beloved recreational spot for locals and visitors alike is coming back to life,” said Ms Doyle.
“Not only that, but the lake has also now been opened up to those with mobility issues. They too, can now enjoy lakeside views.
“The Lake is an enormously popular location and one of the many drawcards to the Mountains, and the community will welcome being able to enjoy a loop of the lake again.”
The stage two upgrades follow the completion of other important accessibility upgrades at the lake last year which included a new accessible viewing platform and pedestrian walkway, accessible path along the eastern edge of the lake, new carpark on Waratah Road and improvements to the shared path along Sinclair Crescent.
“While we’ve completed some big-ticket items at Wentworth Falls Lake, work continues on other upgrades, including a new carpark on Sinclair Crescent, improvements to the existing loop walk around the lake and improved recreational facilities for the community,” Mayor Greenhill said.
“I’d like to thank the community based Advisory Group that Council brought together early in the upgrade process to provide direct feedback on the project and address community issues and questions. Their local knowledge is invaluable.”
Wentworth Falls Lake is one of Council’s four large District Parks, spaces that cater to the needs of the broader Blue Mountains community and visitors to the city.
The completed upgrades have been funded from the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program; the Australian Government’s Preparing Australian Communities – Local Stream Grants Program and the Western Parkland City Liveability Program (part of the Western Sydney City Deal).
To find out more about the Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct upgrade and to stay up to date with progress, visit: bmcc.nsw.gov.au/wentworth-falls-lake.
