Blue Mountains News
Local Blue Mountains news updated throughout the day. Featuring news, sport, entertainment, media releases, lifestyle blog stories and more. You can also receive daily updates by subscribing to Fresh Air Daily.
Archive - June 2020
30 Jun 2020
Council, BMT and NPWS: Supporting the Blue Mountains’ Economy to Recover
Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC), in partnership with Blue Mountains Tourism (BMT) and NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), have developed a destination marketing campaign to kick-start the local economy after bush fires and COVID-19.29 Jun 2020
Temporary Closure - Wentworth Falls Area Walking Tracks - Fri 3rd July 2020
National Parks & Wildlife ServiceBlue Mountains National Park – Wentworth Falls Area
Friday 3rd July – weather dependent
28 Jun 2020
Kids Ride Free on Blue Mountains Explorer Bus
Kids can experience edge-of-the-cliff thrills in the Blue Mountains from the safety of a double decker big red bus these school holidays – for free.28 Jun 2020
Here’s Why We Can’t Stop Getting Lost in National Parks
As national parks and trails across Australia spring back to life post-pandemic, new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has revealed the risky behaviour of visitors is placing their safety in danger.28 Jun 2020
Lithgow Bushfire Recovery Service Drop-In Centre to recommence in July
Lithgow City Council will be recommencing the Bushfire Mobile Recovery Service Drop-In Centre at the Lithgow Library on Thursday 2 July at 3pm.27 Jun 2020
Campbell Rhododendron Gardens Annual Lodge Open Weeks Cancelled for 2020
The volunteers of the Blue Mountains Rhododendron Society of NSW Inc.—who manage and maintain the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens—have been hard at work restoring the plants damaged when fire raged through the Gardens in December 2019.27 Jun 2020
Penrith Regional Gallery to Reopen from 28 June with Dream Realised: Our Community Victory
Penrith Regional Gallery, Home of the Lewers Bequest will reopen its spaces to the public on Sunday 28 June with the exhibition suite Dream Realised: our community victory.26 Jun 2020
Mayor Rejects New Housing Code for Blue Mountains
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill has sounded the alarm as the NSW Government announces it will force its Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code onto councils across NSW, including the Blue Mountains.25 Jun 2020
GIVIT and TAUBMANS ‘In It Together’ fundraiser for regional communities reaches $150,000
Isolating DIYers and professional painters have raised an incredible $150,000 for the ‘In It Together’ campaign, by TAUBMANS® paint by PPG and national online charity GIVIT, supporting regional communities in need after recent bushfires, prolonged drought, floods and now COVID-19.24 Jun 2020
St Dominics College to Benefit from Upgraded Facilities
Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith today visited St Dominic’s College to announce a grant of $724,625 through the NSW Government’s 2019/20 Building Grants Assistance Scheme (BGAS).24 Jun 2020
New Pump Track for Lithgow
Lithgow City Council Mayor Ray Thompson has welcomed an announcement by Member for Bathurst Paul Toole of $522,353 grant funding to construct a bike pump track at Endeavour Park Lithgow.22 Jun 2020
Enjoy Live Performances from Local Artists this June and July
A series of 6 live streamed music performances by local artists held at a local recording and rehearsal studio with production by KFM Media. Every Monday 7-8pm from 15th June.21 Jun 2020
Re-Opening of Community Halls
Lithgow City Council re-opened community halls as of the 15th June 2020 in line with easing of NSW Health restrictions.21 Jun 2020
Council to Reopen Community Halls
Blue Mountains City Council is pleased to announce that it will reopen community halls to regular hirers from Monday, 22 June.20 Jun 2020
Reducing Winter Air Pollution in 2020
With winter well and truly here, residents can assist in reducing winter smoke and ensure their fires are burning correctly.20 Jun 2020
Blue Mountains Boosted through Arts and Cultural Support
Government Member of the Legislative Council and Blue Mountains resident Shayne Mallard MP announced this week, that the Blue Mountains will receive $15,000 in funding through Round 2 of the NSW Government’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program.19 Jun 2020
Echo Point Upgrades Nearing Completion
A major upgrade of Echo Point is nearing completion.In October 2019, Council commenced works to enhance Echo Point Lookout for the community and visitors.
