Blue Mountains News

“This Masterplan is a key strategic document to guide future planning in Katoomba,” Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said. “It’s critical that this plan is informed by consultation to ensure it reflects the views and aspirations of everyone in our community.

“That’s why I encourage members of the community to view the document and give their feedback.”

Council endorsed preparation of the Katoomba Masterplan at a 2020 Council meeting, following which early community engagement was undertaken to seek community ideas and priorities for the future of Katoomba. The outcomes resulted in the creation of a Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) and the results of this early engagement, and extensive community input, have contributed to the range and nature of initiatives and have been used to develop the draft Katoomba Masterplan now presented for public exhibition.

The program includes the preparation of a broad Masterplan including the town centre, as well as parts of north Katoomba and the southern visitor precinct, to be followed by site specific precinct plans for key sites within Katoomba delivered over time. These key sites are identified within the draft Katoomba Masterplan, highlighting the strategic direction for these sites and ideas for change on which community feedback is welcomed.  

Key sites will then be further investigated through site specific precinct plans, the first of these being the former Katoomba Golf Course site.

“The Masterplan document provides a robust design logic for future change and development across Katoomba,” Mayor Greenhill continued. “And a coordinated framework for guiding infrastructure and public domain improvement, renewal and investment over the next 15-20 years.

“It does not change existing resourcing commitments, but looks at broadening existing initiatives to respond to community need and it captures strategic outlook for the future of Katoomba over the medium and long term.”

The Masterplan includes concept plans for key sites, to provide a visual impression of some of the principles outlined for these places and precincts. These drawings are not intended as final designs but to explain a concept or strategic direction.

Following the public exhibition all submissions received will be reviewed and considered for action or amendment of the draft Katoomba Masterplan. A future report will be brought before Council on the outcomes of this public exhibition process.

For more information or to have your say on the Katoomba Masterplan, go to: here. Hard copies are also available at Blue Mountains Libraries. Submissions are open from 17 October until 11 December 2022.