Blue Mountains News

Leveraging our unique location within a City of the Arts, surrounded by a UNESCO World Heritage Area, the vision is to create a Planetary Health Precinct of local, national, and international significance that will provide unique, diverse and enriching experiences for our community and visitors.

Blue Mountains Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: “As much of Australia and the World reels from a string of natural disasters, the links between the health of natural systems and human health are becoming self-evident. So too are the increasingly extreme and detrimental impacts of climate change.

“We need to take tangible steps to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of our City and our community. But how can we do this?

“One way is through establishing a Planetary Health Precinct on the Former Katoomba Golf Course Site that guides local action to restore planetary health and build community resilience. Inspired by the wisdom and knowledge of First Nations people and working collaboratively in partnership with community, environment organisations, the business sector, tertiary institutions and other key stakeholders, such a Precinct could provide an exemplary model to other Local Government Areas across the world.  

“Right now we have the opportunity to position our City and its unique setting within a World Heritage Area, as a globally recognised hub of innovation and excellence in the field of sustainability and planetary health.”

The Draft Precinct Plansets out the vision, principles, and objectives for the precinct and presents potential land uses and activation proposals to be implemented over the short (0-3 years), medium (3-10 years), and long term (10+years). These uses and activities, that will contribute to positive long-term economic, environmental, cultural and social outcomes for the Blue Mountains, include:

• Create spaces for meeting and gathering including the creation of yarning circles as a first action for the Planetary Health Precinct.
• Develop multi-purpose and adaptable spaces for formal and informal learning, education, research and creative experimentation.
• Develop Planetary Health demonstration and learning opportunities as models for sustainable living, using renewable technology and climate responsive solutions.
• Protect, restore and regenerate environmentally significant areas in the Precinct.
• Develop and demonstrate natural system restoration including innovative water management to restore the hydrological cycle and reduce disaster risk.
• Adapt existing infrastructure for sustainable social experiences, resource sharing and creativity.
• Provide managed public access to natural recreation areas and low-impact activities such as walking and nature play.
• Create focus areas for planetary health related events, arts and cultural activities, and
• Integrate engaging discovery and learning opportunities across the site for visitors of all demographics, including schools and tertiary education students.

Blue Mountains CEO, Dr Rosemary Dillon said: “Our City is perfectly positioned to showcase ways we can take local action to restore natural systems and build resilient communities. This site presents a wonderful opportunity to attract leading researchers, and work with our community, to pioneer social, economic and environmental initiatives that reduce future disaster risk, heal Country, restore the health of our planet whilst creating local employment.

“The proposed Planetary Health Precinct on the former Katoomba Golf Course site, forms an important part of the Planetary Health Initiative (PHI). Since the establishment of the PHI we’ve partnered with the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Western Sydney University, the University of Technology’s Institute for Sustainable Futures, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute (WHI), Notre Dame University, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Sydney University’s Environment Institute with a shared vision of advancing our understanding and capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of planetary health.”

How can I comment on the draft Precinct Plan?

You are invited to comment on the draft precinct plan by 28 April and join our Community Information Workshops & Information Day to learn more about the draft plan, ask questions and provide feedback.

Monday 20 March, 5.30-7pm -Community Information Workshop #1

Tuesday 21 March, 10.30am-12pm -Community Information Workshop #2 + Site Tour

Saturday, 1 April, 10am-3pm -Community Information Day

Monday, 24 April, 5.30-7pm -Online Community Information Workshop #3

Wednesday, 26 April, 10.30am-12pm -Community Information Workshop #4 + Site Tour

RSVPs are essential for the workshops. Go to here for more information.