19 Jun 2020
Residents Warned Not to Feed Wild Dogs
BLUE Mountains residents are being warned not to feed wild dogs, following a series of close calls in the area.18 Jun 2020
When a Free Drink on Vacation can Save the Environment
It’s not every week a researcher finds the actual answer to her academic challenge is to offer free drinks all round – then wins a global prize for the discovery.18 Jun 2020
Thanking our Volunteers
Volunteer Week is held in May each year and is a way of acknowledging and thanking our volunteers for the work they do in the community and celebrating how they make our community the amazing and vibrant place it is. Due to Covid-19, Council cancelled the celebration and instead asked local groups, organisations and individuals to nominate volunteers who are making contributions to the life of our region.17 Jun 2020
COVID-19 Awareness for Food Service Training
Free Voluntary Online Course on COVID-19 food safety awareness17 Jun 2020
CSIRO Study Reveals COVID-19’s Impact on Weight and Emotional Wellbeing
A new study by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has found that weight and emotional wellbeing has suffered throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, with Australians also feeling concerned about how long it will take for life to return to “normal”.13 Jun 2020
Re-Opening of J M Robson Aquatic Centre
Lithgow City Council will be opening J M Robson Aquatic Centre as of the 15th June 2020 in line with NSW Health restrictions.12 Jun 2020
Westmead Children's Hospital Community Drive
Garry Sims APM is a senior police officer and a R U OK? Community Ambassador who has lived in the Blue Mountains for nearly forty years. For the past five years, he has run a community drive to assist the patients at Westmead Children’s Hospital by encouraging the donation of new, commercially made Play Doh products.12 Jun 2020
New Blue Mountains Publication
Blue Mountains Active is a new online monthly publication.11 Jun 2020
Aboriginal Students Skill-Up on Construction at Nepean Hospital
Local Aboriginal school students have joined the construction team on the $1 billion Nepean Redevelopment Stage 1 to launch their trade careers under a successful training program.11 Jun 2020
Gavin Bowles Drops New Single 'Apartmentality'
Following on from the frenetic burst of The Daily Grind, Apartmentality is the timely new single from Blue Mountains troubadour Gavin Bowles. Driven by a chilled groove (courtesy of hot backing band The Distractions) and flaunting a slinky guitar riff, Apartmentality paints a picture of the boredom and frustrations of being stuck in a small space with little to do – sound familiar?10 Jun 2020
Temporary Closure - Wentworth Falls Area Walking Tracks - Thursday 11th June 2020
National Parks & Wildlife ServiceBlue Mountains National Park – Wentworth Falls Area
Thursday 11th June 2020 – weather dependent
10 Jun 2020
Temporary Closure - Govetts Leap Lookout - 11th June, 2020
National Parks & Wildlife ServiceBlue Mountains National Park – Blackheath Area
Thursday 11th June, 2020, weather permitting
8 Jun 2020
Mallard Calls for Community to Have Their Say on Highway Upgrade
In a Private Members Statement in the NSW Legislative Council Shayne Mallard MP has outlined the case for the Great Western Highway upgrade from Katoomba to Lithgow particularly focusing on the planned first stage at Medlow Bath.7 Jun 2020
Bushcare Back to Work after COVID-19 Restrictions
Volunteers and Council staff welcomed the news that the Bushcare program would recommence this week, following the suspension of activities due to COVID-19.6 Jun 2020
Small Business Grants Time Extension for Businesses
Stuart Ayres MP Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney welcomes the announcement that small businesses that have been highly impacted by COVID-19 have more time to submit applications for up to $10,000 in Small Business Support Fund grants.6 Jun 2020
Councils Creative Strategy to Help Increase the Viability of Creative Industries in the Blue Mountains
Council invites you to Have Your Say about Blue Mountains City Council’s Draft Creative Strategy 2020-2027.5 Jun 2020
Supporting our Community by Livestreaming Local Talent
Council is pleased to present Love Local Live.4 Jun 2020
A New, More Convenient Booked Waste Service Coming Soon
From 1 August, Council is moving to a more convenient, one-service model for the booked waste service.4 Jun 2020
Call for applications: Award to recognise community resilience
Council is calling on local organisations and groups working on initiatives to help the Lithgow community better prepare for, respond to or recover from a disaster to apply for the NSW Get Ready Community Award.3 Jun 2020
Council Seeks Investment in Job Creator Programs following COVID-19
Blue Mountains City Council is advocating for investment in Job Creator Programs, as a way for the local economy to recover after COVID-19.3 Jun 2020
Council's Report Card from the Community Shows Best Results in 24 Years
Blue Mountains City Council is pleased to share the results of the latest Community Satisfaction Survey.2 Jun 2020
Join Thousands of Australians as they Register for Fly into July
The Fly into July challenge is designed to encourage people of all abilities to increase their level of daily activity through logging their distance/steps for each day of the month.1 Jun 2020